Which stud finder would you recommend?

Hi @Old-gal24

My apologies for being late to the discussion, I love your plant collection by the way! You just rest and recover and when you feel up to it we'll be right here waiting for you. I understand how frustrating it is when you are trying to look for a timber stud in the wall. A traditional technique my grandfather showed me was to use strong magnets to locate the plasterboard nails in the wall.

However, in this instance, I suggest getting some Everhang 18mm Round Rare Earth Magnets. Please remember to gently handle the magnets and never let them snap back together with force or they will crack in half. I recommend putting some masking tape on them with a bit of extra so that you can drag it along the wall.

Once you locate the first head you can then guesstimate where the next stud will be and the likely location of the nail pattern on that stud. Mark each spot you locate with a pencil and you'll notice the pattern the builder used to fix the plasterboard to the wall.

Eric

All comments

Jason

Hi @Old-gal24,

Can you please tell us a little more about why the stud finders you have used have not been reliable? Is there something unusual about the construction of your house?

Let me also tag @MitchellMc for his thoughts.

Thanks,

Jason

Hi @Old-gal24,

Using and becoming familiar with your stud finder can be a bit of an art. If you run into issues, it is pretty frustrating, as you can't see behind the wall to know what's going on.

Many units have a calibration mode. This sets the plaster's density and gives the unit a constant. When it travels over a denser material, like your timber stud, it senses it and alerts you. If you accidentally calibrate your unit over a stud, it won't detect studs or anything in the wall, for that matter. Additionally, if there are pipes or cables in the area, it can become all the more confusing. It's essential to read the manual and follow it exactly.

The best way to get used to your stud detector is by finding a location where you know a stud is present. Often you'll see a row of clouts holding the plaster to it. You can then practise locating and marking either side of the stud. This will help you get familiar with the unit. You can then move on to finding a stud where you don't know its location.

Of course, this isn't to say all stud finds are perfect, and they can have their faults or misreadings. I'd suggest you go with this Ozito 50mm Stud Detector since you haven't had much luck with Stanley and Ryobi. Follow the instructions and perform any necessary calibration steps before locating studs. If you get weird results or it's showing no studs anywhere, recalibrate on a different area.

If you fail to get the expected results, post back here, and I can run you through the steps and calibration. We'll have you spotting studs in no time, even if it means me running out and grabbing one so we can work it out together.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Hi Jason,

Ummm maybe it's the nut behind the wheel here... Standard Brick /timber frame home, just seem to have odd distances between studs in some parts of the house, or so I've discovered so far... House is approx. 25-30 years old from what I've been able to find.

Anything else I can let you know, please ask..

Old timer here remember.. 🙂

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Super keen to help you out with this @Old-gal24. Let me know if you'd like to work with the same detector together. I'm sure many of our members would also like to know how to use a stud detector, so it would likely be a great article we could put together.

Mitchell

@MitchellMc & @Jason

Basically I just ran the three I tried over the wall slowly, until lights came on or flashed.. I tried a Ryobi one that my SIL lent me, lightly tapped a v-small nail into the area. No go - went right through the gyprock. 🙁

Did much the same with a Stanley and I think the other one was an old Bosh.. Non were 100%.

I have also tried the tapping on the wall method.

The magnet method - don't think my magnet was strong enough.

Gently tapping small nails into the wall after tapping, in the hope that I hit a stud.

The last room to be added onto the house *(also prior to my purchase) I got a retired builder to help me put in upper cabinets and I ended up with 100's of holes all over that same wall, as the studs weren't the same distance apart. Which was very frustrating to say the least.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Old-gal24

@MitchellMc

Thank you Michell,

I did look at the Ozito ones, BUT there was so much negative feed back on them that I thought I would steer clear.

Back to the drawing board I think.

