What do you guys use to hold small pieces like T-Stats, surface mounted boxes, picture frames, etc.?
I have few T-Stats that needed to be pulled to either RMA, reset, replace batteries, etc.
The little plastic expansion anchors were either installed incorrectly or overtightened and allow 'play' between the wall and base plate.

I think I just need to find me small diameter TOGGLER SNAPTOGGLE, but wanted to see what you guys use and like.

Here is a 100 piece kit for $57, so little over a buck for T-Stat (2 screws); that's cheap. I don't think they come with screws though, so that would be another box.
[Link: amazon.com]
I'm going to see if I can find something smaller.

I want to get something in a 100 to 1,000 pack so I can buy it once, throw it in the van and never think about how to surface mount things ever again.
Kicker is, if I hit a stud while pre-drilling the 'core', I can just use drywall screw to mount the gizmo to the wood.

We've used these for years [Link: homedepot.com]. They cut their way into the sheetrock perfectly flush.  They sell 'em in a metal version too, but, have never used those.

I have used the EZ anchors in plastic and metal for years....over drove a couple which is a pain but only a couple....

[Link: toggler.com]

Click on products and look at the solid wall anchor with wide flange. They work very well also.

I prefer the metal versions of these anchors. I've not found anything better over the years . Dottie offers metal anchors and can usually be purchased at ADI. But I have found them at the large hardware stores in the past too. I usually buy a box of 100.

They might be considered overkill for a T Stat though, unless trying to deal with an existing hole that is stripped out and you need something bigger than the typical cone shaped anchors.

The alligator works where the corkscrew type strip out the drywall when trying to remove a screw and the entire anchor backs out

These, in metal, are all I use for little stuff. They're great.

Yup. These were a revelation when I first saw them, always carry a box of fifty.

What's an alligator in this context?

There is a link in post #4

Dude! I totally forgot about those.
Stopping by Home Depot and loading up on those.
Done.

This is a bit excessive for a T-Stat, IMO.

For small items, I use the small yellow or white (seldom, because they're too small), blue and green inserts, but not the ones made of hard plastic. Those always break, even in warm weather.
[Link: homedepot.com]

I also use the white ones that thread into the drywall, hand tight- not with a big battery-powered driver.
[Link: mscdirect.com]


For anything heavy that's on drywall, I hit the studs as the primary method or use Snap Togglers (they were called that before SnapAV came along).