Looking for a good stud finder

Jun 7th, 2018 9:33 pm

#1

Menace [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Jun 8, 2003; 8580 posts; 926 upvotes; Scarborough

Jun 7th, 2018 9:33 pm

Costco had it a little while ago, but I didn't need it then. Now I'm looking for a good one to keep it for a while.

Jun 7th, 2018 9:54 pm

#2

schade: Deal Addict; Dec 17, 2007; 2624 posts; 1615 upvotes; Alliston, ON

Jun 7th, 2018 9:54 pm

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/frank ... p.html#srp .. it usually comes on sale if you aren't in a hurry

Jun 7th, 2018 10:23 pm

#3

ciuvak: Deal Addict; Feb 12, 2010; 4567 posts; 1980 upvotes; GVRD

Jun 7th, 2018 10:23 pm

schade wrote: ↑ http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/frank ... p.html#srp .. it usually comes on sale if you aren't in a hurry

+1, this Franklin Stud Sensor is the same as what Costco was selling in-store. I actually got mine from Canadian Tire because at the time their price was same? as Costco and I had some CT money to spend, so it was more convenient. It's been very accurate so far.

Jun 7th, 2018 10:59 pm

#4

mutd99: Newbie; Jun 6, 2018; 5 posts; 2 upvotes

Jun 7th, 2018 10:59 pm

Used the one from Costco several times, not very accurate. Stanley does better job.

Jun 8th, 2018 11:21 am

#5

denti72: Sr. Member; Apr 8, 2010; 802 posts; 455 upvotes; toronto

Jun 8th, 2018 11:21 am

i've tried a few and the best i found is an old POS electric shaver. put it up against the wall, turn it on and you'll hear where the studs are

Jun 8th, 2018 12:41 pm

#6

Gee: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2004; 36335 posts; 9597 upvotes; East Gwillimbury

Jun 8th, 2018 12:41 pm

denti72 wrote: ↑ i've tried a few and the best i found is an old POS electric shaver. put it up against the wall, turn it on and you'll hear where the studs are

How does that work?

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Jun 8th, 2018 12:45 pm

#7

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 8738 posts; 4356 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Jun 8th, 2018 12:45 pm

As long as you're not hard of hearing or tone deaf, the sound caused by the shaver's vibration (and you need one that vibrates) will be different. Just like in the old way how one would knock against the wall and listen for changes in the sound.

BTW, great idea, but I don't have an electric shaver.

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Jun 8th, 2018 1:28 pm

#8

denti72: Sr. Member; Apr 8, 2010; 802 posts; 455 upvotes; toronto

Jun 8th, 2018 1:28 pm

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ As long as you're not hard of hearing or tone deaf, the sound caused by the shaver's vibration (and you need one that vibrates) will be different. Just like in the old way how one would knock against the wall and listen for changes in the sound.

BTW, great idea, but I don't have an electric shaver.

this... as you get on a stud or closer to a stud, the tone would sound solid where as the empty cavity will sound hollow. its like tapping a watermellow

Jun 8th, 2018 5:06 pm

#9

rcmpvet: Deal Addict; Oct 13, 2014; 2699 posts; 1970 upvotes; Just Moved To Somewh…

Jun 8th, 2018 5:06 pm

Conversely you can always get a strong magnet (old speaker will do), wrap it in a thin cloth to protect the wall finish and look for nails/screws.

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Jun 8th, 2018 8:31 pm

#10

Gee: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2004; 36335 posts; 9597 upvotes; East Gwillimbury

Jun 8th, 2018 8:31 pm

rcmpvet wrote: ↑ Conversely you can always get a strong magnet (old speaker will do), wrap it in a thin cloth to protect the wall finish and look for nails/screws.

Yes, this what I use.

https://www.amazon.ca/CH-Hanson-03040-M ... B000IKK0OI

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Jun 8th, 2018 9:03 pm

#11

2Riskit: Deal Addict; Jan 12, 2014; 4330 posts; 10164 upvotes; 45° 36' 44.9964'' N …

Jun 8th, 2018 9:03 pm

58

+1

Jun 9th, 2018 10:56 am

#12

Hugh Jass: Deal Guru; Mar 8, 2002; 13155 posts; 4266 upvotes; GTA

Jun 9th, 2018 10:56 am

Bought a Stanley one first and it was a piece of garbage. Returned it and bought the cheapest Zircon one, was on sale for $10. Works like a charm, had it for about 10yrs now.

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+1

Jun 9th, 2018 12:29 pm

#13

amiratish: Deal Addict; Sep 22, 2011; 1877 posts; 694 upvotes; GTA

Jun 9th, 2018 12:29 pm

Buy a Stanley if you are looking for an accurate result

Jun 10th, 2018 7:58 pm

#14

imnew: Deal Addict; Dec 29, 2005; 1197 posts; 68 upvotes; Mississauga

Jun 10th, 2018 7:58 pm

Download an app for your iPhone call Metal Detector. You can use that as stud finder lol

Jun 10th, 2018 8:08 pm

#15

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4324 posts; 3472 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

Jun 10th, 2018 8:08 pm

rcmpvet wrote: ↑ Conversely you can always get a strong magnet (old speaker will do), wrap it in a thin cloth to protect the wall finish and look for nails/screws.

Naw. Just get a finish nail and hammer it in a horizontal line until you hit a stud. Who cares if your wall has a bunch of holes in it?

Jun 10th, 2018 8:10 pm

#16

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4324 posts; 3472 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

Jun 10th, 2018 8:10 pm

denti72 wrote: ↑ i've tried a few and the best i found is an old POS electric shaver. put it up against the wall, turn it on and you'll hear where the studs are

I just use my psychic abilities to determine stud locations. Definitely more accurate than a POS shaver.

Jun 10th, 2018 8:37 pm

#17

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4324 posts; 3472 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

Jun 10th, 2018 8:37 pm

schade wrote: ↑ http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/frank ... p.html#srp .. it usually comes on sale if you aren't in a hurry

I bought this when it was at Costco, and it is fantastic. I own many, and this is by far my favourite.
People need to realize the limitations of the tool. Plaster on lath, multi layered drywall assemblies, etc. are going to be problematic for any stud sensor. If you know basic construction techniques (16" centres for 2x4, 24" centres for 2x6 wall assemblies) then you can extrapolate once you find a stud.

Just a cautionary note; Stud sensors will also find the 3" ABS DVW (AKA the poop pipe) in a wall cavity. It is not something you want to put a screw into.

+1