this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2025
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Dad I need to buy a hammer and nails what type do I need to get? (lazysoci.al)
submitted 14 hours ago by CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al to c/dadforaminute@lemmy.world
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It's for 3 A5 size pictures and 1 A4 size they aren't very heavy. The string is on the back.

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[–] Nougat@fedia.io 20 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 3 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

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?

[–] Nougat@fedia.io 8 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 1 points 8 hours ago

Thanks dad you're the best!

[–] CouncilOfFriends@slrpnk.net 3 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (2 children)

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.

[–] cabinet_sanchez@midwest.social 2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Fathaaaaa, have you ever tried those strips on textured walls? Mine are just the sand/bumpy texture with probably 75 years of paint, so they're not very prominent, but I've been afraid to try and have my pictures fall down

[–] CouncilOfFriends@slrpnk.net 3 points 11 hours ago

The bumpiness could make nails the better option, although if it's just rough sandpaper texture maybe test by hanging something more durable and see if it falls off. The sticky part on these works fine on matte paint because it's a flexible surface you push on for a bit during install, but it definitely works better on gloss paint or other uniform surfaces.

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 1 points 11 hours ago

That's a great tip thanks dad!

[–] jla@lemmy.ca 5 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 1 points 8 hours ago

Yes they've just been replastered, I'm English. Is plaster nailing hard?

[–] Lemminnewbie2@lemm.ee 2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

If you live in America near a harbour freight they are a great place to start for basic tools that you might not need all the time. For hanging pictures I'd also recommend a 12-16' measuring tape, a 6" torpedo level, and a pencil for marking where to put holes.

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 1 points 8 hours ago

Pencil of course! Thanks dad

[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 3 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Obviously the only answer is full on railroad spikes driven into the wall with a sledgehammer. Preferably a concrete wall.

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 1 points 11 hours ago

Haha classic dad 😆

[–] Montagge@lemmy.zip 4 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

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?

[–] Montagge@lemmy.zip 2 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

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!

[–] CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al 1 points 8 hours ago

That's a great idea! The kit looks really simple as well. Thanks daddy you're brilliant

[–] i_am_not_a_robot@feddit.uk 1 points 11 hours ago

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.