Best stud finder
- Thread starter GophersGarage
- Start date
No experience with that one, but I’ve been really happy with my Franklin stud finder on typical drywall and wood framed walls. When Costco has them I think they are $30 or so. Different color than what you’ll find on Amazon, but works the same.
macgee
Well-known member
I've got a pile of them siting by the front door. The girls just leave it as they don't need it anymore.
Joking aside, I'm curious to hear as well about any new ones and how worth while they are?
Joking aside, I'm curious to hear as well about any new ones and how worth while they are?
Hah!
Strouty
Well-known member
I have never had a stud finder work, they never beep around me and my woman says I am a stud............
LeeG
Well-known member
I use the Franklin Sensors finder. Works great for me.
Here is Project Farms review on several models.
Here is Project Farms review on several models.
p00p
Well-known member
tequila helps them find studs.
I try to find one 2x4 in the wall by scoping out the attic & taking measurements. From there, I try to rely on the accuracy of the build to measure out from there. 70% of the time it has been 75% reliable with my method.
I try to find one 2x4 in the wall by scoping out the attic & taking measurements. From there, I try to rely on the accuracy of the build to measure out from there. 70% of the time it has been 75% reliable with my method.
danski0224
Well-known member
I can't even go into that aisle in the box stores because they all start beeping...
16again
Well-known member
I use the Franklin 710. Works every time!
1cargarage
Well-known member
+1 for the Franklin Sensors ProSensor #710. I have had mine ~5 years and it has never given me any problems.
Between the Franklin and the CH Hanson magnetic stud finder,
No stud can hide from me.
Between the Franklin and the CH Hanson magnetic stud finder,
No stud can hide from me.
macgee
Well-known member
I feel your pain, its so annoying.
macgee
Well-known member
Not to be chinsy but seeing this finder is getting a ton (26K) of good feedback and only $28.
Anybody have experience with it? Tavool Stud finder
Although, you gotta love the first pic showing it scanning a brick wall even though they say it doesn't work on brick or cement walls but 21,000 actual positive feedbacks is not too bad.
https://www.amazon.com/Stud-Finder-Sensor-Wall-Scanner/dp/B07F6RZM43/ref=psdc_553280_t1_B0195K8OT4
I like the Franklin format a lot to help map out exact location of studs. Not to mention getting the opportunity of not having to use 9v Batteries, they **** and used on almost all stud finders.
Anybody have experience with it? Tavool Stud finder
Although, you gotta love the first pic showing it scanning a brick wall even though they say it doesn't work on brick or cement walls but 21,000 actual positive feedbacks is not too bad.
https://www.amazon.com/Stud-Finder-Sensor-Wall-Scanner/dp/B07F6RZM43/ref=psdc_553280_t1_B0195K8OT4
I like the Franklin format a lot to help map out exact location of studs. Not to mention getting the opportunity of not having to use 9v Batteries, they **** and used on almost all stud finders.
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Todd.Brock
Well-known member
I’m going to be the dissenting opinion on Franklin Sensors. I bought one and it sucked. It was always missing normal 2x4 framing and 1/2 drywall. Nice folks at Franklin sent me a free replacement which worked for a short while. If I can get it to turn on, it usually is 1 for 5 on finding a stud correctly. I’m not asking the thing to find Jimmy Hoffa... just a stud. Lol
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
LeonardY
Well-known member
I just use rare earth magnets. Lightly hold it and use a circular pattern against the wall. It grabs the screw or nail. Then I just move straight up and down until it grabs the next. Takes me seconds to find the studs.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I have walls with rock lath (3/8" thick drywall), brown coat and plaster. The only sensor that works is the Franklin.
jfleisher
Well-known member
Stud Buddy.
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
I've got the Franklin one, Costco sells a rebranded different color version for cheaper.
I bought the Franklin after doing some research on this forum because my cheap Dewalt one doesn’t show stud widths and almost messed up my recessed lighting project. The Franklin has been 100% spot on for me with no issues for both ceiling and walls.
