How To Use Harbor Freight Stud Finder

Last Updated June 30, 2022

When you decide to embark on a new home improvement project or take checked on diy subscriptions, in that location are of import things to consider. Whether you're doing an in-depth remodel or are just looking to hang up some new dwelling decor, you'll need to have a few tools on mitt.

A common tool that is both versatile and easy to use is the stud finder. Information technology tin can come in a variety of types, from unproblematic to loftier-tech, depending on your preferences.

But what makes this handheld tool so valuable? And what should you be looking for when you lot're looking to pick i up from the hardware store? To help you move forward in your next project, here we share what exactly a stud finder is, how it works and other important things to keep in heed as you excel in your next home projection.

What is a Stud Finder?

In order to understand what makes a stud finder, you should know what a stud is. Let's break it downward.

In your house, you have your wall, which is most likely sheets of drywall. Even so, behind the drywall are the studs. The studs are the structure that your drywall is attached to. A stud measures by lengths of two feet by four anxiety. These studs basically provide a frame that the drywall is screwed into earlier it is taped and mudded to create a seamless stop. The studs are aligned vertically to run from the floor to the ceiling.

Proceed in listen that you will place your drywall overtop of those studs. And once the wall is finished, you won't be able to see where the studs that are holding upwards the wall are located. A stud finder is helpful in being able to find the position of where the studs are aligned.

Why is it Important to Observe Studs in Walls?

Studs are hidden by the drywall then you won't be able to see where they are. So what does that mean in starting a home project or just doing something new effectually the house?

Possibly you desire to hang something on your wall.

For calorie-free items, say a sheet of newspaper or pieces from editors magazine subscriptions – you lot can use tape, tack or even put a pocket-size smash in the wall. Only when it comes to hanging heavier items, you'll need to be a petty more attentive to where and how you hang things.

If y'all try to hang something like a mirror and put a blast anywhere, it is going to be unstable because there is merely a thin layer of drywall belongings the nail. The drywall can't agree it as information technology is a very brittle material. To help the blast stay in its place and have the chapters to hold whatever it is y'all are trying to hang, a stud comes in handy.

If you can hammer the smash through to the wooden stud behind, it is going to create a solid fastener that can agree a lot of weight. This likewise goes for screws and any other fastener that you tin drive into a wall.

By finding a stud, you can hold heavy items that weigh up to hundreds of pounds if necessary. However, without a stud, the thin, breakable drywall might simply be strong enough to hold an detail that is merely a pound or two in weight.

Knowing where your studs are in the wall also helps you exist confident that you know where the nails are going in. For example, yous will non want to put a blast through the center of a double stud. With a stud finder, you can know exactly how the studs are aligned and preserve the framing of the wall. Checking the edges of where the studs are aligned tin also help you to recognize whatever double or triple studs used in the wall. These seemingly small-scale details tin make a big difference equally you take on a new home project.

A stud finder will too aid you to know how far apart the studs in the wall are. Yous can know whether they are spaced either 16 or 24 inches apart. This can he helpful information to know equally you're looking to hang heavier items safely. It will as well prevent you from ruining the drywall by hanging something that might be likewise heavy than what the wall itself tin can hold.

How Does a Stud Finder Work?

Equally such an important and versatile tool, the stud finder tin can come in a wide range of extra features and capabilities, depending on your preferences and requirements.

If you lot want to go sometime-school, you can use a magnet. Some models of stud finders fifty-fifty point the use of magnet technology to brand the stud finder work. If y'all place a magnet against your wall and move it around, you should be able to sense when it passes over a blast or a screw if the magnet is powerful enough. Beingness able to sense where the smash or screw is can help y'all tell where the drywall is attached to the stud and where the stud is. These piece of work better virtually often with walls that are lath or plaster rather than drywall. These models tend to be fairly inexpensive, and for good reason.

The problem with this method is that information technology is slow and is not always reliable.

Other stud finders contain additional engineering capabilities to make finding the studs much more reliable and effective. Modern stud finders use changes in capacitance to indicate the location of studs. The stud finder will sense the modify in dielectric abiding when the stud finder moves from drywall to drywall with a stud behind it. The sensor and circuity will record this change and display the information for you. These electric stud finders are conspicuously the more precise and easier to utilize models. Instead of basing your determination only on sensing gentle pulls from a magnet, this electric version will bespeak where the stud is with sound and light.

