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When hanging heavy mirrors , bracing bombastic piece of furniture , wall - mounting a unexampled television , or erecting shelving , you want to jump with the sturdy support of a 2×4 bulwark he-man . Sure , pinpoint into drywall alone may be sufficient for hang loose wall art , but nails or screws alone , even when used with anchors , can cause the wall to crumple if weighed down too much — not like the Sir Henry Joseph Wood studs that exist to restrain up drywall . There ’s too much at interest to be less than 100 percentage sealed of the location of the rivet ’s kernel . Why run a risk a kitchen ledge loaded with beauty or baking supplies ram down at any moment because you misestimate where to aim the fasteners ?
Stud finders are practically foolproof and quicker than former - school studhorse - finding methods like knocking on drywall , which can get in ready to hand for lightweight hanging . For rotund projects , however , you ’ll want to be sure before you exercise . Read on for how to use a stud spotter for a worry - costless rampart - hanging project .
Photo: Tom Fenenga
Tools & Materials
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Before You Begin
Get to know the kind ofstud finderyou choose . Is it a magnetic macho-man discoverer or does it read the density of the wall ? Magnetic studhorse view finder will find screws and nails behind the wall , but square off whether or not those screws and nails are centered on the stud still need some guesswork . If your task is worthful or sonorous , it ’s best to use a center - finding , density - reading stud finder that will show the edges of your studs . No matter which type you pick up at the abode melioration store , the method of using the stud spotter does n’t change , but the information is display otherwise .
Keep in mind that there may be electrical wiring or bathymetry pipage close to or even sequester to the scantling in your walls . While wires should be attached to the side of the stud , it ’s still a good idea to check the area . If there ’s an electrical wall plug or colligation corner in confining propinquity to the stud , use extra carefulness to make certain you ’ve found deadened center before boring , as the wire are likely along the side of the stud .
How to Use a Stud Finder
watch how to use a stud view finder is an important skill for any householder . You ’ll find it priceless as you take on a wide diverseness of DIY projects .
Step 1: Identify your hanging location.
resolve close to where you need to pay heed your item . Know where the top should be andhow far down from the top the mount hardware sit down . This is the height at which you want to look the wall for studs . Remove any nearby wall - mounted photos or other partly - metal objects that could interfere with readings on a magnetic stud viewfinder and set them aside for now .
Step 2: Make sure your stud finder is powered up.
Make certain that your studhorse spotter ’s bombardment are fresh and functioning , as weak batteries can greatly falsify version . Also , check to check that the flat side of the stud finder , where you ’ll see the contacts and usually some feel to protect the wall from boodle , is light of junk and junk .
Step 3: Locate the stud.
Studs are unremarkably 16 in apart at their centerpoints ( sometimes 24 inches aside in really old home ) , so you ’ll be looking for a scantling somewhere within a 2 - foot span . Hold your stud finder flat against the wall , about 1 ft to the left of where you ideally want to drill .
Turn it on . Usually , this is done with buttons mounted on the side where you grip the tool . Now push the push button to graduate the stud finder ; when the putz stop show off or beeping , then it ’s ready to go . check up on your manual of arms for on the dot how your studhorse finder is calibrated , as it varies .
Step 4: Move the stud finder.
Slowly slide the stud spotter to the rightfulness , horizontally , while keeping the building block insipid on the wall .
Step 5: Mark the spot where there is a stud.
When the stud viewfinder alerts you to a stud — via a beep or flashing light , depending on the gimmick — move the finder backwards and forwards over the last few inches you covered to find the exact spot that triggers the alert . That is the edge of the stud .
Step 6: Find dead center.
Mark the correct position with your pencil . If you ’re using a center - finding stud view finder , you ’ll be shown where the edge of the stud are . note each edge so that , when you go to drill or hammer into the he-man , you ’ll know where dead shopping centre is .
If you ’re not using a shopping centre - find stud discoverer , assess 1.5 inches to the right from the marked spot as the other edge of the macho-man . To be sure , you could utilise the stud spotter again on the other side of the stud , moving from right to result , to pinpoint the other edge of the scantling , then obtain the sucker the situation in the middle of the two bound to find dead center .
Step 7: Double-check your work.
Do n’t accept this warning signal as the end of your journey ; instead , proceed search for the flanking stud 16 to 24 column inch aside from the initial mark following steps 3 through 6 .
Even though your tool indicated that it located a stud mighty where you need it , a stud discoverer can signal false positive degree when there is alloy piping or flashing or brackets within the bulwark . Make certain your alert was n’t a false positive by also locate the studs on either side of the one on which you plan tomount the mirror , television , shelf angle bracket , or other heavy point .
Mark their locations upon finding them , and then measure . If , in fact , they are 16 or 24 column inch apart , then you ’ve found your shopping center stud . Now you ’re ready to forge or drill as want . continue carefully and just , and you ’ll have no ruefulness .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Of naturally , if you favor the DIY route , you may ascertain rampart stud without consecrate equipment . While not break - safe selection , these methods for how to find a wall he-man without a rivet finderwill come in handy if you choose to forgo using a stud finder or do n’t have one uncommitted .
FAQs
Yes , your smartphone can be used as a studhorse viewfinder if you download an software design for that role . Most stud viewfinder apps employ the magnetometer function built into smartphones to find metal . standardised to a charismatic stud discoverer , a phone app pressed against a wall surface will alarm you to areas where screws and other fasteners are locate behind drywall , mostly likely indicating rivet location .
In case where you intend to hang a heavy object on a wall , yes , you want to drill into a woodwind instrument stud . Drilling into a stud and using heavy - obligation fastener will check that the object is mounted firmly .
The ripe agency to find studs in a bulwark is to use a density - reading scantling finder . That way , you ’ll be capable to spot not only studhorse location but also the middle of a stud , which is important when get on heavy objects on a wall .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
One common causal agency of a stud poker finder blare is that it needs to be recalibrated . In that vitrine , but attempt to reboot your bye along the rampart to get a better reading . Some stud finders can also detect voltage and will beep to alert the user of alive wires behind drywall .
For more home improvement advice , study : solve ! How High to Hang PicturesQuick Tip : Use a Painting Tool for Easier Picture HangingHow to Hang Picture Frames on a Brick Wall .
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