- If you're going to drill a hole, or drive a small nail like in the video, do it near the bottom of the wall, preferably right above the top of any molding. Repairs there are even less obvious than at shoulder height. If the hole is tight against the molding you may not even need to do any repairs. If there is no molding you have to start any hole about 1 and 3/4 inch above the floor so as to clear any horizontal stud/plate. - You can usually find studs, or at least get close, by just measuring out 16", along the wall, from the corners of the room. - Older walls may not be flat so if you sight along the wall you can see ins and outs and determine where the studs are. Shining a flashlight along the wall can help. Putting a straight edge, maybe a level, horizontally along the wall can also help identify high and low spots.
The thermometer method works best on exterior walls where the stud will be closer to the outside temperature than the drywall. On interior walls, there is often very little if any detectable temperature difference.
The reason for the temp to be higher between studs is because you have the ambient temperature in the hollow areas. The studs are a compressed material not allowing the ambient temp to overtake it. Good videos!
Great video. I personally opt for the magnet option for finding studs. Btw, no spackle needed to fill tiny holes - plain white toothpaste does a great job.
I did the nail trick today, I knew I was close to the stud just had to see how far i was off. Great videos man and those garage door roller sleeves work!!! 🙌🏽
I have to verify. I start with tapping my knuckle where I suspect a stud to be, then run a scanner (Franklin, or Bosch), and finally use a magnetic stud finder to find DW screws/nails, one above and one below. I've been building and installing cabinets for 47 years and still find walls which are difficult to locate studs with just one method. Also, I always scan for electrical and water lines where I have located a stud using my Bosch as it's just not worth the trouble if those are damaged inside the wall. When I was new to the trade, I pierced a copper water line in a kitchen which resulted in a slow leak. It went undetected for a few weeks until the drywall down by the floor started to turn soft and the paint blistered. I learned a good lesson from that one.
The thermometer gun was what grabbed my attention. A few days ago I got to thinking about this very thing. I’m an electrician and handyman who works in all sorts of different areas of the trades. I own numerous different stud finders and have been happy with the Franklin type device for a couple years. Magnetic devices initially were salvaged from hard drives I cannibalized, now I have a couple different ones that are useful unless the fasteners are too deeply embedded. The reason I gave the thermometer gun a thought was because a month ago I needed to figure out the ductwork in my basement ceiling and I was getting every single possible error readings with the use of all the different stud finders. The magnets seemed to work and they also would seem to have a traction to an area rather than the screw or nails. Finally I went all out and splurged on a FLIR devise. I bought one that attaches to my iPhone and it opened up another level of possibilities as well as concerns. Cutting out all that information I came to realize when I was making the decision towards the actual purchase (somewhere close $500!) that a FLIR (forward looking infrared) is actually an array of a shit ton of invisible IR laser beams (or something like that), and my kitchen laser thermometer gun is a single point version, just not invisible (IR), and I also recently learned that everyone’s iPhone (watch a video from a night time camera like Ring Doorbells, the phone blinks insanely and it’s doing it because the facial recognition technology is constantly monitoring the person!!!) does a freaky thing that isn’t visible. These two things made me think about possibly using my thermometer gun to detect studs! I never got around to looking into it. Your video showed up and I was totally impressed. The strange thing that didn’t impress me was that you didn’t START with the oldest stud finding trick in the book: using a fist (or a hammer) and using sounding (essentially primitive radar) to locate the stud. That was how I learned countless ages ago when I first started learning how to fix things or whatever it was that began my search for the inner workings of a wall. I also was expecting to have you simply tell the viewers that toothpaste is a good way to fix pin holes in the wall when they want to have the damage deposit returned!😂
Thank you so much for the amazing comment brother! Thank you for sharing your thoughts Advice! I will use the toothpaste trick next time! I would love to send you a gift as a thank you gift for taking your time to leave a meaningful comment! Please email me! Fixthishouse1@yahoo.com
Great ideas! You need to know all the tricks - in my old house the studs are never exactly 16" apart. The original outlets were installed into the baseboards, and some newer ones were just hacked into the plaster lathe
Pretty good. I’ve used all of these methods. The biggest problem is most wallboard is now glued. Minimal screws and not all screws are magnetic. It’s a balance using different methods. The worst issue is that the spacing between studs or horizontal blocks is not consistent.
