Molly Bolts vs Toggle Bolts: Selecting the correct anchor

Last Updated on November 18, 2024 by John Patterson

If your project consists of doing home renovations or just hanging a heavy artwork, you may be confused about choosing between Molly bolts vs Toggle bolts. Both are wall anchors, but which one is right for your project? Let’s examine those and discover which anchor is optimum for your requirements.

What are Molly Bolts?

Molly bolts, or just mollies: a kind of fastener with many uses. A sleeve and a screw are what they consist of. As the screw is inserted, the sleeve expands to create a sturdy anchor within the wall cavity. They are usually used on drywall although they could go on plaster and other surfaces as well.

The expansion ability of Molly bolts is what makes them so effective. This helps to spread the force over a larger surface area that reduces the likelyhood of damage to the wall. They are relatively universal and available for all wall thicknesses.

The best part? They are not only for professionals. Molly bolts are among the most straightforward to use for DIYers—which is why they have become a go-to when home renovations and new construction call for hanging something of medium weight. Molly bolt (For drywall anchor) — Great Option − If you are working with wood screw anchors in the wall, Molly bolts shall be used in your toolkit.

When to Use a Molly Bolt?

Molly bolts for when you need something reliable to hold well even in drywall or bigger wall materials. Great for hanging up to medium-duty items like wall frames, mirrors or shelves etc. Molly bolts have the advantage of being very forgiving when it comes to the different thicknesses and types of wall you might be dealing with.

I really like to use Molly bolts and one of my fav projects was hanging this huge mirror in my daughter’s room. I wanted a secure installation but did not want to mess up the drywall.

I used Molly bolts which I absolutely loved; they were the perfect combination of ease-of-use and stability.

So, if you need a tool-free anchor that can provide a firm grip, Molly bolts are the way to go. They are especially nice for the daily household duties and renovations where you need drywall anchors.

This leads to the question of whether or not a molly bolt can hold something heavy like a TV. They’re great multidirectional anchors, but Molly bolts generally aren’t the TV mounting hardware of choice. That weight, and more importantly the potential for it to move from the TV would be beyond what Molly bolts could handle.

With that in mind, some heavier-duty Molly bolts could hang a smaller TV or lighter wall-mounted thing. Still, for a good feeling, lots of just use additional secure points like Toggle bolts or covers and assist bracket sets.

Safety first! Always check the load capacity for the anchors you are using, and make sure it matches with how heavy is the thing that you’re going to be hanging. Otherwise, stay within the suggested limits of Molly bolts or things can go terribly awry.

How much weight can a Molly bolt hold?

Molly bolts are great because they can hold a reasonable amount of weight (25 — 50 lbs depending on the size and type used). Their ability to be useful for a broad range of tasks makes them a sound option for many common household needs.

For instance, suppose you wish to hang a oversized art. Molly bolts are more than capable for the task, so long as you get one that is an appropriate size for your application. Molly bolts can be used to hang shelves that are not overloaded by just making sure that the weight of the shelf does not exceed their range limit.

Always Keep the Hang Weight in Mind — Choose Size of Your Molly Bolt Using them according to the manufacturer guidelines means you get all the versatility of these anchors without sacrificing safety.

How to Use Molly Bolts?

Installing with Molly bolts is simple and I will walk you through the method to make sure it gets put in correctly. Here’s how to do it:

Mark the Location

As per step one, mark the place you want to pull your item. To accurately place the Molly bolt, use a pencil or masking tape to mark the position. This will ensure proper installation and secure attachment. If a hole is properly placed, you won’t have to spend unnecessary time and effort on further corrections.

When placing the boards, use a level to ensure everything is lined up correctly. I vaguely recall arranging a set of frames on my hallway wall, and how important it was to space everything correctly. Knowing those small details really is half the battle!

Drill the Anchor Hole

Then, use a drill to make a hole where you have made the mark. Select a drill bit which is slightly smaller in diameter than the Molly bolt to ensure it fits tightly. The sleeve needs to be able to expand properly after installation, so you need to drill the proper sized hole.

Do not be hasty in this step. Less force is needed to drill through a well-positioned hole so you will not be worried about making a damage on the wall. I prefer to start with a smaller piece and go bigger if required. It aids in keeping control and making no errors.

Push in the Molly Bolt and Tighten!

Place the Molly bolt into the hole you will have drilled and tap it with a hammer then so that it sits flush along the wall. To access the sleeve in the wall, utilize a screwdriver to carefully unscrew the screw. You will notice a distinct locking sensation once the screw is fully removed.

Continue tightening until you feel resistance to a snug fit. My buddy told me to listen for a sound change as you tighten. A not-so-subtle hint that the sleeve is developing as it should!

What are Toggle Bolts?

