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Read Thread: Picture Hanging Help Needed

Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882773 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Jan 3, 2015 11:35am
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For the low, low price of one plane ticket I can provide you with a very handy gal and unlimited enthusiasm for your LTCs.

I have experience in all sorts of WALL patching, hammering, screwing and nailing. :)
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882778 by wassamatta u
Jan 3, 2015 11:40am
Thread (disabled) Board
Which side of the nail are you hammering, the pointy side or the flat side?

The nails with the head on the other end are to used on the other side of the room.

Shiloh
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882781 by LROSEM
Jan 3, 2015 11:58am
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Lol! I could really uses your expertise! I have just texted a handy family member who might be able to help. I HATE asking for favors though. I'm just desperate and have been contemplating throwing a hammer through the walls if that's even possible. It just should not be this hard to hang a stupid picture.
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882779 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Jan 3, 2015 11:58am
Thread (disabled) Board
You will want to use Molly bolts. My plaster walls are old and brittle, so I am really careful not to make Swiss cheese of my walls.
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882789 by speedsquare
Jan 3, 2015 11:59am
Thread (disabled) Board
Do you have to use a drill and if so do you need a special drill bit?
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882790 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Jan 3, 2015 12:15pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Molly bolts come in varying size. If the picture you are hanging is large and heavy, you will want a stronger anchor. Drilling makes the job easier and I'd advise it. If it is drywall and the item is light, you might get by with starting the plastic anchor with a nail and hammer, tap the screw into drywall.

We used a spade bit.
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882773 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Jan 3, 2015 12:48pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Plaster walls usually aren't too much trouble. There are some good YouTube videos on how to put screws into plaster. My office is a very old building, and we have slat lathe and horse hair. It's nearly impossible to get a nail or screw into that stuff beyond a quarter inch. For that, you will definitely be better off using a small drill bit and a plastic anchor. Standard drill bit should work just fine. Hope that helps you!

Pete

PS - return the stud finder and get your money back!
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882802 by The Merry Pranksters
Jan 3, 2015 7:15pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I pretend I'm a stud finder and I beep when when I see my honey.
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882790 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Jan 3, 2015 8:48pm
Thread (disabled) Board
In complete seriousness, go to your local, small hardware store (not a big box) and tell them you're hanging on plaster. They'll show you which anchors to use, and make sure you have all the tools to do it with. I day local because after 22 years in the business, and experience with both types of stores, I can assure you, there's a better chance that the person at the small store has hung more than a Corvette picture on a dorm room wall.
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882802 by The Merry Pranksters
Jan 3, 2015 8:50pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Thank you! I'm hoping my cousin with a drill can help out with this. I just realized my upper kitchen cabinets are mounted on the walls so there MUST be some way to do this. Hopefully I can use the advice from here to make it work. :)
Re: Picture Hanging Help Needed
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882612 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Jan 3, 2015 10:21pm
Thread (disabled) Board
No No No,,,, you've got it all wrong. What you really need is the hot looking guy next door to come over and help :-)

Seriously though.... maybe this might help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hao2BlBvYTk
Make sure you measure on your other things you have already tried how far they are going into the wall, then get an appropriate length drywall screw. Do as one of the other people said and hang the picture on two hooks at the 1/3 points of distance on each end of the frame.
Re: Why won't the nails go in????
Board: Home Improvement
Reply to: #882773 by Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Jan 4, 2015 11:15am
Thread (disabled) Board
Ok, so I splurged and bought a stud finder. It turns out I was not on a stud. I have tried to nail into other parts of the wall and can't get anything to go in more than 1/4 inch. What gives? I am beyond frustrated right now.

Is the wall in question an exterior wall? In Florida, they're usually made of cinder block. I've had all sorts of trouble with hanging pictures in that stuff. My favorite screws for the job are called Wall Dogs. BUT if it is a lightweight picture, those Ook picture hangers are awesome because all they need is the drywall.

:)
3H