Thanks for posting this. Good, time tested ways to locate a stud when an electronic finder is not available, or to double check an electronic finder. Keep these videos coming!
I have that same temperature gun but I use it for checking my trailers bearing hub / tire temps after pulling it down the road for 15 or so minutes. If the temps look reasonable, then I am good to go for trip.
Your tips are very helpful !!! Especially the one about lubricating your garage door to make it quieter. Enjoy your channel and am always looking forward to your next video.
The magnet idea is a good one that I have used. I attach a string to the magnet a add a washer for weight this way you can get the whole stud from top to bottom. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Another great video. The Franklin was one of the best investments I bought for baseboards, except in lathe/plaster. I never thought of an IR thermometer. I haven't seen your "little helpers" in a video in awhile??
Thank you Marcos! The IR was just a test and just a fun option, really want to know if others had the same luck using this method. My helpers will be on upcoming vids soon haha. Just waiting for the weather to get better here in Washington 😅👍🏽
This is great info. I should have already known this but until you explained it... I had totally zoned out about it. Thanks for your informative and professional videos based on your exceptional experience and skills.
for drywall that's not texture coated, shine a bright light up close to the wall and you'd be amazed at how easily the joint compound (over the nail heads) shows up.
The outlet trick works great as long as your studs are 16" on center. Not so great if your house was built in the 1920s. Who knows what you'll find there... in some walls of my house, it seems that no two studs are the same distance apart. In others, it looks like 24" or 22" is the norm. On the other hand, I don't know what kind of wood it is, but it seems a lot denser and stronger than the cheap pine they seem to use for everything now!
Thank you for the advice. I’m going to order the Franklin stud finder and see if I can get some 12 ft nickel gap shiplap installed in my existing outdated spare bathroom (by myself). Do you recommend making snap chalk lines first, or whatever they’re called, after marking the studs? I intend on using a Worx Nitro 18 gauge Brad nailer to secure to the existing drywall. Any prep work needs before installing the shiplap? Trying to update my house to sell by DIYing by myself. Thanks again.
Not trying to find studs,but I was trying to see if my rooftop de-icing cables were working or not - there are no indicator lights when the de-icing cables are on. I have a thermal gun like the one in this video,and I aimed it at the switch box where the cable from the breaker went in,and where the cable came out on the way to an outside outlet where the roof cables plugged in two stories up under the eave. I found a small increase in temperature on the switch box when the cables were turned on,probably from the slight resistance of the switch contacts,which told me the cables were working. If there was a break in the de-icing cables,they would not be drawing power,and the box in the basement would not show a temperature increase. To find studs,I just use a stack of those rare earth magnets which stick to the wall when they are over a nail head.
My own method, never seen elsewhere: get a long hat pin and narrow nosed pliers. Estimate by tapping or other method. Grip the pin shaft a 1/2" from the point with the pliers, push it into the wall at 1/2" intervals along the estimated location. It's easy to push in and the hole is tiny compared to any nail.
The knocking method has worked for me on many occasions, but does take practise, and does not work on my mobile home walls. I like the magnet idea actually. I bought a stud finder awhile back, but am not sure that I am using it correctly. It is a bit hit and miss at my place I’m afraid.
Good to know were the studs are, but what is important to me is where the wires and plumbing are located. I don't use my thermometer. I do use magnet and electronic stud finders. When in doubt about wires/plumbing, holes on each side of the stud and look with my scope. Holes are easily filled with joint compound, which I repair regardless if concealed by my work or not.
While I have a couple stud finders, I learned a little more about finding studs. I never would have thought about the non contact thermometer. Thanks!
- If you're going to drill a hole, or drive a small nail like in the video, do it near the bottom of the wall, preferably right above the top of any molding. Repairs there are even less obvious than at shoulder height. If the hole is tight against the molding you may not even need to do any repairs. If there is no molding you have to start any hole about 1 and 3/4 inch above the floor so as to clear any horizontal stud/plate.
- You can usually find studs, or at least get close, by just measuring out 16", along the wall, from the corners of the room.
