Sorry, I entitled the post picture hanging hardware and it's really mirror hanging hardware.

Jan

I've never seen anything like it. Wasn't there any instructions with it? Do you have a web address for the company that made the mirror?

I haven't seen anything like it either, but yes, the nails would go down at an angle so they're less likely to pull out but I still think they need to go in studs. No instructions?

We used a thing with s sort of built-in anchor that flips up when you screw it in to hang a relatively heavy wall clock (glass front). I think this company also makes things for heavier items. Found it at Target.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cobra Megahook hangers

justgotabeme - There was a sticker with instructions on the back of the mirror, but it just said to put two nails in each hanging bracket. It wasn't very specific. :o(

ajsmama - The instructions weren't that helpful, but then I'm a mechanical idiot too. We have some drywall anchors that we could use, I think. Since the mirror would need to go in a certain location on the wall, and the hangers are in a certain spot on the back of the mirror, we wouldn't be able to control whether or not it was anchored in the studs or not. Thanks for the link. Those look like they could work better than the drywall anchors.

I'm in the better safe than sorry camp. When hanging anything particularly weighty, if the position doesn't line up with a stud, then toggles are used. I don't want things to fall off the wall (obviously!) and have had it happen once. Something like a mirror that can send shards of glass in a million different directions would be a big mess and anything that's not really secure is also dangerous if someone happens to be in the vicinity when/if it goes down. As for the hardware that came with your mirror - it's a big ? to me, too.

I am wondering since your mirror is round won't the top of these hanging hook things show when it is up on the wall?

I always use those toggle/anchor things. I've never seen anything like that either!

It looks to me like this: You put each nail at an angle through two of the four holes at the top. The bottom hook goes into a hole in the side of the mirror. The long screw is adjustable up and down to allow for adjustment with the hook on the other side of the mirror.

Interesting....I would definitely think that nails into drywall would not be a good thing unless you hit a stud. That said, are the holes wide enough to accommodate a screw?

Personally, I would just go buy a mirror hanging kit at Lowes. This looks way too complicated and your mirror isn't so huge and heavy that it requires some special hanging kit is it?

I've used large plastic toggle bolts and used a sturdy screw and just didn't screw the head of the screw all the way in and used the screw head to insert into the triangle at the back of the mirror. If you have three of these, that's more than enough balanced weight amongst three screws. I've just had issues getting the screws to align with the little triangles on the back - but that's another issue!

I've never seen anything like that either.

Have you ever used Ook professional hangers? They're great, it's all I use. Ook hangers. They'll hold a lot of weight and no honking holes in the wall, even for heaviest hangers pins (nails) are still thin. Our FR is low light and L shaped, so a large room that felt like a cave. I put 3 large mirrors in various spots to catch sunlight and bounce if off other mirrors. So the main focus was on position with stud being secondary. I had always used Ooks for everything else so decided to try them with the mirrors. For the largest mirror (about 36" wide by 30" high with a 3" frame) I used 3 of the treble type (they will hold 75lbs or 100 lbs). One on each outer edge of frame and one in center. Think I might have hit one stud. No problems, no big holes in the wall, they've been there for years.

I used to be only able to find them at LNT, but since they've closed I've noticed them other places. For sure Lowe's has them.

graywings was correct on it being adjustable. The link below shows a larger photo.

The nails at an angle in the drywall should be enough to hold the mirror.....assuming it's not over 50lbs. I've hung many a picture/mirror in just drywall with angle nails and they've never fallen.

It's possible the hanger on the mirror isn't the correct hanger, so you may have to use something else!

Here is a link that might be useful: picture hanger

I bought a really heavy solid wood picture that came with that kind of hanger. We used it and and in trying to get those big nails in, the actual hanger was pushed into the sheetrock.
Then I decided the picture was too high and it was a real mess getting the hanger out of the drywall.
We had to patch. In the end I just got a larger (for 50 pounds) hanger, the kind with one nail going in at a slant and it worked out just fine.

dlm - Yes, I think I'd definitely rather be safe than sorry. I would rather buy different hardware, I think, because the nails probably won't be secure enough without studs.

ctlane - No, they won't show since the hangers on the back of the mirror are placed in the center of the mirror vertically.

sheesharee - The toggles seem to be the way to go. Thanks.

graywings - Yes, that's my understanding too. I just don't think the nails will stay put without studs.

caroleoh - I agree that I'm going to find another option. We don't have a Lowe's, but we do have Home Depot.

moonshadow - Thanks, those look perfect.

annz - Another option - thanks!

chloe - Yikes! I don't want that to happen!

Thanks again everyone. I think I'm going to order something like you mentioned.

Jan