Cheers

Old-gal24

Hi @Old-gal24,

You'll likely find a bit of negative feedback on all brands and types of stud finders. By nature, they can be quite tricky to use, and if they don't give the expected reading, it's easiest to blame the machine. I've done this myself, so I understand how frustrating it can be, especially when you find a ghost stud and it then disappears and reappears. The number one reason I've come across relating to a machine not functioning correctly is that they weren't calibrated according to instructions. Very rarely, if ever, have I come across a machine that did not work at all. If you can't recall going through a calibration step with the machines you've used, this might be the case with some of the issues you've experienced. I've added the Ozito's calibration steps below. Note that the machine needs to be calibrated every 60 seconds in order to reduce errors. If this calibration is not completed, you might as well use the machine as a hammer to knock on the wall to find the stud. You'd get better results from that than running it un-calibrated. 😂

Do you have any stud detectors that I could help you troubleshoot at the moment?

Mitchell

Oh, I thought I'd mention that your experience with the builder is similar to a story my mother likes to tell. She offered free accommodation to my uncle in exchange for his carpentry services when renovating her first home. She came home from work one day, and nothing much had been done since the previous day. She found my uncle sitting back, having a beer in the lounge room. On seeing her, he jumped up, whipped out his hammer, and started whacking the plaster as he walked down the wall. She exclaimed, "What the hell are you doing? You're damaging the wall!", his response was, "I'm looking for the studs, don't worry, the plasterer will take care of the dents.". She was the plasterer and was furious. Let's just say his time there was short spent.

Mitchell

@MitchellMc

Thank you so very much for such an informative reply. I think you may have just saved me a lot of time and money.

To be totally honest the ones I have used were borrowed ones. Till your email I'd never heard of having to calibrate Stud finders. I may just have another go at borrowing my Son in laws one (SIL ) and see how I go prior to purchasing one..

As I said I only want to put up some shelves, but I want to get it right. I don't want to as you said, use the Stud finder as a hammer.. BUT I have totally thought of using it that way...

I find it extremely frustrating in my area to get reliable tradespeople, hence learning how to do so many things myself.

If I don't borrow SIL I will go and purchase the Ozito one as I like most of their products, more so if it's not something that's going to be used each day. If I purchase something for me regular use I'm more inclined to go with Ryobi.

Once again thank you so very much...

Oldgal-24

Kind-a funny story.. was he your mothers brother? Your Uncle that is? or Brother in law?

I guess I've been rather spoilt, till the past two years, hence my lack of confidence.

I had my uncle = Jack of all trades, master of ALL... he was my Mentor, if ever in doubt with ANYTHING, I would call and ask him, (Him in Melbourne, me, NSW Dubbo/Tamworth) and pick his brains. When my Aunt passed away he would come up and stay with me for the Winters. 80+ at the time, I would get so much done. Just with his sheer presence. He gave me the confidence to have a go at anything.

Sadly he's been gone 2 years now and I struggle to just get in and have a go like I would before. He was my ROCK.. I miss him, his kind manner and supportive nature...

He was my father's brother.

We're here for you, Old-gal24. Let me know if you purchase the Ozito, and I'll run up to my local Bunnings, grab one, and we'll do this together.

Mitchell

@MitchellMc

Will do for sure. Later in the week. I'm blessed my Local Bunnings is only 1km by rd..

Old-gal24

Sorry @MitchellMc & @Jason have been super crook the past few weeks and just haven't got to Bunnings. Will try again in the next few days..

Old-gal24

Hi @Old-gal24

Eric

Hello Eric @EricL

My darling uncle used this method, I'm sure of it.. and he was always so very accurate with his work.

Thank you - I didn't know where to purchase these magnet, I'd tried using some I had in my craft supplies, without much success.

Cheers

This Old-gal

Hello @Old-gal24

Unfortunately, standard magnets are just not strong enough to catch the heads of the plasterboard nails. You'll need to use Everhang 18mm Round Rare Earth Magnets, they are much stronger and must be handled with care. They are usually located in the hardware department, just mention the name of the product to one of the helpful team members at your local store and they'll be able to lead you to it.

Eric

@EricL

Thank you for your update and helpful information. Have to head to Bunnies tomorrow so will get some ..

