Stud finder
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Franklin Sensors ProSensor:
http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Sensors-ProSensor-710-Precision/dp/B0064EICKG/ref=zg_bs_553280_2
Amazing - shows you exactly where the stud is with multiple LEDs vs where it starts and ends. Highly recommended.
http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Sensors-ProSensor-710-Precision/dp/B0064EICKG/ref=zg_bs_553280_2
Amazing - shows you exactly where the stud is with multiple LEDs vs where it starts and ends. Highly recommended.
Trey T
Well-known member
CH Hanson magnetic stud finder. It find the screw/nail behind the drywall. Works great! It's my to-go stud finder over my electronic one.
Grab couple of them.
Grab couple of them.
Ign
Well-known member
I have a carpenter buddy who does nothing but, well, carpentry 40+ hours per week and swears by this CH Hanson unit.
As for the "electronic" ones, I've had a couple Zircons that always worked well enough. I've also got the Ryobi 4V one and it's fine - has a fancy screen which is supposed to show you where the stud starts, ends and center, but it's nothing but an overly complex version of the run of lights on Zircons.
Honestly I'd try the CH Hanson model instead of something that relies on batteries, lights and electronics.
Provincial
Well-known member
I have a very old (20+ years) Zircon that has always done the job. I haven't felt the need to look for a new one.
BlindViper
Well-known member
I use the flash light I carry on my side. 99% of the time no drywall is perfect and I can find every nail or screw. Unless wall paper is involved then I just use my knuckle.
thebeekeeper1
Well-known member
I bought the top-of-the-line Zircon six or eight years ago and have been very pleased. It was close to $50, so not too cheap, but it works really well.
+1 on the Franklin.
I originally bought it hoping it would "see" through my stucco exterior. Not so good at that but it is great over drywall and lath & plaster.
Got $25 back from Amex as I bought it on "Small Business Saturday" last year. Couldn't pass up that deal. Timing was perfect.
I originally bought it hoping it would "see" through my stucco exterior. Not so good at that but it is great over drywall and lath & plaster.
Got $25 back from Amex as I bought it on "Small Business Saturday" last year. Couldn't pass up that deal. Timing was perfect.
Farmall450
Well-known member
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
That looks like a cool tool. My Zircon was $10 (Ace promotion) but $50 for the Franklin if it's good would be well worth it.
Givl Reggin
Banned
It seems like I always end up buying a new one every 8-10 years, as the technology improves. But, I've yet to find one that is absolutely perfect each and every time... most have problems when it comes to double studs or horizontal blocking and you can forget determining the size of a lintel above an opening.
The first one I used (~40 years ago) had a floating magnet inside to detect nails. The main problem with this is you really don't know if that nail is barely on the edge or in the exact center of the stud.
The newer ones use capacitance to detect the actually stud, that is if it's not too deep. Most of these have a backup mode to detect metal (nails/screws) when you have more than about an inch of drywall.
Some of the more advance ones can even tell the difference between between studs/wire/PVC/pipes in the wall, like this Dewalt unit...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00ACF6QTC/awh
I think Milwaukee also makes a similar unit.
I don't think any of these are worth a damn when it comes to lathe/plaster walls, but I would love to be proved wrong!
The first one I used (~40 years ago) had a floating magnet inside to detect nails. The main problem with this is you really don't know if that nail is barely on the edge or in the exact center of the stud.
The newer ones use capacitance to detect the actually stud, that is if it's not too deep. Most of these have a backup mode to detect metal (nails/screws) when you have more than about an inch of drywall.
Some of the more advance ones can even tell the difference between between studs/wire/PVC/pipes in the wall, like this Dewalt unit...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00ACF6QTC/awh
I think Milwaukee also makes a similar unit.
I don't think any of these are worth a damn when it comes to lathe/plaster walls, but I would love to be proved wrong!
metaldad
Well-known member
I generally use one of these. 
Did you use a HF stud finder? It is not very accurate.
thebeekeeper1
Well-known member
My Zircon has a "Deep Scan" mode that works quite well over thick coverings. I haven't used it a great deal, but it has been accurate when I needed it.
I've been doing that same trick on my wife for years and years. She still laughs and agrees with me.
Gotta love that.
vhol5
Well-known member
Oldsmobiler
Member
saw a guy take a tape covered speaker magnet and run it all over the wall...then he took a grinder with a bolt and showered the wall with sparks...the shavings stuck to the heads of the screws like glue! OLD school steel stud framer...love the tricks they use
Jomo
Well-known member
+1 for Franklin Sensors.
Much easier to use than previous Zircon types.
3 hands no longer required.
Love it!
Much easier to use than previous Zircon types.
3 hands no longer required.
Love it!
I used this recently, it was kind of a 'duh' moment, like yeah, why wouldn't i just use a magnet to find the drywall screws instead of those stupid electronic gismo that never, ever finds the stud.
http://www.magicstudfinder.com/products.html
http://www.magicstudfinder.com/products.html
Just ordered one. They look great!