Using Fish Hooks for Ornament Hangers

Ed Redwine · #1 07-03-2008, 05:14 PM

When I first started carving I looked for an effective method of adding some kind of hanger to my Santa ornaments. I am not a fan of the tiny eye screws that many carvers use. I've never seen this listed anywhere so bear with me while I share the use of fishhooks as hangers.

I've found the 5/0 zinc coated trotline hooks to be excellent. They are normally packaged in 50 count boxes or zip bags. Doubtlessly, some of you will offer different methods to achive the same result, but this works for me.

Photo 1: I use the cutoff wheel on a battery driven Dremel.
Photo 2: Holding the hook by the eye, I cut the hook end off about 3/4 inch below the eye. (Yes, I wear my safety glasses.)
Photo 3: I make a small starter hole in the top of the ornament and drive the eye/hanger into the ornament with a small hammer.
Photo 4: The result. The eye will hold ribbon or string for hanging. I've never had to use glue on the eye hanger but you can if you wish. I find it holds quite well as is. Much like a similar size nail in any other wood.

Footnote: I've tried using a good brand of sidecutter pliers but the hook metal is tough. The larger pliers are awkward to handle and I found I had to first straighten the hook somewhat. I've installed these hangers on over 700 Santa ornaments.

Hope this information is helpful to some of you..

Ed

tucker1931 · #2 07-03-2008, 06:43 PM

Hey ED, that's a great idea and I'm sure it works well. I have my own little item. I bought a role of thin copper wire. fold it over a small nail then twist it with the pliers, snip off the ends add a touch of epoxy and drill tiny hole. The copper looks better to me than the little eyes every one uses.
Cliff

Plain_Ol_Ed · #3 07-03-2008, 06:47 PM

No wonder I can't find any trot line hooks.

AlArchie · #4 07-03-2008, 08:41 PM

Trot Line----Schmot Line, those are what we used to use for "jug fishin'". Oooops maybe I shouldn't oughta said that...oh, well I think the statute of limitations has expired. Hehehehe!

Good idea, Ed!

Al

Kenny_S · #5 07-03-2008, 08:50 PM

Neat idea.

Plain_Ol_Ed · #6 07-03-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlArchie

Trot Line----Schmot Line, those are what we used to use for "jug fishin'". Oooops maybe I shouldn't oughta said that...oh, well I think the statute of limitations has expired. Hehehehe!

Good idea, Ed!

Al

Just tell em you were living in TX. It's all legal here. Not even any seasons. I think in OK too. Cept those guys are crazy, the go noodling for cats.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #7 07-04-2008, 09:50 AM

I went to the hobby shop and picked up some very small screw eyes.....about half the size of what you normally see.

Thomp · #8 07-04-2008, 10:35 AM

guess theres a lot of methods i use
beading wire nice silver color wrapped around a mandrel, twisted snipped off, drill a hole dip wire ib ca glue,

50 yards $3.00 ca glue 4 tubes $1.00
--- Al & ed
trot lines, jug fishing, and switch cane limb lines all legal, as well as year round fishing season, oh yea, the hook size still determines the size of the fish you catch and keep here....

socrates · #9 07-04-2008, 05:09 PM

real neat hehehe!

GaDoug · #10 07-04-2008, 07:57 PM

Last year I had trouble finding screw eyes that were small enough so I just drill a small hole in the top of the ornament, squirt a small drop of glue in the bottom of the hole and then stuff the 2 ends of a piece of ribbon into the hole forming a loop. I like the simple clean look it creates.