Having a well-organized pegboard in your garage or workshop can make a huge difference in your productivity and efficiency. The key to a functional pegboard system is using hooks that securely hold your tools, without constantly falling off the board. But with so many pegboard hook options on the market, how do you know which ones live up to their claims of staying in place? We’ll compare the most popular pegboard hook designs to reveal the best picks for hooks that don’t fall out.
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Pegboard Hook Basics
Before diving into specific products, let’s review the basic features and components of pegboard hooks. This will help you understand what makes certain hooks more secure than others.
Pegboard hooks all have a few things in common:
- A peg that inserts into the holes on the pegboard
- An arm or body that extends outward from the peg to hold tools
- A closing mechanism on the outer end to securely grip tools
Within these basic design elements, the most important factors affecting security and stability are:
- Peg size & fit – The diameter of the peg and how snugly it fits into the pegboard holes impacts swaying and spinning.
- Arm/body design – The length, angle, and swiveling ability affect leverage and weight distribution.
- Gripping mechanism – The mechanism that actually holds onto tools, usually either a:
- Spring-loaded gate
- Bungee hook
- Magnet
By evaluating these factors, we can get a sense of which pegboard hooks can reliably keep tools upright and in place. Next, we’ll look at specific hook models that excel in these areas.
Best Pegboard Hooks That Don’t Fall Out
1. HydraPeg Standard Pegboard Hooks
The HydraPeg Standard hook is a top choice for staying put thanks to its incredibly secure gripping mechanism. This hook uses a spring-loaded gate with a thick wire gate for holding tools.
Here are the highlights of its design:
- Thick 0.08 inch peg fits tightly into pegboard holes
- Powder coated steel construction is durable and corrosion resistant
- 45 degree angled arm provides excellent leverage and control
- Double torsion spring gate design prevents accidental openings
- PVC dip handle allows easy tool removal without pinching fingers
This exceptional gate design paired with a sturdy peg and angled arm makes the HydraPeg hook extremely resistant to shaking out of the pegboard. It’s also built to last through years of frequent use. The HydraPeg Standard model comes in a few different arm lengths to suit small to large tools.
2. ABN Heavy Duty Tool Hooks
For big and heavy tools, the ABN Heavy Duty Tool Hook is a reliable bet to keep them firmly in place. The details:
- Extra thick 0.12 inch peg fits very snugly into pegboard
- Long, straight arm design gives excellent holding power
- Spring loaded gate opening made from sturdy steel
- Powder coated finish prevents rusting
- 90 degree tool head tilts to make hanging easy
The super thick peg on this model combined with the long arm and strong gate provides superior resistance to tilting and shaking. And the swiveling tool head makes loading large, heavy tools a breeze. It’s built to handle weights up to 50 pounds without budging. If you need to securely store hefty tools like drills, drivers, and wrenches, the ABN Heavy Duty hook is a great choice.
3. Extreme Pegboard Hooks
For lightweight hand tools like scissors, pliers, and screwdrivers, look no further than the Extreme Pegboard Hooks. The brilliant design focuses on grip and tension to keep tiny tools in their place. Details:
- Low profile pegboard peg
- Rubberized hook loop for protecting tool finishes
- No-slip rubber tool holder provides a custom fit
- Bungee cord gives constant tension to prevent falling
This hook has a bungee cord that loops from the peg, through the rubberized tool holder, and attaches back to the peg. This creates constant tension to grip small tools securely in place while also protecting them from scratches and dings. The low profile peg and flexible bungee arm minimize leverage forces. For keeping small hand tools handy without having them fall off, Extreme Pegboard Hooks are the perfect pick.
Runners Up
While they didn’t top our list, here are a couple other decent pegboard hook options to consider:
MagnoGrip Magnetic Tool Hooks
These hooks take a unique approach using magnets to hold tools in place. The single-stud peg design can swivel in the pegboard hole for easy tool loading. The strong magnet on the end will hold onto tools with ferrous metal. This allows hands-free tool swapping. The downside is the magnets aren’t strong enough to hold really heavy tools firmly.
