Cany anybody recommend a stud finder that they’ve used and had good luck with? I’m specifically interested in the models that can find studs through plaster walls and identify electrical wires in the wall.
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flips
I've used several stud finders and didn't hold the utmost confidence in any.
Picked up some rare earth magnets (5/8's discs) and used them the last time for a thick plaster and wood lath wall. Cupped on in a hand and wiped the wall with it. Found the lath nails and also found the BX cable in the wall, where it came close enough in the stud cavity. Everything was where it showed, unlike my now few year old studfinder w/scan and deep scan.
Other methods that help build confidence b/4 cutting-tapping on the wall with your knuckles, hunt for trim nails in base, remove cover plate on an outlet to locate the side the stud's on and then search layout from there. Be careful as with wood lath the need for an even or patterned layout seems to have been the least of their concerns.
I've heard good things about a 120.00 bosch, but that was for a euro version-the one sold here in the U.S. didn't rcv as rave a review.
Best of luck.
Sometime later this year the StudTHUD should become available.
Thanks
Interesting.
The StudTHUD
Hi Hokuto,
Bigcalstew tells me that you're in Japan. I'm curious how you found out about the StudTHUD.
Do you think there's much of a market out there?
Thanks,
John
Stud, welcome to Breaktime.
And please, at the least announce the maiden voyage of your idea when it comes out in the stores or wherever. Bookmark this thread or look in your profile up top on the left when you come back-you'll have this thread listed there and can bring it back up.
Also, let me be the first to offer to do a review of your invention. Send me a couple and I'll give them all the testing and opinion I can offer. As a remodelor or a whole load of time I've cussed and moaned more often than necessary................and for sure wasted more time than I should-trying to find the CENTER or the best chance for the meat.
And, too bad-the lead tool story in this months issue of FHB just happens to be-STUD FINDERS-two of which were magnetic. Bummer you didn't hear about that b/4. Would have been a nice opportunity.
Best of luck.
StudTHUD maiden voyage
Hi Calvin,
Hope all is well. Long time since we talked. You asked that I keep you posted and I know that these forums frown on advertising so I won't get into any details here. We just got back from the HW Show in Las Vegas and we hit a home run!
Check out my site for details and progress as it happens. Thanks.
We must be transferring thought waves..........
I made the mistake of "loaning" mine out to a friend. I figured we'd be in distribution by now.
So, how bout posting that link and please, let us know here what the prognosis is on this venture. Where will we be able to procure the product.
This won't be an ad. More like a response to a direct question.
Thanks,
and the best of luck!
because Cal asked for it: StudTHUD update
<Disclaimer>
Hello moderator....I'm not trying to sell anything here...I couldn't if I wanted to since product isn't available yet.
Hi Cal,
Sorry for taking so long to respond to your post. I only recently noticed it.
Yes the StudTHUD was a huge success at the National Hardware Show in May. It actually has made a huge impact all over the world! Bunnings, Austraila's equiv to Home Depot, saw me do a 5 minute live demo at the show and wanted to be the exclusive distributor of the StudTHUD in the land down under....say what? They just placed a decent order for delivery in September.
It's going to be sold throughout Europe and of course our neighbors to the north, Canada.
It'll be everywhere in this country.
Literally everyone who saw the demo had the same reaction: Mad love for the StudTHUD.
So for me, it was very gratifying to see it embraced so universally.
Unfortunately, it's taking more time than anyone would like to get final product samples. Not because it's hard to make, it's just because I'm not on the other side of the world to watch over the process...so there have been a few CAD file screw ups. No big deal. Good things take time. But I'm told we'll have real product any day now.
I designed the graphics for the logo and the packaging myself. I've pretty much been given creative control over the entire process. Sweet.
Anyway that's it for now...and thanks for your continued support.
http://www.studthud.com
John
John
Show us the graphics, don't hold me in suspense
And, sell me one. I gave my complimentary one away to someone thinking it was a loner. Had my sights set on going to the local hardware and enriching your venture.
Let's do one by mailorder, whadya say?
thanks.
And
while I'm in the conning mood...............
Every summer there's a gathering of Breaktimers at what is called the Breaktime Fest. This year in August I think (check the Breaktime Fests Folder) it's outside Montreal. You should take part-good way to meet and greet these faceless names and you'd be hit donating some of these for the tradition door prize drawings.
