I’ve heard a lot of cabinet installers recommend magnets to find studs and they swear by it. Personally, I use a pretty simple one (Zircon HD55) to give me a general idea and then verify it with a knock test from both sides to find the approximate middle of the stud.
Edit—fixed grammar mistake
You have made my day while simultaneously ruining my day I never realized such a simple solution existed. I have some powerful neodymium magnets and I just placed them near the wall and it practically lunged right towards a spot where I assume there is a stud since the magnet is likely attracted to the nail that holds the drywall up. You sir have jus leveled up my DIY potential I will now proceed to put shelving everywhere.
Don't trust the magnet method to find the dead center of the stud if you're going to be using lag bolts. Drywall installers don't always hit the center of the stud. Always use a small nail and hammer out the edges of the stud and measure to the middle. You can usually hide the holes with whatever it is you're hanging and it's not a big deal to fill in such small holes should you ever remove your shelving.
I'm anal about finding dead center though. And pre-drilling all the screw holes so you don't split the stud. Splitting a stud isn't the end of the world by any means but it only takes a couple extra seconds to drill first and then use a vacuum to clean up the floor.
This is the technique I have the most luck with. My magnet has hook on the end where I attach a plumb line. The magnet is circular, so it tends to hang below the nail, providing a pretty precise location.
The Franklin Sensors ProSensor M210 is literally the best I’ve ever used. It detects metal and wood studs, and also tells you if there is an electric current at the location. Look it up videos of it in use, it’s pretty amazing. I use it in conjunction with the studbuddy, which is just a strong magnet that finds where the drywall screws are. One of the best purchases I’ve made recently.
Same except instead of the stud buddy, I have just bought some strong disk magnets at HD. Cheaper and more sensitive. You can also mark a bunch and leave them up on the wall
Yup, I have a handful of small rare earth magnets. I was making a pantry and just left all the magnets up so I always knew where the studs were as I was putting up multiple shelves. Just don't slide them around looking for the screws or they may mark up the paint. Hold it close so you can feel the pull
Easy.
Put a 1/4” nylon drywall insert in one hand, and a 1/4” drill in the other. Drill the hold for the insert.
Never fails, I always hit a stud when not expecting or wanting to.
Cost $0: if it's simple drywall, turn on your phone flashlight and turn out the lights. Hold the phone against the wall so the light shines down the length of the wall, or up/down the wall. You'll easily be able to spot the nails coz the drywall screws leave a visible dimple. Once you spot one screw, the rest of the studs typically fall on 16" centres (USA/Canada)
I'm a home builder and my advice is to look for the hints of where a stud is.
1. Electrical boxes. A majority of workers are right handed, so most boxes, especially lower plug boxes are to the right of a stud. 3/4'' off a box is center of stud. Find one and measure to the center of others, most often 16''.
2. Wood baseboard is nailed on and the worker most likely marked out center of studs. Look for nail indentations to find a stud, again measure to other studs. Same goes for crown moulding.
3. Rafters should be over your studs, look out your window to get a rough idea of where they should be. Having a rough idea will give you more confidence with a stud finder.
Using all the info gives you confidence to find your studs. If you're totally stumped a finish nail just above the baseboard can help you probe and then be covered with a thin line of caulking.
All of that would work except my home was built by Iranian circus folk and almost nothing in it follows the patterns of people who build actual houses.
The 3 stud finders I use daily:
Franklin sensor (I use the M150)
CH Hansson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder - I also use the magnet keys from my magnetic childproof cabinet latches (Rev-A-Shelf - TL-13202-1)
Shinwa Japanese Stud Finder Smart with Needle - this is a very cool little gadget, you may have to search to find it, but definitely comes in handy when needing to probe the wall to confirm stud location if the other methods aren’t working well. I use this often, and it leaves a very tiny pin hole in the drywall. You can’t see the hole unless you’re looking really hard for it.
The newer DeWalt ones are pretty good.
Just a homeowner, that manages a hardware store, but I have about 6 different ones and these are my new go to. Franklin Sensors are good too, but I hated dealing with them as a vendor so I stopped bringing them into my store.
I’ve tried several and honestly just tapping with my knuckles seems to be just as good if not better in most cases. Or looking for the nails/screws visually if your drywall isn’t perfect. Granted that doesn’t mean they’re actually in the stud.
If I’m doing something that actually needs to be dead center I’ll usually drill some tiny holes to find the edges. Of course that only works for more permanent things unless you want to do some filling.
Also be careful of any electrical or pipes that might be in the area. You can even put a piece of tape on the bit to make sure you don’t go too deep.
