Moen 588 Donner Clamp, Chrome

GOOD PRODUCT

It can be hard to find the available options for a gizmo like this that goes by different names. In my original search, this one didn't show up. I had a Franklin brand version saved in my cart, but I couldn't bring myself to pay over $7 for a piece of stamped metal. So when I stumbled on the Moen for $3.25, with 1-day delivery, I pounced on it. My TP holder is now back in the wall where it belongs.Be aware that the screws you choose must be threaded their entire length. I used coarse thread screws maybe 2-inches long that I had on hand. It worked, but just barely. 2-1/2 to 3 inches would be better, because once you put the screws through the holes in your holder and thread them into this clamp just far enough to hold, you need a lot of space between the two pieces, in order to get the clamp behind the drywall and positioned in place.If anyone finds it difficult to see how this works, picture that you're making a drywall sandwich, with your TP holder being one slice of bread, and this clamp being the other. When the clamp is positioned inside the wall so that the two flat parts are above and below the hole, as you tighten the screws, you'll eventually pinch the drywall between the holder and the clamp.

This type of clamp makes the toilet paper not stick out as far as the type that screw onto the surface of the drywall or plaster, and gives the wall a more finished and appearance. I've been using this and the Donner RC2 type of hidden clamp for over 50 years. I don't remember wether or not they were all Moen manufactured or not, but they were all the same type. It gives the finished wall a cleaner and neater appreance. I would recommend this and the Moen RC2 type to anyone wanting to change or upgrade their backing clamps.

This donner clamp cannot be used to install the moen recessed facial tissue holder that was ordered with it. This clamp is for installation of recessed toilet paper holders. I talked to Moen and there tech support agrees. So how do I get this holder in the wall and keep my Wife happy?Still waiting for an answer.

Toilet paper holder hasn't fallen yet.

As was suggested, I ordered the 588 clamp to go with the Moen Donner 575 recessed paper holder. For starters, neither the holder nor the clamp come with hardware that will hold the clamp in place -- the supplied screws simply slip through the slots in the clamp, which makes it less than clampy. Trying to figure out a replacement was a little tricky, as the pre-drilled slots meant that not just any screw would grab the clamp, and that getting the clamp into the wall without dropping it behind the drywall would be tricky. In my case, as I was patching a new panel in the bathroom wall, I ended up pulling off the panel and assembling the paper holder and bracket in place around the new piece of drywall, then re-mounting the entire thing. I used some fairly wide-thread #8 screws that went into a bat-wing style drywall anchor, which got enough grip against the back of the bracket to work. This means I have to be very careful loosening the assembly for painting, but it seemed to be the only solution.

Make installation a breeze...

Nice and sturdy, but screw slots are so wide that the screws supplied with the TP holder just stripped out. Had to get them to grab by using small nylon nuts. Vendor should narrow the slots. Also, description says chrome, but actually appears to just be galvanized. Shouldn't be a problem as they usually shouldn't be visible.

Paired well with the Franklin unit purchased as well. Way cheaper than the other options on Amazon as well.

The clamp is quite difficult to set