Mounting onto Plasterboard Walls

[mats01_99]

Hi all. If I am to mount bookshelves onto a plasterboard wall in a bedroom, I understand that I should look for the stud to mount from. However, what sort of plug should I use? Does it still need to be a plasterboard fixing or a standard wall plug? Also (excuse my ignorance!) how long should the plug be and what size; also what size drill bit should I be using and how far do I need to drill? (Is this to be deeper than the plug?). One final thing!, Is there such a thing as a stud locator for finding the timber frame behind the plasterboard? Thanking you in anticipation!!

[ianess]

This is a good website which should answer most of your worries.
Stud locaters can be found in most DIY stores but to support the weight of a bookcase you should use good quality screws of about 40mm long and size 8 screwed into the noggings [the horizontal bit of the stud]. I'd suggest drilling a small pilot hole to avoid the wood splitting as the new screw goes in.

[snook]

The only thing about fixing into the noggings is that they'll very likely not be where you want to fix the bookshelves! If you just use the studs, then you can set the shelves at whatever height suits you. Studs, by the way, are generally 16" apart, or might be 24".

Easiest way to locate them is to use a panel pin - tap it in gently every few inches starting where you suspect is most probable, and in a place where it won't be obvious (e.g. just above the skirting). Once you've found one you should find others pretty easily. The holes you'll make are so small you can ignore them or fill them in easily with a dab of filler and they'll be more or less invisible (or you can 'tart' them up with paint later).

Since you're going to screw directly into the studs you don't need plugs, just, as previously pointed out, sturdy wood screws (screwed in to previously drilled pilot holes, just to be careful).