The Hollow Wall Anchor (universally known as the “Molly Bolt” or “Cavity Fixing”) is the gold standard for hanging heavy loads on drywall, plasterboard, and hollow blocks. Unlike plastic plugs that rely on friction, the Hollow Wall Anchor features a slotted metal sleeve that expands like an umbrella behind the wall, clamping the fastener permanently to the substrate and distributing the weight over a large area.

Product Overview: Manufactured from high-quality Carbon Steel with Zinc Plating for rust resistance, our Hollow Wall Anchor is engineered for base materials with a thickness range of 3mm to 35mm. The collar features sharp anti-rotation barbs (teeth) that embed into the drywall face, preventing the anchor from spinning during installation.

Hollow Wall Anchor Specifications

Product Name	Hollow Wall Anchor / Molly Bolt / Metal Cavity Anchor
Material	Carbon Steel
Finish	Blue-White Zinc Plated (Cr3+)
Head Style	Combo Drive (Phillips/Slot) Pan Head
Wall Thickness	Various sizes available for 3-13mm (single layer) or 13-26mm (double layer)

Engineering Insight: How the Molly Bolt Works

The reliability of the Hollow Wall Anchor comes from its mechanical clamping action:

Expansion Legs: As the center screw is tightened, it pulls the threaded cone at the base towards the head. This force causes the metal sleeve to collapse and buckle outwards, forming tight triangular “legs” behind the drywall.
Reusability: One of the unique features of the Hollow Wall Anchor is that the screw can be removed and re-inserted as many times as needed, while the anchor sleeve stays permanently fixed in the wall. This is perfect for fixtures that need occasional maintenance.

For more details on drywall fasteners, please refer to the Molly fastener entry on Wikipedia.

Installation Guide: Screwdriver vs. Setting Tool

You can install a Hollow Wall Anchor in two ways:

The Screwdriver Method: Drill a hole, tap the anchor in, and tighten the screw until you feel strong resistance (indicating expansion).
The Setting Tool (Gun) Method: For professional installers, a “Molly Gun” pulls the screw head back instantly, expanding the anchor in one second without twisting. This is recommended to prevent stripping the drywall.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How much weight can it hold?
A: A standard M5 Hollow Wall Anchor in 13mm drywall can typically support shear loads up to 20-25kg, which is significantly higher than plastic toggle plugs.

Q: Can I remove the anchor from the wall?
A: Not easily. The expanded legs are wider than the hole. To remove it, you usually have to break the collar off and push the body into the wall cavity.