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have had a Zircon for the better part of 10 years. It's been very reliable for me.
ddawg16
Well-known member
Stud finder? My wife.....she found me.
Ok....bragging aside.....
I've had lousy experience with stud finders. They really **** on older houses with 1" thick walls.
I'm temped to check out the cell phone adapter that is like an ultrasonic scanner.
I have a FLIR adapter for my phone. I'm wondering if it would show up studs when it's cold outside.
Ok....bragging aside.....
I've had lousy experience with stud finders. They really **** on older houses with 1" thick walls.
I'm temped to check out the cell phone adapter that is like an ultrasonic scanner.
I have a FLIR adapter for my phone. I'm wondering if it would show up studs when it's cold outside.
txvwnut
Well-known member
A tape measure and a monkey hook. Start from a corner and measure sixteen inches at a time till you get where need to be then poke the monkey hook in and see if you hit anything. The monkey hooks make a small hole so it’s easily covered if needed.
I need to replace my cheap yellow home depo stud finder it’s hit or miss using
I was thinking Bosch unit
Your thoughts
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I had the Bosch one and it sucked. The only ones t have had luck with was the magnet ones and I also have the hart one witch is a knock of off the Franklin one and that seems to work ok but the magnetic one is the best.
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I've had really good luck with the Franklin I got at Costco some years back.
I wanted to supplement with a cheap, but nicely reviewed stud finder that could do deep scan, live wire, etc. but I was disappointed with the one I tried out. I might try another one. I think I just got spoiled with the simplicity of the Franklin.
I wanted to supplement with a cheap, but nicely reviewed stud finder that could do deep scan, live wire, etc. but I was disappointed with the one I tried out. I might try another one. I think I just got spoiled with the simplicity of the Franklin.
niget2002
Well-known member
I've always just used one of the little cheap ones that just beeps.
I use a push pin to stick in the wall and verify the stud is there before drilling holes.
I might have to look at getting something a little nicer too.
I use a push pin to stick in the wall and verify the stud is there before drilling holes.
I might have to look at getting something a little nicer too.
tunnelengineer
Well-known member
I have that Bosch GMS120 and it *****. Seriously, it's worse than the $10 yellow ones at walmart. I gave up on it and it sits in its fancy little custom case in the back of a cabinet.
5% 1-star reviews is my cutoff for something that's usable and probably junk, but the manufacturer pays for 5-star reviews. That item has 2,000 1-star ratings, so I think I'll pass
Bogie1632
Well-known member
Couple magnets, couple strings, tape measure, done. No battery to **** out in the middle of a job or leak sitting in a freezing/cooking garage. No head scratching wondering why the framer had random stud spacing. Get a strong enough magnet and they work well even through plaster, though a thicker PC wall may be troublesome.
My CM stud finder actually works very well but hasn't been out of the tool bucket in a few years. Magnets are my go-to.
V/R
Bogie
My CM stud finder actually works very well but hasn't been out of the tool bucket in a few years. Magnets are my go-to.
V/R
Bogie
sandysandstone21
New member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2021
- Messages
- 1
Unfortunately I have the curse of lath and plaster walls. I was at my wit's end trying to locate my %^&* studs. Electronic stud finders, knocking on the wall, dangling a magnet on a string against the wall - nothing was working. In my tiny, old A-frame house I HAVE to have storage mounted on the walls.
In desperation, I thought it was a gimmick but I gave the magnetic studpop a try. Holy ****. Just like it says, it "clicks" right into place, audibly and visibly, when it finds a nail, up to a half inch deep.
I've been successfully marking stud positions all over the house. Could not be easier (and fun?) to use. I stick it on the fridge when I'm done so I can't lose it in the tool box. I know people have had good luck with the Franklin but not in my house. $10 vs $60+ for the Franklin (that may or may not work?).