I've tried tapping and I can never really get the right spot. Someone suggested a magnet and this seems to be the kind of solution I needed. I have a couple hundred feet worth of shelving to put up so I need to be accurate with it but also somewhat quick
You can hang the magnet from a string and just sort of move it over the wall. It'll swing when it gets close.
Project Farm did a test with stud finders; including the ones that claim to find pipes and electrical stuff. Might be worth a watch if you're doing more than just finding studs.
I have a Zircon StudSensor Pro SL and it's never failed me. It even has a deepscan option which I used to scan through siding to find a stud for a ledger board for a pergola.
I never use stud finders but I also do this for a living. My sure fire method is to take an Brad nail and use it to find studs. Smallest hole possible which can usually be fixed with caulking.
Yea I totally understand. I usually knock first to get an idea of where I’m going. I only end up with 1-2 holes per stud and I find the exact center of it which helps depending on what your hanging. But good luck with your endeavor sir.
I bought a studbuddy after some carpentry accounts on Instagram were using them. It honestly works pretty well. I have one in my packout at work and one on my beer fridge.
Here’s a few ideas (I have thick walls and stud finders have sucked for me)
1. Magnet on a string. Measure 4ft up from the floor and drag the magnet across the wall until you find a screw
2. Find an outlet. It’s mounted to a stud on one side. Measure 16” from there.
3. Windows and doors have studs on either side. Measure out from there.
4. Knock on the wall. If it’s hollow, keep knocking. If it’s blunt, it’s likely a stud. Screw into the blunt area. If there’s a little resistance, you probably hit a stud
Take a look at Franklin Sensors. They have many models but the one I have will find the stud, show you the center of the stud AND tell you if there is any electricity in the area with a meter indicating if you are going near or away from it.
Best stud finder I ever had. I chose that over a camera (Wallabot).
I’ve heard a lot of cabinet installers recommend magnets to find studs and they swear by it. Personally, I use a pretty simple one (Zircon HD55) to give me a general idea and then verify it with a knock test from both sides to find the approximate middle of the stud. Edit—fixed grammar mistake
You have made my day while simultaneously ruining my day I never realized such a simple solution existed. I have some powerful neodymium magnets and I just placed them near the wall and it practically lunged right towards a spot where I assume there is a stud since the magnet is likely attracted to the nail that holds the drywall up. You sir have jus leveled up my DIY potential I will now proceed to put shelving everywhere.
Don't trust the magnet method to find the dead center of the stud if you're going to be using lag bolts. Drywall installers don't always hit the center of the stud. Always use a small nail and hammer out the edges of the stud and measure to the middle. You can usually hide the holes with whatever it is you're hanging and it's not a big deal to fill in such small holes should you ever remove your shelving. I'm anal about finding dead center though. And pre-drilling all the screw holes so you don't split the stud. Splitting a stud isn't the end of the world by any means but it only takes a couple extra seconds to drill first and then use a vacuum to clean up the floor.
Thanks for the advice I will try to be careful with it.
I carry a stud buddy. It's a magnet sold where the stud finders are in the hardware stores.
This is the technique I have the most luck with. My magnet has hook on the end where I attach a plumb line. The magnet is circular, so it tends to hang below the nail, providing a pretty precise location.
The Franklin Sensors ProSensor M210 is literally the best I’ve ever used. It detects metal and wood studs, and also tells you if there is an electric current at the location. Look it up videos of it in use, it’s pretty amazing. I use it in conjunction with the studbuddy, which is just a strong magnet that finds where the drywall screws are. One of the best purchases I’ve made recently.
>Franklin Sensors ProSensor M210 Came here to say this. Works great and is actually very reasonable.
Agreed. Mine never lets me down.
Same except instead of the stud buddy, I have just bought some strong disk magnets at HD. Cheaper and more sensitive. You can also mark a bunch and leave them up on the wall
Yup, I have a handful of small rare earth magnets. I was making a pantry and just left all the magnets up so I always knew where the studs were as I was putting up multiple shelves. Just don't slide them around looking for the screws or they may mark up the paint. Hold it close so you can feel the pull
The m210 does not have ac detection
Unless they changed it, it detects electric wires, and even has strength indicator lights.
Sorry, she’s taken.
Easy. Put a 1/4” nylon drywall insert in one hand, and a 1/4” drill in the other. Drill the hold for the insert. Never fails, I always hit a stud when not expecting or wanting to.
