Can’t screw into wall...how do I hang a clock?

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 21:36

Help guys, need some ideas!

We got a big old clock for Christmas, and it turns out that every single possible place in our house to mount it seems to have a wire behind it.

The best idea I have is to use fishing wire to suspend it from as the place we’d like to put (above the TV) has a wall on either side. It’s quite a large alcove.

Anyone got any ideas on how to keep this invisible? I think the clock is too heavy for those adhesive hooks. If I get fishing line I think I could have an eyelet on each wall...what do you think?

Thanks in advance for your help.

d_brennen · 12 Jan 2018 at 21:42

There can't be wire everywhere... When you say big, how big? Could you not fasten a piece of wood/mdf where there is no electrics and then fasten the clock to the board with the whole lot hidden?

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 21:44

I know there isn’t wire everywhere, but unfortunately I can’t risk there not being wire so I have to accept it! (Using stud finder)

I did think of putting up a piece of wood or something, but I think there’s metal trunking there that’s wider than the clock is.

I’ve screwed through a wire before so I’ve no desire to do so again...

thezappa · 12 Jan 2018 at 21:50

Assuming the clock doesn’t weigh as much as an adult man these should do it:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/gripit-b...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMCazumz09gCFTMw0woddygDfQ

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 21:53

thezappa said:
Assuming the clock doesn’t weigh as much as an adult man these should do it:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/gripit-b...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMCazumz09gCFTMw0woddygDfQ

Hmmmm so this sits in front of the wires?? What stops you from drilling through into the wires?

Sui · 12 Jan 2018 at 21:57

How heavy is it? A few command strips/hooks?

Martynt74 · 12 Jan 2018 at 21:59

Are your walls plasterboard or brick?

Wiring should only be done at 90degrees from sockets/switches so either horizontal or virtically from where you can see evidence of wiring.

Stud detectors are hugely inaccurate so I wouldn’t trust that. Use my advice above and just stick it where you want.

thezappa · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:01

dirtychinchilla said:
Hmmmm so this sits in front of the wires?? What stops you from drilling through into the wires?

I’m assuming you’re drilling in to plasterboard which will only 10-12mm thick. You use a flat drill bit to get the diameter hole you need so there is less chance of you snagging a cable although in fairness it is still possible.
If you find one stud the next one should be 450mm from it so anything in that gap ‘should’ be alright

In answer to your question yes they do.

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:09

I’m afraid there’s too many maybes for me, and I don’t feel like I can trust command hooks.

I do have a hand drill I could use to drill into it really slowly, I guess. Still worrying though.

Walls are plasterboard. The hole needed wouldn’t be directly above the plug socket, so in theory there no wire, but that does reassure me much.

pepp77 · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:12

I use these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00405525E/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - for the clocks in all my rooms. They work perfectly.

Oh and PS - so you know you can trust command strips I also have every framed print and canvas in my house hung via command strips including this 120cmx80cm monster -https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00SVWZ2WK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit - I missed the big ol part and ust read clock. What does it actually weigh?

Minstadave · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:16

Just drill a hole, it'll be fine!

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:20

It’s a lot heavier than 5kg, maybe 10. We had one mirror fall off already though...

I’m thinking about slowly drilling a big hole with the hand drill, then use one of those spreaders. The hand drill will prevent me from ******* it up.

Lumeycom · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:31

Is it plasterboard? If so just get a pozi screwdriver and push it through whilst rotating it. for that weight I'd be looking at a spring toggle or something else that spreads out.

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:32

Yeah it’s plasterboard. I would love to do that but I do think it might need a spreader, as you say. I’ll get one tomorrow.

One extra reason for being cautious is that I’ve no desire for the clock to fall on the TV!

Lumeycom · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:35

cant you find a stud? Ignore those stud finders, reasonably rubbish. Should be able to find one with a bit of delicate knuckle rapping

thezappa · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:36

dirtychinchilla said:
Yeah it’s plasterboard. I would love to do that but I do think it might need a spreader, as you say. I’ll get one tomorrow.

One extra reason for being cautious is that I’ve no desire for the clock to fall on the TV!

The ones I linked to come in different colours - for different loads. I used brown ones for a coat rail and there are a lot of coats on it and it holds just fine with two of them.

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:38

I don’t know if I’ll be able to find a stud. As you might guess, I’m not that experienced with this stuff! I’ll certainly get the spreader that’s been recommended though, thank you.

Zefan · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:45

These are fantastic. https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-n...edirect-_-screwsfixings-_-plasterboardfixings

I've used them to put up hangars on hollow doors, and even on that terribly thin surface (~5mm) they still hold a couple of dressing gowns + towels. Should be good for 15-20kg easily.

dirtychinchilla · 12 Jan 2018 at 22:46

Zefan said:
These are fantastic. https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-n...edirect-_-screwsfixings-_-plasterboardfixings

I've used them to put up hangars on hollow doors, and even on that terribly thin surface (~5mm) they still hold a couple of dressing gowns + towels. Should be good for 15-20kg easily.

Thanks, but the link is just a search for plasterboard fixings. Did you mean to show a specific one?

Zefan · 12 Jan 2018 at 23:05

dirtychinchilla said:
Thanks, but the link is just a search for plasterboard fixings. Did you mean to show a specific one?

Ah, didn't copy the right link. I meant to link to the self drilling types such as https://www.screwfix.com/p/fischer-self-drill-plasterboard-fixings-metal-35mm-100-pack/47347 and https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-self-drill-plasterboard-fixings-metal-32mm-100-pack/2422h