Best tack hammers according to redditors
We found 3 Reddit comments discussing the best tack hammers. We ranked the 2 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 3 Reddit comments discussing the best tack hammers. We ranked the 2 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
If you're talking pictures or other lightweight items, and you have picture rails (thin trim on the wall, near the ceiling) picture-rail hooks and some wire or string:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=picture+rail+hook&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
If you don't have picture-rail trim (or it's un-usable, from a century of paint buildup, like mine) these work quite well:
https://www.amazon.com/Picture-Hangers-Coologin-Professional-Mounting/dp/B075QBTKJD/
The nails are quite skinny and sharp, and the hook holds it steady while you tap it in, so (in my experience) they never do any damage to old plaster walls. If you're at all nervous about it, get an upholstery tack hammer
https://www.amazon.com/Estwing-Sure-Strike-Tack-Hammer/dp/B001DZTQG0/
It's small & light enough that you won't damage the wall if you miss, but heavy enough to get the job done when you don't miss.
Either way, don't smack the shit out of it. Repeated light taps will get you there. tap, tap, tap, tap...
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If you need to hang something heavy, like a shelf, use toggle bolts. Specifically, snap-toggles
https://www.amazon.com/12-TOGGLER-SNAPTOGGLE-included-Fastener/dp/B01IU6HG48/
are way easier to use than traditional toggle bolts. Although you might need to buy longer bolts, separately, because old plaster's a lot thicker than drywall. And you will be going through a lot of drill bits, old plaster just eats them. So get spares. I second the tape trick, and (depends on the wall, you get a feel for it) masonry bits sometimes work better.
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I used to love the screw-type anchors, but I've also had them get stopped by the scratch coat or the lathe, then blow out the surface coats; result is a hole 2-3 inches across and an inch deep. So... counter to some people in this thread... I Do Not Recommend those.
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