GENUINE BROWN SCREWS 100 PACK

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It depends more on the diameter or gauge of the screws shank really. You might find that a large plug like a 70mm one is designed for a really large diameter screw (5 or 6mm plus). Difficult without knowing the weight of the mirror, but I’d have through that an 80mm slotted, square hook would be fine with a regular brown 7mm plug, making sure that you push the plug into the masonry itself and through the plasterworks. p.s. if you’re worried out the sharp edges of the cut out area, it’s easy to shield them by making a ‘grommet’ out of some thin plastic tubing cut on one side. I have access to lots of ‘hospital drip’ tubing (wifes a nurse you see) which is about 3 or 4mm tube, perfect when cut down one side with some tiny scissors (also ‘single use’ from the hospital lol!).

Any mirror that needs more than this should be hung on a pair of hooks in my opinion (gives better leveling too). I think with it being ‘only’ 500mm high, I’d be tempted to get long outdoor screws, preferably with a hex head and then use regular wall plugs as deep as I could get into the masonry. Drill holes very slowly and carefully (SDS etc)and blow out the dust (seems worse on vertical holes as the bit doesn’t clear as well as horizontal holes). Don’t worry too much about hitting mortar, obviously if it’s three out of four holes maybe! As long as it’s only the odd one, it should still hold well. Any really bad holes you could resin fill maybe and push the screw into it (seen this done with outdoor ‘no-nails’ type stuff in a pinch, he left the screw a couple of turns proud and nipped it up after 24hrs… big dodgy but what can you do sometimes!). See what they have at the store screw/length wise, stainless steel is best of course. You could even consider structural timber screws, if you can get a wall plug big enough for them. They are long, have flanged heads and designed for outdoor use, just a thought (Have a look at what I mean at screwfix…).

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How deep does a wall plug need to be? I talked about this a lot on another post, here’s the link: How to Properly Use Wall Plugs I definitely agree with you re the larger screws, I’ve got nothing over a 10g x 100mm in my box for sure. Bolts or frame fixings for me at and above that. I don’t have too much problem getting the bigger gauges in, as I use a pretty powerful drill driver, but yes, you can’t stop and they need lots of ‘feed’ or you’ll get into trouble. You’d struggle getting them in by hand I do agree. Hope that gives you an alternative and I really must write up this tip into an article (so thanks for that push!)

Yes, the leverage could be considerable. Especially if someone falls or pulls on it etc. I’m assuming it’s outside so whatever you choose obviously needs to be suitable for prolonged outdoor use. Let me know what you’re fixing up and clarify the shank diameter of the screw and I’ll be much more specific, I promise! In fact, if any screw starts to get very tight, it’s best to stop and have a rethink before you break the screw or burst the material. Screws should be tight, but not crazy, “sweating to get them in” tight! Simply hit reverse and take it out.Can I first ask what you are fastening to the wall? It’s just that plastic wall plugs of the size you’d need for a screw that size are not in common use. Sure you can buy ‘sets’ of big screws that come with a large plastic plug (sink/washbasin screws to name one) but usually if you’re hanging something heavy on a masonry wall you’d use a ‘rawlbolt’ style expanding bolt; either a hex head and washer or a nut and washer. I’ve explained this screw data in an easy to understand table because I find manufacturers recommendations are often vague and general, I mean; why not be specific? I understand there’s a ‘range’ but why not give us the ‘ideal’ measurement, because mostly we have a choice?

Don’t forget that the weight is mostly in ‘shear’ too; i.e. it’s trying to pull down on the fixing and not too much force is trying to pull the thing out of the wall! By coincidence, the size of an imperial screw head also roughly equates to the gauge. For example an 8-gauge screw has an 8mm wide head…..handy huh? Resin is obviously a great way forward as it holds well without creating stress, but it’s much more work and the nuts don’t look as neat as a screw or bolt head. Then you’ll need to consider whether to use a smaller gauge screw or drill a larger pilot hole if it’s in wood. In masonry you always have the option to re-drill the hole one size bigger (drilling through the existing wall plug) and use a bigger plug, red up to brown for example. General Tips