On Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:58:03 -0700 (PDT), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Mar 25, 4:17*am, Bob wrote:
I've searched for info on this before, and always came up empty. Seems
the consensus is that most stud finders (like my 'Zircon') fail to
detect through tile.

Just wondering if anything has changed, given the marvels of modern
science g or if anyone knows any tricks. *I'm not a carpenter, by
any stretch, and don't know much about removing tile, etc.


You don't say why you need to find them, maybe a grab bar in a shower?

Shelf.

Most tile doesn't go all the way to the ceiling so you might be able
to check above the tile.

Floor to ceiling, unfortunately. I would have jumped at that.

If the wall has an adjoining room or closet check that wall then take
measurements. Keep in mind the thickness of the tile when
transferring measurements to the other side of the wall.

That just occurred to me (doh). But I'm not sure how well it aligns,
etc. At least that may be a good starting point.

I do know that they used the widest allowable spacing, which if memory
serves, was 20" rather than 16".

If the ceiling joists are resting on the wall that has the studs you
need to find each joist *should* be directly above a stud.
like this:
http://www.kurowski.com/dreamhomes/c...e%20house..jpg

Nice pic. But I know the guy who built the wall, and his carpentry
skills are not much better than mine. That's not good. g I just
hope that they are aligned. I'll take another look from above and see
if there are any clues.

Never tried this but maybe a rare earth magnet to locate the nails or
screws holding up the drywall or cement board behind the tile.

They used steel studs. I've had trouble with those for various
reasons, but in this case, that may pay off.

If the grout line is big enough you could drill holes through the
grout until you find a stud.

All good ideas, thanks. Not much of a grout line, but I have tiny
drill bits that could work. And it suits my Elmer-Fud-like approach
to carpentry. g What do you use to patch the holes afterward?