How do I nail into plaster walls to hang pictures?

Question

Another person asked this question but the answers related to drywall, not plaster. Because plaster is applied on top of lath, I understand it is very difficult to put nails in the wall without cracking it. But there must be a way. Hanging pictures from crown molding is not an option here.

Answer 1

Either use self-adhesive hooks (if the weight of the pictures + frames permits), or get a stud finder, to locate the sturdier boards behind the walls.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I nail into plaster walls to hang pictures?
Another person asked this question but the answers related to drywall, not plaster. Because plaster is applied on top of lath, I understand it is very difficult to put nails in the wall without cracking it. But there must be a way. Hanging pictures from crown molding is not an option here.

Answer 3

Put a piece of scotch tape where you want your nail to be (this keeps the plaster from cracking or crumbling), hammer the nail into the wall, remove the tape, and you're ready to hang your picture.

However, sometimes it feels like the wall is petrified and the nail won't go in far enough. In that case, use the hammer with powerful but short hits (versus big-movement hits). For some reason this seems to help.

(Drywall is so much easier!)

Answer 4

You are probably nailing into knots in the wood. The plaster is spread onto lath which is a pattern of wood slats about the size and shape of the latticework that you see in the hardware store for supporting vines in a garden. The wood can have knots because it is never visible in the finished product and therefore is the cheapest possible wood. The knots probably became hardened over time as the sap hardened. The solution is to drill a pilot hole in those instances where you realize that you are not nailing into plaster and normal lath. If you can drill the pilot hole, you have confirmed that the obstruction is a knot rather than a nail or screw. Mayan

Answer 5

Use a drill to drill a small pilot whole. Make sure the bit is smaller than the nail or screw you are using. And then hammer in. Make sure you purchase picture hangers that will support the weight of what you are hanging. If you don't have drill or you just don't want to fumble with it try using a piece of scotch tape and place it over the mark.

If have used both options and haven't had a crack yet.

Answer 6

Have you tried pre-drilling the holes,and then using the anchor bolts that have a spring clip on the end. They are used for drywall but you have to drill holes for them.
I typed plaster and drywall hangers into the search and came up with this site, the pictures are not of what I'm talking about, but there are some with more than one nail, that you still might be able to pre-drill for

Answer 7

"In general plaster walls give less problems that drywall. If you are sure to be in a lath instead of in the cracks between two lath(s) that will hold a very good weight, up to say 5 pounds with no problems.

Screw type connectors / hangers work good, they are easy to put in and remove if a small pilot hole is used.

For very large or super heavy things, I would use more than one hanger or attachment point to spread the load."

Answer 8

I'm a guy, and privately, I don't like long nails. We know a lot of like lengthy, painted nails cause they're "so pretty", but I don't like them.

Answer 9

A little bit of toenail is fine... but I agree with you. Long nails are kinda gross.

Answer 10

drill a small pilot hole use a screw one or 2 size bigger that's way we do it old days it willn't bounce