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A claw anchor grips drywall by bearing against the board, but its holding capacity depends on the exact anchor, wall thickness, installation, and the way the load pulls on it. For WallClaw’s LOC-N-LOAD hammer-in anchor, the manufacturer lists different maximum hanging, recommended shear, and recommended pull-out loads; those figures are not interchangeable. It is made for specified drywall applications—not studs, ceilings, or mounting a television to drywall.
What a claw anchor does
“Claw anchor” can refer to different hardware. WallClaw’s LOC-N-LOAD is a hammer-in screw anchor: its shaped body and locking leg grip the drywall when the supplied screw is tightened. A 3M CLAW product, by contrast, is a hook or picture hanger for decor. They are not the same kind of fastener, so their ratings should not be treated as directly comparable.
WallClaw specifies its anchor for 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch drywall and says the same anchor works in both thicknesses. That specification applies to this model; it should not be assumed for other claw-style hangers or anchors. See WallClaw’s product documents and FAQs.
What WallClaw’s load ratings mean
The manufacturer publishes multiple figures for its anchor. Maximum hanging load, recommended shear load, and recommended pull-out load describe different load categories; none should be substituted for another. The table preserves the labels and sources used by WallClaw.
#1 Best Overall
- ROCK SOLID - To deliver reliability on the open water, this claw anchor is built from high-strength steel. Not only that, but the steel is one-piece, high-tensile and heat-treated for exceptional strength and a rock-solid hold
- MARINE-RESISTANT - Marine environments can be some of the most rigorous, and as such, we’ve made this anchor to last, applying a galvanized finish that stands up to moisture, weather and more
- QUICK-SETTING - This Lewmar anchor offers a sophisticated solution for your vessel with its bruce-style claw. The claw sets quickly in a variety of seabeds and resets as needed after veering
- EASY STORAGE - This claw anchor can be used with a variety of bow roller styles to make dropping, weighing and storing easy
- ANY BOAT - Choose from a range of sizes and weights of our Lewmar claw anchor to find the right fit for your boat style and length
| Drywall thickness | Maximum hanging load | Recommended shear load | Recommended pull-out load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch | 165 lb (WallClaw 2025 instructions) | 90 lb (WallClaw 2023 technical sheet) | 60 lb (WallClaw 2023 technical sheet) |
| 5/8 inch | 227 lb (WallClaw 2025 instructions) | 125 lb (WallClaw 2023 technical sheet) | 85 lb (WallClaw 2023 technical sheet) |
WallClaw describes its recommended loads as including a safety factor and distinguishes them from ultimate or failure loads. It calls the maximum ratings guides for comparison, not guaranteed capacities. The company says performance varies with drywall quality, thickness and condition, the object’s dimensions and distance from the wall, and installation. Its technical sheet reports that failures in its testing involved drywall tearing or breaking, or screw heads shearing, rather than the anchor body breaking; that is the manufacturer’s account, not an independent comparison across brands. Read the 2025 instructions and 2023 technical support sheet for the product’s stated figures and conditions.
How to install the LOC-N-LOAD
- Hold the anchor with the arrow on its head pointing up. Put its pointed tip at the chosen location on the drywall.
- Tap gently and repeatedly until the anchor is seated. Do not drive the head below the drywall surface: WallClaw warns, “Do NOT countersink the head into the drywall – this can damage the drywall.”
- Attach the fixture with the supplied blunt-tip screw. Do not replace it with a sharp-tip screw.
- With the included 1-1/4-inch screw, keep the fixture no thicker than 1/8 inch. For a thicker fixture, WallClaw recommends a longer #8 Type B blunt-tip screw.
These are instructions for this particular anchor, not universal steps for every claw hook or drywall fastener.
Rank #2
- Durable, dependable Claw Anchor is ideal for anchoring wide variety of boats
- Versatile anchor is designed for use in various sea beds, and performs reliably amid tides and windy conditions
- Durable, corrosion-resistant hot-dipped galvanized steel construction
- Stows easily on bow roller
- Reliable 11-pound Claw Anchor is intended for use with a 23-foot boat
Where it is—and is not—intended to be used
WallClaw says its anchor is not intended for use in studs, ceiling applications, or mounting televisions to drywall. Follow the product’s stated exclusions rather than treating its published load figures as permission to use it for those jobs. The manufacturer’s instructions state: “Not intended for use in studs, or for ceiling applications, or for mounting televisions to drywall.”
How it differs from a 3M CLAW picture hanger
3M lists CLAW drywall hooks and picture hangers for decor, including 15 lb and 25 lb models. Those are hook-style products; WallClaw’s LOC-N-LOAD is a screw anchor for attaching a fixture. A model’s advertised figure belongs to its own product and use case, so a 3M hook rating cannot be compared directly with WallClaw’s maximum hanging-load rating as if both measured the same setup.
Rank #3
- TOP-PERFORMING ANCHOR— Our claw anchors have a one-piece design and easily sets in a variety of seabeds. This claw anchor also resets quickly giving boaters the confidence they need for a reliable, dependable and anchor
- BUILT TO LAST — This Lewmar claw anchor is made from a high-grade steel and galvanized for durability. They hold well in most bottom types and varying conditions, and perform best in rock, weed and coral
- QUALITY DESIGN — The Lewmar galvanized claw anchor replicates the same design of the anchors used by the oil rigs in the North Sea. You can depend on the performance and reliability of how well this anchor sets and resets-a premium anchor
- SIZED RIGHT —The galvanized claw anchor measures 13" W x 10- 1/4" H x 19- 1/2" L The anchor weighs 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg). It is ideal for boats 24-30''.
- TRUSTED BRAND — Our Lewmar 16.5 lb. claw anchor is made from the premiere equipment supplier- designing, manufacturing and distributing innovative, high-quality control solutions worldwide since 1946. Lewmar offers the highest levels of quality in the industry
There is no established independent comparative test here showing which claw anchor holds best across brands. WallClaw’s technical sheet says the company’s retained independent construction materials testing laboratory recommended ASTM E488/E488M as a guide because, according to WallClaw, there are no specific national or international test standards for hollow-wall gypsum-board anchors. That is the manufacturer’s description of its testing context, not an industry-wide standards finding.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Removing the WallClaw anchor
WallClaw’s instructions describe removing the screw and fixture, reinserting the screw only about 1/4 inch, then using it as a handle to gently pull and wiggle the anchor out. The maker says the resulting slit is typically repairable with spackle; the result will depend on the wall’s condition.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Durable, dependable Claw Anchor is ideal for anchoring wide variety of boats
- Versatile anchor is designed for use in various sea beds, and performs reliably amid tides and windy conditions
- Durable, corrosion-resistant hot-dipped galvanized steel construction
- Stows easily on bow roller
- Reliable 22-pound Claw Anchor is intended for use with a 30-foot boat
Rank #4
- Durable, dependable Claw Anchor is ideal for anchoring wide variety of boats
- Versatile anchor is designed for use in various sea beds, and performs reliably amid tides and windy conditions
- Durable, corrosion-resistant hot-dipped galvanized steel construction
- Stows easily on bow roller
- Reliable 16 1/2-pound Claw Anchor is intended for use with a 30-foot boat
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