How can I upgrade a plastic anchor used to support a wire shelf?

Question

One of the two little anchors

holding a wire shelf that looks like this

(but that is held by 2, not 4, anchors — not my work) has failed. It pulled straight out of the drywall.

I am still comfortable reusing the same solution, because the two C-beams

appear tough enough for the rated 80 lb of this shelf. Plus, the distance between the sides is neither 36" nor 48", and so a proper solution with wooden support on 2 or 3 sides would be too much trouble at this time.

I will simply use two toggle bolt anchors. But while I'm at it, I don't want to reuse the flimsy plastic anchor that you see at the top of this post.

How can I upgrade a plastic anchor used to support a wire shelf?

Related

• How do I reattach a shelf to the wall when it ripped out of the wall?

Answer 1

I'd just install more of the original anchors, ideally into studs. You could also put three of the hollow-wall variety near the original hole, spaced say 2 inches, and it wouldn't move unless you're really abusing the shelf. I've used these systems quite a bit and have never had a failure even with the standard approach.

Otherwise, I can think of a couple fairly simple options.

1. Slice the anchor stud off the original clip such that you're left with just the hole through its back plate. Insert your toggle bolt, then attach the toggle wings. Pop it into the original hole.

2. Use your toggle bolt with a strap of plastic or metal. Wrap the strap around the wire rail, mark suitable screw hole locations, and drill those. Now install the strap onto the wire, insert the toggle bolt, then the wings, and install in the original hole. The strap could loop upward or downward from the toggle bolt, depending on what's the best position.

Answer 2

I'm thinking out loud, here. These ideas are untested.

One option is to use a hang track.

This would replace the tiny plastic support pieces. The wire at the rear of the shelf would rest directly inside the hang track's groove.

It's not ideal because the support would go on the wires that are perpendicular to the wall. The thicker wire running parallel to the wall would most likely be hanging in the air.

A better solution is to discard not just the plastic supports, but also the diagonal supports, and to use a pair of shelf supports instead.

Doing so would replace the support system completely. It's subject to finding matching dimensions.

To use shelf supports, a pair of "wall standards" would be needed.

Answer 3

I've struggled with those cheap wire rack mounts myself. The problem is that the plastic gets brittle as it ages. Personally, I would replace the ones at the back of the rack with something like ClosetMaid 7561 2-screw clips. Instead of using the plastic anchors that come with the clips, I'd buy some of those spiral drywall anchors, such as E-Z Ancor #11364 (though there are many options out there). If the spacing works with your existing holes, and the holes are the right size, you can use them. Otherwise, just spackle them and make new holes adjacent.

The fastener at the bottom of the strut could just be one of those spiral drywall anchors—no clip needed.

Answer 4

I suggest using some of the correct drywall anchors available.

Drill the correct size hole or choose drywall anchors that fit the hole you now have (if the holes are too large then investigate how to repair drywall).

Then drill suitable holes in the plastic bracket / fixing that you show to secure them to the new anchors.