Stud Finders

[Fudog]

Good Morning , Does anyone know of a good stud finder that works with plaster walls? I have a Zircon that does not work at all on plaster. Thanks

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

It's never wrong...

 

[scott37300]

Good Morning , Does anyone know of a good stud finder that works with plaster walls? I have a Zircon that does not work at all on plaster. Thanks

Which Zircon do you have? They make several models from 5 bucks to 50 bucks and above. It's not the plaster that is causing problems, it's the density. Stud finders measure differances in densities. You have to set it over a stud cavity and caliperate it and then when you move it over a stud it sees the density differance. Some finders have a more accurate density finder to allow for thicker walls. I haven't bought one in years but I have about 5 laying around from the cheap 10 buck stanley ones to a zircon that if I remember right I paid around 80 bucks for about 8 years ago. It has always worked for me and I have used it on some lathe and plaster walls.

I usually do a couple of readings to make sure that the first time I put it up it isn't over a stud when I press the button to caliperate it.

 

[bchee]

mine is broke too.
Every time I get any where near it, it starts beeping loudly and going crazy.

 

[rodm1]

tape measure

 

[scott37300]

tape measure

?

Yes once you find a stud you can measure over but you have to find the first one and then there are times where the framers added a stud or messed up the spacing for some odd reason.

You can use the outlet boxes as a rough guid but you have to find which side of the box the stud is on. But once again you can never be sure. And then you run into the time someone added a recep with a cut in box and there is no stud.

 

[metal1313]

i havent found a good one that works well in older houses. my walls are thick, and plaster and lathe, i always get bad readings from stud finders.
anyone recommend one for my application, sometimes its hard to find one with the old knuckle method

 

[Underdog]

i havent found a good one that works well in older houses. my walls are thick, and plaster and lathe, i always get bad readings from stud finders.
anyone recommend one for my application, sometimes its hard to find one with the old knuckle method

+2
I always have to go back to a nail and hammer method then patch.

 

[MrMark]

What do you mean they work on "density"? I have one that works somewhat but I always thought it was a magnotemeter (sp?). In other words, it senses the nails in the stud and you hope they were put in the center. I am probably wrong so please tell me about this density measurement?

 

[MrMark]

OK, I found this, apparently there are at least two types, with the electronic density ones being the newer versions.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/question271.htm

I have the old magnetic style that is frustrating to use. Maybe the new electronic ones are much better? Anyone have comparision experience?

 

[waltmcq]

tape measure

my house was built in 1884, a half inch here a half inch there didn't really matter to them then.


I start using my drill with a very small bit so I didn't crack the plaster like a nail can.
I do know I need to invest in a better stud finder.

 

[pac man]

mine is broke too.
Every time I get any where near it, it starts beeping loudly and going crazy.

hahahahahaha

to the OP... ive used cheap stud finders and they act like cheap stud finders. Get a quality one and you should have no issues.

 

[Fudog]

The Zircon model that I have is Pro SL AC. What brand name is a good model to buy? Also in older houses with plaster and wood lathe I think the studs were more than 16in. on center. Thanks

 

[american lockpicker]

I had an American made magnetic one once. Simply made but it worked.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Everytime I use one, I look at my wife , put it on my chest and yell found one!! Se maintains I escaped from the looney bin years ago.