Do you guys have a stud finder? I've read several posts and it seems most can live without a stud finder. I've found there are different price ranges on stud finders AND some don't work on certain types of walls? I really don't want to waste money on one so what do I need to know and/or look for? Does it matter WHAT I am doing AND what type of wall I have?

I know I have other options like...tap on the wall and listen to find the stud or use a nail and hammer to find a stud...etc. Just thought a stud finder would be better and then I won't have to patch up either.

(Ah yes...I know you guys are all "studs" but I meant the tool )

 

Thought you were talking about my wife.....stud finder,ha. If all you are looking for is to find the studs, one with both regular scan and deep scan will be your best bet. You can spend a little more money and get one that detects active wiring. The deep scan helps when you are trying to locate studs in plaster, double sheetrock layers, or other thicker media. Regular stud finders actually are operated by sonar return waves, and must hit a solid object to send the signal back and give you an indicator light. If you work primarily with metal studs, there is one out there for that, too, since metal studs sometimes don't show up as solid enough to reflect the signal.

 

Thanks Larry. Sure...if your wife doesn't mind coming here to help me out and find MY studs

I think that sums it up! However...there's different types of studs? Metal...and ??? I'm just working in a closet in a bedroom. How would I know what kind of studs I have?

 

In a house, most likely wood studs. I doubt you would have metal studs unless it is a commercial building or a newer apartment complex. Buy one of the double scan stud finders and a 9 volt battery, and find all the studs you need.....want....can handle.....oh, you know.

 

Thanks a bunch. Perfecto. On the hunt...

 

Not sure if you found one yet, but I had a cheap Stanley brand one that worked great for a long time then it got knocked off a 15' ladder and broke - survived lots of normal dropping before that. Got a Ryobi that was a combo stud finder laser tape measure - never buy it! The stud finder rarely finds studs and the laser tape seems to be +- 1 foot. Next time I have a need for one I'll go buy another Stanley and be happy.

 

Thanks gsr.

Within minutes of Larry's suggestion...I ended up buying the Zircon Studsensor i65. Whew! Glad I didn't get the Ryobi. Curious...how much was the Stanley cheapy one you had?

 

Not sure how much the Stanley was it was one of the first ones out many years ago, I thought I saw a similar one for ~$10. I've heard the Zircon's are good too but have not tried one. Let us know how it works.

 

I think you will be pleased with the Zircon. I have one and am very happy with it. Good luck.

 

Been happy with my Zircon.

 

I have a Zircon that works great, a Ryobi that is useless IMO and a Stanley that's about 20 years old. Most of the time they are hiding somewhere in a toolbox, or workbench, or box or basement or somewhere. My stud finder of choice is an 8d finishing nail.

 

We have a zircon that works okay, not that great at finding steel studs in the basement and gets totally lost facing the two layers of drywall in the studio.

 

My Zircon finally arrived I was playing around with it and it found a stud in my leg and not in my arm It's pretty good and should be very do-able. Yes...I tried the wall too and it works very well and I think I will be happy with it.

Thanks all!

 

When I need a stud finder I cut a magnet out of the shower curtain liner (they hold the liner to the tub). Then I use the magnet to find sheetrock nails, and measure 16" centers from there to find other studs.

How do commercial stud finders work?

 

Stud Finder quick synopsis and related links from HowStuffWorks.Com:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question271.htm