John, if you see this-I’ve been wondering what the story is with the sale of your framing finder? As you know, I gave mine to a friend, thinking it would be on the market soon. I’m looking for where I can go to pick one up.
thanks!
And, if you do find this post-I’d like to hear more about the process in taking an idea, developing it (like how you figured out the THUD part), selling it or finding a distributor…….. the whole sordid tale if you feel like it.
Thanks again.
Replies
Hey Cal.
Thanks for your interest in where things are at with my StudTHUD invention...long story.
You'll have to give me a day or two to address your questions. But first things first: what kind of "friend" borrows your StudTHUD and doesn't give it back?!
That could mean one of two things:
1. He really, really likes it!
2. He lost it.
I'll go with #1.
I'll mail one out to you tomorrow. I still have your address. The StudTHUD that I'll send to you, was NOT made in my garage like the last one, but instead came out of a real injection mold in a real factory! We're still refining the tooling but this one works just fine.
I'll come back to this thread ASAP.
Thanks again!
Thank you.
I'm very interested in the process. I've got to hand it to you, I don't think I'd be patient enough to pursue an idea through the trials and tribulations of bringing it to market.
All right, the replacement arrived...........
And I got the word from my borrowing buddy-can't find it.................
Didn't want to hear it and perhaps it'll turn up (fat chance as his tool area is rather scattered).
But since I've got the replacement, I guess it won't matter. Thanks.
Now, gimme the story on the background.
The stud finder that could...
Hi Cal,
Thanks for asking about how the StudTHUD came into existence. It was February 2008 and I had just bought yet another stud finder that left a lot to be desired. And this was an expensive one, like $50 expensive. It worked no better than anything else that I had purchased over the years. It was at that point that I had this fantastic idea---to come up with a great way to find studs that was fool proof. It was just a dream. I didn't have any idea as to how I would do it...I just knew, in theory, that if I could come up with a "better mouse trap" for all the people who hated their stud finders, well, I would make a lot of folks very, very happy.
The only thing I knew for sure is that it would be magnetic because I wanted it to find something tangible that would be undeniable proof of the extistance of the stud. No more smoke and mirrors. And definitely no more &$%$ batteries!
Well probably about summer of '08, I had something that came close to what was to become a "StudTHUD". It was a magnet that wacked the wall whenever it was rubbed over a screw in the wall. It was an ugly duckling, but it worked as "advertised". I didn't really care about asthetics. Those would be left to someone greater than me. All I cared about was functionality and ease of use.
At that point, I started thinking about what to call this "thing". Stud wacker? Stud knuckle? Stud banger? I'm sure you can see the problems with those names.
My wife offered up, "The Stud thud". I politely thanked her and thought to myself, "I can do better than that".
More to follow....
One potential problem with the magnetic-only approach is when you run into a job done by someone like me who used non-magnetic stainless steel screws and staples.
I would still like to see a real studthud in action, but in response to a previous question (last year), I have found a Japanese product that works on much the same principle; a strong rare-earth magnet that "clicks" when it finds a steel fastener. It's dimensionally quite different compared to the studthud (long and thin rather than short/stubby), but it also includes other features. I'm under pressure right now, but when I get some time I'll get some photographs and translate the op instructions.
Not to be a Debbie Downer but you are counting on the builder to have actually put the screw into the stud in the first place and not to just mudded over errant screws he didn't want to take out. Chances are your system will work most of the time but in some houses done yahoos it won't be anymore effective than the versions you hate. Also be interested in how you can determine if the screw is dead center on the stud or way left or way right and of course you also have the possibility that the screw or nail was put in at an angel rather than a presumed 90 degrees.
Any one who screws an angel should go to Hell.
screwed up the angle
good one.
And now I have two.........
The borrower must have located the loaned one and returned it . Probably stuck to something he didn't use till now.
That my friend is the only downside to that powerful magnet. Put it in your bag and you've got a whole lot of stuff when you pull it out.
It does serve a good purpose if you put it in your pocket. It'll eliminate the probablility of running all that steel through the wash.
