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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Stud Finder https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1100646353 Message started by JerryD on Nov 16^th, 2004, 11:05pm

Title: Stud Finder
Post by JerryD on Nov 16^th, 2004, 11:05pm

Does anyone know of a good, reliable gizmo for finding timber studs in a wall?

I see that Bosch have got one that retails at about �400 + vat! When I enquired about it at my main tool supplier they said "it's useless, we've had one here on demo, fecking rubbish!"

So I went in there today but they didn't have the Bosch but they did have a Ryobi one. This cost �25 ish. So we gave it a try, absolutely completely useless!! It was beeping at nothing, then missing known studs! Try it again and it would beep at different times on that same wall. What a load of cr*p!

Does anyone here have a reliable stud-finder that they can trust to 'tell the truth'?

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by The_Trician on Nov 16^th, 2004, 11:57pm

Best one I've found - seriously - is a simple bradawl with a very sharp point. Got me out of the sh*t many times I can tell you.

The electronic ones are all pretty poor.

TT

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by woodsmith on Nov 17^th, 2004, 7:06am

I've tried the Bosch too and it is probably the best of the bunch but at the best part of �500 :o It is probably worth �80. The rest are even worse. I've got a Videoscanner and it can't even find ceiling joists.

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by billythekid on Nov 17^th, 2004, 2:18pm

mine is sh�t too, works not too bad if you have a flat, even surface. anything out of place, artex, thicker plaster, and it messes up. 3"nail and a hammer works for me. The electronic finder is pretty good for the elec finding though. I think the setting can have more 'play' in it, doesnt need to be so accurate to find the lecs as it does fir the studs/joists.

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by Robbo on Nov 18^th, 2004, 7:52pm

Its not just mine then.I have a stanley one, useless.

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by The_Trician on Nov 18^th, 2004, 8:18pm

Yeah, I have a Stanley one too - cost me around �40 and its neither use nor ornament!

Can't beat me 'dibber' from the pound shop!

TT

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by JerryD on Nov 18^th, 2004, 10:34pm

I'm going to start making these then. Simple empty plastic box, battery and a beeper that beeps every now and then.

Every bit as useful as the posh ones.

I'll sell 'em for �19.99 + vat

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by billythekid on Nov 24^th, 2004, 7:54pm

i'll have one of those thanks JD, do you accept paypal? ;D

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by Dewy on Nov 24^th, 2004, 10:22pm

wrote on Nov 18^th, 2004, 10:34pm:

I'm going to start making these then. �Simple empty plastic box, battery and a beeper that beeps every now and then.

Every bit as useful as the posh ones.

I'll sell 'em for �19.99 + vat

When CB was the rage the hissing from the speakers was annoying and a small black plastic box with 2 wires was sold for �5 that connected accross the speaker terminals to reduce the noise.
All it was made from was 2 100 microfarad capacitors joined back to back.
These cost 10-20p from anywhere selling electrical parts.

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by JerryD on Nov 24^th, 2004, 11:11pm

wrote on Nov 24^th, 2004, 7:54pm:

i'll have one of those thanks JD, do you accept paypal? �;D

sorry btk, cash only ;D :o

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by JerryD on Nov 24^th, 2004, 11:14pm

wrote on Nov 24^th, 2004, 10:22pm:

So where can I bulk buy these capacitors Dewy? I can feel a business venture coming on....... :-/

Title: Re: Stud Finder
Post by Dewy on Nov 24^th, 2004, 11:55pm

CB has been dead for years otherwise I would still be making those 'hash filters'