How to remove this type of hollow wall anchor?

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Ron, The suggestions you have received so a seem to be the only ones around. I've been fighting with the problem since we built our home forty years ago and found out changing pictures/wall decorations is an almost seasonal thing with some women.

No matter what method you use, when the molly is gone the hole will be bigger than needed to install originally. So here is what I have come up with to fill holes in the most secure method.

I have a variety of countersinks and step drills that I use to enlarge the hole on the surface of the drywall and cut the paper cleanly. I use this same way of filling holes on wood, it is very difficult to fill a nail hole at times and I use a countersink to create a nice clean smooth hole to fill. No need to sand before filling and minimal sanding after filling.

Nice advice, thanks. BTW, we're selling the house so the wife want's wants to fill all the holes after removing the pictures on the walls. 30 years in the same house but now that we're empty nesters it's time to downsize. The huge 4 bedroom house on a big lot is too much for us these days.

Ron, The suggestions you have received so a seem to be the only ones around. I've been fighting with the problem since we built our home forty years ago and found out changing pictures/wall decorations is an almost seasonal thing with some women.

No matter what method you use, when the molly is gone the hole will be bigger than needed to install originally. So here is what I have come up with to fill holes in the most secure method.

I have a variety of countersinks and step drills that I use to enlarge the hole on the surface of the drywall and cut the paper cleanly. I use this same way of filling holes on wood, it is very difficult to fill a nail hole at times and I use a countersink to create a nice clean smooth hole to fill. No need to sand before filling and minimal sanding after filling.

I would Spackle over as a last resort for fear of getting one of those dreaded nail pop looking things later on.

If it's in drywall I'd knock it into the wall and patch. If it's in a luan/paneling wall I'd drill the anchor and let it fall in the wall.

Put a picture on it for now. Or get the male part of a boat canvas snap to look better. You'll no sooner get it out, and want it back in.
If I put a wall anchor in, it stays forever.

Bumpyroad wrote:
I think in dry wall I would do as stated before, tap them in a bit, remove bolt and spackle over.
bumpy

That's an excellent idea, I might try that first. If I can countersink it enough in the drywall, spackle will do the rest. If that doesn't work I've got plenty of other ideas to work with now.

All excellent ideas, thanks.

I think in dry wall I would do as stated before, tap them in a bit, remove bolt and spackle over.
bumpy

If you decide to drill it, hold the head with a pair of needlenose pliers to keep it from spinning with the drill.

Back the screw out a little, say 1/8". Push the screw and the anchor should loosen. Then back the screw out 1/8" again and force needle nose pliers under the shoulder of the anchor. Then pinch against the head. This should extend the anchor toward its original shape. Extend the screw and pinch again. Repeat till you can get enough access to the shank of the anchor to cut it off or pull it out. Remove the screw and do so.