I know nothing of plasterboard fixings.

[julianf]

Almost finished up my daughter's room.

So, you had my partner looking fetching in her 2001 kit -

Yes, brain hickup when cutting the ceiling shape! I'm not convinced that the paper side makes any difference if you're actually skimming through.

It's those wires for the light that I need the fixings for anyway, but a couple more photos first...

My decorator friend (who is always trying to talk me into going on a plastering course!) tells me the ceiling is too polished and will limit paint adhesion / uptake, but, as I've never taken money for plaster work, I think the error is probably passable.

And then there more shots from the past 24 hours -

Ropey old floor boards, unsuitable for a kids room, and we will carpet it, but not tonight, so it's a stop - gap.

Skirting being stuck back on with modern facia sunk in. Evreything was surface mount here before. Classic wall paper direct over surface mounted (no conduit) wiring!?!?

Anyway...

She is so excited. More so than Christmas. My partner just looks a bit worried!

And this morning -

Not that she knows it yet but I'm going to talk my friend into doing the window. Out of all the DIY jobs brush painting is my least favourite. Give me drains over painting any day!

Anyway, after all that, the ceiling rose, I think they're called (?) needs to screw up into the plaster board. There's no joist behind. She is only having a paper lamp shade anyway, but future proofing and all that.

Are normal red and brown Rawl plugs (that Screwfix sell as plasterboard suitable, and the internet says unsuitable) suitable for putting the light fitting back on the ceiling?

Thank you.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Either toggle clamps if heavy or just the screw in type should be fine. Wait one and il find link.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Easyfix Spring Toggles 3mm x 50mm 20 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Heavy gauge material for superior loads. Nut prevents stripping under load. Ideal for double thickness plasterboard. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Or these for lightweight.

Easyfix Self-Drill Plasterboard Fixings Metal 32mm 100 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Quick and easy to install. Can be used in single or double thickness plasterboard. Ideal for electrical sockets, light switches, pictures, lightweight bathroom accessories and timber or metal battens. Supplied with screws. No drill required. FREE next day delivery...

www.screwfix.com

Again for lightweight.

Fischer Plasterboard Plugs HDF 10mm x 28mm 100 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. High quality polyamide construction, making it very elastic and age-resistant. Suitable for pre-positioned installation. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Morris]

When I worked for a living (ah! Memories) we used pig tail fittings.
Personally I bond a piece of ply to the plasterboard to spread the load but it's a bit late now

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

When I worked for a living (ah! Memories) we used pig tail fittings.
Personally I bond a piece of ply to the plasterboard to spread the load but it's a bit late now

Why bond it to the ply.
Couple of bits of batten and nail the ply between joists. Drill and thread cable through.

I do the same when studding a kitchen at worktop and cabinet height.

 

[Migmac]

I use the self drill fixings for fixing everything. Really easy and strong

 

[ajlelectronics]

Gripit fixings.

 

[jimbo84]

Easyfix Hollow Wall Anchors M5 x 52mm 100 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Provides permanent threaded anchor in cavity walls. For use with setting tool. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

These are great too, I don't have the setting tool so thay can be a faff but they work really well. I just grip them with pliers while tightening the bolt to set.

If you've got access above I'd get a piece of timber between the joists, nothing will beat that.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Easyfix Hollow Wall Anchors M5 x 52mm 100 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Provides permanent threaded anchor in cavity walls. For use with setting tool. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

These are great too, I don't have the setting tool so thay can be a faff but they work really well. I just grip them with pliers while tightening the bolt to set.

If you've got access above I'd get a piece of timber between the joists, nothing will beat that.

Have thousands of these laying around. Used to get sent boxes every few weeks when I was bedroom fitting but never used em

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Gripit fixings.

Not a fan.
Massive hole required who often shows through past the part being fitted.

 

[MetalMonkey]

The Fischer plugs are better than the self drill ones in my experience, which tend to come out if you have to unscrew anything in the future. Toggle if it is going to have to hold some weight

You can get away with bodging it with a red plug in a pinch if it is very light weight, but they aren't designed for it and they aren't' as good.
Fischer plugs would be more than good enough to hold up a light fitting.

 

[Blobber]

Any of the plasterboard fixings need quite a large hole and as the rose fixings are close together you may end up with an even bigger hole as the plaster board breaks away and the fixings failing, best option is a batten in the loft

 

[Agroshield]

For a light fitting, the Fischer plugs linked to above are overkill - they are the HDF (10mm) version.

The LDF (6mm) ones will work very well: https://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-plasterboard-plug-ldf-6-x-32mm-100-pack/81956

Like many other things in life, the secret to happiness is a tight hole. A standard PZ2 screwdriver makes the right size hole, and being plasterboard, you can use a 5.9mm or 5.8mm twist drill.

Use screws that do not project more then the length of the plugs as that minimises the risk of snagging the cable.

 

[julianf]

Thank you.

I do have (difficult) access to the above, but, right at the moment, really can't face the bother of moving all the loft junk to get to the area.

I think I'll go with one of the simple fixings mentioned as, right at the moment, she is only having one of those paper globe things (ie no weight at all) and, if she wants some chandaleer (spelling?) later she will be old enough to go battle the loft kipple herself!

Thanks to all, as always.

 

[gaz1]

ceiling looks polished

water down some paint and paint it first

normal black plasterboard screws will do and grip well dont use a battery drill but if you do stop before fully tight

over screwing and yes the fitting will drop

plastering your over playing with it too early thats why you polished it

needs a little longer to set then go over it in one flow all the way across your staying in one place too long

good job though just polished

 

[MattF]

Like many other things in life, the secret to happiness is a tight hole.

 

[julianf]

ceiling looks polished

water down some paint and paint it first

normal black plasterboard screws will do and grip well dont use a battery drill but if you do stop before fully tight

over screwing and yes the fitting will drop

plastering your over playing with it too early thats why you polished it

needs a little longer to set then go over it in one flow all the way across your staying in one place too long

good job though just polished

As I said, my decorator friend is always trying to talk me into doing a course and he has recently found one that I'm pretty tempted by, given the brexshit damage my normal work had suffered.



The only problem is it's over an hour's drive away, and 6 weeks 9-4.



I think I'll probably regret it if I don't do it though. Course is sponsored by British gypsum and designed for people who can plaster to some extent but need to improve their skill and commercial viability.

 

[dobbslc]

6 weeks 9-4.

That's longer than some "electrician" courses!
As for for ceiling rose I'd just use red plugs in a tight ehem hole.

 

[julianf]

I fear this "solution" may not be revised instantly now.

 

[roblane65]

As long as they are happy . sorry to state the obvious but would it not have been a lot easier to put a bit of timber up there before you boarded and skimmed it .
forward planning and all that !