Our other sites:

Read more
Home » metal-anchor-expansion-tools » What are the different types of metal anchor expansion tools?

What are the different types of metal anchor expansion tools?

Chris Chris
5th March 2020
51 Views

What are the different types of metal anchor expansion tools?

Shop for Metal Anchor Expansion Tools
The 5 different types of metal anchor expansion tools There are five types of metal anchor expansion tool. Each is suited to certain applications or sizes of hollow wall anchors.

Non-ratcheting
Non-ratcheting metal anchor expansion tools have a smaller head as they do not contain a ratchet mechanism Non-ratcheting metal anchor expansion tools are most suited to fitting small hollow wall anchors to thin plasterboard. This is because they have to collapse the legs of the hollow wall anchor in just one action of the handles being closed, so are limited to pulling shorter anchor screws.
Advantages and disadvantages of ADVANTAGES   DISADVANTAGES
  • Large support surface makes them better suited for use with thin plasterboard
  • Cost less than models with a ratchet mechanism
  • Better suited to small hollow wall anchors
  • Can be hard to use in awkward or confined spaces

Standard
Standard metal anchor expansion tool Standard metal anchor expansion tools can be used to fix a wide range of hollow wall anchor sizes. The ratchet mechanism in their head enables them to fix longer hollow wall anchors than non-ratcheting models, but as they have a smaller support surface they are not as well suited for use with thin plasterboard of 9.5mm (⅜”) or less.
Advantages and disadvantages of ADVANTAGES   DISADVANTAGES
 Readily available

  • Least expensive ratcheting metal anchor expansion tool
  • Can be used to fit wide range of hollow wall anchor sizes
  • Small support surface so not ideal for use on thin plasterboard
  • Can be hard to use in awkward or confined spaces

Extended stroke length
Extended stroke metal anchor expansion tools are used to fit long hollow wall anchors in plasterboard. This type of metal anchor expansion tool is specifically designed for fitting long anchors. The stroke length of a standard metal anchor expansion tool may not be great enough to collapse the legs of long hollow wall anchors sufficiently to properly secure them.
Stroke length of an extended stroke metal anchor expansion tool The extra stroke length does, however, make the head of the tool larger so it can sometimes be awkward to use in confined areas.
Advantages and disadvantages of ADVANTAGES   DISADVANTAGES
  • Capable of fitting any size hollow wall anchor
  • Larger support surface than other ratcheting metal anchor expansion tools
  • Larger head size makes them awkward to use in confined spaces
  • More expensive than a standard ratcheting metal anchor expansion tool
  • Not available in as many stores as standard ratcheting metal anchor expansion tools

Cranked head
Cranked head metal anchor expansion tools are specifically designed to set hollow wall anchors close to the corners or obstructions on a stud wall. Metal anchor expansion tools with a cranked head are specifically designed for use in corners or other confined areas where other expansion tools may not be able to fit.
Advantages and disadvantages of ADVANTAGES   DISADVANTAGES
 Ideal for fitting hollow wall anchors in corners

  • Can be used to fit the same sizes of hollow wall anchors as a standard ratcheting metal anchor expansion tool
  • More expensive than a standard ratcheting metal anchor expansion tool
  • Has no ratchet mechanism so not as well suited for use with larger hollow wall anchor sizes
  • Not as widely available as other metal anchor expansion tools
  • Longer than other metal anchor expansion tools so takes up more space in a toolbox and can be too long for some situations.

Direct setting
Direct setting metal anchor expansion tools have the handles and head of the tool in-line with the hole that the hollow wall anchor is pressed into. Direct setting metal anchor expansion tools are designed for use in confined spaces.
Direct setting metal anchor expansion tools can reach into areas other can not such as confined spaces created by pipes. The handles are positioned in-line with the head of the tool and the hole for the anchor, which enables them to reach into spaces other designs cannot.
Advantages and disadvantages of ADVANTAGES   DISADVANTAGES
  • Direct in-line setting with the hole allows use in confined spaces
  • Can be used to fit the same sizes of hollow wall anchors as a standard ratcheting metal anchor expansion tool
  • More expensive than a standard ratcheting metal anchor expansion tool
  • Not available in as many stores as standard ratcheting metal anchor expansion tools
  • Has no ratchet mechanism so not as well suited for use with larger hollow wall anchor sizes

-full-width-responsive="true">



Amazon Associate Partners

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Email: info@wonkeedonkee.co.uk

Wonkee Donkee Tools
Logo