YAHT: How to find studs in the wall

[Saint Nick]

Is there any way to find studs in a wall without the use of an electronic stud finder and without having to bash a massive hole in the wall?

Rain by Breaking Benjamin is an amazing song, by the way.

I just hijacked my owned thread in the same post.

 

[ElFenix]

knock and listen

 

[dullard]

Just knock on the wall. If the drywall is thin enough, you can often hear the tone change at a stud.

Then put in a small nail. If you hit the stud you are good. If not, move over 3/4". Repeat. The small holes are very easy to fill in.

Or look for outlets/vents/switches. They are usually mounted next to a stud. That gives you a good place to start looking.

 

[BW86]

knock on the wall.

 

[alien42]

if you have a magnet then it is easy to locate the nails in the studs.

 

[captains]

the cheapy ones are like 2 bucks and all it is....is a magnet that straightens when u come upon a nail or screw that was used to put the sheet rock up......i think they totally suck, havent used an electric one yet.....i cant tell the difference when bangin on walls and listening for the sound

go to the corner and measure 16 inches....put a tiny nail in...if there is a stud measure to where u wants to go

 

[Jzero]

Magnetic studfinder/magnet on a string? Those are not as accurate as the electronic ones, though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just buy a stud sensor, they are cheap. You could also find an outlet box and knock on the wall on either side of it to find out which side the stud is on and just measure 16 inches to either side of it. Should be a stud every 16 inches.

 

[meltdown75]

you can buy a little stud-finder like i have at home. it has a little magnet in it that wiggles when you pass over a nail. although, you could always just knock as mentioned. but when you go to nail or screw something in, you want to be in the middle of the stud. that's why i like the small and cheap stud-finders. you just move up or down on that line and you are sure to be at least close to the middle.

they sell them at hardware stores for a couple bucks.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

if you have an electric razr, press it to the wall and move it along. it will change in tone when you pass a stud

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: captains
the cheapy ones are like 2 bucks and all it is....is a magnet that straightens when u come upon a nail or screw that was used to put the sheet rock up......i think they totally suck, havent used an electric one yet.....i cant tell the difference when bangin on walls and listening for the sound

go to the corner and measure 16 inches....put a tiny nail in...if there is a stud measure to where u wants to go

is it a standard that studs are 16" apart then? so just measure 16" from each little mark i make in the wall or whatever?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: captains
the cheapy ones are like 2 bucks and all it is....is a magnet that straightens when u come upon a nail or screw that was used to put the sheet rock up......i think they totally suck, havent used an electric one yet.....i cant tell the difference when bangin on walls and listening for the sound

go to the corner and measure 16 inches....put a tiny nail in...if there is a stud measure to where u wants to go

is it a standard that studs are 16" apart then? so just measure 16" from each little mark i make in the wall or whatever?

generally, especially if the house is older. Newer construction has started cutting corners. Also, it is typical in some areas of the country to use 24" centers. I believe that is the case in California and parts of the southwest

 

[captains]

usually its 16 on center....all depends......only way to find out is try it.....my house was built in the 50s....i measure and i cant find a wall stud to save my life....still dont have my floor trim up and its been a year

 

[Saint Nick]

this knocking crap isn't working, i'm just gonna go buy a really nice one probably. i need one around anyways. gah i hate spending money. oh well i'll live.

edt: thanks for the tips though guys, appreciate it!

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: jndietz
this knocking crap isn't working, i'm just gonna go buy a really nice one probably. i need one around anyways. gah i hate spending money. oh well i'll live.

any $10 stud finder will work.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
if you have an electric razr, press it to the wall and move it along. it will change in tone when you pass a stud

very interesting. i might actually try this once. if i don't use a razor, i'm sure i can find something that vibrates. heck, it might even be cordless!

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: jndietz
this knocking crap isn't working, i'm just gonna go buy a really nice one probably. i need one around anyways. gah i hate spending money. oh well i'll live.

any $10 stud finder will work.

my dad back at home has this really weird one. its got two LEDs on it, and when you hold down the button on the side and slide it across the wall, i think the bottom one lights up to show the stud beginning, then both lights light up to show you are over the stud, then the top one lights up to show the end of the stud. its awesome!

 

[captains]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
if you have an electric razr, press it to the wall and move it along. it will change in tone when you pass a stud

very interesting. i might actually try this once. if i don't use a razor, i'm sure i can find something that vibrates. heck, it might even be cordless!

hahahahahah

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: jndietz
this knocking crap isn't working, i'm just gonna go buy a really nice one probably. i need one around anyways. gah i hate spending money. oh well i'll live.

any $10 stud finder will work.

my dad back at home has this really weird one. its got two LEDs on it, and when you hold down the button on the side and slide it across the wall, i think the bottom one lights up to show the stud beginning, then both lights light up to show you are over the stud, then the top one lights up to show the end of the stud. its awesome!

thats how most of them work/