PSA: that elderly guy at the hardware store actually knows his stuff

I was picking out anchors for a heavy shelf last Tuesday and this older employee named Frank stopped me from buying the cheap plastic ones. He walked me over to the metal toggle bolts and explained how drywall can't hold more than 30 pounds with those plastic junkers. Has anyone else gotten unexpectedly great advice from a random stranger at a store?

2 comments

2 Comments

brian_kelly9111d ago

Isn't it funny how the people who look like they've been around the block always have the best tips?

harper_singh1811d ago

Frank's right about the plastic anchors being junk, but 30 pounds is a little low for the good metal ones. Those plastic ribbed ones can actually handle around 50 pounds if you hit a stud, but the problem is no one ever checks what's behind the drywall. Most people just grab the cheapest bag and assume it'll work, then wonder why their shelf ends up on the floor at 3 AM. The toggle bolts Frank picked are definitely the safer bet for a heavy shelf, especially if you're not sure about the wall.