Why does load distribution always trip me up?

I get the frustration though - it really does feel like you’re mounting into a bag of chips sometimes.

You’re not alone there. Plaster can be unpredictable, and load distribution trips up even experienced folks. Your approach with cleats is solid - spreading the load is key. Don’t beat yourself up; it’s a tricky material, and there’s no shame in overbuilding if it helps you sleep at night.

Totally get where you’re coming from. Plaster’s a wild card - sometimes you hit a stud, sometimes it’s just dust and hope behind the surface. I’ve hung shelves where I swear the wall was just waiting for an excuse to crumble. Cleats are a lifesaver, though. If anything, overbuilding gives peace of mind... and saves you from patching holes later. No shame in playing it safe when the material’s that unpredictable.

Honestly, plaster walls have made me question my life choices more than once. You think you’ve found a solid spot, then the drill just spins and you’re left holding a handful of dust. I’m with you on cleats - nothing beats spreading out the load, especially when the wall’s basically a suggestion. Overbuilding might seem extra, but I’d rather explain why my shelf is a fortress than why my stuff’s in a pile on the floor.

Yeah, plaster’s always a wild card. Even when you hit what feels like a stud, it sometimes turns out to be old lath that just crumbles anyway. Cleats are definitely the way to go for anything heavy - spreads the weight, keeps things from pulling through. I’ve seen folks try fancy anchors, but honestly, nothing beats just making sure the load’s distributed across more than one spot. Sometimes it feels like overkill, but after patching enough holes, I’ll take sturdy over “good enough” any day.

Cleats are definitely the way to go for anything heavy - spreads the weight, keeps things from pulling through.

Totally get that. But do you ever run into situations where the wall just doesn’t give you enough space for a decent cleat? I always wonder if there’s a trick for those weird spots where you can’t catch more than one stud or the lath is just dust. Have you ever tried those toggle bolts in old plaster, or do you just avoid them? Sometimes I feel like I’m making it up as I go...