apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Lee Valley also has "The best picture screw ever" or something like that. Lee Valley doesn't sell things that don't work. I've ordered some, since I have old plaster walls and lots of things that need hanging. They hold 20 - 30 lbs.

regards,
trillium

It looks very much like the Monkey Hook, which has been reviewed here a couple times before.

oh, someone PLEASE try it and let me know, PLEASE!

mama says, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I would be very cautious about buying this product, especially the company's offer of a "subscription" purchase program.

If you go to any good hardware store or Home Depot you can find OOK Professional Picture Hangers. These picture hangers are supported by a needle-like nail which is nailed at an angle through a brass hook. On the nail head is a small knurled nob which you twist to remove the nail and hanger from the wall leaving a near invisible hole.

I use them in my home and they are often used in exhibition spaces and art galleries. They are also rated for different weights and cost substantially less than Hercules Hooks.

Seems ideal if you have walls through which you can 'push' a hook, but--again!--no love for the plaster walls.
And to John's point, Ook Hooks get the same job done at a much lower price point.

oh mam, you are always right. don't believe everything you see on tv kids.

sorry mama, i misspelled your name.

Note to self...

Put the remote down after midnight.

Do you need to find a stud to use an OOK hook? Do you just nail the thing into the drywall? I'm trying to hang up some framed pictures and I'm kind of clueless about how to do it. The hooks I got from Target just had little nails that go in at an angle - seemed too flimsy to work. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

I just put OOK's where ever I want to hang something and have had no problem. The OOK is also available at more places than just Home Depot for those who can't or don't want to get to one. As for the Hercules Hook, don't know anything about it pro or con, to answer the original question.

I have used these and absolutely love them. Got them from QVC (don't remember what they called them) - there is also someone on eBay that sells them for a great price - can't vouch for him though. I used to use the OOKs but my walls tend to crumble a little bit when they are removed which is a pain - these hooks really do just leave a tiny hole and they are so easy to use. Since my art changes around a lot and I don't want to buy an adjustable gallery rail system when there is such a cheap, excellent alternative. These hooks are fantastic - although I don't think I've hung anything over 50 pounds yet - but I don't doubt their claims at all.

looks very much like the "monkey hook" sold by Lee Valley Tools (long url to product page in their online cat)

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=52367&cat=3,40914,50630&ap=1

I've seen these ads and am so curious...

beth, you don't need to find a stud, just make sure the hanger has on it the appropriate weight for your pictures. I've hung heavy mirrors with standard picture hangers with no problem. For light framed photos or something, you don't even need a picture hanger--you can even just use standard brads.

Another thing I wanted to add--I've also used (for really light stuff) the 3M command adhesive hooks and "velcro" hangers. Great for places where nailing might not be an option you want to pursue, but not good for heavier things.

i'm a huge fan of As Seen On TV products -- but rarely buy them because I understand the high chance for disappointment... so instead i live vicariously throught this great review site http://www.infomercialratings.com/ !

here you can see what people REALLY think about Hercules Hooks...

With the adhesive hooks, how heavy is too heavy?

To the rescue again, AT! Thanks. I wanted to hang a rather heavy -- at least, by my standards -- framed picture this weekend but couldn't find a stud. I ran to the local hardware store, which caried these huge drywall anchors. I bought a few but didn't have the heart to create what I know will be large drywall holes. I'll save the anchors for small shelving elsewhere & get some OOKs and monkey hook instead.

Hi Beth,

The OOK hooks are rated by weight. Use the hook which is rated for the weight of the item you are hanging. They do not have to be nailed to studs in the wall.

Ah, should have scrolled down a bit before posting on the Monkey Hook repost thread from today!

I just wanted to add - everyone is into OOK stuff, and they might be great, but I don't think people should be afraid to look at plain ol' regular ol' non-name-brand hooks either - if you are using the right setup for the job, you won't have problems. I have hung plenty of things in my time, have never used OOK hooks or Monkey hooks or, TMK, Lee Valley products, and nothing has fallen. Not to take away from these products - I'm sure they're great and would love to try them - but just to add that judiciously using what I have has always been fine.

Command poster-tab adhesive works, but it often does tear the paper when you remove it, and the process of putting stuff up with them makes most things a two-person job. I bent the heck out of a giant poster once, trying to hang it with Command tabs by myself, because you have to press each one hard for 30 seconds.

(I know everyone was discussing the adhesive hooks, but this is just 2 cents on the direct-to-wall stuff... good to know for kids' rooms and such.)

Shipping and handling on these things is over $10! And there's no break for multiple orders! What a ripoff!

NoStud Picture hangers hold up to 200 pounds in drywall only without the need for a stud. They can be installed in less than 30 seconds without power tools. They have been earthquake tested. They actually do what they say they do, unlike many of the other hooks mentioned here. They don't leave a nasty hole either.

You can purchase NoStud at Home Depot and Lowes. The same hook, but different packaging at either store.

You can see a video demo at www.nostud.com. See for yourself before you buy!

I WOULD LIKE TO TELL ANY ONE OUT THERE WHO WANTED TO BUY HERCULES HOOKS DONT. IT DOSE NOT WORK & IT'S A WAIST OF TIME & MONEY.

i bought these at linens and things - no shipping cost - and they work very well. I hung a mirror about 25lbs and have removed and replaced it with no problems. Thumbs up