Question Aligning Multiple Pictures w/o adjustable hanging system

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k2500guy

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I have a customer that will be hanging a group of 8 pics. I am only doing 2 of them, she already has the other 6.

I seem to remember seeing some tips regarding how to align them while hanging, but I can't seem to find that thread. Something about putting a dab of toothpaste on the back and touching to the wall? I remember thinking it was a good idea, but I can't remember exactly how to do it. Anybody know what I'm talking about?
 
Plastic device

There's a plastic thingamajig that allows you to hang the picture on the wall without worry about being high or low because you erred in your measurement of slack in the wire, etc. It's a simple concept that you could probably make one, if you can't find one to buy. I inherited mine . . . don't know where it came from.
The picture is "hung" on the this tool, then you position the picture on the wall while holding this tool, and when you have it where you want it, you press in on the tool. This action puts a small indentation in the wall where the nail will go. Always works for me. Good luck.
 
Hangmanproducts.com has them.
 
Art Installation with groupings

k2500guy said:
I have a customer that will be hanging a group of 8 pics. I am only doing 2 of them, she already has the other 6.

I seem to remember seeing some tips regarding how to align them while hanging, but I can't seem to find that thread. Something about putting a dab of toothpaste on the back and touching to the wall? I remember thinking it was a good idea, but I can't remember exactly how to do it. Anybody know what I'm talking about?
Click to expand...

Bobby, I am assuming these are wire hung frames??? I think we can generally assume they are of similar size ranges? Frequently what I do is take a block of 2" X 4" wood. Say 6" to 12" long or even one of each. I roughly center it on the back of the frame, under the wire. I lift the frame up with the 2 X 4 and measure the distance from the bottom of the frame up to the wire. When you put your hangers in the wall, use two. Each should be spaced the distance apart that is the same as what you cut the length of the 2 X 4. If your 2 X 4 was cut 12" then space your hangers 6" left and right of center. This way they will mimic the measurement you took from bottom of frame to top of 2 X 4. it is still sometimes easier yet to use security brackets since they have definite and adjustable heights and widths. if you would like further explanation, E-mail me and I can make some illustrations. Scott
 
Other options...

Picture Placer looks like it will work for wired items - I'd use the indent mark and hang two hangers to either side of the mark. (which will raise the picture slightly)

I'd recommend cutting out Kraft paper the size of each picture in the grouping and taping these to the wall with small pieces of painter's tape to get the layout of the grouping to the customer's liking before hanging.

I've used Wallbuddies successfully when hanging a long row of images of the same size, but really think that the new wireless hanging system shown in the Fletcher-Terry booth at WCAF Show might be wonderful for group hanging jobs. Take a look: Picture Perfect Hanging System A stack of Duplo blocks makes a great "spacer" for placing adjacent framed pieces.

John
 
John-

We have two picture placers and put them on the same picture adjacent to each other so we can use two hooks and it doesn't raise the picture!
 
I prefer to steer clear of any hanging system that requires a product specific hanger on the wall. What's worse is that Wallbuddies hanger is poorly designed. I have no confidence in their hanger.

The picture placer is interesting. Great tip Rob. Thanks. I've never seen it before and may get one. The vid showed hanging two but I suspect slightly more challening settings may not proove to work that simply. There doesn't seem to be any allowance or adjustment for the size of the courtesy hanger. Also you have to either use your eye to hang a group or mark the wall on the outside edge of the frame. Not perfect but workable.

I have invented kind of a reversed system similar to the picture placer. The distance between the wire and the top of my frames are exactly the same. I can hang a grouping or line in minutes. Because the wire heights are exactly the same I can measure out and mark the hangers for the entire group, drive them home, and hang the pictures. I have one client with an ever growing grouping. She travels often and always puts some trinkets in a frame and adds it to a grouping. It's a breeze to measure and hang each new one to the grouping because of the wiring consistency. I've never shared it here becuase it seems a little geeky but I've used it for years.

If the other 6 are already hanging and you're adding to the grouping then I have no special advice for you. The picture placer seems like a good solution. If you are hanging the entire collection, I'd consider rewiring them all so that the wires are consistent on the frames. Lay the collection out and hang em.

Good luck.
 
Kev@Frames said:
if its like this its called its called a "Picture Placer" www.pictureplacer.com we also sell them to customers from time to time, or lend out the "shop" one for a small deposit. as they are made in the US I guess they'd be pretty easy for you to obtain.
Click to expand...

I clicked on the link to the pictureplacer website, and I was watching the video, and it looked super easy. And I didn't even have the sound on -- all I had was the visual!
 
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