How to Get a Good Fixing through Plasterboard into Steel - Video #2
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 11 фев 2017
- In this video I will be showing you my secret trick for securing a fixing through plasterboard into a steel joist - that is so strong that I can literally hang off the fixing (as you'll see at the end of the video)!
You can buy me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/charlied... or become a monthly member to unlock Discord forum membership, exclusive content and automatic entry into my FREE Monthly Giveaway. Thank you SO SO much!!
You can now access my 🛠Charlie DIYte Amazon Tool Store here www.amazon.co.uk/shop/charlie... - where you'll find all my tried, tested and much loved DIY tools arranged into handy categories.
I work in the soft furnishings industry so I see a lot of failed attempts to obtain a good fixing into steel. Normally the fitter drills through the plasterboard, hits the steel and panics. He/she then simply puts in a light duty wall plug (eg a red). This simply isn't strong enough and I've been called to a lot of jobs where the window treatment has fallen down soon after.
There are a couple of things you can do in this situation:
- put in a better quality fixing (but this is problemmatic because typically you won't have much space between the plasterboard and the steel joist
- drill through the steel and put a wall plug straight through the steel. Not many people would go this far. It does work, but it's very hard to drill a 6mm diameter hole through steel to insert a plug. You tend to get through a lot of drill bits!!
So my trick in this situation - which SO FEW PEOPLE SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT - is to drill a small hole through the steel joist (eg 4mm diameter) and then screw straight into the steel. For this to work you have to use a screw that is only 0.5mm wider in diameter than the drill bit. I use Goldscrew wood screws, and tend to use a 4.5mm diameter screw with a 4mm diameter HSS drill bit.
You then have an INCREDIBLY STRONG FIXING!
Today's Tool Kit
- Electric drill
- 4mm drill bit geni.us/61SC (Amazon)
- 4.5mm x 60mm wood screws £3.89/ $4.86 for a pack of 200 goo.gl/DrbjjS
* The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do.
And here's the legal bit I have to state: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
SUBSCRIBE - you can subscribe to my Channel here:
/ charliediyte
LET'S CONNECT!
Charlie DIYte
-- Email: charliediyte@gmail.com
-- / charliediyte
-- charliediyte.co.uk/
-- / charliediyte
-- / charliediyte 
Хобби
🛠Charlie DIYte Amazon Tool Store amzn.to/3fcLnY4 - all my tried, tested and much loved DIY tools. You can help support me by Buying me a Coffee ☕ bit.ly/3xuQ3zb or by becoming a Member to unlock a host of benefits - thanks so much 🙏.
Hi Charlie, I'm screwing through plasterbourd into wood instead of metal. Would I follow the same things you have just mentioned?
Hi Charlie, great solution to a major headache when encountering steel lintels over windows etc, but please wear safety spec's as metal filings,or dust in the eye is no fun ,we only get 2 eyes take care of them, thanks Charlie. Best wishes Stuart.
I spent the best part of a morning trying (unsuccessfully ) to mount a vertical blind underneath a patio door opening. Then I made a cup of tea, sat down at my PC and came across your video. You have absolutely nailed it! Great advice. I went back to the job and had it sorted in less than 20 minutes. You are a star. Many thanks.
That's awesome, great work. 👏👊 It's funny how sometimes regrouping and mulling over a problem can help you come up with a better solution.
Hi Charlie. I had to pay £30 to put up our vertical blinds from the past and I wish didn't have to. I can't wait to use your method as we are moving to a new house. Your free advice is truly appreciated for someone like me that is still learning to do more DIY to save money but being able to do things properly with help from someone like you. God bless you and happy "you" year!
Awesome tip - thanks again Charlie
It's people like you that save people thousands!! Great videos my friend.. New sub 👍🏾
Had exactly this problem and was totally stuck. I followed your instructions precisely and... it worked: venetian blinds now securely installed, looks very professional. You're a pal, thank you!
Exactly what I was looking to find out. Clearly explained. Perfect. Thanks.
Brilliant advice thanks. You deserve a medal! Not often that the first bit of advice I see on RUclips gives such a perfect solution to a problem
I'm fitting vertical blinds to steel lintel above patio doors and needed confirmation on best method. Found your vid Charlie, RESULT!! It's perfect and confirms the same method I've used previously and my exact thoughts on the whole job! Excellent, clear instructions, many thanks, gonna check your other stuff, definately :) !!