- Older walls may not be flat so if you sight along the wall you can see ins and outs and determine where the studs are. Shining a flashlight along the wall can help. Putting a straight edge, maybe a level, horizontally along the wall can also help identify high and low spots.
Thanks for sharing a meaningful comment Bob! Congrats you won $50 this week! Please email me at: fixthishouse1@yahoo.com 👍🏽😊
Every corner has a stud?
The thermometer method works best on exterior walls where the stud will be closer to the outside temperature than the drywall. On interior walls, there is often very little if any detectable temperature difference.
The reason for the temp to be higher between studs is because you have the ambient temperature in the hollow areas. The studs are a compressed material not allowing the ambient temp to overtake it. Good videos!
The nail trick is a good one but I prefer doing it along the baseboard since it's much easier to cover those holes down below. Thank for the tips.
Great video. I personally opt for the magnet option for finding studs. Btw, no spackle needed to fill tiny holes - plain white toothpaste does a great job.
The baseboards is how I find most of my studs around my home. This is a good video for diy’s!
I did the nail trick today, I knew I was close to the stud just had to see how far i was off. Great videos man and those garage door roller sleeves work!!! 🙌🏽
I have to verify. I start with tapping my knuckle where I suspect a stud to be, then run a scanner (Franklin, or Bosch), and finally use a magnetic stud finder to find DW screws/nails, one above and one below. I've been building and installing cabinets for 47 years and still find walls which are difficult to locate studs with just one method. Also, I always scan for electrical and water lines where I have located a stud using my Bosch as it's just not worth the trouble if those are damaged inside the wall. When I was new to the trade, I pierced a copper water line in a kitchen which resulted in a slow leak. It went undetected for a few weeks until the drywall down by the floor started to turn soft and the paint blistered. I learned a good lesson from that one.
Great ideas. I'm starting a project now and will use these methods. Thank you.
Nice to know various ways to choose depending on situations.
I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊
The thermometer gun was what grabbed my attention. A few days ago I got to thinking about this very thing. I’m an electrician and handyman who works in all sorts of different areas of the trades.
I own numerous different stud finders and have been happy with the Franklin type device for a couple years. Magnetic devices initially were salvaged from hard drives I cannibalized, now I have a couple different ones that are useful unless the fasteners are too deeply embedded.
The reason I gave the thermometer gun a thought was because a month ago I needed to figure out the ductwork in my basement ceiling and I was getting every single possible error readings with the use of all the different stud finders.
The magnets seemed to work and they also would seem to have a traction to an area rather than the screw or nails.
Finally I went all out and splurged on a FLIR devise. I bought one that attaches to my iPhone and it opened up another level of possibilities as well as concerns.
Cutting out all that information I came to realize when I was making the decision towards the actual purchase (somewhere close $500!) that a FLIR (forward looking infrared) is actually an array of a shit ton of invisible IR laser beams (or something like that), and my kitchen laser thermometer gun is a single point version, just not invisible (IR), and I also recently learned that everyone’s iPhone (watch a video from a night time camera like Ring Doorbells, the phone blinks insanely and it’s doing it because the facial recognition technology is constantly monitoring the person!!!) does a freaky thing that isn’t visible.
These two things made me think about possibly using my thermometer gun to detect studs!
I never got around to looking into it.
Your video showed up and I was totally impressed.
The strange thing that didn’t impress me was that you didn’t START with the oldest stud finding trick in the book: using a fist (or a hammer) and using sounding (essentially primitive radar) to locate the stud. That was how I learned countless ages ago when I first started learning how to fix things or whatever it was that began my search for the inner workings of a wall.
I also was expecting to have you simply tell the viewers that toothpaste is a good way to fix pin holes in the wall when they want to have the damage deposit returned!😂
Thank you so much for the amazing comment brother! Thank you for sharing your thoughts Advice! I will use the toothpaste trick next time! I would love to send you a gift as a thank you gift for taking your time to leave a meaningful comment! Please email me! Fixthishouse1@yahoo.com
Love your video you slow it down a bit for good DYI help. Keep up the great work and continue to help us out!
