Stud Finder For Walls

[Hardatit42]

What is thebest DIY Wood Stud finder in walls

[The Builder]

Not much use to you, Hardy, but the only time I've ever bought one, it was a cheapie. If I remember, it was around £25, and absolutely useless.
As with all power tools/electronics, the cost varies enormously.
Bosch is a good make, but they have them for £30, or £230 according to taste.
The expensive ones are fine if your job entails using them all the time, but not for DIY.
Call me basic, but I've always just used a cordless drill with a 3mm bit, and drilled holes until I found a stud... very simple. A little blob of filler and paint, and the evidence is gone.
Each to his own though. There are several people here on AB who I'm sure who will be able to help. So hold on.................

[bhg481]

I could cut and paste TheBuilder's reply and use it for my own. I tried one about 30 years ago and it was useless; I tried one recently as I thought they might have improved over the years - WRONG. I don't own a cordless drill so I just push a bradawl through as it's too much bother to get the 240V drill out.

[theshedman]

I used to use a hammer and tap in the area I thought the stud would be. When the sound changed from hollow I would do as builder says and put a small hole or holes in with drill until I was in right place. Once you found one it was usually easy to find others.

[Togo]

Agree with Builder and bhg with just a small caveat. A bradawl is easy peasy in a plasterboard and stud wall, but not so reliable when it comes to the old lathe and plaster studs. An electric drill in then better. I would also add that the joist widths for lathe and plaster are different to plasterboard and scant. I tend to draw a level pencil line that will be covered or hidden by the shelf of thing being mounted and do the search along that. You may also want to bear in mind that you could be lucky/unlucky and find one of the horizontal noggins which will throw you if you are looking for vertical joists. Have fun.

[The Builder]

Note to Togo...

every shelf I've ever put up has a little line of 3mm holes behind it ;o)))

[Togo]

Ditto Builder. :)) We are talking stud walls now if you are just looking in. The killer is a ceiling fixing. I had a mare fitting a Hahn ceiling hung pan rack once. Didn't know which way the joist were running and could not get access from above to look. It was an old lath and plaster ceiling and I finished up with more little holes than there are in a cullender.

[Hardatit42]

Yes, you are all in the same frame and I have been and done it too. Just thought over the years something worthwhile would now be around-
but no change!

[woodchopper]

Will a magnet not pick up the nails/screws used to put it up?