An As-Seen-On-TV Product Keeps Big Stuff Hanging Around on Drywall

Pros: Weight-transfer system, No tools required, Confidence
Cons: Overkill for small, lightweight wall hangings
A recent dilemma, hanging a display case filled with collectible miniature cars, had me re-visiting an earlier dilemma — hanging a 29-pound, 44 x 50 inch framed horse print on drywall. To resolve the earlier project I pulled out the Monkey Hook Drywall Picture Hangers recommended by an elderly, experienced clerk at a local Ace Hardware store. He said it works and didn’t leave huge holes. He said people loved it and returned to let him know how much.

I Love Strong and Easy to Use

The Monkey Hook is a picture hanger for drywall and it’s unlike any product I’ve ever seen. It’s somewhat reminiscent of a very large, heavy gauge fish hook. This thin-gauge, springy-steel hook fits through a self-made small hole in your drywall. The hook is worked through the drywall and secures against the back of the wallboard using what they describe as a weight-transfer process. You can feel it catch.

No Tools Required

Intrigued I was eager to give it a try. My lines on the wall were drawn and my level reassured me the lines were level. I had marked where the two hooks would be inserted on that line. I resisted the temptation to initially punch a hole in the wall with a small nail and instead pushed the tip of the steel hook into the wall.  It required minimal wiggling and back and forth twisting but with a little effort before the tip slipped through the wall. Then I continued working it through until only the exterior, small hook remained visible and the small “cradle” behind that hook rested on the drywall. I also felt the slanted tip curve around and securely push against the drywall on the inside.
Nervous, it took two of us to raise the framed print high enough (ten feet off the floor) for the hanging wire to slip over the two Monkey Hooks.  I waited, truly apprehensive about this delicate-looking hook, but nothing slipped, fell, dropped, or shifted. Several years later the print is still in place.

I weighed the picture first—it seemed much heavier than 29 pounds. This Monkey Hook had been tested and rated for 35 to 50 pounds so that made me feel somewhat reassured. It’s made with “high-carbon spring steel.” The hook is not visible behind the framed object and the low profile doesn’t make it hang at an odd angle—the hook is flush against the wall. The “self-boring tip” allows easy installation without the use of tools and it wasn’t necessary to locate a wall stud. When we move from this house it’s possible to just pull this out, fill the tiny hole, and paint over it with a fingernail polish brush.

Even Humans Can Do It!

Packaging claims this “As Seen on TV” product is “so easy…even humans can do it!” The online site for Monkey Hook claims the response from consumers has been “Wow” and I might add my wow to their list of responses. This cost less than some of the other options. This is available with two, four, ten or more packs. A pack with 50 hooks costs $45 and a pack with four costs $3.99. If I had students going to college, either in a dorm or apartment, I’d send a package of these for hanging anything framed and relatively heavy. I wouldn’t go to the expense for small wall hangings and I will continue to use standard picture hooks for lightweight objects. However, if considering heavy framed objects, mirrors, or unique artifacts this will win out over trying to find a stud and drilling in a larger hook. Tiny holes are so much easier to patch than those of the destructive traditional dry wall hangers.
This works and this human could install the Monkey Hook. If you’re moving or redecorating, check it out. My display case holds nostalgic cars from my recently deceased father and I certainly don’t want to risk this falling.  If you’re worried about the cost, these hooks are removable and reusable.