In Julie & Julia, the girl who is trying to learn from Julia talks about the great comfort in recipes. That when everything else is out of control, she knews if she follows a recipe precisely she'll produce something perfect. Today I can relate.
I attempted using a power drill for the first time in my life. This I can do. I kept drilling larger and larger holes for the anchors I'm supposed to use in these ancient plaster walls. Problem is that I can't get the anchors to work. They bend when I try to hammer them. I currently have a large pile of tools on the floor that I'm inept at using and no pictures hung. I believe I could bribe Greg to do the task for me with a perfect recipe.
My little brother is in love with an interior designer who graduated from Cornell. He's moving into a house he's renting from an ambassador. I am cutting my hand while trying to make crostini. Hoping to produce some tiny bit of perfection for book club to make me feel like I am capable. Is there a troop of adult girl scouts where I can earn a badge for this and learn how to using these f-ing, flimsy anchors? Pioneer Girls only provided craft lessons.
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Hazel.... I hate anchors, and I gave up in my old home and just let my curtains hang crooked...but, here is some guidance... I just pray for the Lord to bring some man along who could do it for me or better yet, TEACH me how... teach a man to fish ... here is some guidance I found for you:
ReplyDeletePS... I was a girl scout...but I never learned how to anchor...just to sell and eat those cookies... I was a thin mint/tagalong fan
1.Different anchors for different walls. Determine the type of wall you're hanging on.
◦Plaster wall: Has lathe boards behind it and has been plastered over the boards. This was a common practice in very old homes. For these you will need to use metal anchors. The metal anchors can also be used on concrete.
◦Drywall wall: Also known as sheetrock, gyprock or plasterboard. This is a plaster sheet that has paper on both sides. It is then screwed or nailed to the studs of the wall. These wall boards are used in most houses built from the 1970's on. With these types of walls, you need to use plastic anchors.
2.Determine where you want to hang your picture. On a plaster wall, it is best if you hang directly into a stud. On drywall you can hang anywhere (but if going into the stud, just use the screw, don't anchor). In concrete you can place it anywhere, except on the seams of concrete blocks. You can determine where the stud is by finding the nails in your baseboard trim, and following them up.
3.Make a small pencil mark where the center of your screw will go. If you're hanging an object like a shadow box, you need to measure the distance between the center of the hooks, and add an extra anchor.
4.The size of your anchor should be determined by the size of your screw, your screw should be at least 1 1/4 inches(6.9 cm) long if you are going into a stud. If you're not going into a stud, then the size isn't so vital but should be determined by the dimensions of the object that you are hanging. If you tell your hardware store clerk what you plan to hang, they will usually set you up with the ideal screw and anchor. The tip edge of the screw should fit into the open end of the anchor, and it should be obvious that the body of the screw will be snug, if not slightly bigger than the inner opening of the anchor. In addition the screw should not be longer than the anchor.
5.Using a drill bit a little smaller than the closed end of the plastic anchor (the same size for metal anchors), drill a hole through the center of your mark. You only need to go as deep as the anchor. Brush off the excess sheetrock/plaster dust.
6.Place the anchor with the closed end evenly into the hole. Gently tap the open end with a hammer or rubber mallet until the anchor is almost flush with the wall.
7.Insert the screw and slowly screw it into the anchor, leaving an 1/8 (3.1 mm) to a 1/4 ( 6.3 mm) of the screw out to hang your picture on. Most of the metal anchors are made of lead, so as the screw goes into them they expand, as will plastic ones.
Joanne saves the day again! You are the ultimate girlscout. I will read these instructions carefully and try to learn. Hope all is going well with trying to set up a house in TX. How is the job, church, BSF? Miss you here!
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