But yesterday, it confirmed that there was a stud in the location I wanted to fasten a grab bar in a cultured marble over sheetrock shower stall. 1/2 inch CM panels over 1/2" board. Did just as you mentioned (and hadn't read the instruction manual)-located a stud up high (no CM), ran down and placed tape at each spot where it stuck to a screw (under the marble). Straightlined those spots and mounted the grab bar right w/o any hunt and peck. Would have been a bitch (as that is where the homowner had wanted it) to have found almost a stud and then tried to use the sure to work toggler that close to solid wood.
Thanks again.
cute little puppy?
okay. Now in English Calvin.
Are you saying that it worked as advertised. You lost me with that cute puppy stuff...
Please clarify : )
Sorry
the word filters here were putzed with.
so,
cute little puppy.....................is in reality the cover word for b.i.t. ch.
Comprende'
StudTHUD
now I see said the blind man
Actually it should be momma dog. They aren't the B workd until they whelp. And, roghly half of puppies are male.
Obviously, you are correct and for those of us in farm country the similar applies to the terms hefier, steer, cow and bull.....I can tell you from experience that wives who have given birth to their first child show very little humor over being called a cow even if it is a technically correct analogy.
studthud
okay children. no one loves potty talk more than I do but let's get back on topic. this thread is supposed to be about ME and MY invention :)
stainless fasteners
yeah, every now and then someone brings that up and I agree that the StudTHUD would be useless in such a case. But luckily, at least from my experience, installers stick with cheapo metal fasteners.
I am interested in hearing more about this other product that you say is similar...
Hi Debbie Downer,
I've missed seeing you on SNL. What a bummer. Wah wah.
But seriously folks, I agree with you about screws not always being in the exact center.
that's why you never just take the "thud" of one screw to mark the center of a stud. Since the StudTHUD is so fast and responsive to each and every screw, once you find one then you run it up and down to find all the other screws in rapid succession. From that you can easily get a feel for where the center is, kind of an average of all the screws.
As far as screws that don't make it into a stud at all, I hear this one all the time. I'm sure it does happen but the installer will really have to be a hack to not just take the screw out and try again because it's almost impossible to countersink the screw if it's not being pulled in by a stud.
And as far as screws being put in at an angle, that can also happen but chances are good that it will still register around the center of the stud.
Good questions thanks!
best stud finder
Cal,
That's so great to hear about how it found the stud under the marble! It just isn't possible to get that kind of accuracy and confidence with anything else.
We're shipping our very first order this month! 8000 of these things are going to Bunnings in Australia. That's their Home Depot.
Australia?
What's the hold up in this country?
StudTHUD debuts in the land down under
Good question!
Turns out that immediately after I demo'd it to them at the HW Show in May, they wanted to have the exclusive in all of Australia and New Zealand.
Shortly after that, they placed an order...without waiting for a factory sample. (I guess they really liked it).
Yet, despite all the interest from the stores in the USA, none of them would place an order, sight unseen. So as result of the (extra) long process to get to production, everyone in this country is still waiting for samples...which will come out of this batch that's being manufactured as we "speak".
I'm guessing that once these things start selling down there, word will travel fast...which hopefully will "fast forward" the demand here in the states.
This process ain't all that easy...
Well,
Nothing good is easy.
Keep me informed of the process.
So, at this pt. in time-I have the US beta?
man, what an honor.
StudTHUD
actually, the one that I just sent you (the clear one with the small disk), is the latest design that will be used on the next run (after australia's order ships). It works the best out of everything that I've come up with.
I'd say that you're 1 of maybe 5 people in the world that have that version. It will be called the "Pro" meaning that works on just about every kind of construction (I don't think it'll be of any use on metal lath though).
The other version will be called the "SR" which is for sheetrock and tile over sheetrock.
Magnets went up by a factor of 3 since this time last year so I had to go back and redesign it so that we could offer it in 2 flavors to be able to make the profit margins work.
Once these 2 models are up and running then I'll start working on getting the next 3 models going.
So yes, you should feel honored : )
(my pleasure Cal)
So
What is the difference in the makeup of the two?
I have not had them side by side, but now you give me the idea I should-compare and contrast.
I did know that the first had a disc of laminate on the bottom, the next did not.
StudTHUD Pro vs SR
The Pro has stronger magnets than the SR.
The SR wouldn't have been able to find studs under 1/2" of cultured marble.
The one that you have that has laminate was made in my garage by yours truly..
The one that I just sent you was made in an injection mold in Shanghai.
