Can I use this wire as picture hanging wire?

March 19, 2024 4:25 AM

We recently picked up a mirror from a thrift store that has installed D rings but no picture wire. Do we need to buy something specific or will the stuff I found in our toolbox work?

I found some craft wire in the toolbox that is 19 gauge and annealed. The back of the package claims it can be used to “tie or hang anything,” but doesn’t mention hanging pictures (it does mention wire sculptures and art projects though).

This is probably a silly question, but I don’t want the wire to snap in the middle of the night. The mirror is pretty light—no more than 5 pounds—but it would also be good to know if this could support even larger objects.

posted by thecaddy to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Professional framers use multi-stranded steel cable for "picture hanging wire" because compared to single stranded wire of the same load rating, it is easier to work with, more flexible and less likely to snap from fatigue bending. (And it looks much nicer to a customer. Probably the most important reason tbh.)

Single stranded wire like what you have is annoying to work with and may eventually break under repeated bending -- but not under static load, not when it's just hanging there. So if you're just going to hang something and leave it, you're fine.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:46 AM on March 19 [3 favorites]

I found an ad for 20 guard annealed wire that says safe for15 pounds, and an illustration of hanging a picture using a horizoontal wire across the back in the ordinary fashion. The actual tension on the wire depends on the amount of slack. More slack means less tension.

An issue is the flexibility of the wire and the connection to the frame. If the wire is flexible enough to tie a good knot, do that. If it's so stiff that a knot is difficult or impossible, test it as best can.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:50 AM on March 19

If you have enough length you could fold the wire in half a couple times and then lightly twist the over lapped wires together (chucking it up in a drill nets a good even twist) creating your own multi strand cable. Each doubling roughly doubles the capacity and the twist spreads the load more evenly.

The bundled wires will be a lot stiffer but a lot stiffer than a 19 gauge wire is still pretty flexible.
posted by Mitheral at 6:23 AM on March 19 [3 favorites]

Solid wire is different enough from string or cord that using string-style knots with it either won't work or will create knots that snap easily under load. Best way to secure it is with a miniaturized version of an appropriate fencing wire knot.

Ordinary soft steel or stainless steel craft wire secured to the frame eyes with tiny fencing wire end knots (first link above) will be perfectly fine for hanging any picture or mirror that's not so weighty as to rip the hanging point out of your drywall.
posted by flabdablet at 6:40 AM on March 19 [3 favorites]

Don't use wire for a mirror, they are too heavy and can snap the wire. Use 2 hooks in the wall instead-- one for each D-ring.
posted by blnkfrnk at 9:04 AM on March 19

Response by poster: Generally I'd agree with you blnkfrnk but this mirror weighs less than many paintings I have of a similar size.
posted by thecaddy at 10:02 AM on March 19

Came down here to find flabdablet had said exactly what I was going to. Do that.
posted by dg at 3:17 PM on March 19