# ID this small plastic object? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690 "2015-07-31T23:17:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/1 "2015-07-31T23:17:48Z")
Item is one inch long. What’s it for? [http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/9360d516097c3eafe47837134409cfcf.jpg](http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/9360d516097c3eafe47837134409cfcf.jpg) [http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/0c449ed386b47d11055f110156f00d65.jpg](http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/0c449ed386b47d11055f110156f00d65.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/2 "2015-07-31T23:20:14Z")
Links don’t work for me. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/3 "2015-07-31T23:24:04Z")
Looks like a dowel-like connector of some kind. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/4 "2015-07-31T23:25:05Z")
It’s a [cinder block or concrete screw anchor.](http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/expension-anchor-PVC-wall-plug-plastic_60156171188.html) ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/5 "2015-07-31T23:25:05Z")
Possibly a jacket for wire/cable? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/6 "2015-07-31T23:28:54Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > It’s a… screw anchor. ^ [This](http://fastenerline.com/expandet-screw-anchors/63521-1-4-x-1-expandet-screw-anchors.html). ---
**Author:** ![Nefario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/59ef9b/32.png) [@Nefario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefario)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/7 "2015-07-31T23:46:47Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > It’s a concrete screw anchor. Of the cheapest and least effectual variety… ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/8 "2015-08-01T00:02:26Z")
Yep. beowulff got it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/9 "2015-08-01T02:20:14Z")
Looks like the screw anchor. Those extrusions are sometimes used for other purposes. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/10 "2015-08-01T02:52:44Z")
> [@Nefario](#): > > Of the cheapest and least effectual variety… They actually work really well if you goop it up good with epoxy glue. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/11 "2015-08-01T04:16:18Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > They actually work really well if you goop it up good with epoxy glue. I’ve found they work quite good for certain applications. Lath and Plaster is one. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/12 "2015-08-01T18:54:48Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I’ve found they work quite good for certain applications. Lath and Plaster is one. That surprises me. Lath and plaster is less than a half inch thick. I wouldn’t think any kind of plastic anchor would grab very well. For lath and plaster I always use some kind of toggle anchor that grips from the rear. I use toggles for drywall too unless the load is very light. –Mark ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/13 "2015-08-02T05:34:18Z")
Yup. [Wall plug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_plug). You hammer those into a hole drilled into any material in which screws won’t fit well (cement, metal, plaster, brick…). Then you screw something to it, the screw “bites” into the plastic as well as pushing it against the sides of the hole and, theoretically, the whole assembly is secure. In practice, the wall plug comes loose at an inopportune time and something expensive breaks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/14 "2015-08-02T06:49:37Z")
I think **Kobal** ’s post just about wraps it up. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/15 "2015-08-02T09:43:09Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Yup. [Wall plug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_plug). You hammer those into a hole drilled into any material in which screws won’t fit well (cement, metal, plaster, brick…). Then you screw something to it, the screw “bites” into the plastic as well as pushing it against the sides of the hole and, theoretically, the whole assembly is secure. > > In practice, the wall plug comes loose at an inopportune time and something expensive breaks 🙂 I think that depends on how flimsy your wall is. These are widely used in the UK where even internal walls are usually solid rather than drywall and stud. No one with any sense would use one in drywall, but with the correct size hole in cinder block or brick, they are as good as the screw that they are holding. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/16 "2015-08-02T13:42:20Z")
I’d say that particular anchor would be specifically for a concrete or masonry wall. It’s not meant to expand; just give the screw something to bite. Try to use it on drywall and you’d surely be replacing a picture or some knicknacks. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/17 "2015-08-02T13:44:12Z")
Or was bob++ said. How did I miss that? Also where the heck did my edit button go on tapatalk? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/18 "2015-08-02T13:57:00Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > I’d say that particular anchor would be specifically for a concrete or masonry wall. It’s not meant to expand; just give the screw something to bite. Try to use it on drywall and you’d surely be replacing a picture or some knicknacks. They do expand - the centre hole is smaller than the screw it is designed for so that when you screw it in, the plug becomes an extremely tight fit. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/19 "2015-08-02T14:01:12Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > They do expand - the centre hole is smaller than the screw it is designed for so that when you screw it in, the plug becomes an extremely tight fit. Yup. It’s a compression fitting in hard substances. For drywall and plaster there are similar things with outer serrations to dig into the material. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690/20 "2015-08-02T19:25:29Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > That surprises me. Lath and plaster is less than a half inch thick. I wouldn’t think any kind of plastic anchor would grab very well. For lath and plaster I always use some kind of toggle anchor that grips from the rear. I use toggles for drywall too unless the load is very light. > > –Mark Remodeled and hung all new kitchen cabinets in my mom’s 1952 house in '79. Worked great. Mom is still there as are the same cabinets and anchors. I agree though. Better solutions are available now. One for drywall is a plastic anchor that you screw in with a Phillips head driver. No need for a drill. Then screw in a dry wall screw into the anchor and hang pictures. They work great. Starting to bug me to talk about things I did last century.:eek: Mentioned that to my Wife on Friday when we went out for our 18th anniversary dinner. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-small-plastic-object/726690.md?page=2)