Self-drill plasterboard fixings in zinc alloy and nylon for light fixings into plasterboard walls, for electricians, drylining and fit-out trades.
Self-drill plasterboard fixings in zinc alloy and nylon for light fixings into plasterboard walls, for electricians, drylining and fit-out trades.
Self-drill plasterboard fixings cut their own thread into plasterboard, so items can be fixed to stud partitions and dry-lined walls without drilling a pilot hole. Electricians, drylining contractors and fit-out trades use them for light fixings such as electrical fittings, curtain rods and skirting. Zinc alloy and nylon versions cover fixture thicknesses from 10mm to 30mm.
A standard wall plug relies on expanding against a solid hole wall, and plasterboard is too soft for that. On site, the plug spins or crushes the gypsum, the fixture pulls loose and the board needs patching. A self-drill fixing screws in with a wide, coarse thread that grips a larger area of board, so the load is spread instead of resting on a crumbling hole.
Self-drilling point: the fixing screws straight into the board, so there is no drill and no pilot hole.
Wide coarse thread: grips a larger area of plasterboard than an expanding plug, spreading the load.
Zinc alloy and nylon versions: both carry the same recommended loads, so choose by fixture thickness.
Pozi No2 drive: one bit drives both the plug and the screw.
Published tensile and shear loads: separate figures for pull-out and for weight hanging down the wall.
Trades and roles
Electricians
Drylining contractors
Carpenters and joiners
Shopfitters
Decorators
Maintenance teams
Industries
Construction
Housebuilding
Commercial fit-out
Facilities management
Social housing maintenance
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name | Self-Drill Plasterboard Fixings - With Screws |
| Product code | JJP |
| Product type | Self-drill plasterboard fixing |
| Base material | Plasterboard |
| Installation | Self-drilling, no pilot hole |
| Recommended tool | Hand screwdriver, Pozi No2 |
| Drive | Pozi No2, fixing and screw |
| Screw thread diameter | 4.5mm |
| Screw head diameter | 9mm |
| Rec. tensile load | 0.06 kN |
| Rec. shear load | 0.18 kN |
| Plug materials | Zinc alloy, nylon |
| Plug lengths | 29mm, 32mm, 37mm |
| Product code | Plug material | Plug length | Screw size | Max fixture thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JJPN10A | Nylon | 29mm | 4.5mm x 30mm | 10mm |
| JJP15A | Zinc alloy | 32mm | 4.5mm x 35mm | 15mm |
| JJP30A | Zinc alloy | 32mm | 4.5mm x 50mm | 30mm |
| JJP15 | Zinc alloy | 37mm | 4.5mm x 35mm | 15mm |
| JJP30 | Zinc alloy | 37mm | 4.5mm x 50mm | 30mm |
Size key: in 32mm with a 4.5mm x 35mm screw, 32mm is the plug length. The screw size is the thread diameter x screw length.
| Base material, tool or condition | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Plasterboard | Suitable |
| Hand screwdriver | Suitable |
| Power screwdriver | Not recommended at speed, can strip the thread in the board, use low speed and torque |
| Light wall fixings | Suitable within the recommended loads |
| Solid masonry | Not recommended, use a wall plug |
| Heavy items such as TVs or wall cupboards | Not recommended, fix into a stud or use a rated cavity fixing |
| Overhead or safety-critical fixings | Not recommended, use a cavity fixing rated for the load |
Second fix, fit-out and maintenance trades use self-drill plasterboard fixings on new build housing, office fit-outs and refurbishment. Most fixings go into stud partitions and dry-lined walls where there is no timber or metal stud behind the fixing point. They are chosen for speed on light fixings, where drilling and plugging would take longer.
Fixing surface mounted electrical fittings and trunking to plasterboard walls between studs.
Fixing curtain rod and blind brackets to dry-lined walls and reveals.
Fixing skirting boards to plasterboard partitions where studs do not line up.
Hanging pictures and notice boards in offices, schools and housing.
Refixing loose light fittings during maintenance and refurbishment work.
Step 1: Choose the size by the thickness of the item being fixed, using the Size Selection table.
Step 2: Check for cables and pipes behind the board at the fixing point.
Step 3: Press the point into the board and screw the fixing in with a Pozi No2 hand screwdriver until the head sits flush.
Step 4: Hold the item in place and insert the screw through it into the fixing.
Step 5: Tighten by hand until secure. Do not overtighten.
Driving the fixing in with a power screwdriver, which can strip the thread in the board.
Overtightening the screw, which spins the fixing and loosens its grip.
Using a size too short for the fixture, so the screw does not fully engage the fixing.
Hanging heavy items such as TVs or wall cupboards from plasterboard fixings alone.
Using plasterboard fixings in solid masonry, where a wall plug is needed.
Check for hidden cables and pipes before fixing, using a detector where needed. Keep within the recommended tensile and shear loads. For heavy, overhead or safety-critical fixings, fix into a stud or use a cavity fixing rated for the load.
Store fixings dry in their pack until use. Check fixtures during planned maintenance and refix any that have worked loose in a fresh position.
Q: Which size self-drill plasterboard fixing do I need?
A: Choose by the thickness of the item being fixed. The 29mm nylon fixing takes items up to 10mm thick. The zinc alloy fixings with 35mm screws take up to 15mm, and those with 50mm screws take up to 30mm.
Q: What do 32mm and 4.5mm x 35mm mean on a plasterboard fixing?
A: The 32mm is the length of the fixing that goes into the board. The 4.5mm x 35mm is the screw, with a 4.5mm thread diameter and a 35mm length. The screw length sets the maximum thickness of the item you can fix.
Q: How much weight can a self-drill plasterboard fixing hold?
A: Each fixing has a recommended tensile load of 0.06 kN, about 6kg, and a recommended shear load of 0.18 kN, about 18kg. Tensile is a pull straight out of the wall, and shear is weight hanging down the wall. Use several fixings to share the load on wider items.
Q: What are these fixings not suitable for?
A: They are not suitable for solid masonry, heavy items such as TVs or wall cupboards, or overhead and safety-critical fixings. For those, fix into a stud or use a cavity fixing rated for the load.
Q: Should I choose zinc alloy or nylon plasterboard fixings?
A: Both have the same recommended loads. The nylon fixing suits items up to 10mm thick. The zinc alloy fixings take thicker items, up to 15mm or 30mm depending on the screw.
Q: Can I use a power screwdriver?
A: The manufacturer's installation instructions use a hand screwdriver for both the fixing and the screw. A power screwdriver can drive too fast and strip the thread in the board, so set any driver to a low speed and torque.
Q: Do I need to drill a pilot hole?
A: No. The self-drilling point cuts its own way into plasterboard, so the fixing screws straight in with a Pozi No2 screwdriver.
Q: How do I remove a self-drill plasterboard fixing?
A: Take out the screw, then unscrew the fixing anticlockwise with a Pozi No2 screwdriver. Fill and sand the hole before redecorating.
