Why do pegboard hooks fall out of the board?
- “Large hole” pegboard usually is ¼ in. thick hardboard with holes with a diameter of ¼ in. that can receive both 1/8" in. and ¼" hooks. This board is ideally used in garages, workshops, and other heavy use areas since the thickness of the board can guarantee more loading capacity.
- “Small hole” pegboard, on the other hand, is usually 3/16" (or thinner) hardboard with holes that are 1/8" or 3/16" in diameter. These holes can only receive small 1/8" pegs.
1. Get the right pegboard hooks for your pegboard
This happens as the edges of the hook broaden the hole. (Compare this to running a few marathons with those same oversized Nikes, and seeing the shoe get wider over time)
It goes without saying that the hooks that have the lower peg are way more secure in the board than the single-peg counterpart.
The perfect hook has at least a 0.21" diameter and a lower peg. Such hooks can be found at MADD TOOLS. You’ll get hooked on Madd tools’ pegboard hooks and accessories because they're up to three times thicker than other hooks, so they'll never fall out off your board!
2. Secure thin pegboard hooks
If you're already stuck with thin pegboard hooks - and you have board with big holes, you'll need something to secure them with. There's some quick DIY methods to go about that.
Metal wire method
The method is ideal for when the board is fixed to the wall and you're not able to reach the backside. Things you'll need:
1. Thin metal wire
2. Needle nose pliers
3. Wire cutters
These steps can be tricky so take your time and don’t give up on the first try.
Step 1
The metal wire is thin enough to be bent by hand but before that, cut about 10 to 12 inches or longer, depending on how much you really need. Then, bend the wire in a half forming loop at the bend that can be wide enough for the pegboard hook to slip in.
From the loop you just created, make a fishhook shape that is almost equal in width as the two adjacent holes on the pegboard. Then, bend the tail of the hook in an arc facing away from the loop you made previously for a smoother transition in steps.
Step 2
Thread the wire for the hooks to be in place. Begin with the hole directly below the hole where the top of the hook is placed and thread the loop and hook-shaped wire into the hole with the loop going upwards toward the hole above it.
Step 3
When the wire is threaded through both holes, secure the hook by placing the top of the hook through the wire’s loop. Then, pull the wire back through the top hole while keeping the top hook through the wire. The wire shouldn’t be visible but it should be wrapped around the top of the hook.
Step 4
Secure the hook by using the tail end of the wire and wrap one piece over the top of the hook and around the other side and use the other end of the wire to wrap around the opposite side of the hook. Then you can tightly twist both ends of the wires by hand in order for it to be securely fastened.
Be careful because too much twisting can cause it to break and you don’t want to start over. Cut off the excess wire with your wire cutters but leave a quarter-inch off the twist so the wire can be secure longer without loosening up. Lastly, bend the excess wire upwards towards the pegboard.
Glue or zip tie method
If you haven’t fastened your pegboard to your wall yet, plan ahead and gather these items and follow these steps to prevent your pegboard hooks from falling.
Things you’ll need:
1. Zip ties
and/or
2. Hot glue
These steps are pretty straightforward and simple.
1. You can use small zip ties to secure the hooks by inserting it in the two holes adjacent to either side of the hook. Fasten it tightly and you’re good to go.
2. You can dab a little bit of hot glue on the lower leg before inserting the peg into the hole which keeps the hook in place. It might loosen up over time after light tugging. You won’t have to take a second glance whenever you grab your tools from the hooks.
That's it! Let's recap. You have 3 options:
- Get the perfect hooks with double peg attachment and appropriate thickness for your board.
- Use metal wire to secure thin hooks
- Use glue or a zip tie to secure the thin hooks to your board
You shouldn't have to be frustrated anymore with hooks falling out of your board. Life just got a whole lot easier!
Oh, by the way... Have you downloaded our free eBook yet? It's full of handy, space-saving pegboard tips. And it's free to download for our readers.
