[blaqpig]

Hi if I have a couple lightweight shelves I want to put up, do I have to use the anchors if I am screwing into a beam still? Are the anchors only for when a beam is not available?

 

[PaliBob]

Hi if I have a couple lightweight shelves I want to put up, do I have to use the anchors if I am screwing into a beam still? Are the anchors only for when a beam is not available?

Various anchors are used for Drywall, Plaster walls, Masonry, Thin wood like on hollow core doors (e.g. mounting a clothes hook), and others.

Not all of these require anchors because there are special types of screws that do not need anchors
some examples
Tapcons
http://www.bluetapcons.com/?gclid=CIqd8Yazt5sCFSRPagodgQyKAw

Or Wall-Dogs
http://www.powers.com/product_2314.html

In general, If there is solid wood backing then anchors are not needed.