I would love to install a floating shelf. BUT I think it's going to be too long/big. Then add the weight of the plants..

Old-gal24

Hi @Old-gal24

Show us the shelf you're interested in and we'll offer some recommendations on whether it's ideal for plants or not.

Eric

Noyade

Good morning @Old-gal24

My house was built in '47 - dunno how many renovations it had before we purchased it, but some walls have a double layer of gyprock and with fibro for good measure. Possibly close to 25mm in thickness. I gave up electronic stud-finders years ago. I'm with @EricL on this - super earth magnets. They need to be seen to be believed.

I didn't know Bunnings sold them - thanks Eric. I purchased mine from Jaycar for $29 and being unfamiliar with them nearly took a piece of skin off a finger when they came together. In the foreground is a Kmart (ordinary magnet) nail/screw indicator. When I took this photo it kept getting attracted by the super magnets - like the power of a Black-hole.

My only concern with this method - is did the plasterer or renovator position the nail/screw dead centre in the stud.

But once the earth-magnet detects a screw or nail head within the gyprock - the holding power is truly impressive.

@Noyade @EricL

Thank you so much for your reply and pictures... YOU have me sold.

I am off to Bunnings in the morning... I have be procrastinating for far too long over putting up shelves. Even to the stage I was going to hire someone with a building background to put the shelves up.. As I have 5 rooms in all that I would like to put shelves up in.

This home isn't nearly as old as yours but my previous one was and much like yours by the sound of it, had many add ons to increase the size of the home.. I got caught putting up a shelf to put loo paper on and came in a few hours later to find the shelf sitting on the loo and TWO great big holes in the gyprock... 🙁 I was so disappointed, but also gun shy.. certainly didn't want that to happen again. Then this home, a room added on I was making into a craft rm for my disabled daughter and self and much the same.. So hired a retired builder to help me install the upper cupboards. The studs were all over the place.. he kept knocking small nails till he found a stud... guess who was left with patching up and repainting the dozens and dozens of small holes? Yes me!

He started off with a stud finder.. Stanley, then a Ryobi. I also borrowed one of my SIL = son in law and had the same issues. So now I am terrified of making more unnecessary holes in my walls. I would also dearly like to hang some plants from the ceiling and that terrifies me even more... Hence my reason for asking about STUD finders in the first place.

Sorry I've waffled yet again.

Thank you for your input and pictures, @Noyade this is my go to place for advice.

More so since my dearest support person *(my uncle) passed away a few years back, as he was my bible, my go to for any kind of maintenance. I miss him and his never ending wealth of knowledge, he gave me the confidence to do so very much and getting to my age most of my uncle type support folks have passed..

Kind regards

This Old-gal 🙂

RenoRach1

Very happy with my Ozito stud finder. I'm in a Queenslander with VJ walls - the Ozito hasn't missed a beat...or a stud.

Noyade

Morning @Old-gal24

"BUT there was so much negative feed back on them that I thought I would steer clear."

I had a look at the reviews and noticed Alex who says to look at the video - for proof they don't work.

So I looked at it. But I'm not sure if Alex is saying the 'nose' of the 'flying wing' is meant to represent the centre of the stud - or it's a signal strength indicator for the approaching stud? Because as the finder continues to move right - I'm sure I see a 'shadow' appear which is meant to show the stud's thickness?

And is there some parallax error in the video?

Is that a single fibro sheet for the demonstration?

What does concern me is the nail/screw(?) so far to the right of the stud - that would upset the magnet method.

The mighty Northrop Flying Wing.

@Noyade @EricL @RenoRach1

Very interesting - BUT confusing to say the least... Thank you @RenoRach1 @MitchellMc I have purchase the magnets and going with that method to start with, BUT due to some health and family issues, my shelves have had to be put on hold. More than likely won't get to them till the new year the way things are going. 🙁

Thank you for all the input, greatly appreciated.

Old~gal

RenoRach1

All the best @Old-gal24 with the health and family issues. Life can be tough, can’t it? Look after yourself first and foremost - your shelves can wait! Take care.
R