Another heavy-duty application is using toggle bolts, a type of wall anchor. This is made up of a bolt with two spring-loaded wings attached to it. If you put it in a hole, the wings open and form a firm anchor behind the wall.

Other Toggle bolts are ideal for heavier items compared to Molly bolts. They are designed to support substantial weight, so you’ll have no worries using them for heavier work.

For all you builders and developers out there, Toggle bolts are the choice of many when strength is paramount. They are great for making sure that you have as much holding power as possible, like mounting giant cabinets or some other heavy object.

When Should You Use a Toggle Bolt?

Well, toggle bolts are required when you need to hang something particularly heavy. If you’re hanging a large picture frame, shelving unit or even hanging a chandelier Toggle bolts give you the strength you require. They work particularly well in hollow walls or ceilings.

For example, Toggle bolts— a couple of years ago I was using those to install a bookshelf in my study. We needed an anchor that could support the additional weight and Toggle bolts did fantastic. They made it possible for me to put books away without fretting.

Toggle bolts are ideal for projects where you need to handle heavier things. They are engineered to be sturdy and distribute the weight safely over a larger surface area, ineffective load and eliminate harmful pressure on the wall.

How Do You Use a Toggle Bolt?

You might think using Toggle bolts is scary, but in reality it’s easier than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Drill the Hole

To install a toggle bolt correctly, the hole must be large enough to allow the doubled wings to fit through.

Make sure the hole you drill is equal to the size of your bolt, since this will provide a tight fit.

You have been selected accurately hexung. I also sort of double-check the measurements to prevent any problems. Blocking a proper hole ensures the wings can fully expand to provide support.

Insert the Toggle Bolt

After you have drilled the hole, then fold the Toggle bolt wings and insert it into the hole. Behind the wall, the two-wing flaps will snap into position wings out ready to have a grasp on you.

This section makes me think of fishing. Some can take patience — but once the wings are unfurled, you’re good to go! The wings should snatch behind the wall, as if to tell you they had a grip on things.

Tighten the Bolt

Lastly, push the bolt towards you lightly and begin to crank it. This causes the wings to lock in place against the back of the wall. Tighten just until it is secure.

Tightening is a bit of an art. Over-tightening could break the wall. But if you don’t tighten enough, bolt won’t hold. With a careful hand and some quality attention, it becomes all of the difference.

Molly Bolts vs Toggle Bolts: Which is better?

Whether to use Molly bolts or Toggle bolts is dictated by what you need. Let’s compare the two:

Toggle Bolts Are More Accessible to Extract

The Toggle bolts however have an advantage over the others because they are easy to remove as well. Toggle bolts often leave a better hole if you have to change something later, leading to less patching.

I’ve experienced this in my life when moving furniture or art around. This makes toggle bolts a flexible option for dynamic spaces without the burden of more significant levels of repairs.

Molly bolts create a smaller hole

However, molly bolts leave a smaller hole. This is helpful in preserving the wall, especially if it has a more visual function.

Molly bolts can also be helpful, I once used them to hang a string of shelves in my living room. These small holes reduce their visual impact so the whole area looked clean and homogonous.

Q&A on Molly Bolts and Toggle Bolts

Thus here are a few common questions you might have about Tags and Toggle bolts vs. Molly bolts:

If I hang a heavy mirror using Molly bolts, will they support it?

Yes, Molly bolts are suitable for medium-weight mirrors as long as they do not exceed the weight requirement of each type. For more heavy mirrors, Toggle bolts may be appropriate.

Which Ceiling Anchor Is the Best?

Of course, toggle bolts tend to shine in ceiling mounts anyway due to their distributing force over a wider area. These are often implemented for chandeliers and other heavier fixtures.

Is there any special tool required to be installed?

Using Molly bolts and Toggle bolts use common tools like a drill, screwdriver, and sometimes a hammer. These instruments are readily used in most home improvement packages.

Can you put Molly bolts in plaster?

You most definitely can use Molly bolts on plaster walls, but it’s a bit of a careful process. Drilling too, is crucial, due to the fragility of plaster — make sure to drill slowly and evenly for the right size.

Best to drill at a lower speed and use a light touch. A clean, precise hole means lower stress on the plaster. Molly bolts, however, when used right provide a secure mount for plaster walls.

In Conclusion

The 3rd battle of Molly bolts vs Toggle bolts mostly goes down to the material used and other project considerations regarding your specific project so it must be thought out in advance. Molly bolts are easy to use and support a medium amount of weight, whereas Toggle bolts hold heavier items.

No matter what type of project you are working on, be it DIY work, home renovations or building something from the ground up, learning when and how to use an anchor can take your skills to the next level. With these tools under your belt, everything holds no way!

Continue reading to learn how tools and techniques can help make your home a more secure place. Happy building!