Pushing stud finder with metal framing

[Wuaname]

I'm having a problem with my stud finder... I realized that most new construction I'm dealing with has metal framing for the drywall mounting vs wood.

Simple question how in the world do I find these spots to mount sometHing on the wall ( ie bike rack, mount for my roof coil extension cord etc..)?

 

[Zeke]

 

[Wuaname]

Huh? Explain

 

[alinc100]

The magnetic toggle ones work great.They work even better when turned 90 degrees from that pictured above. Ran horizontally across the wall magnet will center in the vee when it finds the stud. Be sure to use fine thread screws into the steel studs.

 

[hayhauler71]

magnet. also good for finding studs in old plaster homes.

 

[Dustball]

Magnet on a string.

Metal detector app for your Android phone- there's a few to choose from. Here's one you could try- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goldsequence.magneticstudfinder&hl=en

 

[Zeke]

I went to the HD today to get a piece of plywood for runners in my attic. You know they cut sheets for free, right? I don't need to be handling full sheets at my age if some bloke will cut them up before I check out. You probably wouldn't be surprised that I had to explain a tape measure to a cat that was about to run a panel saw.


I stood way back.

After he figured out my request to rip the sheet into 3rds and I explained that 3 cuts at 16 inches would make the 3 equal cuts I was looking for I really didn't want to take the time to explain kerf loss. Of course I got 2 at 16" and one at 15 3/4. Fine for my use.

The point of this is to wonder about today's home handymen. Can't find a metal stud and doesn't recognize a magnet? Please Mr. OP, don't hang anything that might cause injury if loaded with only the least light load.

Sorry to be this way, but I'm serious.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I went to the HD today to get a piece of plywood for runners in my attic. You know they cut sheets for free, right? I don't need to be handling full sheets at my age if some bloke will cut them up before I check out. You probably wouldn't be surprised that I had to explain a tape measure to a cat that was about to run a panel saw.


I stood way back.

After he figured out my request to rip the sheet into 3rds and I explained that 3 cuts at 16 inches would make the 3 equal cuts I was looking for I really didn't want to take the time to explain kerf loss. Of course I got 2 at 16" and one at 15 3/4. Fine for my use.

The point of this is to wonder about today's home handymen. Can't find a metal stud and doesn't recognize a magnet? Please Mr. OP, don't hang anything that might cause injury if loaded with only the least light load.

Sorry to be this way, but I'm serious.

Last time I cut a sheet in to thirds it only took 2 cuts.

 

[JakeKohl]

I went to the HD today to get a piece of plywood for runners in my attic. You know they cut sheets for free, right? I don't need to be handling full sheets at my age if some bloke will cut them up before I check out. You probably wouldn't be surprised that I had to explain a tape measure to a cat that was about to run a panel saw.


I stood way back.

After he figured out my request to rip the sheet into 3rds and I explained that 3 cuts at 16 inches would make the 3 equal cuts I was looking for I really didn't want to take the time to explain kerf loss. Of course I got 2 at 16" and one at 15 3/4. Fine for my use.

I bought a 2x4 sheet of ply for a small project, took it out to my car, and realized I should have driven my truck. It wasn't close to fitting in the roadster in any reasonable way. I took it back into the store, explained my delima and that I needed it cut in half so it would fit, and the guy took me back to the panel saw to cut it. I started looking at some other lumber while he setup the saw and I came back to see that he had ripped it in the lengthwise direction. I now had two 1' x 4' pieces and I was a little surprised.

 

[PT Doc]

I'm having a problem with my stud finder... I realized that most new construction I'm dealing with has metal framing for the drywall mounting vs wood.

Simple question how in the world do I find these spots to mount sometHing on the wall ( ie bike rack, mount for my roof coil extension cord etc..)?

Your studs are metal and covered in drywall? Do you know that they are metal? Where do you live? Is this residential construction that was built on site?

I say this with the utmost respect. If you can't figure out where the stud is, maybe this project is above your ability. Finding the stud is the easy part. Parking an anchor into the wall that will hold the load is the critical part.

What type of anchoring. System where you going to use? What thickness is this metal stud? With a wood stud, you have 2.5" of material to screw into, so generally a few screws make for a solid hold.