Brilliant. I'm self building an extension ...and the things I'm learning along the way it's great - this is up there with the best! Thanks so much! I need to plasterboard round my steels... Another head scratchings moment overcome!!
Same as you Daniel, can't believe how perfect this vid is for today's job-vertical blind under catnic on sliding patio. Nearing end of my self-build extension now. Great to find this vid from an actual blinds fitter!! Well done Charlie!!
I've had an absolute nightmare with just this issue. My eventual solution was to bond a length of 12mm mdf to the reveal, then screwing in to it. This was a proper ball ache as I've had to do a lot of making good around the plastered walls. Alas yesterday this came away from the fixing. As previously mentioned, why didn't I see this video 3 years ago.......total genius, Charlie.
This worked perfectly! I wish I'd known of this trick before! This trick resulted in a nice clean finish which is far from what I achieved before. Thank you!
Subscribed, as these videos are great.
Really useful video. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Very helpful. From Cyptus
Hey Charlie - here's a second recent comment on one of your videos. I had this exact problem and as you suggested used a 4mm HSS drill (slow setting) to get through the steel lintel. 4.5mm screws later and my internally fitted blind's fixings are super secure. Another cracking video and fab solution
This worked a charm for me, a novice DIYer, to install my first 6kg pull blind into a catnik steel lintel in my 1960s build.
I used a 3.5mmx70 DEWALT extreme cobalt DT4903-QZ HSS DRILL BIT in an 18v handheld drill. Slow speed, light pressure, took about 1 minute to go through the steel.
4x40mm screw went in remarkably easily. The hold is very strong. I put this job off for a year and now it’s done! So thank you!
Have used this method myself, as you said drill size to screw size is VERY important, good video showing exactly what happens using this method of fixing 👍
Thanks so much for this great advice. My husband was attempting to put up a blind and was on the point of giving up until I found your youtube. Problem solved in minutes! I am very pleased with my new vertical blind in our utility room!
So pleased to hear that. Yes those verticals exert a lot of weight particularly when you pull them up so a secure fixing is vital.
Fantastic. Wish I had seen this a very long time ago. Thank you!
Brilliant and so helpful once again. Before I watched this video I was faffing around with those grip-it fixtures as those were the only ones I could find that could fit in the slim gap between board and lintel, and even then I had to use their cut out tool. It still doesn't feel secure.
I'll definitely be using your technique from now on.
Just wanted to say thanks for a massively helpful video. I have just moved in to a new house and had started fixing some blinds in the window recesses. I was expecting to use plaster board fixings, which the first few were but then I hit a steel lintel. I was unsure as to how to proceed and then saw your video. Technique works brilliantly, really solid. Had to use more force when drilling than I thought but once I had the right pressure it was fine. Thanks for your advice.
Si Cotton Thanks Si. It's great isn't it! The force you require slightly depends on how sharp your drill bits are, and I guess the grade of the steel.
Excellent video. Solved my problems immediately when trying to fit a roller blind. Thanks!
Hi Charlie. What a great idea. This has been a major headache for me for many years. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. Yes it's great, particularly for things that exert a heavy load like venetian blinds when you tug on the cord to raise them.
Brilliant trick, thanks Charlie! I need to fit some overhead brackets for a vertical blind rail. The mounting points all had steel hidden under the plasterboard, so I used a new 3mm cobalt drill bit on low speed, which took just a few minutes each to drill each hole. Then I used some spare 3.5mm drywall screws I had in my toolbox. I've tried and failed miserably to do this very job in the past but this time it worked like a charm. It's given me a really strong fixing, so I'm well pleased. That 0.5mm difference is undoubtedly the secret key!
You're welcome Bob. Yes, the 0.5mm is key. Even Dave who introduced me to it didn't realise that!
Brilliant! Tried & Tested.. Great Tip, Thanks for sharing!
Been using this technique for some time, use it to fix the top of windows/bifold doors etc to steel lintels and the same idea when you install shower doors. Some times you do find a section of steel that's almost impossible to drill into, so just move your fixing a few cm to the side.
Clearly described and helpful, as I have come across steel support and did not know the size of drill in relation to screw. Thank you
Excellent video. Clear, concise and useful.
Charlie - this might just be the best ever DIY video on RUclips!
