Once you've done that, hanging a heavy object like a large mirror, television or work of art becomes a safer and simpler task.
Things You Will Need
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Move the stud finder over the plaster wall across the spot where the heavy object will hang. When finder passes over a nail, the magnet will react. Mark the spot with a pencil.
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Move the stud finder approximately 16 inches to the right or left of the mark. This is the standard spacing of boards behind a wall, but it can vary to as much 24 inches, depending on who built your house. Keep the stud finder moving until you find a second stud and mark that one as well.
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Put a small bit into the drill, and drill into the first mark. If you keep getting resistance after drilling 1/2 inch, you've reached the stud. Put the drill in reverse, insert a bit slightly smaller than the width of the eye bolt and drill all the way into the stud. Back it out, and screw the eye bolt in.
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Use a level to draw a line to the area of the second mark. The bubble in the middle of the level should be perfectly visible between the two vertical lines. Draw a horizontal line connecting the two marks with the pencil, drawing it along the level's top edge. Repeat Step 3 to install the second bolt.
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Lift the object carefully, hanging it on the bolts. Stand back and adjust the hang as needed by moving the object slightly to the left or right.
The Drip Cap
- Simply hanging something heavy on a plaster wall can result in damage to the wall and the object if you don't tap into the supporting structure behind the plaster.
- Draw a horizontal line connecting the two marks with the pencil, drawing it along the level's top edge.
- Lift the object carefully, hanging it on the bolts.