Hanging a LARGE picture

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J

Jon

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Feb 26, 2002
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South Lake Tahoe, CA
I am going to hang a large framed photograph in my gallery. The frame dimensions are 48" x 82". The image is mounted on Gatorboard with a single mat & plexi. Is there a wiring pattern that I can use, or do I need to put one large hook neer the top of each vertical portion of the frame and have two hooks in the wall? I appreciate any help, as I hope to hang this today.

Thanks again- JP
 
My first choice would be Wall Buddies but, if you don't have any of those around, I'd vote for the two hooks with no wire. You didn't say if it's vertical or horizontal or wood or metal, but there's no way I'd use wire on something that size, even with Acrylic glazing.
 
Ron's right, no wire on something that large. The best thing to use is a large 3 hole D ring on both sides with screws that go 2/3rds of the way through the frame (not those little 3/8 inch screws you normally use!). You can put them about a third of the way down on each side to make it easier to reach the wall hooks if you like. One thing I like to do is put a little wire loop, about 4" long, on each of the D rings. This makes it a little easier to catch the hooks behind the frame. You can also twist one of the loops to raise one side if you happen to be a smidgen off level. Good Luck!
 
I prefer Hook Ups to D-rings because they're adjustable and eliminate the need for wire rings.

("I fell in to a burning ring of wire.
I went down, down, down,and the flames rose higher." - Johnny Cash)

That isn't going to help you hang the picture today but might be useful in the future.

Kit
 
Sorry Kit, but I respectfully disagree. Hook Ups work fairly well but I'll stick with the wire loops. One reason is I tend to hang things by myself and on large or heavy pieces I can hold the loops out away from the frame where I can see them and the hook or screw on the wall. That's far easier than trying to hook it on by feel. The loop is also easier to hook on just by the fact it has a much larger hole. This is pretty important when you're hanging a 120lb mirror! Which brings up another point...the load limit on the Hook Ups is about 100 lbs. Depending on the wire, D rings and the wall you can get away with a little more weight. For smaller pieces or for 2 person installs where you can actually look behind the piece the HookUps work pretty well although so do Wall Buddies and of the two I prefer the Wall Buddies...easier to get on the hook.
All that said, for really large or heavy pieces nothing beats a cleat.
 
I have another rule: I never hang anything by myself that weighs more than my dog. I can't lift <U>him,</U> so I wouldn't dream of hanging a 120# mirror without some help. (At least the mirror wouldn't growl at me if I try.)

I don't question for a minute that you can do this, Frank. It sounds like you do a lot of installations, and I do as few as possible. If I have questions about hanging pictures, especially big ones, you'll be my "go-to" guy.

Kit, I finally went to the United site to see what Hooks Ups are, since you've been bragging about them for as long as I've known you. I may give 'em a try.
 
I don't do installations either and prefer not to lift anything that weighs more than my cat. But I do keep the names and phone numbers of several people who are willing to hang pictures and mirrors for my customers

Kit
 
Hi Jon we have these fantastic hooks specially
designed for your purpose. They are incredibly
strong and allow for 4 screws per plate, with adjustable swivell hangers, so you can be a bit off target with the plugs you drill into the wall.
We have been using these for heavy antique mirror instalation from our mirror gallery.
I'll put a picture on our web site for you
let me know if you want me to send you some.
i'll send them to you at cost.

FramersDesign.com
as far as im aware, these are no longer availiable
we bought out the whole stock from the manufacturer.
Regards Ronny TerBeek
 
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