Your demo really illustrates the idea perfectly.
I went to Screwfix, bought a couple of DeWalt Cobalt drill bits 3.5 x 70mm (2pack), and a box of 4 x 50mm Goldscrew Plus PZ screws.
£10 quid later, a bit of careful measuring and drilling, and it’s a brilliant job!
All I would add is - wear some safety glasses - steel filings in your eyes is not a good look.
My wife has just baked a lovely cake to celebrate our beautiful venetian blinds and my amazing DIY skills! I’ve had to own up as to who really deserves the credit. Thanks mate!
That's truly awesome mate. You've executed that brilliantly. Couldn't have done it better myself. Venetians are the main benefactor of this technique as there's so much weight on them particularly when you pull the cord up - you just wouldn't want to rely on plugs. Thanks so much for getting in touch 👊🏻
Excellent thank you. Perfect instructions & thanks for mentioning drill speed otherwise I would have set it to max! 👍
Amazing video - thanks for that. Now I know what to do - will go and buy the bits today!
Very good tip, engagingly presented. Thank you
This video saved me a lot of hassle, was putting up blinds and hit steel whilst drilling. Followed these instructions and they worked a treat.
Great work Jimmy! Yes, you'd have had a world of problems if you'd had to rely just on the Plasterboard fixings. 👍
Amazing tip! Saved me from a ruined lockdown bank holiday. Was already thinking of how short I could cut the rawlplugs and how short screws I could get away with into the plasterboard, knowing it would end in tears. Read this and gave it a go. My 3mm HSS wouldn't touch it. Quick click and collect from Screwfix for a couple of new ones. The satisfaction of the little shards of steel coming out as slowly but surely it drilled through the lintel. Fixed the vertical blind rails up with 3.5mm drywall screws. They're not going anywhere. Worked a treat! Wouldn't have thought of using the slow speed setting on the cordless drill either. Don't usually leave comments like this, but you saved the day.
Thanks so much for letting me know Ian! So glad it worked and impressed with how skillfully you executed it. You did the right thing as there's quite a downward force with verticals - particularly when you pull the cord to raise them. 👍
Awesome advice. Been struggling with short raw plugs and snipping off with a short screw. Just been installing a new blind and this worked an absolute treat. Great advice
Glad to hear it Paul. It's great isn't it, particularly for heavy blinds like venetians.
Thanks Charlie - I had thought of drilling and tapping into the steel but your tip is just so much better. Thanks again for sharing it :-)
You're welcome Philip. Yes, this is infinitely easier than plugging the steel because small drill bits go through the steel much easier 👍
Thanks. I successfully used this method to fix 8 blinds screwing through the plasterboard and into the steel RSJ. I used a cobalt drill bit. It worked a treat
Mark Gundy Great to hear that Mark. It's a neat little trick isn't it! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
this is an excellent technique Charlie, well explained and it really works,
Brilliant video. Thanks very much, it’s saved be hours of grief. Wish I’d seen it a few years ago.
Thanks for doing this video it's just made my life so much easier. It works a treat and I actually enjoyed fitting the blinds this time. Brilliant 😊
Glad to hear it and thanks for letting me know 👊
Yep, tek screws have a drill bit point and have always worked for me. I use your technique as well good to have a plan b and c for different situations, methinks
Previous owner had just attached blinds to the plasterboard and sure enough one by one they've been falling down! This video has saved me a lot of headaches thank you!
You're welcome. 👍🏻
Brilliant!!!! Thank you for this.
Hi Charlie just want to thank you it worked perfectly to put up my roller blind in the kitchen thanks for the brilliant tip and keep up the good work cheers
You're very welcome Andrew - thanks for the comment. It's a great hack isn't it. He drives me crazy most of the time but Dave my fitter does occasionally come up with pearlers like this 👍
excellent, a great tip and really well described
Brilliant tip..just what i need to attach a frame to steel lintel...well done sir !
Good to see no need for a masonry bit first, especially with plasterboard or plaster. Makes perfect sense. Great to see. Thank you 🙏.
You're welcome. 👍
Fantastic video!! Thankyou!!
