How to Use a Magnet to Find Studs
Intro: How to Use a Magnet to Find Studs
Electronic stud finders have never worked for me. I'm either working on a plaster and lath wall where the stud finder has no hope, the wall is textured, or there's a bunch of other junk in the wall throwing off the sensor. After wasting time, ever hopeful that it will work this once, I have always ended up just drilling holes to find studs. Good thing I'm good and Christy's great at patching plaster and drywall.
Before electronics made our lives easy, people found the nails or screws in studs with a magnet. I tested this trick out in comparison to an electronic stud finder while installing a set of shelves, and it's doubtful I'll ever use my electronic stud finder again.
Before electronics made our lives easy, people found the nails or screws in studs with a magnet. I tested this trick out in comparison to an electronic stud finder while installing a set of shelves, and it's doubtful I'll ever use my electronic stud finder again.
STEP 1: Grab Magnet From Fridge, Hang With Dental Floss
I grabbed a plain magnet from the refrigerator, and tied a piece of dental floss to it -- any fine string or thread would work. Dangling the magnet along a wall revealed all the nails and screws in or beneath the drywall. Once I marked a few with a pencil, it was obvious where the studs were.
I've read that people find this method too slow, but the electronic stud finder always leaves me guessing. Once I saw the pattern of fasteners there was no question I had found studs. If you want to speed the process up, a strong and light rare-earth magnet would really seek out the nails.
I've read that people find this method too slow, but the electronic stud finder always leaves me guessing. Once I saw the pattern of fasteners there was no question I had found studs. If you want to speed the process up, a strong and light rare-earth magnet would really seek out the nails.
45 Comments
3366carlos 7 years ago
nice, a strong magnet would be better.
MagneoSmartM 8 years ago
you need rod magnets - like this 10x20 mm
http://magnetiputernici.ro/cilindri-neodim/Magnet-neodim-cilindru-10-x-20-mm
abarrundia 9 years ago
nope, as crazy as it sounds, it didn't work for me. My apt was built in 1925 and I don't know what's going on behind those plaster walls but the magnet just sticks to every single spot. I already drilled a hole to the point the magnet stuck the strongest to find nothing. I really don't know what else to do.
Mastamoe 8 years ago
All plaster walls have a wire lath behind which is esentially chicken coop mesh. Imagine a chain link fence but really tiny holes. They used it so the plaster has something to adhere to. To anchor something to a plaster wall, toggle bolts are your best friend.
woohizzle 8 years ago
Some early 20th century apts do not use studs and drywall, but rather gypsum block and plaster. This may be the case and you may not have any studs at all. Depends on the building.
Camdarhar 8 years ago
After listening to my FRUSTRATED HUSBAND with his stud finder that wasn't working and knocking, I decided to google it and found this. I found the studs in seconds, said your welcome and walked out of the room with a huge smile on my face :) Man ego went down the tubes in a hurry, so I thank you for that!! Awesome
The_Conqueror_Worm 8 years ago
This worked great! The first nail took a little while to find, but once I found the first one it went really quickly. Thanks!
MiaS1 9 years ago
jo8 9 years ago
This was perfect. I spent ten minutes trying to use a stud finder, another ten trying to find the directions for the stud finder b/c I couldn't remember what the light meant. Found this and five minutes later I had all my studs marked in my closet. Thank you!
connie.pinkert 9 years ago
Cant wait to try this..Need to hang a large framed mirror...Thanks
agnpros 9 years ago
Best_Consumer 9 years ago
This is pretty cool information. We spend a lot of time recommending products on the market mainly big brands to people. But for some people who may need to use a stud finder maybe once or twice a year, this works. Its a good way to teach kids about what stud finders whats in walls, wall safety, I know my 7 year old loves magnets. We cant review magnets but this was insightful.
http://www.bestconsumerreviews.com/stud-finder-rev...
winchester883 16 years ago
kyles3 9 years ago
it is possible to find cast iorn, galvanized, or electrical shield piping. but normaly these pipes should not be continuously touching the dry wall.
ewilhelm 16 years ago
el_darwin 10 years ago
This is so simple and elegant, will do it next time
cart562 10 years ago
Bannef 10 years ago
rantipole 11 years ago
mazelady 12 years ago