I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks

On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks

Tap on the drywall with your knuckle. The stud will sound different.

On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks
The magnet WILL find drywall screws or nails if you do it right. Not
easy, but DEAD ACCURATE

On 8/8/2019 6:54 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks
The magnet WILL find drywall screws or nails if you do it right. Not
easy, but DEAD ACCURATE


I use a magnet out of an old 5 1/4" hard drive. I can just stick it to
the wall where and nail is. It even works on plaster where nail are
buried in the plaster, not at the surface.

On Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 10:28:03 PM UTC-5, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 6:54 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks
The magnet WILL find drywall screws or nails if you do it right. Not
easy, but DEAD ACCURATE


I use a magnet out of an old 5 1/4" hard drive. I can just stick it to
the wall where and nail is. It even works on plaster where nail are
buried in the plaster, not at the surface.

I may order one of these. They are much stronger than traditional magnets.

Neodymium Block Magnet 1 Inch 1/2 Inch 1/8 Inch N52 Super Strong

Andy

On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks

You need a strong magnet. I use the crescent shaped ones from old hard drives.
They're pretty thin, so put a 3-4" piece of tape on it to prevent dropping it.
Lightly rub it on the wall until you get a hit. It'll stick to any nail or screw. Easy.

On Thu, 08 Aug 2019 22:45:45 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks

You need a strong magnet. I use the crescent shaped ones from old hard drives.
They're pretty thin, so put a 3-4" piece of tape on it to prevent dropping it.
Lightly rub it on the wall until you get a hit. It'll stick to any nail or screw. Easy.
I stillhave mny dad's old original magnetic stud finder - like a
compass.

On Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 11:03:25 PM UTC-5, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Thu, 08 Aug 2019 22:45:45 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks

You need a strong magnet. I use the crescent shaped ones from old hard drives.
They're pretty thin, so put a 3-4" piece of tape on it to prevent dropping it.
Lightly rub it on the wall until you get a hit. It'll stick to any nail or screw. Easy.
I stillhave mny dad's old original magnetic stud finder - like a
compass.

I tried a compass.

It only responds to LARGE pieces of iron.

Andy

In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great. My brother always buys me
the best presents. I didn't even know I wanted one.

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

If your smartphone has a compass and a mostly flat back, you can use a
stud finder app. They work well in my experience and are easy to use.

On Friday, August 9, 2019 at 4:07:07 AM UTC-5, M. L. wrote:
I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

If your smartphone has a compass and a mostly flat back, you can use a
stud finder app. They work well in my experience and are easy to use.

I installed 3 stud finder apps.

I am afraid that they are "useless at teats on a boar."

Andy

On Friday, August 9, 2019 at 4:36:55 AM UTC-5, A K wrote:
On Friday, August 9, 2019 at 4:07:07 AM UTC-5, M. L. wrote:
I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

If your smartphone has a compass and a mostly flat back, you can use a
stud finder app. They work well in my experience and are easy to use.

I installed 3 stud finder apps.

I am afraid that they are "useless at teats on a boar."

Andy

I got one of these.

Cheaper than the usual stud finder and much better.

Stanley 47-400 Magnetic Stud Finder

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-47-40...ateway&sr=8-24

On Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:03:25 -0700 (PDT), A K
wrote:

On Friday, August 9, 2019 at 4:36:55 AM UTC-5, A K wrote:
On Friday, August 9, 2019 at 4:07:07 AM UTC-5, M. L. wrote:
I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

If your smartphone has a compass and a mostly flat back, you can use a
stud finder app. They work well in my experience and are easy to use.

I installed 3 stud finder apps.

I am afraid that they are "useless at teats on a boar."

Andy

I got one of these.

Cheaper than the usual stud finder and much better.

Stanley 47-400 Magnetic Stud Finder

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-47-40...ateway&sr=8-24
That's the "compass" style I inherited from my dad.

On 8/8/2019 8:45 PM, A K wrote:
On Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 10:28:03 PM UTC-5, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 6:54 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks
The magnet WILL find drywall screws or nails if you do it right. Not
easy, but DEAD ACCURATE


I use a magnet out of an old 5 1/4" hard drive. I can just stick it to
the wall where and nail is. It even works on plaster where nail are
buried in the plaster, not at the surface.

I may order one of these. They are much stronger than traditional magnets.

Neodymium Block Magnet 1 Inch 1/2 Inch 1/8 Inch N52 Super Strong

Andy


That should do it.

On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great. My brother always buys me
the best presents. I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.Â* My brother always buys me
the best presents.Â* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

--

Xeno


Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.Â* My brother always buys me
the best presents.Â* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:35:59 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.Â* My brother always buys me
the best presents.Â* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

Actually a 6 penny finish nail or one of the nails they use on those
picture hooks is a better choice, much smaller hole.
These days a stud finder is so cheap, anyone hanging more than a small
picture or two should buy one.

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 20:10:51 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:35:59 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.* My brother always buys me
the best presents.* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

Actually a 6 penny finish nail or one of the nails they use on those
picture hooks is a better choice, much smaller hole.
These days a stud finder is so cheap, anyone hanging more than a small
picture or two should buy one.