Give it some thought.
conning mood
Well I should say so!!!
You're already trying trying to get me to give these away? Can't it wait until I've at least sold one?
But seriously, I just signed off on the final CAD drawings today and they're on their way to Hong Kong (sorry about that America) to get the first production prototypes made. And yes regarding the samples. Just send me an email with your address, Social security number and banking info ; )
Okay just your address...
Cool!
You are a marketing genious!
and just so you know I only put on the con for worthwhile endeavors......................
Check out how this procurement turned out. Start at the link and please read on to the last post.
http://forums.finehomebuilding.com/breaktime/breaktime-fests/christmas-gift-exchange-0#comment-2169426
thanks.
flattery works everytime
Your StudTHUD! is in the mail my friend : )
You sir are a man of your word.
I admit, I'll review it with just a bit of prejudice.
And, I'll have no bad words as to it's inventor.
I have the plaster/lath test across the street. Metal studs and ceramic here. Drywall with nails and screws at the job I'm at now.
thanks!
Partial Test
The Studthud has been tested on Drywall with screws, nails, and Ceramic over Drywall with screws.
It worked finding the screws and nails behind both.
Admittedly, it found the metal of the fasteners and assuming they were in the center of the stud, then you knew where that center was. That would be the downside to any magnetic stud finder. However, in conjunction with the "mass" style sensor we all cuss about, it would give you a fighting chance at locating a stud or joist.
The Studthud has a convenient knob to hold on to and a laminate "shoe" that allows for easy no mar sliding around.
And it does "thud".................well, clicks, solidly-almost a thud. There's a way he's got the thudder so it retracts until it finds the metal fastener-then releases and "thuds"-even if you don't feel the magnetic attraction. This makes it better than the couple other magnet types on the market-or when you use an earth magnet-as you sweep it across the wall. You won't miss the magnetic attraction because of the thud or click. I think there's another very small pc. of metal up in the knob that "pulls" it back until it senses the metal in the wall. Whatever it is that pulls the magnet back up-It works.
This is just a quick take on the Studthud, no chance to try it on plaster/lath and those small headed lath nails and thick plaster. Hope to do that soon.
I did find it to thud on fasteners behind ceramic wall tile over 5/8's drywall. That's pretty impressive right there.
The major problem I had with it was in transport. It collected all the metal crap in my jacket pocket. And then the nail sets, washers and "other" that are in my daily pants pocket. But hey, if you ever want to know what's in that pocket-stick it in there and you'll find all the metal.
By the way.
I was wondering about what you are going to produce, and took a look at Hokuto's link. Interesting email exchange, as you filled me in on some of the steps taken in getting this device to production. I wonder if you couldn't explain how you came up with the variation on the sometimes used (just recently by me-after yrs of reading others experiences.............slow learner) earth magnet stud finder.
I happened to see one of those that's in this months mag at a box store around Christmas, it didn't seem very strong (I found some 5/8's board in the bathroom anteroom) when stud hunting (thinking there was metal studs in there). I passed
There's also been a couple "inventors" here and at the BTclassic site. Nice to see the rigamarole such a project entails. Maybe take a look at that angle too..
thanks.
Hi, yes I'm in Japan. I heard about the StudTHUD on another website, can't remember where. I doubt there would be a great market here for it. They do sell stud finders here, but not as widely as in the US. Houses aren't built the same way, and old habits die hard. This is just my guess, though. I'd like to pick up a StudTHUD the next time I'm in the states, assuming the price is right.
the StudTHUD
(duplicate message deleted)
stud finder
My wife she found me ,she can find me 50 miles away trough a brick wall
STUD finder, not SLUG finder.
What Calvin said
the electronic ones are not as reliable as a good magnet. The lath nails are easy to find with the magnet. the tips on looking at baseboard nails and outlet boxes also work. if handing a shelf, making a line of holes useng a small finish nail behind where the shelf will be works. I have this japanese thing which is basically a thin nail on a handle which also works if you can get between lath boards, really better on drywall but can be made to work.
I used to have a decent stud finder, about 15 years ago, but it quit working, and I haven't been able to find another good one.