So John
I would like you to give info to the poster above on your NEW STUDPOP that I received recently. He might be a potential customer-unless the TV did fall off and he is no more..............
Fill in the blanks from the original to the new.
thanks!
Whatever you do, don't sign an exclusive deal with Sears. They've screwed over several inventors.
no exclusives
There won't be any exclusives in this country.
Thank you, you helped a lot.
I use a stack of 5 one inch rare earth magnets as a stud finder, doesn't make a noise but it works great, I find the top edge of the baseboard a good place to start on lath and plaster walls where the nails are covered with plaster.
matt
I've found one of those to be enough hanging onto lath nails. 5 and I imagine you've got some nicked fingers. Those magnets are a drag when they flip over.
First time I pulled the card out of the package I'd thought I dropped a brick on my fingers.
Bur,
Whatever method works, including knuckle wrapping.
Studthud
Hello I'm from upper Darby pa. And I was trying to hang my flat screen on the bedroom wall but as soon as I hung it ,it almost fell off ,I'm so sick and tired of all these so called stud finders ,so I was wondering where could I purchase a studthud ,I really need one bad. I'm willing to pay for shipping and the cost please let me know if there's anywhere I can purchase one
sincerely
greg Manier 114 Oakley road
uppper Darby pa 19082
StudTHUD update 6-30-12
Hi Greg,
Since you've awakened this thread, I might as well bring everyone up to date as to the where abouts of the afore mentioned StudTHUD. Unfortunately the manufacturer I signed an agreement with almost 2 years ago, turned out to be...well let's just say, not as capable as they led me to believe. If and when I can separate myself from this contract, I will be turning the mfg over to a factory in the USA. No more China for this bad boy. Sorry everyone.
John
John
What a kick in the pants.
Best of luck on redoing the operation.
Satisfied user of the studthud!
stud finders that go bump
I just re-read all of my posts in this 3 year old thread regarding the studthud. Holy cr*p. Looking back on all of my false hopes for success with that thing, it's no wonder I didn't hang myself. It never had a chance to achieve the success that it should have.
It's only because of the Big Guy upstairs (not you Cal), that I was able to extract myself from that nightmare and rebuild from scratch...this time, on my own, funded by selling "them" full rights to the ST. At least it was good for something other than sleepless nights.
Trusting no one and determined to get it right this time, I basically became a one man show. I did all of the design, 3D modeling and CAD. I then hooked up with a very local plastics house (10 minutes away) and had them cut the molds.
We agreed on a bartering agreement where I repaired his EPDM roof and his CNC machine in exchange for his labor to bring my molds on line.
In October the first mold was ready to make parts. I learned how to run the injection press and went to town trying every color under the rainbow. I then went rogue and started playing around with PVC and managed to blow up the machine. It's not as bad as it sounds. PVC doesn't like to be melted and just made to sit in the injection tube. It builds up extreme chlorine gas pressure and pops like a gigantic balloon. That was scary. Luckily I was 20' away. I was warned about PVC exploding but I failed to heed the warning.
The second mold was ready to make parts early December.
I've finally achieved my dream of getting my invention to the market place. I put it on Amazon a little before Christmas. I admit that I was very naive about the sales volume that I would achieve. I thought that I'd be selling 1000's on day one. What a nut.
I just finished bringing an old injection machine on line; I had to hook it up to 208VAC 3 ph, cooling for the hydraulics, etc. I've almost got it ready. I can't believe that he's letting me have my very own injection machine!
People from all over the country are buying them (no they're not friends or relatives). Just random people so I guess the word is getting out there. It just takes time.
The next issue of This Old House is going to do a feature article on the studpop so I'm hoping that it will help to put us on the map.
In the interest of following forum rules, I'll refrain from shameless self promotion and will NOT be publishing the URL here.
Did I mention that it's called the studpop?
John
After that story with the explosions and all............
I'll put up the link
STUDPOP
Good luck!
Good luck with your studpop.
The first "studfinder" I ever saw was my Dad putting a rare earth magnet in a clear 35mm film canister. I still have it.
Took several polymer science courses in college and ran and troubleshot injection molding machines during one of my summer jobs. Ah, the good ole days.
Hey!
I just read your most recent post and upon replying to it……
It’s gone.
I hope you come back and reAppear so we can continue this conversation.