Railing replacement - drywall dilemma

[ng_reader]

I went to my Home Cheapo today to see if they had the right spring moly-bolt or toggle bolt for my railing today.

They used to be so helpful and friendly. Not today. I know I'm looking for a specific piece of hardware and I was directed to two guys that work in that

*isle* of all that plastic baggies for hardware for dummies (myself included, thank-you).

These two guys, both with vests on, we fiddling around with a miter saw and trying to figure out how to make one of those complex inside cuts. I approached one of them, he told me approximately where to look, but when I explicitly asked him to SHOW ME WHERE (because when you go to work there I think they tell you you have to do that or get fired), he explained he was having a DEMO and would assist me afterwards.

However, the DEMO was he and his co-worker just playing around with two pieces of crown molding trying to guestimate the cut on their Rigid compound miter saw.

I had my really cute 4 year old daughter with me, and we just stood there while tweedle dum and tweedle dummer ignored us before they could show us where to look.

Eventually I asked another red vested person, and she was willing to show me, but -EXCUUSE ME- Ms Sister had an attitude and a)did not want to listen to what I was saying b)did not want to suggest alternatives BUT c)did leave the moment I turned my back.

Can't wait for the Lowes to open up around the block. Home Depot is about 4 miles away, but Lowes, will be less than a mile. Awesome, more people working retail, getting angrier and angrier that they make no money in retail. NO KIDDING.

I digress....

This railing, iron wrought, came off when I repainted.

It was fastened using two (2) moly bolts, you know the kind that spring open behind the wall after you push them through? Well of course once you attach this way, there is no way to "RE-ATTACH" as the spring opener falls behind the wall once you remove the hardware.

Here's what I have:

The 2 1/2" machine screw cap-nut slotted bolt. It's 5/16" thick with 18 threads per inch.

Where on earth can I find the new spring-opener clamshell that fits

5/16"x18?

If someone knows exactly what it's called, by all means, here's the place.

[IdaSpode]

It might help if you knew the correct term for the fastener you are seeking:

They are called "toggle bolts", ask for them by name at most any hardware store.

DJ

[m Ransley]

Your not asking a common question, quit complaining.

[ng_reader]

Thanks!

Because of IBM's decision to sell the PC in 1982, I was able to order them on-line just a moment ago!

[ng_reader]

Uhhhh, too late?

Oh, and according to your logic, difficult questions should NOT be answered.

But, thanks for the intelligent post.

[m Ransley]

No but you cut down hardware stores because you made the mistake, not theirs. And think stupidly a different name store will be different, GET a Life, jerk.

[Norminn]

A molly is a lousy way to hang a railing. If the railing is used as intended, including someone grabbing it to stop a fall, it can pull out of the wall quite easily. Should be anchored to stud.

[ng_reader]

Let's just say we're both right.

However, internally, you, my friend, are a know-nothing asshole.

[Bob(but not that Bob)]

I believe the word you were groping for was "aisle", unless you were swimming, in which case you were foundering, or as you would have said "floundering", but that would've sounded a bit fishy.

No wonder - HD employees wear ORANGE - perhaps you somehow found yourself in a Target, or a Walmart perhaps.

I doubt they know much about railings there.

Having never used the term myself, as I've yet to see anything that qualified, I may be wrong, but I thought "awesome" as slang referred to something positive(?).

Must've been one heavy-handed brush stroke! (and it's "wrought iron", btw).

You don't want to attach a wrought iron handrail (and I'm only guessing wildly that you even meant a handrail) with any type of hollow-wall fastener.

You need to find the studs, reposition the brackets, and re-attach with some serious wood screws.

[ng_reader]

It's one piece. No sliding of fasteners, here. It'll go back they way it came down. Else I'll mount it to a shelf (read: board) and then the piece of wood to the studs.