Great ideas! You need to know all the tricks - in my old house the studs are never exactly 16" apart. The original outlets were installed into the baseboards, and some newer ones were just hacked into the plaster lathe
Tapping on the wall and listen where hallow is the good old fashion way. Thanks for the ideas
All good info to find a stud. Thanks for posting.
Another good job educating DIY'ers. God bless.
Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊
Pretty good. I’ve used all of these methods. The biggest problem is most wallboard is now glued. Minimal screws and not all screws are magnetic. It’s a balance using different methods. The worst issue is that the spacing between studs or horizontal blocks is not consistent.
Thanks for posting this. Good, time tested ways to locate a stud when an electronic finder is not available, or to double check an electronic finder. Keep these videos coming!
I use my Franklin stud finder I got from Costco, It works like a charm every time. It's never let me down unlike the other brands from HD
Great job on the video! I like the magnet and finishing nail options. Appreciate the videos!
My man, killing it with the videos. Keep ‘em coming brother.
Love the magnet method. Use it all the time! Recently found the channel and the wiring guide for the 3 way switches has been great.
I have that same temperature gun but I use it for checking my trailers bearing hub / tire temps after pulling it down the road for 15 or so minutes. If the temps look reasonable, then I am good to go for trip.
Your tips are very helpful !!! Especially the one about lubricating your garage door to make it quieter. Enjoy your channel and am always looking forward to your next video.
So cool with the heat gun! Never thought of it. Great advice and channel!
Glad you didn't get shocked. Liked, commenting, and subscribed.
You the man brother! 👍🏽😊
The magnet idea is a good one that I have used. I attach a string to the magnet a add a washer for weight this way you can get the whole stud from top to bottom. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
Very good tips on stud finders. Helped me in a very old home too.
Hi.
Another great lot of tips, brilliant stuff. Many thanks for sharing 👍.
Regards Chris
I had to share this with my brother. We was just having this conversation. Thanks
Another great video. The Franklin was one of the best investments I bought for baseboards, except in lathe/plaster. I never thought of an IR thermometer. I haven't seen your "little helpers" in a video in awhile??
Thank you Marcos! The IR was just a test and just a fun option, really want to know if others had the same luck using this method. My helpers will be on upcoming vids soon haha. Just waiting for the weather to get better here in Washington 😅👍🏽
Thanks for the tip with the outlet box to find a stud .. good tip ...
I can see with Insulation in the wall the temperature would be warmer vs the wall stud. Nice vid very helpful 👍
I use the Franklin one and it works very well.
Thank you for the awesome tips and tricks, your knowledge is very helpful 🎉
Wow, I will try that next time I need to find a stud.. just found you so I subscribed. Thanks for posting this video.
I ditched my stud finder years ago and use magnets. Love the small nail tip. Will use that to find the edges to ensure I’m dead center.
good information, there was a couple of methods I never tried, will try them next time i need to find a stud.
Nice informative video. I often use the magnet method, works best in my opinion! Thanks
OMG I like the Franklin Stud finder and going to order one right now.
Thanks for these easy tips!
Thank you for watching! 🙏🏽😊
This is great info. I should have already known this but until you explained it... I had totally zoned out about it. Thanks for your informative and professional videos based on your exceptional experience and skills.
What a simple solution. Thank you
Thank you for the useful information
Learned so much on this video, thanks for making it!
Watch all your shows and enjoy all I learn. Would you consider doing a show on stud finding on a outside stucco wall?
Hi Robert! I would have to set up mock up for this. Most Washington homes don’t have stucco, but I will definitely put this on my list! 🙏🏽😊
Parakeets and good suggestions! 👍
Very handy video! I use some of these techniques even with my stud finder.
Thanks for the good information.great job.
Very useful! Thank you.
Great tips I love following your Chanel 👍
Thank you so much Bill! 🙏🏽😊
@Fix This House your welcome keep the tips coming. Great help you have saved me alot of money not having to call a contractor
Thank you, great tips
Another good video going to try out the temperature sensor.
Thanks for the great ideas..
Glad you like them!
The magnet trick is simple and easy for a complete beginner like me!
I’m glad I could be of help! Magnet trick is definitely one of the best! 👍🏽😊
for drywall that's not texture coated, shine a bright light up close to the wall and you'd be amazed at how easily the joint compound (over the nail heads) shows up.