Hi Charlie, Thanks so much for this tip..I use it when top fixing blinds of all types and find it clean, fast and reliable - not a single failure since day one! Simples! 😊
I’m a blind fitter too, any recommendations on porcelain tile bits, all seem to eventually go through at some point but the time it takes when having over 40 blinds a day can be problematic
@@TheChrisfoy Hi, Wow 40 blinds/day! This fitting is always more time consuming from experience - not one of my favourite jobs 😖. I have asked other fitters/builders and there seems that there is no magic answer. Good luck anyway.
Brilliant. Working on an Ernest Jones home recently installing a stand off metal curtain pole and very heavy curtains. The problem was previously drilled holes into: plasterboard>concrete air block>lintel just above the French doors. Eventually this trick worked a treat. Required longest drill I could find at Scr**f*x and patience!
Concrete aerated blocks are the work of the devil!!!
Cheers Mick! Really glad it worked (clearly implemented by you with great skill!) I agree with your point about the concrete blocks.
Very good advice - it worked! Thanks Charlie! Solved a big problem.
Glad to hear it! Its great isn't it, particularly for heavy duty applications, like venetian blinds.
Just got some new blinds for a newly decorated room and needed some advice. Not plasterboard but plaster and a light steel lintel. My issue was knowing what size screw to use in relation to hole, this approach of 0.5mm makes sense and I'll give it a go shortly :)
The best way by far. Such a good tip.
Thanks Ed. 👊
I think you’re a genius! Thanks, saved me more than once
Great tip. Worked a treat.
The video was an absolute problem solver, Thanks alot.
You're welcome. Thanks for the comment 👍
got to hand it to you Charlie, this is a good one...i never would have thought of this technique but used it today and it was the absolutely perfect solution, thanks for sharing.
It's genius isn't it. Can't claim all the credit as the fitter who worked with me in the soft furnishings business introduced me to it. 👍
Many thanks. I have a steel framed house and I’m about to install heavy curtain rods then many kilos of curtains. You have solved my problem about how to drill through plasterboard into the steel frame for extra strength.
Glad to have been of assistance 😉👍
really good tip!!! thanks for making this video :) happy new year to you also and family
You too Christopher. Thanks for the comment. 👍
Liked and subbed. This is exactly what I was looking for!
love this. Do more please thanks
Excellent video. Had to watch so many until I found yours and got the answer.
Glad to hear you found it useful, Mark. Thanks for the comment 👍🏻
Thanks Charlie! was drilling roman blinds in recess of large window, hit something solid after plaster, didnt feel like anything was going through. this trick worked for me using normal wood screws and a drill bit just smaller than the screw threads, though i did need to run it on high speeds because my low speed seems to do nothing. cheers!!
Robert Astbury Thanks for the comment - really glad it worked for you!
That's a great help as I have a new blind to put up and wondered how to get it secure as there is bound to be steel above the plasterboard around the window
Worked a treat, thank you!!
Yey! Great to hear it Martin!
This was extremely helpful, thanks!
You're welcome. I've got to say, its been a real game changer, this technique, for me!
This is a great tip Charlie...saved the day when renovating a bedroom and I had to put up a blind that my wife ordered online that was “really easy to put up...there’s a video and everything!!”.
Steel lintels above windows...nightmare!
Well done Stuart. Yes, I had a shocker with these when we first started fitting curtains and blinds. With things like venetians which exert a serious force when you raise them, this is the only viable answer.
Great tip on the screw vs drill bit size 👍
Brilliantly helpful, many thanks.😊
You're welcome Ann, thanks for the comment.
Brilliant. Been really struggling against side of steel box lintel. Have ordered drill bit and screws. Watch this space.
Gary Brown
Hi Charlie, I saw this a couple of years ago when I started shop fitting and it’s a great idea that has allowed me to put right some dodgy attempts on previous jobs that have failed! Great, easy to understand video as ever, please keep them coming!
Thanks Carl. It's great isn't it. It would never have occurred to be if my mate Dave hadn't pointed it out, and he in turn has learned a few bits from me over the years. The way it should be, with us all sharing the knowledge. 👍
@@CharlieDIYte definitely agree. The only thing I have tweaked slightly is to use DeWalt cobalt drills which I find keep their edge a little longer.
@@carlwaine5263 Is that the DeWalt extreme bits?