Arnall Bucket Head J Hooks
The Bucket Head J Hook has an upper lip that helps keep the hook from tilting downward. The wire hook swivels slightly for easy tool hanging. It has a basic design, but the upper lip does improve the stability a bit. For lightweight tools, it performs decently.
Pegboard Hook Considerations
Beyond just buying hooks that don’t fall out easily, here are some other tips for picking the best pegboard hooks:
- Match hook size to tool size – Large hooks overwhelm small tools, while small hooks strain to hold large tools
- Select hook weight ratings wisely – Consider the tool weights you need to accommodate
- Include a variety of hook types – Simple J hooks for lightweight tools, heavy duty hooks for power tools, specialized hooks for unusual tool shapes
- Use enough hooks – Having ample hooks prevents overloading so tools aren’t strained off
- Space hooks evenly – Clumping hooks too close together increases jostling
- Use pegboard backers – Backing boards help stiffen the pegboard to minimize flexing
The Best Pegboard Hook Brands
When shopping for high quality pegboard hooks, you’ll want to stick with reputable brands known for making durable and secure hooks. Here are some of the top manufacturers to look for:
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| HydraPeg | Innovative gripper designs and top-notch construction |
| Extreme Pegboard | Specialized hooks for maximum tool holding power |
| Arnall | Time-tested classic pegboard hardware |
| Knape & Vogt | Well-built hooks complementing tool storage systems |
| Rubbermaid | Durable hooks matching their storage products |
| Everbilt | Basic, affordable hooks in a wide variety |
Sticking with leading brands like these ensures you get hooks made with quality materials, durable finishes, and the latest holding technologies. This gives you reliable performance for years to come.
DIY Pegboard Hooks
If you have scrap wood, hardware, and basic DIY skills, it’s possible to make your own pegboard hooks. Some popular options include:
- Wooden tool holders – Cut shapes from wood to hold specific tools
- Dowel hooks – Use sanded wooden dowel pegs with notches or holes for tools
- Homemade spring clips – Bend and attach wire to make basic spring clips
- Hacksaw blade hooks – Use recycled blades as narrow, sturdy arms for J hooks
- Bolt hooks – Insert eye bolts into the pegboard to hang tools from
DIY solutions can provide a cheap way to get fully customized hooks. However, the holding reliability can be questionable. And DIY hooks likely won’t have protective finishes or tool-friendly surfaces. But as a budget option or holdover while upgrading, homemade hooks can work in a pinch.
Pegboard Hook Holder Options
Beyond basic hooks, you can also find various specialty pegboard holders to accommodate the unique shapes and needs of specific tools. Here are some of the most helpful tool holders to use with your reliable hooks:
- Screwdriver holders
- Hammer holders
- Wrench holders
- Pliers holders
- Utility knife holders
- Flashlight holders
- Tape measure holders
- Cable holders
- Bike holders
- Hose holders
Tool holders help keep awkward or unique tools properly oriented on your pegboard. Combining hooks and holders makes for the most organized, accessible pegboard system.
Conclusion
Having pegboard hooks falling left and right can seriously diminish the usefulness of your tool pegboard. But using hooks with smart designs made by reputable brands gives you the reliability you need. Models with features like thick, snug-fitting pegs, durable gripping mechanisms, angular arms, and protective finishes excel at keeping tools securely in place.
Overall, the HydraPeg Standard, ABN Heavy Duty, and Extreme Pegboard hooks rise above the rest. Their well-engineered designs utilize multiple stabilizing features to prevent tools from detaching. With hooks using the right grip strength, leverage control, fit, and protective finishes, you can confidently mount all your essential tools without fear of them crashing to the floor. A pegboard equipped with the best hooks for the job makes tool organization easy and efficient.