Shelves on concrete wall

Need a Username

I’m a novice when it comes to much of this.

I bought an Ikea shelving system (Boaxel - https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/boaxel-2-sections-white-s69332399/ )
and the Ikea set of screws and plugs (https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/fixa-260-piece-screw-and-plug-set-00169249/).

I’ll be putting it up tomorrow but I am thinking I made a mistake with the screws.

The wall I’m putting the shelves on is a concrete wall so I’m wondering if the screws in this set are suitable?

And also what size screws should I use and how far into the wall should I drill?

I’ll be using the shelves to hold a projector and an xBox - they will be the heaviest items on it.

Thoie

If you look at the pictures on that second link, you're fine. You'll need to drill into the concrete (which will be really hard unless you've got a great drill), insert the plug, then screw into that. Looking at the product details you'll want an 8mm masonry bit for your drill.

If you look at the "cutaway" picture of it in concrete, you see you need to drill a bit deeper than the length of the screw. A bit of masking tape on the bit will help you see when you're deep enough.

If you haven't drilled through concrete before, the important thing is not to make the hole too big for the plug. It's easy to start "waggling" the drill around and make the hole bigger than you really wanted.

Need a Username

Thoie wrote: »

If you look at the pictures on that second link, you're fine. You'll need to drill into the concrete (which will be really hard unless you've got a great drill), insert the plug, then screw into that. Looking at the product details you'll want an 8mm masonry bit for your drill.

If you look at the "cutaway" picture of it in concrete, you see you need to drill a bit deeper than the length of the screw. A bit of masking tape on the bit will help you see when you're deep enough.

If you haven't drilled through concrete before, the important thing is not to make the hole too big for the plug. It's easy to start "waggling" the drill around and make the hole bigger than you really wanted.

Thank you for responding. I never thought to check if there was other photos.

How do you know which screw is right for the mounting rail? The product details don’t say what size screws are needed.

I didn’t some more searching since post. Would it the shelf system be more secure if I used masonry lag bolts on the mounting rail?

The drill going all over the place is certainly something I’ve done in the past.

Calahonda52

what size are the holes in the uprights that take the screws.

They dont tell u because of liability issues in a world where we need to tell people that a takeaway cup with coffee will be hot

quietsailor

If you haven't bought them already a good set of drill BITS is more useful than an expensive drill. A De Walt set would be a good brand or Milwaukee is another and they are available in nearly all tool shops.

If you plan on installing a lot of items in the future invest in some red rawl plugs. They need a 6mm masonry bit and seem to be the go to size for kitchen fitters so they can't be bad.

If you have time may I suggest going to a big builders providers near you - they would be a lot cheaper than the Woodies or B&Qs and in most of them now would have this kind of stuff on display so you'll have time to pick it up and look at it. If you're in Cork city Cork Builders Providers have all of the above out on the shelves

https://www.screwfix.ie/c/screws-nails-fixings/wall-plugs/cat840026?colour=red

astrofool

If you're worried about the bit moving, you can start with a smaller size bit (e.g. 3mm) and then use it as a guide with the larger bit (you don't need to go that deep for the guide hole (just a few mm).

4*60 or 4*40 (width/depth) is fairly common for screw size (wider/longer screws will hold more firmly), usually depends on how many are being used to hold it it, the mounting holes should act as a guide, if they are much bigger than the 4mm screw, then go to 5mm. The wall plugs are also optimised for different screw widths, if using an 8mm plug, then a 5mm screw should be used to get it nice and tight, for example. If you're going into plaster first, then I'd go minimum 60mm.

Also check for anything behind the wall (cables/pipes), it shouldn't be an issue, but there could be something on the other side of the wall to watch for as well.

Need a Username

quietsailor wrote: »

If you haven't bought them already a good set of drill BITS is more useful than an expensive drill. A De Walt set would be a good brand or Milwaukee is another and they are available in nearly all tool shops.

If you plan on installing a lot of items in the future invest in some red rawl plugs. They need a 6mm masonry bit and seem to be the go to size for kitchen fitters so they can't be bad.

If you have time may I suggest going to a big builders providers near you - they would be a lot cheaper than the Woodies or B&Qs and in most of them now would have this kind of stuff on display so you'll have time to pick it up and look at it. If you're in Cork city Cork Builders Providers have all of the above out on the shelves

https://www.screwfix.ie/c/screws-nails-fixings/wall-plugs/cat840026?colour=red

These shelves a the only thing I’d be installing for the foreseeable future, and I’m have my doubts about them.

Firstly I received four uprights instead of two mounting rails and two uprights (had planned on adding to the shelves later). Secondly, I think I have planned it all very badly and I really don’t trust “normal screws” to hold it up.

So I was going to go out today to get some masonry screws but since I don’t have the mounting rail I don’t know what size screws to buy.

