I need to put some screws into a wall

[Flyback]

Yeah this is really lame. I've never had to do much in the way of this type of stuff in my life.

Away at college, trying to put up a new blind. Has 8 screws.

Do I use a drill to put the holes in the wall? I tried to screw just by forcing it in but that was hard as hell given its upside down and i don't have magnetic screwdriver (screw kept flopping out).

I have a drill accessible to me but have never used one to be honest. I know generally how they work, though. Should I just use a smaller bit and punch a hole that is smaller than the screw, and then manually put the screw in with the bracket? That way there will be some area around the sides for the screw to dig in (as the hole will be smaller) but it will be easy for the screw to go in because there is less volume to go through.

<--- Totally inept

 

[bobsmith1492]

HT...

Well, are they drywall screws? Is the wall drywall? You do NOT want to put wood screws (small ones anyway) into drywall since they'll just rip out at a second's notice.

If you're putting wood screws into a wood surface, you want to drill a hole about the size of the inner shaft of the screw, the thickness of the screw without the threads.

 

[Flyback]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
HT...

Well, are they drywall screws? Is the wall drywall? You do NOT want to put wood screws (small ones anyway) into drywall since they'll just rip out at a second's notice.

If you're putting wood screws into a wood surface, you want to drill a hole about the size of the inner shaft of the screw, the thickness of the screw without the threads.

Ah cool. Thats along what I was thinking (I just didn't know the terminology)

The screws have a round head on them and are 1" length. The whole thing is threaded. I'm not sure what kind of screw it is, I'll have to look at some more images on google to determine.

It is drywall. Other rooms in the house have exact same blind (mini blind) on drywall.

 

[Flyback]

http://www.bestnutsbolts.com/drywall1.gif

this is the best pic i could find that looks like it

the only difference is the top is rounded, not flat. 1" in length.

that seem about right?

 

[bobsmith1492]

It looks like a drywall screw... very well spaced-out thread since drywall is so weak. Give it a try. I don't think you need to drill out drywall, either... it's not that dense.

 

[Mark R]

If you want to put anything up in drywall that has to support its weight, don't waste your time with screws. Unfortunately, it's common for loads of things to come with wood screws which are totally inappropriate.

For light weight fixings into drywall, then nylon drywall anchors are OK. Metal anchors can be used for slightly heavier loads. The good thing about these anchors, is that they are self drilling. Just screw them into the wall, and they will drill their way in and lock - then you can drive a normal screw into the anchor to hold your fitting.

Heavier fittings still could be fixed with toggle anchors - but really heavy fittings shouldn't be fixed to drywall, and should be screwed into the wooden battens behind it.

 

[Flyback]

Well I took off the valence and took down the blind in another room to see how it was put in.

Looks like the bracket was screwed in right to the frame around it. Hard to explain but it looks well done. I was trying to go up into the top part (drywall) as opposed to the frame.

Man I suck at this handyman stuff I guess its all part of learning though.

 

[Flyback]

Thanks everyone for help and knowledge you gave me. I got the brackets up. Just have to shorten the blind and I'm good to go

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: Flyback
Yeah this is really lame. I've never had to do much in the way of this type of stuff in my life.

Away at college, trying to put up a new blind. Has 8 screws.

Do I use a drill to put the holes in the wall? I tried to screw just by forcing it in but that was hard as hell given its upside down and i don't have magnetic screwdriver (screw kept flopping out).

I have a drill accessible to me but have never used one to be honest. I know generally how they work, though. Should I just use a smaller bit and punch a hole that is smaller than the screw, and then manually put the screw in with the bracket? That way there will be some area around the sides for the screw to dig in (as the hole will be smaller) but it will be easy for the screw to go in because there is less volume to go through.

<--- Totally inept

Wrong! Totally ept imho.

I read through your thread and had to reply, college pays off! sorry, I couldn't resist. Your thinking was right on the money, If one already exists and works, duplicate.

btw- drywall screws come in many flavors, none of which is meant to attatch anything to drywall but to attach drywall to framing, wood or metal. The screw pictured is fine thread generally used for metal stud. Coarse thread is used for wood. I have rarely used the extra coarse but if they can be found they can be used for lightweight work into drywall if the sheetrock is undamaged and 5/8" thick or greater.
as Mark R said anchors are the safe bet.
those gizmos sold on tv are better yet for the dorm or apt, no damage and take them when you move.