Those of you who read my last post, yes, i am STILL trying to install these stupid wall shelves that i've done by myself in 3 other homes. I'm having a heck of a time, and I finally figured out why today. I used a drill bit first and it just stops at only 1 1/2" in, sometimes more or less (in the same stud). Why is this? I'm using 3" screws. I don't think 1" will hold these shelves up properly but maybe that's my only option to try?

So this explains why they were all stripping out on me and why they keep breaking off too. But why? I've never had a problem w/long screws before.

are you near a window? dh installed some shelves over a window and kept running into metal...framing? I dunno. But the windows ended up higher than we expected. :lol:

no, not the windows, der! the shelves! the shelves ended up higher than we planned! :p

are you hitting a stud or plumbing?

Are you trying at different heights on the same stud? What about trying different studs? I'm just trying to see if it's a matter of one location doing it, or random places.

What's on the other side of the wall? bathroom? kitchen?

nope, it's smack dab in the middle of the wall. No windows on that wall at all.

Oh dear, how would i know if I was hitting plumbing? It's on the wall that just leads to the garage. Can't imagine plumbing running through there... no water on either wall side or above or below. 'Cept the main shut off valve is below that wall in the basement.... don't think that would be there though?

Are you trying at different heights on the same stud? What about trying different studs? I'm just trying to see if it's a matter of one location doing it, or random places.

What's on the adjacent wall? bathroom? kitchen?

yes, trying diff. heights and sometimes it's a little more or a little less. I'm messing my wall up LOL. I really need that stud or the shelves wouldn't work.

adjacent is just the garage.

It's on the wall that just leads to the garage.

Oops, your garage isn't by chance cinder block is it? Mine is :o

Makes sense to me that there are just studs on your side for the sheetrock, you're screwing in 1.5" and then hitting the concrete.

Might be hitting a screw or nail coming ion from the other side.....possibly a knot in the wood too. We ran across this quite often when sheet ri=ocking.

My son suggested inspecing the end of the drill bit after *carefully* pulling it back out and looking to see what the debris on the end is made of. He thought that might give you a clue.

editing to say that wasn't very clear. He thought you might see bits of something, like white plastic, masonry, metal, etc.

Oops, your garage isn't by chance cinder block is it?


ah-HA! I just ran upstairs to check. It is solid brick on the other side, like the house! Guess the garage was an after-thought. Well now I know my options, thanks so much!

I still think it's the only place I can put these shelves (mainly to hold all the kids' crafts and crayons etc). I guess that means I will try the small screws and pray the shelves don't fall off the wall. :help:

Drywall anchors might give you more stability with a shorter screw.

My son said to get a masonry bit and drill on into the brick a bit and then use these http://www.confast.com/products/tapcon-concretescrew.asp . He said they have them at Lowe's.

Wow, I am really impressed you didn't realize your garage was added on. That means they did it well.