(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best stud finders & scanners

Well, you need to find somewhere that sells cheap tools, perhaps a second hand tools place or a garage sale :)


Edit: here are the things you need, these are way way overkill for the job though and will run you about $55 if you get free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Decker-DR260C-5-2-Amp-Driver-8-Inch/dp/B00T2VJ93C/ref=sr_1_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1463019428&sr=1-1&keywords=drill&refinements=p_36%3A1253528011

http://www.amazon.com/Coolshare-Awesome-Craftsman-61-Pc-Accessory/dp/B0140PDXW2/ref=sr_1_11?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1463019496&sr=1-11&keywords=twist+drill+bits

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-SF100-Wood-Finder/dp/B00020JOFA/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1463019602&sr=8-16&keywords=stud+detector

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-60-100-10-Piece-Standard-Screwdriver/dp/B0000950PN/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1463019662&sr=8-6&keywords=philips+screwdriver

+1 on the level. I also recommend a good stud finder too. I use this one and it works really well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019HKNO1A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1. Get the plans to your house. You can often get this from city hall. Keep these, you'll want them for so many projects.
   
   
2. Get an electric testing device, find out if there's any hidden electrical or pipes in the way. Both for safety, and so you can know you need to move it, which might require more drywall removed and an electrician and/or plumber. I don't actually own one, so can't recommend any specific device.
   
   
3. I would hire a structural engineer to tell you if it's possible. He'll probably want to look at the plans. If he needs to come out, ask if he needs to see inside the wall, if he does, have the drywall where the window is going cut out nicely. Try to keep it intact, as best you can, just in case you need to move the window and need to replace a portion of the wall.
   
   
4. After you have the permits and the go-ahead, it should be fairly easy. For the aluminum siding, you might make it look ugly, but just a $30 angle grinder should cut the hole easily. Otherwise, you do it properly and remove the entire length of the siding, cutting it, and replacing it.

Electronic stud finders are cheap, and they're not limited to detecting nails/screws. They tell you exactly where the stud begins and where it ends.

This is the exact model I have, and I've had it for almost 20 years. If you're about to move, get one. If you like home improvement projects, get one. If you like blinking toys, get one.

edit: holy shit this one is awesome, if a bit pricey.

Hey bro, I felt the same about every single stud finder for decades until this one came out.

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Sensors-ProFinder-Scanning-Finder/dp/B019HKNO1A/ref=sr_1_11?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1501259435&sr=1-11&keywords=stud+finder

I've never missed a stud since then. It's the only that works and the price is pretty reasonable since there are many more expensive ones that doesn't work. All you have to do is hold the button and move the thing around. The LEDs will tell you the shape and size of the stud.

This is the one I use. Works really well.

www.amazon.com/Little-Wizard-II-Metal-Detector/dp/B00005NMUO

If you are in Canada, Lee Valley carries it.

Hmm...most useful things for $300. I would recommend Lowe's/Home Depot, but since you're limited to Amazon....

• Stud finder/level
  
  
• Measuring tape
  
  
• Hammer
  
  
• Assortment of nails/screws of varying lengths(for shelves/pictures/etc)
  
  
• Duct tape
  
  
• Voltage detector
  
  
• Drywall saw?
  
  
• Good LED flashlight(or more than one)
  
  
• Paintbrushes
  
  
• Extension cord
  
  
• Homeowner's bible
  
  There's lots of other stuff, but my mind has drawn a blank right now.

Use one like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711JZS33

Costco sells them for $30. They are, by far, the best stud finder I've ever used. I hate finding studs using a magnet because what you're really finding is nails and screws, and they are rarely near where you want to put something in the wall and are NEVER in the middle of the stud.

[Note: Sorry for trying to post 3 times, the bot thought it had an affiliate link in it even after I removed it]

I use a cheap Black & Decker. The key is to hold it away from anything solid while you press the button, THEN you stick it on the wall and start sensing.

Or you just get this DeWalt one!

You don't have to buy a specialty tool. Any decent stud finder that detects metal will work fine. I splurged and got one that also detects live wires, but I bought it for exactly your purpose -- to scan wood before passing it through my DeWalt.

Spam-bypassing link

Promo code: 9VFTBXDF

You use a stud finder.

https://www.amazon.com/Zircon-SS-70-Center-Finding-WireWarning/dp/B01AHYDXGQ/

Price History

• Solexu Digital Wall Stud Finder-4 in 1 Accurate Multi Function   ^PureLink
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Do you even studfinder?