Thank you for the tip!! 🙏🏽😊
The outlet trick works great as long as your studs are 16" on center. Not so great if your house was built in the 1920s. Who knows what you'll find there... in some walls of my house, it seems that no two studs are the same distance apart. In others, it looks like 24" or 22" is the norm.
On the other hand, I don't know what kind of wood it is, but it seems a lot denser and stronger than the cheap pine they seem to use for everything now!
Thanks for the stud tip
Thank you for watching Carlo! 👍🏽🙏🏽😊
Nice video, I now want to try the thermal gun on my own house!
I would like to know your results! 👍🏽😊🙏🏽
@@FixThisHouse going to try it this weekend. Tired of missing the stud!!
while I am passing on being in the drawing since there are many more people who need it more, I do want to thank you for all your videos ❤
Great tips 😊
Magnet trick is the best
Fantastic and easy way to act.
Great tips.
Great video! I am into installing tv on a wall.
Thank you for the advice. I’m going to order the Franklin stud finder and see if I can get some 12 ft nickel gap shiplap installed in my existing outdated spare bathroom (by myself). Do you recommend making snap chalk lines first, or whatever they’re called, after marking the studs? I intend on using a Worx Nitro 18 gauge Brad nailer to secure to the existing drywall. Any prep work needs before installing the shiplap? Trying to update my house to sell by DIYing by myself. Thanks again.
I use a straight pin in lieu of a small finishing nail in conjunction with magnets. Works every time.
Great tips, and an Excellent video!
Well done!
Thanks for a useful video !
Thank you so much for watching! 🙏🏽😊
Not trying to find studs,but I was trying to see if my rooftop de-icing cables were working or not - there are no indicator lights when the de-icing cables are on. I have a thermal gun like the one in this video,and I aimed it at the switch box where the cable from the breaker went in,and where the cable came out on the way to an outside outlet where the roof cables plugged in two stories up under the eave. I found a small increase in temperature on the switch box when the cables were turned on,probably from the slight resistance of the switch contacts,which told me the cables were working. If there was a break in the de-icing cables,they would not be drawing power,and the box in the basement would not show a temperature increase. To find studs,I just use a stack of those rare earth magnets which stick to the wall when they are over a nail head.
Thanks for the great tips
Works great on drywall.
Lathe and plaster is more complicated.
Learned a lot. Thanks!
Love your content
Yay $50 for my new STUD finder!
🙏
My own method, never seen elsewhere: get a long hat pin and narrow nosed pliers. Estimate by tapping or other method. Grip the pin shaft a 1/2" from the point with the pliers, push it into the wall at 1/2" intervals along the estimated location. It's easy to push in and the hole is tiny compared to any nail.
Very good ideas. Wow your good
The video is wounderful helped me way better to put tv’s up real fast
cool tip using the digital thermometer. If it works
Brilliant!
Very Informative, thank you so much
Walls aren't as flat as they seem. Very often you can see the wallboard valleys between the studs, especially if you sight along the baseboard.
I always use multiple ways to find a stud. Mostly the magnet and confirmation withe nail.
Great video
Hubby uses knocking method, gets it everytime. I never get it that way. I like your outlet method thanks.
Thank you I was drilling holes all around in the wall trying to find the stud.
Would this method work in really really old homes like from the 1920s-1940s? What about adobe homes?
thank you
Good hints! Thanks
nice tips!
The knocking method has worked for me on many occasions, but does take practise, and does not work on my mobile home walls. I like the magnet idea actually. I bought a stud finder awhile back, but am not sure that I am using it correctly. It is a bit hit and miss at my place I’m afraid.
Good ideas!
Thank you! 🙏🏽👍🏽
Thanks. I can use this
Awesome video. Thanks
Good to know were the studs are, but what is important to me is where the wires and plumbing are located. I don't use my thermometer. I do use magnet and electronic stud finders. When in doubt about wires/plumbing, holes on each side of the stud and look with my scope. Holes are easily filled with joint compound, which I repair regardless if concealed by my work or not.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for watching Ron!
Nice tips thx
Very informative, keep it up