Faster? Wall Plugs Removal TOOL | Rawlplugs Remover

How to remove a plastic wall plug / rawlplug / wall anchor?

There are some simple known ways to extract them from the wall (listed in the below steps), but still... for a while I tried to think about another solution...

I challenged myself to make a tool / JIG, that will remove many plugs much quicker.

After some tries, I came up with this prototype.

Did I succeed? Is it faster? The result is in the video :)

Yes, I know... It may seem like an 'overkill solution' for this job...😅, but it can be useful if you have a lot to remove 💪🏻.

Anyway, I had fun making project. I like to challenge myself and try new solutions :)

(BTW Soon we'll leave our apartment and I'll have to remove dozens of plugs, maybe close to 100... so I guess it will be helpful 😉)

Note: At our apartment, the walls are made mostly from cement blocks & concrete walls, so I can't just push the plugs like in a drywall. The demo in the video was done on a concrete wall.

You're welcome to visit my YouTube Channel, and watch my additional different DIY & Woodworking projects.

Supplies

General List of tools I'm using - https://www.itzikdiy.com/tools-list?m=1

Tools in this Instructable:

Angle Grinder (Disc)
Drill Driver / Impact drill
Sliding miter saw or other saw
Glue gun

Materials in this Instructable:

Piece of wood
1 Bearing (626zz 6x19x6mm)
2 long screws
1 Spring

Step 1: The Video

You can watch the making and use of the tool, in this video.

(Don't miss the test at the end of the video )

Step 2: Wall Plugs Removal - the Old Way 1

There different simple known ways to remove wall plugs.

One of them is using a screw. You insert the screw into the plug, grab the screw with pliers and pull it.

Step 3: Wall Plugs Removal - the Old Way 2

Other way to pull wall plugs, is using a corkscrew (wine opener).

Step 4: Making My Tool

I started by cutting a piece of pine wood, using my miter saw (4*7cm profile).

Step 5: Inserting the Bearing

I drilled 19mm hole (according to the bearing diameter) in the wood, and inserted the bearing.

Step 6: Drilling Back Side

I drilled a 4.5mm hole through the bearing, to the other side.

Step 7: Drilling Front Side - Hole for the Plugs

I turned the wood and drilled a 10mm hole from the other side towards the bearing, 27mm long. The depth should be enough to contain the pulled plugs length.

After that I slightly widened the opening of the hole with a cone drill, so that the plugs can go in more smoothly.

Step 8: Making the Push Button

In order to hold the pulled plug in the tool, I needed some kind of push button. When I thought how to make this tool, I initially looked for different push buttons online. I didn't find something that fits, so I decided to make a DIY button.

I took a screw (70mm*3mm) and cut it to 30mm long, using an angle grinder.

Step 9: Drilling Hole for the Push Button

I drilled a 7mm hole from the top, with depth of 10mm. This hole mustn't reach the previous vertical hole.

This hole will hold the 'push button' spring later.

Step 10: Drilling Hole for the Push Button - Continue

In the same position in the top, I drilled a 4.5mm hole. Unlike the wider hole, this hole continues into the vertical hole.

This hole is smaller, in order to limit the spring from being inserted deeper, but not the screw I cut.

(The hole thickness should be bit wider than the screw).

Step 11: Making the Push Button - Continue

I used hot glue to glue the spring to the 7mm hole I drilled at the top in the previous steps.

After that, I put some hot glue around the bottom of the screw head that I cut, and connected it to the spring.

The push button is ready and the spring & screw can't fall.

Step 12: Inserting the Main Puller Screw

I took another screw (70mm*3mm) and inserted it through the bearing.

This screw will be used to pull the plug from the wall, using a drill driver / impact driver. (I'll call it the 'puller screw')

The bearing helps to rotate the screw fast and smoothly.

BTW, it took me some time to think about the solution with the bearing. Initially, I tried to make the tool without it, but the screw couldn't be rotated freely, and the wood was just tighten to the wall...

Step 13: Pressing the Push Button

When pressing the push button, the button screw should reach the puller screw, like in the picture.

When the wall plug is pulled and worn on the screw, the push button should lock it from rotating.

Step 14: Tool Is Ready, Let's Try It

How does it work?

In order to pull a plug from the wall, you should attach the tool to the wall, while the bearing is exactly in front of the plug in the wall.

Step 15: Pulling the Screw

Using a drill driver / impact driver, screw the long puller screw through the bearing, to the wall plug, until the plug is pulled completely into the hole in the tool.