@@CharlieDIYte as far as I know, DeWalt do the Extreme bits and the Extreme Cobalt such as the ones on Screwfix here (these are the ones I use for drilling into steel): www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-straight-shank-cobalt-hss-drill-bits-3-x-61mm-2-pack/8924v
Hello Charlie, Thanks for your videos. They are a life saver. In my case, I am putting up a very long curtain pole. The centre bracket hit steel. After a Gripit disaster used because it was shallow but left 18mm hole (now made good) I now have the confidence to secure into the steel. Thanks for this video!
Thanks Steve 🙏 I'm afraid I'm not a fan of GripIts - just too big a hole and too shall a wing opens up. They performed very badly in the trial at the end of my new, updated fixings video ruclips.net/video/Jdu9RId7m90/видео.html Really glad you found this useful. Get some Easi-Fill to do the repair. It will be invisible and I've got a video on this here ruclips.net/video/6Omsv5-NN9k/видео.html 👍
@@CharlieDIYte Thanks again Charlie. I'm gradually making the migration from Breeze block world into Plasterboard land with your help!
Brilliant! Thank you
you doing great, thanks for sharing,...
Brilliant! Wish I'd found this sooner!
Lynda Reynolds Thanks for that! Hope it works for you - use it all the time in the day job!
great video, thank you
Brilliant video
Fantastic advice thank you. I was inventing new swear words when I hit a lintel but bought a 3.5mm HSS drill bit with my 4mm screws and the blind bracket went up.
Patience was the key as had 9 holes for 3 brackets and drilling upwards wasn’t easy but as you said, the drill will do it’s job and it did. Thank you
Great work Perry. Really glad it helped. That fixing will be rock solid now 👍
Hi Charlie, thanks for the excellent tip. This has been a nightmare for me over the years with rawlplugs and screws. My tips for other amateurs like me is (as you said also) get a good quality and sharp drill bit.
Thanks Chris. 👍
Such a good vid very informative, good work.
Thanks Matt 👍
Brilliant. Thank you.
You're very welcome, thanks for the comment 👍🏻
Fantastic info. Cheers.
You're welcome Rob 👍🏻
Brilliant idea
Thanks. It's great, particularly for heavy applications that exert a lot of force like Venetian blinds.
Charlie you are a genious and made my life much easier
That's very kind of you. Thanks so much for that 👊🏻🙏
Thanks for the video
Brilliant. I've a catnick steel lintel above my window soffit. This is exactly what I need to know, especially the .5mm difference between drill and self-taping screw.
You're welcome Carl. Yes the .5mm is the crucial bit.
@@CharlieDIYte I found that the screws I had available wound not cut into the steel, even with just the .5m difference. So, what kind of screws I should buy that will do this. For the blinds in one room, I just drilled the holes a little larger, inserted a yellow rawl plug and then screwed into it. That worked really well, but would love to dispense with the larger holes if practical.
Well done Charlie! I'm a curtain fitter who attends various manufacturer's courses and no-one has given this definitive and easy solution - I'm off to get drills and screws :-) Thank you for your effort - Jonathan
+Anita Allen Thanks Jonathan. It's a real game saver when you hit steel! I thought it would have got more hits but maybe I haven't marketed it properly!
Hello Charlie - 60 or so heavy, top fix, venetian blinds fitted using this method and not one failure. Thanks again! Regards, jonathan
I just fitted my first blind! Thank you so much for this video.
Glad you found it useful. It's a great little technique isn't it!
@@CharlieDIYte It is for those of us who want to do things ourselves then get stuck, this was a frustrated female meltdown saver 😁
Fantastic tip this, many thanks!
You're welcome. Thanks for the comment!
Great tip thanks,
Good tips, helped a lot. Thanks 👍
Thanks 👍🏻
Great video Charlie. I personally would re upload this video and have 2 copies but call it how to secure curtains in lintels , or something like that as believe that's what people search for more 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Great tip
Thanks Tim👍🏻
What a great tip!
Thanks Nick. Yep it was a game changer when my fitter Dave introduced me to it. Before that I was trying to drill 6mm holes to plug the steel. The only downside is when the steel is reasonably far above the plasterboard as typically the drill bits we'd use aren't that long.
Thanks so much great 💡
You're welcome 👍
Great tip, thank you
You're welcome 👍🏻
This was so helpful, I came across this issue putting a blind up in my new house and have never encountered steel lintels before. Thank you
Excellent 👌
Thanks 👍🏻
very nice video. thanks
+agostino la rana You're welcome. Try it - it really works!