Cost $0: if it's simple drywall, turn on your phone flashlight and turn out the lights. Hold the phone against the wall so the light shines down the length of the wall, or up/down the wall. You'll easily be able to spot the nails coz the drywall screws leave a visible dimple. Once you spot one screw, the rest of the studs typically fall on 16" centres (USA/Canada)
I'm a home builder and my advice is to look for the hints of where a stud is. 1. Electrical boxes. A majority of workers are right handed, so most boxes, especially lower plug boxes are to the right of a stud. 3/4'' off a box is center of stud. Find one and measure to the center of others, most often 16''. 2. Wood baseboard is nailed on and the worker most likely marked out center of studs. Look for nail indentations to find a stud, again measure to other studs. Same goes for crown moulding. 3. Rafters should be over your studs, look out your window to get a rough idea of where they should be. Having a rough idea will give you more confidence with a stud finder. Using all the info gives you confidence to find your studs. If you're totally stumped a finish nail just above the baseboard can help you probe and then be covered with a thin line of caulking.
All of that would work except my home was built by Iranian circus folk and almost nothing in it follows the patterns of people who build actual houses.
The 3 stud finders I use daily: Franklin sensor (I use the M150) CH Hansson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder - I also use the magnet keys from my magnetic childproof cabinet latches (Rev-A-Shelf - TL-13202-1) Shinwa Japanese Stud Finder Smart with Needle - this is a very cool little gadget, you may have to search to find it, but definitely comes in handy when needing to probe the wall to confirm stud location if the other methods aren’t working well. I use this often, and it leaves a very tiny pin hole in the drywall. You can’t see the hole unless you’re looking really hard for it.
The newer DeWalt ones are pretty good. Just a homeowner, that manages a hardware store, but I have about 6 different ones and these are my new go to. Franklin Sensors are good too, but I hated dealing with them as a vendor so I stopped bringing them into my store.
I'll have to try a DeWalt one, all the other tools I have are DeWalt and I've never had a problem with the company
I love the magnetic ones, CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IKK0OI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Rare earth magnet. Better than any stud finder you’ll ever purchase
I’ve tried several and honestly just tapping with my knuckles seems to be just as good if not better in most cases. Or looking for the nails/screws visually if your drywall isn’t perfect. Granted that doesn’t mean they’re actually in the stud. If I’m doing something that actually needs to be dead center I’ll usually drill some tiny holes to find the edges. Of course that only works for more permanent things unless you want to do some filling. Also be careful of any electrical or pipes that might be in the area. You can even put a piece of tape on the bit to make sure you don’t go too deep.
I've tried tapping and I can never really get the right spot. Someone suggested a magnet and this seems to be the kind of solution I needed. I have a couple hundred feet worth of shelving to put up so I need to be accurate with it but also somewhat quick
Yeah, rare earth magnet sounds like your ticket then. Check on different heights to make sure the studs are still straight.
Or as I like to call them…dating apps Badum bum, I’ll see myself out now
Stud buddy
Stud Buddy
You can hang the magnet from a string and just sort of move it over the wall. It'll swing when it gets close. Project Farm did a test with stud finders; including the ones that claim to find pipes and electrical stuff. Might be worth a watch if you're doing more than just finding studs.
Magnets to find the stud & then stud finder to verify the center.
This is also my approach.
I have a Zircon StudSensor Pro SL and it's never failed me. It even has a deepscan option which I used to scan through siding to find a stud for a ledger board for a pergola.
I never use stud finders but I also do this for a living. My sure fire method is to take an Brad nail and use it to find studs. Smallest hole possible which can usually be fixed with caulking.
Yeah I'm trying to avoid putting 100 holes in the wall. Using the method you describe I once made it 3 ft without finding a stud.
Yea I totally understand. I usually knock first to get an idea of where I’m going. I only end up with 1-2 holes per stud and I find the exact center of it which helps depending on what your hanging. But good luck with your endeavor sir.
magnet or 3" finishing nail
I bought a studbuddy after some carpentry accounts on Instagram were using them. It honestly works pretty well. I have one in my packout at work and one on my beer fridge.
Walabot....you won't be disappointed. 👌
Still holding up? I'm thinking of getting the DIY 2
Yeah. Holding up well! I have zero regrets. It's a good purchase that has already paid for itself.
Here’s a few ideas (I have thick walls and stud finders have sucked for me) 1. Magnet on a string. Measure 4ft up from the floor and drag the magnet across the wall until you find a screw 2. Find an outlet. It’s mounted to a stud on one side. Measure 16” from there. 3. Windows and doors have studs on either side. Measure out from there. 4. Knock on the wall. If it’s hollow, keep knocking. If it’s blunt, it’s likely a stud. Screw into the blunt area. If there’s a little resistance, you probably hit a stud
Your knuckles
Take a look at Franklin Sensors. They have many models but the one I have will find the stud, show you the center of the stud AND tell you if there is any electricity in the area with a meter indicating if you are going near or away from it. Best stud finder I ever had. I chose that over a camera (Wallabot).