Since we are finally getting settled (minus my washer exploding today and Chunk and Puffy playing in the overflow) I am getting around to hanging my art and such.

What do you guys use to hang heavy things? I'm paranoid the frames and heavy things will fall on the babies.

Kira I assume you are renting in Boulder, check with the real estate if it's ok to put picture hooks up. The big painting I showed is very heavy and we drilled into the cement wall and use the special solid hooks that expand or open up. What ever you do don't bother with the 3m hooks they are hopeless. If it were me I would ask the hardware guy and he will probably ask the weight of fames as all hooks are different and what the wall is made of Tomas if it has gyprock you will need to find the joist and be careful of wiring . Sorry I am not much help

Yes check with your place first you don't want to lose a security deposit. Sometimes you can get a stud finder...got to love the name of that tool...and it helps you find the wood studs in the wall and that is a more stable place to hang a picture. Sometimes apartments use much cheaper thinner studs so it depends.

Kira, ask your hardware store for Hercules hooks. They leave a tiny hole and handle up to 150 pounds. If you are paranoid like I am, use two or three for really heavy pictures in a horixontal line to distribute the weight. We have a lot of art work and all are hung with these hooks. They are great.

Tomi. thanks so much. this is a great tip

I use the hercules hooks as well. They work wonderful. and the hole in the wall is very small.

Yep, the Hercules Hooks are definitely the way to go.

Never really heard of them so did a search.
I see they are for installing in dry wall only..
so make sure you hang between studs as the hook
will not go into wood.

Not sure what it's called that I used..but they come from the hardware store,
and do have a very thin nail like thing that attaches the hook to the wall, so you
would at least need a hammer.

Check with your landlord on what is allowable.
I would imagine that any hole you make, no matter how small
will have to be patched by you before moving out to get your deposite back.

You would not believe the size of nails that some of our tennats have used over the
years

I never heard of a Hercules Hook before so I had to do a search. It seems Bed Bath & Beyond has them and they even have a video featuring the late Billy Mays pitching them. I guess I don't watch enough late night television!

Ace Hardware has a similar product that they call Monkey Hooks. Looks exactly the same to me.

Don't think these things would work on my plaster walls but I'm sure they'd be fine on drywall.

I've always used those flat metal hook things that attach to the wall with a single thin nail that angles down. I have no idea what they're called, but are probably the same thing Joan is describing.