Struggling to find studs with multiple stud finders, any tips or recommendations for successful detection?
Asked by Juan Carlos Llamas 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 31, 2024
Hey, how do you go about finding studs in the wall? I’ve tried three different types of stud finders and none of them seem to do the trick.
Are you in need of plaster or drywall?
Great tool for locating nails or screws easily.
Familiarity with framing and hands-on practice
I use a combination of this stud finder (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0195K8OT4/) and this magnet (https://a.co/d/9mfTviV) for the job.
https://youtu.be/aQPD0Kp96Dc?si=_Zbmdda2z8_MTc4-
I felt much better after watching this video and realizing I’m not the only one struggling with using a stud finder like a pro from the get-go.
Thanks for sharing this video, !
Every time I put in a new electrical box, I manage to locate a stud right in the center.
What material are your walls constructed from? Locating studs in plaster can be quite a challenge.
If you prefer the Easy Mode, consider using Wallabot. Otherwise, rely on a magnet and familiarize yourself with the general framing guidelines mentioned earlier. However, keep in mind that modern builders and subcontractors may get a bit creative. How good are you at using your knuckles? 😄
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Needs should check out a new bar instead
Oh, that’s just a classic dad joke! I’m not really into going to bars anyways.
I wish I had purchased this 20 years ago. It’s way better than anything I’ve used before.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0195K8OT4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Matt Liam, I totally agree with you. I’ve had issues with stud finders too. Most of them are useless, but this one actually works. It has sensors all along its width, which makes it really easy to identify what you’re scanning.
Hey Matt Liam, do you know if it can tell the difference between studs, PVC, and electrical wiring?
Matt Liam As a carpentry contractor, I rely solely on Franklin now.
Matt Liam This is absolutely the most dependable solution! As a general contractor, I can vouch for its accuracy. My house has lathe and plaster, yet I can locate studs effortlessly with it every time. It can even detect double or triple stud configurations.
No
I usually go with a hammer. Sometimes I get lucky on the first try, other times it takes a few attempts.
It depends on how old the house is. For houses with plaster and wood lath, the spacing between studs can vary. In older houses, studs are mostly in the 30’s whereas in modern construction, studs are typically 16″ on center. To find a stud, gently drive a finish nail into the wall until you hit one – you’ll feel it. Then measure 16″ from there to locate the next stud, and continue the pattern. The holes made by finish nails are easy to hide.
Try using an ice pick. Poke along the baseboard, when you find the first one, measure 24 inches over to locate the next one. If it’s not at 24 inches, it should be 16 inches away.
You could grab a hammer and tap on the wall until you hear a change in sound, if all else fails, once you locate one, the others should be 16 inches apart.
Short skirts are effective.
I tap the wall to hear where the echo lessens. After that, I use the smallest drill bit I have to drill in a hidden spot.
Magnet
A neodymium magnet is very effective.
Head to the bar! Haha
Your chances of finding some interesting people might depend on how many drinks you’ve had at the bar
Maybe starting with something that’s not cheap would be a good idea?
So, there’s a stud on one side or the other of an electrical outlet. You can pull out over 16 inches and locate another one. The stud finder beeps when you reach the edge of a stud. When it beeps, make a pencil mark. Then move over 3/4 inch in the same direction to find the center of the stud. Mark the center and then move 16 inches in either direction to relocate the center.
Is completely false. How about those old work boxes?
My go-to technique is tapping with my knuckles
Have you tried running the stud finder along your chest while your wife is around and saying “the stud finder is working!”? Because if you skipped that part, your stud finder might not work correctly.
Hey , a lady created this message
Hey , you are truly a gem for the nation
Locate a single item, 16 inches apart
Well in that situation, she should definitely test it out on her husband!
It happens every time. Without fail.
I think it’s necessary for proper use of a stud finder. Maybe check the manual, but let’s be real – men never read instructions anyway.
My wife could tell you, she’s the one who discovered me
Have you tried the stub buddy magnet tool?
In my experience, Zircon is definitely the least effective tool I’ve come across
Are you currently residing in an older home? And which wall specifically are you focusing on?
Just rap on the wall with your knuckles and you’ll hear it
Used a 16 penny nail and a hammer once👌🏼
One day, I had this in my back pocket and accidentally got stuck to a metal door…. https://www.amazon.com/CH-Hanson-03040-Magnetic-Finder/dp/B000IKK0OI/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2BR832TPLMKO8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yQ_hwxU4yYvpXDNW–OOlHNmUuRpdgyJ_bqsg6NYyVojKzNh3o252pv_X3_n99dXkYM2xIHRdCOr6h7OaB6nQqE37gLF_8H-3wAausHY3uG7EwrY-0G8QrMNcwpRrpAMy-UrDXJDVrtE3MzyAfRNsUulFJWmv83pVPUDFG4gWwmuVZti-tgSAD-aBR5PMn2kUDgua_x0U1yNd52SjeDtXQTBxNGaOkzOxx6PchkhDCAIUsqUz0XfFe2pQYclx-JCO9DQVJVLAx3Rkteniv0_ffTrY3sQzZX_zSzKvmzdc7E.QUlATGp1TIn4qPXiuap-1Nuo4GKee8o7pbYTdq3gCPA&dib_tag=se&keywords=magnetic%2Bstud%2Bfinder&qid=1707883116&sprefix=magnetic%2Bstud%2Bfinde%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-9&th=1
They always beep when I’m nearby.
Haha
You can tap on the wall to find the stud in the drywall, then insert a screw to confirm its location. If you hit a stud, measure 16 inches to find the next one. If you don’t hit a stud, measure 24 inches instead.
Just use a magnet to find the screw and mark it – that’s where your stud is.
Franklin outperforms Zircon by a long shot.
I typically just check myself out in the mirror.
Honestly, I recommend getting a Franklin sensor stud finder. You can easily find them on Amazon. They really are the top choice.
Give the wall a tap with a hammer. If it sounds solid, that’s a stud. If it sounds hollow, there’s no stud there.
I recommend that someone else operate the stud finder. It causes interference when I try to use it myself.
Did you break it?
I already discovered one. He sleeps right beside me.
Check out this cool Magnetic stud finder at: https://a.co/d/7VmE3aa
It’s been very inconsistent for me 🙁 quite unreliable at times
Have you tried scanning the wall in a v pattern like vvvv? It’s not just a one-time pass. The stud buddy is the most reliable stud finder I’ve ever used.
How old is your house? I find monkey hooks really useful 🙂
Franklin.
Once you locate one, you can use it to find the rest as long as they are evenly spaced.
Stud finder with magnets
You can use a magnet to locate the screws or alternatively, check next to an outlet to locate the stud. Then, measure in increments of 16 inches to confirm.
I’ve had success using fridge magnets on the wall in my 1980s house
It seems like you’re dealing with plaster and lath walls. Regular stud finders might not do the trick. Using magnets can be hit or miss. When you do locate a stud, they are typically 24″ apart. At least initially. If your walls aren’t multiples of 24″, things can get more complicated. I was covering a plaster wall with skim coat to make it smoother, so the small holes I drilled were easy to patch. I made a note of where the studs were in relation to the doorframes.
I prefer using a magnet to locate the screw heads.
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By tapping on the wall with your fingers, you should be able to find them quite easily. Make sure to tap with some force. The sections without wood backing will produce a hollow sound. Once you locate one, they are typically spaced 16 inches apart throughout the rest of the wall.