Toggle Bolts

At All Points Fasteners, we sell toggle bolts for industrial applications. Our toggle bolts are sold in bulk, making them perfect for electrical contractors looking to install ceiling fans or other dynamic objects. General contractors can also use them to install gutters or blinds. We do not sell individual toggle bolts and do not have information on installing toggle bolts for at-home applications like TV mounting. Please reach out to us if you have any questions on industrial uses for toggle bolts.

Sometimes referred to as “butterfly anchors,” toggle bolts are fasteners used for hanging objects on hollow wall systems, like plaster and drywall. This type of fastener is commonly used to hang items from ceilings, such as plants and mobiles. They can also be used to hang shelving that will hold a lot of weight, such as wall-mounted bookshelves or pantry shelving.

A toggle bolt drywall anchor has spring-loaded wings that open inside the hollow wall. The wings brace against the wall on the inside, securing the fastener in place. The fastener’s wings are much larger than the actual bolt, and they spread the weight of the fastened item over a larger area. This increases the weight the bolt can secure compared to a regular bolt.

Toggle bolts are made from metal and are the strongest type of drywall anchor available. While plastic anchors and molly bolts can typically hold weights up to 50 pounds, properly installed toggle bolts can often support much more. Check the specifications of a particular toggle bolt for maximum weights, as the bolt’s size affects how much weight it can hold once installed.

Wall anchors fall into two primary categories — expansion anchors and hollow wall anchors. Expansion anchors are appropriate for use in solid wall materials, such as brick, concrete and wood. To use an expansion anchor, you first drill a pilot hole and then place the anchor inside it. As you thread a fastener into the anchor, it expands, gripping the solid material.

Toggle bolts are examples of hollow wall anchors. The wings of the toggle bolt open when the bolt is thread into them. The wings press against the backside of a thin wall, such as drywall, providing support to the object you are hanging. Some common uses for toggle bolts include:

• Hanging ceiling fans.
• Hanging gutters.
• Hanging blinds or other types of window treatments.
• Hanging shelving or cabinets.

There are two sizes to consider when choosing toggle bolts, the diameter and the length of the bolt. You also want to consider the thickness of the wallboard you are installing the bolt into. The diameter of the bolt and the wall’s thickness determines how much weight the toggle can support. The thicker the bolt, the more weight it can support.

Diameters for toggle bolts include:
• 1/8”
• 3/16”
• 1/4″
• 5/16”
• 3/8”
• 1/2″

A 1/8-inch toggle bolt can hold the least amount of weight. Mounted onto 3/8-inch wallboard, it can support up to 30 pounds. On 3/4-inch wallboard, it can support up to 55 pounds. Meanwhile, a 1/2-inch bolt can secure up to 65 or 70 pounds in 3/8-inch thick wallboard or up to 100 or 105 pounds in 3/4-inch thick wallboard. Using multiple bolts increases the weight that can be supported.

While the diameter of a toggle bolt influences the weight it can support, the length of the bolt determines the size of the item you can hang and the thickness of the wallboard. The bolt needs to be long enough to go through the object you are mounting on the wall and the wall itself.

When installing a toggle bolt, to keep the plaster from cracking, use two pieces of painter’s tape to mark the spot where you intend to drill. The drill bit must be slightly larger than the butterfly wings when closed on the toggle bolt. For example, use a 3/8″ drill bit to create the hole for a 1/8″ toggle and a 1 1/4″ bit for a 1/2″ toggle. Drill through the tape and the wall. Then, carefully withdraw the drill bit straight out of the hole and remove the tape.

To install the toggle bolt, thread the bolt through the item you are mounting on the wall, such as a board on a shelf or cabinet. Thread the wings onto the bolt on the other side of the object. Position the toggle wings so that the are far enough down the bolt to open properly once through the hole in the wall. If the toggle wings fall to the side, they won’t properly support the object.

Fold the wings so you can push the toggle bolt through the hole. Once the wings are on the other side of the wall, you should hear them open. Pull on the bolt so the toggle presses firmly against the backside of the wall, then start to tighten the bolt. Be careful not to over-tighten the bolt. It’s better to go slowly and check your work as you go to make sure the shelving or other object is level and even.

All Points Fasteners sells bulk toggle bolts to electrical contractors and general contractors. If you need toggle bolts for your next project, we can help you choose the diameter and length that best corresponds to your needs. To learn more, contact us today for a quote.