Also, I was borrowing the drill but was told late last night that I can’t have it now. I don’t want to have to buy one for just a few minutes work even though there is a cheap hammer drill in Argos. A cordless electric screwdriver is something I was going to buy - but that wouldn’t be much good even with a masonry drill bit would it?

I’m wondering if I should get a ceiling mount for the projector instead. I wouldn’t need a drill or masonry bits for that, would I ?

Need a Username

astrofool wrote: »

If you're worried about the bit moving, you can start with a smaller size bit (e.g. 3mm) and then use it as a guide with the larger bit (you don't need to go that deep for the guide hole (just a few mm).

4*60 or 4*40 (width/depth) is fairly common for screw size (wider/longer screws will hold more firmly), usually depends on how many are being used to hold it it, the mounting holes should act as a guide, if they are much bigger than the 4mm screw, then go to 5mm. The wall plugs are also optimised for different screw widths, if using an 8mm plug, then a 5mm screw should be used to get it nice and tight, for example. If you're going into plaster first, then I'd go minimum 60mm.

Also check for anything behind the wall (cables/pipes), it shouldn't be an issue, but there could be something on the other side of the wall to watch for as well.

It is a gable end wall and nothing on the other side and no pipes or wires inside it.

The walls were insulated a couple of years ago but I don’t think I would have to drill that deep.

As I said above I’m having second thoughts about these shelves. There will be a bed and desk in the room and I think I’ve planned it out very badly.

If I have to buy a drill and bits, it will mount up to more than I intended to spend. Returning it to IKEA isn’t a problem and I know someone who would take bother at full price too if I can come up with a better idea for the projector.

Thoie

Not being mean, but you should read the instructions better Page 19 of the PDF that comes with the system shows that you want a screw with a flat head 7mm across for the horizontal rail, and a rounded head 8mm across for the vertical rails on page 25. I found that under "assembly instructions" on the right hand side of the link you shared.

https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/assembly_instructions/boaxel-wall-upright-white__AA-2181969-4_pub.pdf

A cordless electric screwdriver won't get you through concrete.

For a ceiling mount you'll still need to know what you're doing. Your ceiling is (probably) plasterboard across wooden joists. Hanging even a small projector off just the plasterboard won't work - you'll need to find a joist and go up into that, but you'll need very long screws to ensure you're going deep enough into the wood. A screwdriver might get you there, but a drill would still be better.

The cheap hammer drill in Argos might double as an electric screwdriver as well if it has various settings, so don't rule it out.


Secret option C is to see if there's a handyman anywhere near you who'd do it after lockdown - they usually have all the equipment and know what they're doing.

astrofool

Need a Username wrote: »

It is a gable end wall and nothing on the other side and no pipes or wires inside it.

The walls were insulated a couple of years ago but I don’t think I would have to drill that deep.

As I said above I’m having second thoughts about these shelves. There will be a bed and desk in the room and I think I’ve planned it out very badly.

If I have to buy a drill and bits, it will mount up to more than I intended to spend. Returning it to IKEA isn’t a problem and I know someone who would take bother at full price too if I can come up with a better idea for the projector.

If the room itself is insulated internally, then it changes how you mount. Essentially you have about 1.5cm of plasterboard, then 10cm of either foam or rockwool, then masonry, to mount into masonry, you would need long screws and a decent size drill bit. If it's rockwool, then chances are you have wooden studs to mount to, which if found, would be very easy to screw into. You can also mount directly onto the plasterboard, but would need to get specific plug types and check the weight rating is sufficient.

An electric screwdriver is not suitable for drilling any holes.

It really sounds like you need someone to do it for you, if you have a family member who is handy, you could ask them questions for future projects.

Need a Username

Thoie wrote: »

Not being mean, but you should read the instructions better Page 19 of the PDF that comes with the system shows that you want a screw with a flat head 7mm across for the horizontal rail, and a rounded head 8mm across for the vertical rails on page 25. I found that under "assembly instructions" on the right hand side of the link you shared.

https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/assembly_instructions/boaxel-wall-upright-white__AA-2181969-4_pub.pdf

I really want to claim that I somehow overlooked the details on the screws
, etc. but the return is that I saw those details several times and it just didn’t register.

Boys oh Boys that is bad

Thoie wrote: »

A cordless electric screwdriver won't get you through concrete.

For a ceiling mount you'll still need to know what you're doing. Your ceiling is (probably) plasterboard across wooden joists. Hanging even a small projector off just the plasterboard won't work - you'll need to find a joist and go up into that, but you'll need very long screws to ensure you're going deep enough into the wood. A screwdriver might get you there, but a drill would still be better.

The cheap hammer drill in Argos might double as an electric screwdriver as well if it has various settings, so don't rule it out.


Secret option C is to see if there's a handyman anywhere near you who'd do it after lockdown - they usually have all the equipment and know what they're doing.

I do at least know that I’d need to screw into a joist and not just the plasterboard :P but I’ve decided against a ceiling mount.

I’ll get the masonry screws over the weekend. Waiting to hear from IKEA about correcting the errors.