It's common to come across artwork or mirrors that are missing the necessary hardware to make hanging easy. There are a few options — like those little alligator teeth pieces to nail into your work — but many of the over-the-counter solutions provide very little flexibility. Who knew a simple pop tab was all you needed? Genius!
The folks over at Make are so smart sometimes it hurts. This is just another one of those times as this repurposed pop tab idea is sheer brilliance. I've had many custom art pieces that aren't mounted in a traditional frame and hanging them can be quite a chore. Those little alligator teeth never really hold up and you're rather limited with easily accessible hardware you can use to hang it.
Using a pop tab from a used soda can would be ideal (and inexpensive!), just as long as you remove it with the ring in tact. Hop over to Make for a tutorial on removing the tab perfectly each time and read more on this great how to project!
Image: Make
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why?
My grandfather has been doing this for as long as I can remember.
http://texannewyorker.wordpress.com/2007/01/01/monday-january-1-2007-at-0735-pm/
Oh. My. God.
This would make me nervous. As easily as those eyes/rings tear... I would be afraid to try it on something that would not be capable of bouncing on the floor several times without being broken or banged up.
I would not think that pop tabs could support much weight. AT, why don't you do a few experiments and tell us how heavy the picture is before the pop tab breaks.
Wait, both pop AND soda? Amazing!
How is this more flexible than a sawtooth hanger? You have to get that hole in the tab lined up perfect with a nail in the wall without being able to see what you're doing. Sounds pretty inflexible to me.
Picture hanging kits are sold in grocery stores and don't require any fancy tools. Why would you do something silly like this instead?
you know what else would work?
wire.
As a paintings conservator, I ask you to please not do this! Oh how many paintings there are that have been damaged by ridiculous hanging techniques. A couple of D-rings and some wire takes only a few minutes to install and will better protect your valued artworks. I have seen this technique before on damaged pictures and was amused though not inspired.
I've done something similar to this, only with my large flatscreen TV. I didn't use soda tabs either, but something a little more heavy duty. It's ridiculous that electronics stores want you to pay between $50 and $100 just to hang the stupid thing. It works perfectly well, and only cost me around a buck.
Wait - I don't get it: You're supposed to screw this into a picture or mirror frame instead of a D-Ring?
Do you know how much Heavy Duty D-Rings cost?
Less than $5 for 50 of them - Including the screws.
I suppose if you're in a McGyver-like bind with art of no value, this might do. That happens to me all the time. (yeah, right)
krunkinator, I got my very sturdy wall mount online for $15.
Seeing this just makes me nervous.