Cow magnets
I have two "cow" magnets that I use.
They are 9/16-inch diameter, and about 3-1/2-inches long rare earth magnets. They sell them at feed stores to stuff down cows throats to catch any bits of metal they might eat, so the metal bits don't perforate their guts.
I hang one from the other, hold onto the top one and sweep them across the wall. The end of the bottom one will hang up when it is over a nail head.
They also work for locating the fasteners in hardwood floors. Just roll them across the floor slowly, and they will stop on the fastener.
I look for electrical wire with either a Zircon Multi Scanner Pro electric stud sensor, or the noncontact voltage sensor set to it's highest senistivity, and then drop the sensitivity if I get a strong reaction.
newest addition
Check out the newest edition of FHB - they have a great article on stud finders - how they actually work and then a follow-up article on tests of several types and brands. Hope this helps.
Mike
Thanks Mike, now all I have to do is to wait for the new issue to arrive in my mailbox.
Paul
CH Hanson has one at the Home Desperate for like five bucks that has two magnets on it. Wont find wires but if it grabs, you know that you found a stud, there aren't false positives or bad batteries to worry about. I bought two, one for work and one to keep around the house. And to think, I almost dropped $80 on one of those big noisy flashing whirleygigs!
Make sure you pick up the Studthud when it's out.
Works nice and better in my opinion than the chhanson as it signals you instead of just the grab feel as you swipe it around.
Haven't ever used one before. Couldn't tell you one way or the other. I take it you got that free one from the inventor and you liked it? Wow! That was fast!
yessir
I wrote up a preliminary review just above your prior post. Believe me, if nothing else, a good way to verify is to use the magnet.
Over Christmas shopping time I came across a "game" at the counter. First display I saw was a square plastic box that had what appeared to be a bunch of small bb's, formed in a cube. At another display, I saw that it was more like those old style key chains, the balls all connected like a string. However, when I grabbed onto it I found they were just magnetized bb's-evidently poled. I took a string of them and started marching around (with the clerk in tow) looking for some bare drywall..............................
Eventually saw the storeroom door and headed for that. I did ask as I entered the backroom "mind if I check back here for some bare board?"......................
Just inside the door I found the blank drywall-no product hanging. I took that magnetic string and dangled it over the wall, sweeping it back and forth..................eventually it 'caught' on a screw. No metal studs in this wall evidently.
That method worked great, let you sweep the wall a foot at a time, as soon as it sensed a screw, it hung up. However, since they bb's weren't mechanically connected, you sure as hell couldn't pocket that magnet. There'd be tiny magnetic balls stuck to every damn thing metal, zipper on the jacket, metal buttons, keys, belt buckle................you get the idea.
Yeah, my son got a set of those for Christmas. They're fascinating, and they tend to form a fairly tenacious chain. But they have the potential to get all over everywhere. (Imagine one that drops into the air vent of your circ saw, eg.)
They come with a severe warning to keep away from kids -- if swallowed they create a serious risk of bowel obstruction.
Hi.. I think Zircon studfinder can be used as a stud finder..But i don't say that it is the perfect one..And to be frank i am not actually happy with all the stud finders i have come across..They are good to use temporarily..
Stud Finders
For those of you who possess an older home, with plaster and wood lathe walls... I would highly recommend that you check out the "studTHUD" ( studthud.com ). This device will be available in the USA in 2012. Electronic stud finders do not work. They have difficulty with the density of the walls in older construction. The "studTHUD" utilizes strong, rare earth, neodymium magnets - in a clever arrangement to find the stud.
I had the pleasure of testing a prototype in my 1920's tudor revival. It found the location of the studs with very little effort, and without doing any damage to my walls. It works!
If you do pick up this device, and if your walls are wood lathe and plaster, I would caution you to sweep the "studTHUD" rather slowly ( about 1 inch per second ) and keep your eye on the moving magnet. Initially, I was missing the studs because I swept the "studTHUD" a bit too quickly. Once I slowed down, I began finding studs with ease. When it passes over a buried fastener, the magnet will move to the front of the device ( the limit of its travel )... but it may not move quickly enough to sound a "Thud".
Once you become familiar with its behavior, given the characteristics of your walls, you will quickly develop the most efficient technique for locating studs in your situation.