Stud finder recommendation?

TRAILRIDER · #1 11/29/10, 11:36 AM

Can someone recommend a good quality stud finder? I think I better purchase one, before I put too many more holes in my walls ; )

Windy in Kansas · #2 11/29/10, 01:09 PM

In the old days I would have recommended the Jane Mansfield or Marilyn Monroe model.
These days I have not recommendation.

Really, I'm in the market for one too. Son in law seems to like the one he has but I don't know the brand, etc. of it.

Sawmill Jim · #3 11/29/10, 02:10 PM

CH Hanson 03040 STUD4SURE Magnetic Stud
List Price: $15.99
Price: $9.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Lot of places have these . This is at Amazon

Loves has them too too Zircon StudSensor EDGE
Item #: 274870 Model #: SS EDGE
( 6 Reviews )
$9.98

They got them any price you want to pay .I a newer house should find them 16'' on center

TRAILRIDER · #4 11/29/10, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

CH Hanson 03040 STUD4SURE Magnetic Stud
List Price: $15.99
Price: $9.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Lot of places have these . This is at Amazon

Loves has them too too Zircon StudSensor EDGE
Item #: 274870 Model #: SS EDGE
( 6 Reviews )
$9.98

They got them any price you want to pay .I a newer house should find them 16'' on center

Thanks I was wondering if the Zircon models Lowes sells were any good. Glad you mentioned this one.
Unfortunately my house is about 100 yrs old, and has been owned by many DIYers before me : ) I hired an electrician to put in some new wiring and a new outlet for a freezer in my laundry room. The laundry room is in the center of the house. Imagine my surprise when he found a framed in window behind the wall! I didn't even know that had been an outside wall, the house has be added on to here and there too many times. Thanks again.

Rusty'sDog · #5 11/29/10, 07:23 PM

"Stud finders" are essentially just magnets. They merely seek out the iron nails via magnetism. As stated above, modern houses have studs on 16" centers (IF they were built to code). Older, rural homes often used 24" centers, but that could vary, depending on availability/price of lumber as well as local practices. If you have old lath and plaster with wire hardware cloth within the wall, a stud-finder will most likely falsely find a stud every 1/4", as it will be "reading" each and every strand of wire as a nail.

Horse Fork Farm · #6 11/30/10, 01:23 AM

I actually clicked on this post to see what type of animal you were needing a stud for........ I have been up too many hours!

Horse Fork Farm · #7 11/30/10, 01:24 AM

I have got to quit reading just the first line or two.

Dead Rabbit · #8 11/30/10, 08:28 AM

they are only marginally accurate. new paint will cause mis-readings too.

tap on the wall, use a small finish nail along top of baseboard through caulk line will be much more accurate.

catahoula · #9 11/30/10, 09:16 AM

The Zircon stud sensor works really well, it actually reads density beneath the surface. It has a function that allows you to find studs through several layers of sheathing or lath and plaster.

Windy in Kansas · #10 11/30/10, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catahoula

The Zircon stud sensor works really well, it actually reads density beneath the surface. It has a function that allows you to find studs through several layers of sheathing or lath and plaster.

That is what I was thinking, more like a ground penetrating radar unit than simply a magnetic finder.

Topaz Farm · #11 11/30/10, 11:36 AM

We have a Zircon One Step, got it at Home Depot.

It will tell you when you are at the center of the stud and if there is an electric wire.

demeter · #12 11/30/10, 11:55 AM

I had someone tell me that if you run an electric razor, or some sort of vibrator (take that any way you want) over the walls, it will sort of "change tunes" when passing over a stud. Don't know if it is true or not, just sayin.

Demeter

Windy in Kansas · #13 11/30/10, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demeter

I had someone tell me that if you run an electric razor, or some sort of vibrator (take that any way you want) over the walls, it will sort of "change tunes" when passing over a stud.

That does make sense. When not over a stud it would work like the sound board of a piano or other musical instrument.

However I just tried it with my razor and the wall is apparently ready to collapse as I couldn't detect any sound change. Rotary Norelco so that might make a difference.

Worth a try if you don't have a proper stud finder.

Bret · #14 11/30/10, 01:23 PM

I misplaced mine and I'm absolutely lost without it.

Dead Rabbit · #15 11/30/10, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demeter

I had someone tell me that if you run an electric razor, or some sort of vibrator (take that any way you want) over the walls, it will sort of "change tunes" when passing over a stud. Don't know if it is true or not, just sayin.

Demeter

same idea as tapping on the wall..........wont work if its the old style plaster and lath.

i havent tried a stud finder in 5 yrs or more. they would give misreadings. perhaps the technology has improved.