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Sensors-ProFinder-Scanning-Finder/dp/B019HKNO1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492231100&sr=8-1&keywords=led+stud+finder

It's a Zircon Stud Sensor SL. I would rather not open up the wall, but I suppose I could just patch it messily with something since I am covering it.

StudSensor HD800 Stud Finder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NXKZJ96/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_dKb-wbT1H11QY

I rewired a couple of my XJs with this stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/Monster-50-Ft-Navajo-Compact-Speaker/dp/B007Z8D4C6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483536009&sr=8-1

I went with four Infinity 5.25" speakers.

Esistono i cercatubi, vanno dai 20-30 euro ai 600 euro per questo oggetto del desiderio di ogni uomo che si rispetti.

Se non ne hai uno guarda dove sono prese/rubinetti/etc e tieniti a 10-15cm di distanza dalle linee a loro perpendicolari, quindi prega forte la madonna.

Beccare la corrente non è un grosso problema, il trapano è isolato e al limite salta solo il tuo contatore. L'acqua è più rognosa, se vivi in condominio prima di procedere individua come chiudere l'acqua al tuo appartamento o eventualmente la valvola generale di tutte le utenze nel caso peggiore. Le tubature del gas se tutto è a norma non sono mai murate, dovresti poterle seguire ad occhio dalla facciata del condominio e vedere dove finiscono.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-GMS120-Digital-Multi-Scanner/dp/B004TACMZ8

This detects live wires in walls, I have an older version of this and it works.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-GMS-120-Digital-Multi-Scanner/dp/B004TACMZ8/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1540874404&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bosch+stud+finder

Maybe this? I bet it doesn't detect pvc

A 'Stud Finder' apparently does the job. I say apparently because they can also be quite unreliable (apparently).

Have you heard of a stud finder?

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-SF100-Wood-Finder/dp/B00020JOFA

Stanley Magnetic Stud finder

TIL a bunch of people don't know what stud finders originally were. My dad had one that was simply a small bar magnet that flipped back and forth inside a plastic case. When you slid it across a stud, the magnet would flip to indicate where the stud was.

And a quick GIS...they still make them: http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-47-400-Magnetic-Stud-Finder/dp/B0000BYD3K

The wizard I have would have, had I used it. But I didn't, as it came milled, not rough.

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Wizard-II-Metal-Detector/dp/B00005NMUO

I have a small one that I think most pros have figured out but was huge when I started off.
For stud finding, forget anything with batteries. Get this use it to find a pattern of drywall screws (which would indicate a stud), and never miss a stud again. I despise electric stud finders and I wish I had learned this tip sooner.

Depends on what type of plaster and lath you have (wire mesh is going to be your worst case). Normal wood lath and plaster, use a zircon to get you roughly in the area, and then a magnet to find the lath nails

here's the magnet i like"

https://www.amazon.com/Studpop%C2%AE-100480-SP-Studpop-Magnetic-Finder/dp/B00FRI5TMY

and heres the zircon:

https://www.amazon.com/Zircon-MultiScanner-i520-FFP-Finding-Detection/dp/B01J39MJEI

What about a simple articulating wall mount like this ?
I used a really similar one (maybe this exact one) to mount a ~24" tv in my bedroom. Folds right up to the wall when I need it out of the way and pulls out & swings around in any direction when needed.

**Edit- And in terms of being nervous about mounting to the walls, just buy or borrow a cheap studfinder. You'll have no problem supporting a small tv with a couple of screws into a stud!

I've been a homeowner/handyman for almost 30 years and have quite a collection of stud finders.

Cheap stud finders are literally worse than having nothing at all. after incrementally spending more and more trying to find one that worked worth a crap, eventually just said screw it and bought the most expensive Zircon model Home Depot had. It works ok...just ok.

Eventually I picked up one of these type at costco and it's been my goto stud finder ever since. There's a lot of value in knowing where the center of the stud is, not just "somewhere in here".

I'm not a fan of magnetic stud finders...they do work, but you don't know how precisely a screw/nail was put in the stud...maybe the center, maybe barely nicking a side.

whatever you do, don't buy a cheap electronic one...it'll just make you angry.