Removing Toggle Bolts Easily - Fine Homebuilding

Maybe your like

FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content Search Subscribe Main Menu Log In

How-To
Design
Tools & Materials
Restoration
Videos
Blogs
Forum
Magazine
Members
FHB House
Podcast

Removing a toggle bolt really can be frustrating because of a fundamental contradiction. You have to pull on it, because the toggle is simply spinning inside the wall once the screw has been loosened, but at the same time you have to push on the screw to make it spin.

During a recent remodeling project, I tried a variety of tools to pull on the screw while twisting it with the screw gun at the same time. Pliers would grip the screw but wouldn’t let it spin. A putty knife simply slipped off the spinning screw.

Then I remembered a gadget called a door-upholstery removal tool that I had picked up for a recent automotive project. As shown in the drawing, it is shaped somewhat like a screwdriver with a bent shaft and a slotted flat tip. This tool proved to be ideal for pulling back on the back of the screw head while the screw was spun out. You can purchase one of these tools at an auto-supply shop or online at www.toolsplus.com for about $9.

Jim Parker, Littleton, CO

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters See all newsletters ×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View 1 comment

View Comments

SeanLinster | Jul 12, 2016 05:51pm | #1
Or you could just use your cat paw.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Tips & Techniques

View All

Center Your Battens
Stuck-Screw Trick
Chip-Free Concrete Cuts
Hands-Free Light Hanging

View All Up Next Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: All About Heat-Pump Water Heaters

Get expert advice on finding the right heat pump water heater for your home.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Highlights

Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos

FHB Podcast Segment: Hand Tool Sharpening Tips
Podcast 454: PRO TALK With Greg Palese of Klein Tools
Angle Your Drywall Knife for Best Results
Must-Have Hand Tools for a Remodeler's Kit

View All

Nails and Fasteners

View All Nails and Fasteners Articles

Nail-Set Upgrade
Podcast 591: Members-only Aftershow—Hidden Costs of Construction
Trimming Your Trim Nails

View All Nails and Fasteners Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Issue 337 - February / March 2026 Printed Houses Are Here Shaped by the Site A Slick Approach to Dormer Shingles

Issue 336 - December / January 2026 Tool Test: Cordless Framing Nailers Installing an ERV or HRV Ease the Pane of Window Selection

Issue 335 - November 2025 A Stylish, Sturdy Stair Rail Rock-Solid Framed Floors Smart Vapor Retarders

Issue 334 - October 2025 Student Housing New Stairs for an Old House Do Safer Strippers Work?

Issue 333 - August / September 2025 A Practical Perfect Wall Landscape Lighting Essentials Repairing a Modern Window Sash

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

Fine Homebuilding

Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.
Green Building Advisor

Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.
Old House Journal

Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters

Follow

Fine Homebuilding

Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X
- LinkedIn
GBA Prime

Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- YouTube
Old House Journal

Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.
Subscribe Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X

Fine Homebuilding

Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X
- LinkedIn
GBA Prime

Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- YouTube
Old House Journal

Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.
Subscribe Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X

Membership & Magazine

Online Archive
Start Free Trial
Magazine Subscription
Magazine Renewal
Gift a Subscription
Customer Support
Privacy Preferences

About
Contact
Advertise
Careers
Terms of Service
Site Map

Do not sell or share my information
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
California Privacy Rights

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X X This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. Search

Main Menu

How-To
Design
Tools & Materials
Restoration
Video
Blogs
Forum
Project Guides
Reader Projects
Magazine
Members
FHB House

Podcasts

FHB Podcast
ProTalk

Webinars

Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

FHB Podcast
ProTalk

Webinars

Upcoming and On-Demand

Magazine

Current Issue
Past Issues
Magazine Index
Subscribe
Online Archive
Author Guidelines

All Access

Member Home
Start Free Trial
Gift Membership

Online Learning

Courses
Project Guides
Reader Projects
Podcast

FHB Ambassadors
FHB House
Customer Support

Account

Log In
Join

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters See all newsletters

Follow

X
YouTube
instagram
facebook
pinterest
Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Tips & Techniques

Featured Story

Featured Video

Related Stories

Recent Posts and Replies

Highlights

Video

Nails and Fasteners

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

Fine Homebuilding

Green Building Advisor

Old House Journal

Follow

Fine Homebuilding

GBA Prime

Old House Journal

Fine Homebuilding

GBA Prime

Old House Journal

Membership & Magazine

Main Menu

Podcasts

Webinars

Podcasts

Webinars

Popular Topics

Magazine

All Access

Online Learning

More

Account

Newsletter

Follow

Join All Access

Subscribe

Contact