It seems that most of the drywall mounts that I looked for printed in a vertical orientation, which is not good for strength.
For once, I didn’t reverse engineer anything to design this. Lulz.
https://www.printables.com/model/548516-printable-drywall-mount
Update 8/10 - Added dimension sketches, Added .step file, Added a thinner support ring option that will sit more flush (but not completely)
Neat, good job. You might want to include what screw size it fits, and the word “anchor” somewhere in the description/title for searching (these are typically called drywall anchors in the US).
Cool, I’ll add better details, for sure!
Fyi, it should work for screws with a diameter of ~3.5mm. As long as you can get the screw to self tap its own threads, you should be OK.
Everything should be a very tight fit, when all is said and done. I have to press the anchor bits into the cap by pressing the assembly together hard on my desk.
Looks like a nice, quick print for petg on my sidewinder. Don’t currently have anything I need to hang. But added this to a collection so I can definitely find it later.
Love the idea of printing it split like this. Accomplishes both the spread for anchoring, and decreases layer weakness in the structure.
Thinking of either of these facts makes it seem like a better idea than any other anchor I’ve seen for printing so far. (Used to work in a hardware store, so I know of a few ways to anchor into drywall) Of course I’ve yet to see a print for a toggle anchor (usually have a spring and folds open once you put it through a hole in the wall). Nor have I really looked into finding anchor files. Just came across a few over my 3 years printing experience.
Thanks for comment!
I tried a few anchors that were already out there all of them broke at the layer lines easily with PLA. Granted PETG would probably have mitigated that issue, but I didn’t want to change filaments.
The toggle anchor would be fun to design, but designing a hinge that would work universally across many printers and filaments would be a challenge, for sure. Cheers!
I hope I link this correctly
!functionalprint@kbin.social needs some love
It linked just fine! I think I can post to kbin via lemmy. Not sure…
I bet these would also work in masonry
They expand quite a bit and the little tabs are intended to dig into the drywall to keep the assembly from rotating while it the screw is set.
I suppose you could cut the little tabs off and not use the ring and it would still work. It may be problematic since the main anchor bit is split in half.
Neat! How much do you figure it can hold up?
It’s probably limited to the thickness of the drywall. All I needed was a lightweight shelf and maybe a picture or two. I would have to test it to get some real numbers.
Not much. If you want to put heavy stuff up, you should use SnapToggles https://www.toggler-uk.com/snaptoggle/
Neat! Won’t the thick rim make it sit a good bit proud of the wall though?
It can, yes. However, it is only by 3mm. The print orientation is the way it is so that it can survive a hammer and some love taps. (I already tested that, btw.) Additionally, I wanted some extra meat on it for easy removal later and it may be hidden, depending on your application.
In theory, you don’t need the support ring if the hole you drill in your drywall is a perfect fit. I have traditionally drilled my drywall holes a hair small for these kinds of mounts, so if you do that, not using the ring may work. Or not.
Nice design!! Also love to see the interactions you’re doling out. Keeps the community alive. You seem like a nice person!
Aww, thank you! I can be a sarcastic ass sometimes, but such is life. Regardless, it’s fun to design and share things. That reminds me… I included the .f3d file with this design but I forgot to add a .step. I’ll add that and some clearer dimensions for it tomorrow.
Lemmy just needs all the love it can get and interactions are super critical for that. After being on Reddit for over 12 years, it’s great to be part of something new.
Nice 👌
This is nice! When in need, this can be a life saver. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I was too lazy to run to the store. ;)
Well done OP, rly nice design, thx for sharing
Thank you.
Isn’t it really cool that some of the best engineering projects leverage extreme simplicity? I am not saying that I am a grand architect or anything like that, but this simple project is a perfect example of why most people want to learn 3D printing.
After thousands of dollars were spent on 3D printers, rolls of filament and replacement parts with hundreds of hours dedicated to learn about printers and CAD, it all just boiled down to being able to design and print a silly drywall anchor on a whim.
Ain’t this hobby glorious? :)
Great stuff!
🤤
Neat, now I can yell at you when shit falls down instead of just cursing these mounts in general. I hate these things, they often don’t install well, fall apart and never hold the weight they are rated for. I’ve tried a bunch of different types and they all kinda suck. Print me a better studfinder and we can be friends.
I'll bookmark it because I'd rather print one than buy it, but just seeing these raises my BP.Fucking studfinders man…
I have switched to just using a ouija board and asking it where the stud is. Just as reliable but a little more fun.
Eeeeyyy! I just found the stud.
There are some other types for higher loads, but its not about anchor, its more about shitty drywall cant hold any load. If you want to hang something heavy you need wooden/metal plate in drywall or you need a concrete wall 😜
You can yell at me all you want! If you need a hug, I can get you one of those as well, no charge.
I am using some of the mounts now for some pictures, but I can say they are extremely stout, at least the way I printed them. You have to use a hammer to tap them in the last little bit so it doesn’t spin. They survived some fairly hard love taps, and once the screw was in, they aren’t moving.
Your personal experience may be different.
I don’t say no to hugs.
That retainer ring looks pretty stout. Do you somehow counter-sink that to get it flush or just let that hang out?
They sit 3mm proud. This is not an issue if they are hidden, me thinks. However, you should be able to not use the support ring if it is an issue. (I’ll modify a design today in attempt to reduce the amount it sticks out.)
Also, these are intended to be extremely secure and almost permanent. If you want it flush, you can probably pound it in a little more with a hammer. If not, leave it proud and it gives you a little meat to pull it out of the wall later.
Cool. Appreciate the effort!
I added another version today that has a 2mm ring without the chamfer, btw.