Modern stud finders are extremely authentic, easy to use, and quick.

How to Apply a Stud Finder

Holding Stud Finder and putting a pencil mark on the wall

Whether you lot're new to home projects or have been doing them for years, stud finders are very like shooting fish in a barrel tools to use, no matter your experience level.

The first thing to do is to check the type of stud finder that you lot bought. We recommend stud finders that piece of work with density rather than the magnetic blazon. This provides a much more accurate reading and helps this step in the home projection easier and stress-free.

The problem with the magnetic type is that they will find the screws and nails but volition not requite you the exact location of the stud. The nails could be centered or could exist off to the side. Density stud finders will requite the exact location of the studs. The magnetic stud finder can also misfile you between a stud and another object, such every bit pipes. These things, whether pipes, wires or ducts need to be avoided when hoisting upward fasteners. Neglecting to find out where these essential components are might lead to some devastating effects for your wall and room.

This brusque instructional guide volition bargain with density stud finders but works every bit well for magnetic stud finders too. Before nosotros become into that, though, read through the instruction manual that came with your stud finder.

Stride ane

Determine where you want to hang your item and remove annihilation from the surface area that could affect the reading, such equally pipes especially if you are using a magnetic stud finder.

Step two

Man holding a Stud Finder that is switched on

Brand certain that your stud finder has power and is switched on. Cheque to see which side you are going to be placing against the wall, unremarkably the side with soft contacts to protect the wall from scratches.

Step 3

Studs are generally spaced 16 or 24 inches apart, so be prepared to bank check 12 inches of wall in either direction to ensure that you find the stud. Hold the stud finder confronting the wall and press the button to calibrate the stud finder (you volition discover information about how to practise this in your educational activity manual.

Step 4

Holding the Stud Finder and Move this in Horizontal Motion

Motility the stud finder in a horizontal motion, left and right, keeping the stud finder pressed against the wall.

Step 5

Holding a Stud Finder, with Bell signs as Alert

The stud finder in deep browse style volition alert you lot when a stud is found via a beeping noise or a flashing light, or maybe both. Move the stud finder slowly to pinpoint the exact place where the stud is located.

Footstep half-dozen

Use a pencil to marking where the stud is. A density stud finder will prove you where each edge of the stud is. It'due south important that you lot mark each edge and then that you tin drill or hammer in the exact center of the stud. The middle of the stud provides y'all the most stability. Instead of using a pencil, you tin can also use painters tape to marker off where you've institute the stud sides to be.

Step seven

To ensure accuracy, repeat the process once more to check for the location of the stud and check that were are studs on either side of the one that you marked, at a distance of either sixteen or 24 inches.

Footstep 8

Image of the Alphabet in Helvetica hanged on a wall

Get ready to hang your wall art or move forward in another project. Congratulate yourself on a job well washed.

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Types of Stud Finders

While density and magnetic stud finders are the most common models that you can find in almost any hardware shop, in addition to online. Nonetheless, at that place is likewise a range of other stud finders. Some of these other modles use those methods and some that do not. Let's take a look at some of the different stud finders that yous tin can explore for yourself.

Electronic Stud Finder

The electronic stud finder is the about common type of stud finder available on amazon. They are accurate, accept elementary displays and are like shooting fish in a barrel to utilise. This hand tool is besides very easy to use and tin can comfortably fit in your manus every bit y'all piece of work. The only downside for this model is the reliance on batteries in club to utilize the device. You may besides be able to find a retailer on amazon with a version that uses a charger to give information technology power.

Magnetic Stud Finder

Another common type of stud detector, the magnetic stud finder has the ability to locate those nails and screws that are near the stud. They are affordable and easy to use, but you lot are locating the nails, screws and pipes and not the bodily stud. This tin lead to more inaccurate results and more frustration.

Whole Stud Detector

Instead of finding the nearly sides of the stud one at a time, this type of stud finder will locate the entire stud in one go. It can brand finding the exact position of the stud much quicker and easier.