+ 1

The magnet will find the mis-placed screws . .
the stud-finder will find the stud.
John T.

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 7:14:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 20:10:51 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:35:59 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.Â* My brother always buys me
the best presents.Â* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

Actually a 6 penny finish nail or one of the nails they use on those
picture hooks is a better choice, much smaller hole.
These days a stud finder is so cheap, anyone hanging more than a small
picture or two should buy one.


+ 1

The magnet will find the mis-placed screws . .
the stud-finder will find the stud.
John T.

Are you saying that the magnet would find screws or nails that "missed" going into the 2x4 ?

Andy

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 19:07:01 -0700 (PDT), A K
wrote:

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 7:14:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 20:10:51 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:35:59 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.* My brother always buys me
the best presents.* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

Actually a 6 penny finish nail or one of the nails they use on those
picture hooks is a better choice, much smaller hole.
These days a stud finder is so cheap, anyone hanging more than a small
picture or two should buy one.


+ 1

The magnet will find the mis-placed screws . .
the stud-finder will find the stud.
John T.

Are you saying that the magnet would find screws or nails that "missed" going into the 2x4 ?

Andy


Yes - along with the ones that DID hit the stud - up to you to to
decide which ones is which.

On Wed, 14 Aug 2019 00:10:24 -0400, Clare Snyder wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 19:07:01 -0700 (PDT), A K
wrote:

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 7:14:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 20:10:51 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:35:59 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.Â* My brother always buys me
the best presents.Â* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

Actually a 6 penny finish nail or one of the nails they use on those
picture hooks is a better choice, much smaller hole.
These days a stud finder is so cheap, anyone hanging more than a small
picture or two should buy one.


+ 1

The magnet will find the mis-placed screws . .
the stud-finder will find the stud.
John T.

Are you saying that the magnet would find screws or nails that "missed" going into the 2x4 ?

Andy


Yes - along with the ones that DID hit the stud - up to you to to
decide which ones is which.

That's a concern?
On walls/ceilings I have never seen a buried drywall nail/screw that wasn't in a stud or
joist.

On Wed, 14 Aug 2019 02:56:57 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Wed, 14 Aug 2019 00:10:24 -0400, Clare Snyder wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 19:07:01 -0700 (PDT), A K
wrote:

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 7:14:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 20:10:51 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:35:59 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.* My brother always buys me
the best presents.* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

Actually a 6 penny finish nail or one of the nails they use on those
picture hooks is a better choice, much smaller hole.
These days a stud finder is so cheap, anyone hanging more than a small
picture or two should buy one.


+ 1

The magnet will find the mis-placed screws . .
the stud-finder will find the stud.
John T.

Are you saying that the magnet would find screws or nails that "missed" going into the 2x4 ?

Andy


Yes - along with the ones that DID hit the stud - up to you to to
decide which ones is which.

That's a concern?
On walls/ceilings I have never seen a buried drywall nail/screw that wasn't in a stud or
joist.



The magnet will find the off-center screws.
... the stud sensor will find the edges of the stud -
- the person will find the stud center.
I have seen warped / bowed studs.
John T.

On Wed, 14 Aug 2019 02:56:57 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Wed, 14 Aug 2019 00:10:24 -0400, Clare Snyder wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 19:07:01 -0700 (PDT), A K
wrote:

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 7:14:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 20:10:51 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:35:59 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:33:37 +1000, Xeno wrote:

On 13/8/19 12:20 pm, Bob F wrote:
On 8/8/2019 11:34 PM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Aug 2019 18:24:08 -0700 (PDT), Andy
wrote:

I lost my stud finder. I read where you can detect nails using a
magnet suspended from a piece of string. It does not work. It does
detect the metal strips where the walls intersect. Is there another
method?

Thanks

I think the methods here are better, but for the record they used to
recommend nailing a thin nail where the holes would not be seen, esp
where it woudl be covered by molding, and judging by how easily the nail
went in the hole.

ONce you think you've found a stud, to make sure, generally the next one
is 16" away, except at the end of walls, sometimes.

But the electronic stud finders are great.* My brother always buys me
the best presents.* I didn't even know I wanted one.


On wallboard, it is pretty easy to find the studs by tapping on the wall
alone.

That's what I used to do with reasonable accuracy for decades.

That's what I did for decades too, verifying with a 1/8" drill bit.
But a strong magnet hangs on the screw/nail every time. Easy.

Actually a 6 penny finish nail or one of the nails they use on those
picture hooks is a better choice, much smaller hole.
These days a stud finder is so cheap, anyone hanging more than a small
picture or two should buy one.


+ 1

The magnet will find the mis-placed screws . .
the stud-finder will find the stud.
John T.

Are you saying that the magnet would find screws or nails that "missed" going into the 2x4 ?

Andy


Yes - along with the ones that DID hit the stud - up to you to to
decide which ones is which.

That's a concern?
On walls/ceilings I have never seen a buried drywall nail/screw that wasn't in a stud or
joist.


I've seen a few that missed - the drywall hangers may have been
partying the night before or were just incompetent.. Generally missed
by less than a quarter of an inch