[miamicuse]

Need to install a few 18" tower bars, 24" towel bars, towel rings, rope hooks in two bathrooms.

Ideal attachment points no stud there. It's a high rise condo with steel studs behind 1/2" sheet rock.

Is using only drywall anchors enough? That is assuming no one will use these bars and rings as grab bars.

One of the towel bar attachment flange has two holes next to each other spaced 3/16" apart. They provided drywall anchors. How am I supposed to drill two holes in the sheetrock spaced 3/16" on center and NOT have the two anchors become a "slot"? May be I need to drill new holes on the metal flange farther apart say at least 1/2"?

 

[miamicuse]

Some drywall anchors are far better than others. I avoid the plastic plugs and screw-in "easy anchor" types.

Better are pop-toggles (but be sure to first "pop" them with the push tool.) Or togglers (but expensive), or old fashioned mollies, but it helps to have a Molly setter tool. The hammer-in neon green things are decent, too.

The issue is some of these attachment plates require "TINY" holes on the wall.

For example, look at this one by ATLAS LINEA, and it's not a cheap $20 bar, it's a $150 accessory set made in Italy.

The two mounting holes on the back plate is 3/8" apart. How can I even put in two drywall anchors 3/8" apart. If I drill two holes 1/4" apart for any anchor there would be almost no material left between the two holes.

 

[miamicuse]

440+ Molly Bolts Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock I have used these for the same purpose and they are great.
But if you ever need to remove them, you will not be happy. Also, the ones in the box stores are not the best. Supply houses carry them from better manufacturers, and the slang term is "Molly".
View attachment 820877

I have these, as well as many different kinds of drywall anchors. Problem is the two holes on the plate are too close together and these needs 1/4"+ hole size.

 

[miamicuse]

Add in-wall blocking. That's best for most wall mounted items anyway.

No doubt it's better to have in wall blocking, the question if it's necessary for towel bars and rings, robe hooks and toilet paper holders. That's opening up three walls in each bathroom.