Electronic Centre Finder

These type of operation in stud finders will locate the heart of the stud for you without you having to work that out based on the edges. As the center of the stud is the most important part to detect, this model can be very helpful in moving through a project speedily and efficiently.

Instant Stud Finder

Wider than other stud finders, you identify this device against the wall, and it will locate the stud, and anything else, without y'all having to motion it around. It tin can be a corking pick for people who like to work simultaneously or have to notice a lot of studs in the wall in a short amount of time.

Best Stud Finder

Franklin ProSensor 710 Stud Finder

www.amazon.ca/ProSensor-710-Franklin-Sensors-Precision/dp/B0064EICKG/

With multi-sense technology, this franklin sensors prosensor bachelor on amazon – is a detector that can discover multiple parts of your wall with accuracy to permit you know where the stud is in precision without yous having to move it around. In one case information technology is placed on the wall, an LED volition low-cal upward to show where the stud is located.

The sensor will scan deep and simultaneously warning y'all to other hidden objects located in your wall, giving you the width and position so that y'all know where not to drill.

An accurate device with precision that will help to find all your studs.

Runner Upwardly

Tavool four-in-1 Stud Finder

world wide web.amazon.ca/Stud-Finder-Electronic-Detector-Scanner/dp/B07F6RZM43

With a simple and intuitive design and clear display, this stud finder tin scan for forest, metal studs, wires, and other embedded objects. It can also discover copper, aluminum, rebar, and more, making it a safe selection if you are unsure what is backside your wall.

In deep scan fashion, the LED screen gives you lot precision with all the information that you demand, similar to telling you where the eye of the stud is, and including the automated scale that saves you valuable time.

Suitable for most diy projects, this is easy to apply and handy for more than than only studs.

Stud Finders App – Does it Work?

Walabot DIY – an instance of a stud finder app.

Did yous know that your telephone may be the key to finding studs in the wall? At that place are many apps out there that claim to be able to locate studs with your phone and, the truth is, they really exercise work.

Having said that, these blueprint and operation simply work on newer phones. Yous will likewise demand to take the latest software on your phone for best results. Keep in mind that while they are very user-friendly, they are non near in terms of accuracy as a stud detector like the electronic options. Retrieve the possibility that you tin can miss the stud and you might notice yourself drilling into fresh air. They can work in a pinch, but yous should non rely on them, especially for big-scale projects that require exact positioning and alignment with the studs.

How to Find a Stud Without Stud Finders

There are three master approaches to finding a stud without a detector.

The Educated Judge

Studs are most commonly placed 16" apart. With this knowledge, we may measure from the end of a wall and promise that you hit a stud. You can also measure from where y'all know in that location is a stud or, yous can use windows, outlets, and switches as a guide. These volition nearly ever be fastened to a stud, at least on one side. Discover an outlet, and pick a side. If you find a stud, yous can use it or measure out from information technology.

The Magnet Detector

If yous take a magnet, run information technology over the spot or wall and hope that it picks up on some metal studs. In terms of precision, this may not work if the magnet is not powerful enough, so go big or go home.

The Hit & Hope

Pick a spot on the wall, and drill into it. If you don't hitting a stud, move an inch horizontally and effort once more. We don't recommend this method as yous might drill into something that you shouldn't, and it is going to leave your wall with lots of holes.

How to Mark the Studs on the Wall When You Observe Them

Not much to say hither. Utilize a pencil so that yous tin can remove it after, mark each side of the stud, mark the middle of the stud, drill your hole, and then erase the pencil marks.

Tips and Tricks of Finding Studs

Y'all've made it this far, so you are invested in finding a stud. Here are some tips and tricks to make stud finding like shooting fish in a barrel.

Accept the correct tools. If that diy blueprint operation requires finding a stud in your preferred spot, nosotros may buy a stud detector.
Choose the right stud finder. Check out the many stud information we take provided above and cull the right stud finder for your needs.
Double-check. In one case you have located a stud, repeat the process to confirm its accuracy and that the stud detector did non malfunction.
Have power. Charge your battery before use, including making certain that the stud finder has plenty power before starting. Low power can impact the readings.
Exist patient. In one case you drill, the hole is in that location, so take your fourth dimension and do it right.