Looking forward to seeing the answers to some of my questions.

 

[APEowner]

I can't help you with this one. I can't use stud finders because they activate whenever I'm around them.

 

[PT Doc]

Last time I cut a sheet in to thirds it only took 2 cuts.

Maybe they trimmed the edge paper off in the third cut?

 

[elronin]

I did a review of the StudPop on my site LINK

Its a great little tool, I just used it on a good friends house installing 5 LED tv's, he house is all new construction and has metal studs.

 

[elronin]

I can't help you with this one. I can't use stud finders because they activate whenever I'm around them.

 

[RVDan]

I went to two different big box stores to get one of these because I wanted to find the screws to remove some drywall without destroying it. I couldn't find one and asking the staff they looked at me like I wasn't speaking English.

I happen to stop at a garage sale on the way back home and found two for a dollar

 

[Wuaname]

Re: Pushing stud finder with metal frame

I went to the HD today to.....

The point of this is to wonder about today's home handymen. Can't find a metal stud and doesn't recognize a magnet? Please Mr. OP, don't hang anything that might cause injury if loaded with only the least light load.

Sorry to be this way, but I'm serious.

My apologies mr handyman for having offended you with such a dumb question. I'm crippled, so might not be as versatile as you are with a hammer or stud finder .

 

[Wuaname]

Your studs are metal and covered in drywall? Do you know that they are metal? Where do you live? Is this residential construction that was built on site?

I say this with the utmost respect. If you can't figure out where the stud is, maybe this project is above your ability. Finding the stud is the easy part. Parking an anchor into the wall that will hold the load is the critical part.

What type of anchoring. System where you going to use? What thickness is this metal stud? With a wood stud, you have 2.5" of material to screw into, so generally a few screws make for a solid hold.

Looking forward to seeing the answers to some of my questions.

I appreciate the feedback. The last garage I did was concrete walls and the house had wood framing. These houses down here for the past few years have even built with metal frames vs wood, so throw out my regular stud finder. Now our new property is being built (townhouse) and I noticed the framing was all metal, so I'm going to have a problem I think mounting heavy items on the roof or walls. Here is a pic

 

[Wuaname]

I did a review of the StudPop on my site LINK

Its a great little tool, I just used it on a good friends house installing 5 LED tv's, he house is all new construction and has metal studs.

How do you guys mount something heavy on those metal studs?

 

[joblake326]

Tried 'em all but have finally found a stud finder worthy of the name "stud finder". The website pretty much says it all. GREAT FATHER's DAY GIFT
www.studpop.com

 

[katy]

Use a regular old compass to locate the metal studs. I don't think a GPS will work in that application.

 

[slickgt1]

Some people would rather ***** than give advice.

If sheetrock is not up, you can do blocking behind the studs for location that you know you will need to attach stuff too. Like so.

http://www.wilkersonproperties.com/SanteFePark-Lot 32/Sante Fe Park - Lot 32 04-20-09 01-t.jpg

I know you can't always plan for everything, and sometimes it is too late, so you have to use the proper anchor.

watch this vid for Hilti toggles.

Home Depot and Lowes have their own versions. They all work fine. I only whip out the Hilti when I need to secure something precious. Like my 50" TV on a swing arm bracket that weighs 100lbs by itself. I used 8 of those toggles without any studs, or blocking on 5/8" rock. Trust the force.

If you plan on attaching something permanent, say an overhead cabinet. Construction Adhesive is the sauce. My go to is PL Premium. Once the glue dries, all your screws are purely for decoration purposes. Even if you remove every screw, plan being ready to take a section of wall off with the attached item. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[marcPIG]

The CH Hanson is my favorite magnetic stud finder. I have one on my tool box in the shop so I never lose it.

 

[joblake326]

I'm having a problem with my stud finder... I realized that most new construction I'm dealing with has metal framing for the drywall mounting vs wood.

Simple question how in the world do I find these spots to mount sometHing on the wall ( ie bike rack, mount for my roof coil extension cord etc..)?

This is definitely the place where a magnetic stud finder will be the best solution.
The studpop or ch Hanson are best. The studpop has the added benefit of giving you more info like where the screws are.