hanging up pics, magazine holders, etc.

[clueless2]

how does one go about hanging up a 70x50 cm picture onto what seems to be a hollow wall?

being a total diy virgin i hope there's no drilling involved!

what about a full-length mirror? or a mag holder?

i suspect there are layers to this queston that i can't even anticipate, but any advice would be greatly appreciated

[gammaray]

If it's a heavy picture you need wall fixings with butterfly ends. These spring out into the cavity after you push them into the hole you have drilled. As you tighten the screw the whole fitting clamps together making a more secure and load bearing fixing than just screwing into the plaster board. If it's not a heavy frame you may be able to get away with a small hook screwed into the plaster board.

[Clanad]

A lot of variables here, but let's assume the picture is, itself ready for hanging. Does it have a wire runnig from one side to another or does it have a sawtooth device about 2 to 3 inches long attached to the back of the top? If it has a wire (best of the choices) and the picture doesn't weigh over about 2 pounds or so, you can drive two brads (small nails) about 6 to eight inches apart horizontally in the area where you want to hang the picture. The brads should be driven into the wall at about a 30 degree angle... that is, the exposed part will be hugher than the tip when its in the wall. If you have a bubble level (fat chance) try to get them as level as possible. The wire simply goes over both brads and them moved from side to side to get it as level as possible (checked with the non-existant bubble level). Even though you describe the wall as a hollow all, it most likely has "studs" behind it that should be about 16 inches on center. That means from the center of one stud to the center of its neighbor on either side is a standard sixteen inches. They are most likely 2 and three quarters inches wide. You can often locate these by tapping the wall with your knuckle since it will make a decidely different "solid" sound than the rest of the wall. If you can, drive the brad, or a longer nail into the stud for extra support. There are now adhesive supports for pictures made, (here in the U.S.) by 3 M company and they work quite well.

Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

If your mirror has a wooden or plastic frame around the glass, the above instructions will suffice, if it's just plain beveled edge glass... that's another story taking more space than avialable here. Here some helpful additional info:
http://www.attach-it.com/models.htm

http://www.attach-it.com/pictures.htm

http://www.attach-it.com/mirrors.htm

Best of luck! (Buy a level!)

[clueless2]

thanks, will do