Full disclosure: When I first put this on the wall around eye level it wasn't working. I noticed that my horse hair plaster walls had bulged. Prob because the plaster that is pushed into the lath cracks and falls and can cause the plaster to pull away from the lath. So I went to the bottom of the wall where it meets the baseboard (which kept the plaster pushed up against the lath) it found the nails, and thus the stud. So I just marked the stud where I found the nails about 6" above the baseboard and used a level to mark the area on the wall up 6' where I needed to drill. It was SPOT ON!! I drilled three holes and all hit the stud. This $10 thing saved my ***!
In desperation, I thought it was a gimmick but I gave the magnetic studpop a try. Holy ****. Just like it says, it "clicks" right into place, audibly and visibly, when it finds a nail, up to a half inch deep.
I've been successfully marking stud positions all over the house. Could not be easier (and fun?) to use. I stick it on the fridge when I'm done so I can't lose it in the tool box. I know people have had good luck with the Franklin but not in my house. $10 vs $60+ for the Franklin (that may or may not work?).
Full disclosure: When I first put this on the wall around eye level it wasn't working. I noticed that my horse hair plaster walls had bulged. Prob because the plaster that is pushed into the lath cracks and falls and can cause the plaster to pull away from the lath. So I went to the bottom of the wall where it meets the baseboard (which kept the plaster pushed up against the lath) it found the nails, and thus the stud. So I just marked the stud where I found the nails about 6" above the baseboard and used a level to mark the area on the wall up 6' where I needed to drill. It was SPOT ON!! I drilled three holes and all hit the stud. This $10 thing saved my ***!
I need to replace my cheap yellow home depo stud finder it’s hit or miss using
I was thinking Bosch unit
Your thoughts
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I wound up with the Zircon A250: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079PVL9P8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've been pretty happy with it.
I've been pretty happy with it.
crewchief888
Well-known member
My wife.
After all she got me
After all she got me
I have had a Zircon for the better part of 10 years. It's been very reliable for me.
My Zircon *****, real quick to give a hit, then does it again 6" later... ugh
if they used screws- MAGNETS!
seriously, so much better and easier. Grab a tape, get your best estimate for a stud (16" off that outlet) and start scanning.
I bought that exact stud sensor a while back. It is no better than the 20 year old Zircon unit I have. Save you $20 for a case of suds.
I have an older Zircon and a Franklin. I bought the Stud-Pop just on a lark. It works WAY better than the electronic ones. Just used it this weekend.
Indexmill
Well-known member
In my experience, all of the electronic ones ****. They NEVER repeat so it is still guessing. It's hard to believe that nobody can actually design and manufacture a good stud finder in 2021.
Really, for wood studs under drywall, the rear earth magnet is the most reliable and repeatable. Then use a tiny 3/4" brad to verify.
Really, for wood studs under drywall, the rear earth magnet is the most reliable and repeatable. Then use a tiny 3/4" brad to verify.
i was working for the county as a building inspector, one of my jobs was framing inspection on a high end house builder contractor. He could not put a stud on 16 inches to save his life, 11 -18, and no matter what, you could not make him understand, he was dead set that he was correct, because he was a high end builder and been doing it for years.
if everybody build to code, you would not need a stud finder, just a tape measure,
same building, the seal plate anchor bolts interferred with the studs, so he just cut the bottom three inches off the stud and left it hanging, instead of cutting the bolts and moving over and hammer drill an embed bolt
if everybody build to code, you would not need a stud finder, just a tape measure,
same building, the seal plate anchor bolts interferred with the studs, so he just cut the bottom three inches off the stud and left it hanging, instead of cutting the bolts and moving over and hammer drill an embed bolt
merkyworks
Well-known member
I have a very old Zircon and a somewhat newer one. They both work reasonably well, but there are cases where they get confused. But a friend gave me a CH Hanson and it is awesome! No batteries that die and no false stud detection. Plus when you find a nail or screw you can just let it hang there freeing both hands for whatever you are doing. I like it so much that I bought one for a friend and another as a backup. The only time a Zircon comes out now is when I know where the joists are, but I don‘t know the direction. And they are only around $8 so a super deal.
ToolmanGary
Well-known member
This guy puts the stud finders to the test