If you need encouragement, advice or just a hug this is the right community for you. Your "dad for a minute" is here to help. Moms are welcome too.
Note that this is an inclusive community. Everyone is welcome.
Twin communities you might be interested in
Rules No hate speech, discrimination, insults. Just be a nice internet user.
The rule for every tool: first time buy cheap, second time buy good.
What that means is, get a cheap hammer. Maybe you use it twice and don't care. But if you use it so much it breaks, then you clearly need to buy a good one.
Harbor Freight is a good place for cheap tools.
That's a great idea thanks!
I would say get a small kit of picture hangers. These are flat pieces of metal bent into little hooks, with a hole through them at about a 45 degree angle, along with nails that fit through those holes. These allow you to hammer the nail into drywall at an angle, then hang your picture frame wire on the metal hook. The angle makes it so that the nail doesn't pull out of the wall or dig down through the drywall.
Any small claw hammer will do.
Alternatively, you can get those small hooks with adhesive backing. 3M makes their quick-release adhesive strips. These are great if you live in a dorm or a rental or for any reason you don't want to put holes in the wall. The adhesive strip will have a little loose tag end on it, that you pull straight down parallel to the surface it's stuck to to release it.
I'm a fan of using the strips, both because it's flush to the wall (unscrew other hardware if needed) and because if it's not perfectly level you can pull it off and reattach to the backing strip. Works best if you apply to the frame with an inch or two of space from the edges so they're not visible after adjustments.
If it's a heavy frame you'll have to resort to finding a stud to drive a nail in, so pay attention to the weight limits on adhesive strips.
That's a great tip thanks dad!
Thanks dad! So can I just get a cheap claw hammer? It's not worth getting a good one? And how hard do I hit the nail with it?
Cheap is just fine. You could probably use a palm-sized rock in a pinch. Gentle taps to go through drywall, it doesn't take much. If you happen to hit a stud, you'll know. Tap a little harder. You don't want to drive the hook into the drywall, and the nail into only drywall will be able to slide in and out if you mess with it - but don't. That just makes the hole a little bigger, increasing the chances that the nail will tilt and damage the drywall further.
Those picture hook nails may have a couple of little barbs on them to keep the nail from moving around in the hole. Again, tap it in, hook against the drywall, hang your picture.
Thanks dad you're the best!
I’d recommend going with Command strips, you can get them for pretty cheap at pharmacies (some times) and hardware stores. They stick on the wall like nobodies business and velcro your paintings on. The best part is no holes or paint damage to repair when you move out!
Thanks dad! big hug
I've recently discovered hard wall picture hooks. They hammer into brick and stay put. I used to drill and put a screw in - these are so much easier!
For plasterboard walls the standard picture hooks which come with nails are fine.
If it's a particularly heavy or valuable picture I'd probably still recommend drilling and putting a screw in in either type of wall.
If they're not very heavy you can use a drywall screw and a phillips screwdriver. I've found they hold better than nails.
Otherwise I suggest using a wire brad and pretty much any hammer will do. Don't worry about the gauge too much. Just get 1" or 3/4" ones.
Thanks dad! So what size screwdriver should I get? And what other things can I use it for? Would it be a good idea to get one of those anyway?
I think most are a #2 phillips. For someone looking to little projects around the house I usually recommend getting one of the screwdriver kits where you change out just the bit at the end to whatever you need. Like this set https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers-nutdrivers/screwdrivers-screwdriver-sets/34-piece-ratcheting-screwdriver-set-94779.html
That way if you have other projects come up you most likely already have you screwdriver you need!
You can also get just the #2 phillips screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers that are each a different type and size.
For use well pretty much just installing screws on whatever has screws on it. I have a set for automotive work and a set for woodworking/house stuff!
A4 and A5 says Europe to me. Are your walls drywall/gypsum board or are they something like lathe and plaster? Nailing into plaster can be unpleasant. Adhesive hooks might be better there.
Yes they've just been replastered, I'm English. Is plaster nailing hard?
If it's just plaster, like a thing layer over brick, then there's nothing to drive the nail into. It's like trying to hammer into a concrete footpath.
Sounds like you're a good candidate for the 3M sticky hooks.
Good idea thanks dad