I recently installed two metal drywall toggle anchors (similar to this. My measurements for these anchors turned out to be about 1/8th of an inch off, so they do not line up with the d-rings on the mirror I planned to hang. What methods can be used to fix this? If I can manage to get the toggle anchors out of the wall, can they be moved such a short distance with existing holes spackled and still hold? The anchors are rated at 100lbs and the mirror I am hanging is somewhere between 40-60lbs.
Drywall – Fixing a poor measurement of drywall toggle anchors
drywall-anchorhanging
Related Solutions
I'd use picture wire between the two D-rings to hang the picture. Leave some slack in the wire, as that will give you some scope for adjustment to make sure it can hang level.
Usually, I'd suggest picture hooks, but with insulation in front of the plasterboard, my suggestion would be to drive decent length screws into the studs, leaving the head protruding a little, and hang the picture wire over the screw heads
I found this video on youtube titled: "Plastic Toggle Anchors" that shows their installation. The trick is to use your index finger to push in the toggle so that it can collapse down into a "barrel" shape for insertion into a pre-drilt hole in the dry-wall.
Here are the key shots from that video.
image #1
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Best Answer
The structure of the wall is gone in the direct vicinity, so moving the anchors you have will not work, and spackle is more a replacement for the paper on the drywall, than the gypsum itself.
Most useful, I think:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/some_guy/16751622487/
Other Options:
Drill for the screws to catch the d-ring on the mirror.
A loop of piece of picture hanging wire, quick link, modified simpson strong tie or the like is also valid here.
Cut (drywall saw, hacksaw blade, steak knife, ginsu or similar) the 1/8 over to where you need.
Get a couple of 'real' spring loaded toggle bolts, with the longest arms possible. You can get shorter screws if needed.
Build a washer 'sandwich' with the largest fender washer possible to go against the wall, as many normal size washers as needed to hook the d-ring, and then a larger washer against the toggle screw that will keep the d-ring from bumping/sliding off the front of the bolt.
With the exception of the washer closest to the screw head, they do not need to have the 'right' size hole in them, just enough to not fall through each other.
Expand, by cutting the hole in the wall just large to fit the toggle through.
Tighten as needed, and then get the mirror on the wall to prevent anyone from seeing the mess (I have this final activity down to a fine art.)