Recommend a stud/cable finder

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gzt

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#173279 17-May-2015 22:08

Please recommend a stud/cable finder, anything to avoid, and any experiences.

I have some diy coming up, shelves, brackets, etc.

Usually cables are where they should be and studs are in standard places and straight but it's always the odd ones that create issues. The cable finding is secondary but good to know.

I'm expecting a spend around $80 but less is good if it gets the job done reliably.

InstallerUFB

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#1306882 17-May-2015 22:25

Im currently useing a Zircon 'OneStep' which is good for the Stud work and marginal for 50hz/240 - I have in the past had a Stanley equivilent that was ok for studs and again marginal for power

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#1306912 18-May-2015 07:48

I have three stud finders.

1) Black and decker - presssie from wife about $150 had butyl in laser lever. Not great at finding studs / pipes cabels

2) El-chiepo from bunnings, better for studs and wiring, not great for pips.

3) Powerful magnet, fantastic for finding metal on / in the wall, not great wiring or pipes.

Depending on the age of the house is how it is constructed and wired, from that you can figure out the rest with a magnet as you know where the studs & nogs are. Plumbing is easy to find, power is a little harder but just look for the wires in the top plate and bottom plate.

I friend has a Bosch stud finder, very very good, but about $250.

John

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rphenix

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#1307288 18-May-2015 16:09

+1 to Zircon doesn't just find the stud tells you were the edges of it are.
-100 to Stanley branded studfinders the one I had never found anything except false positives - nor could its replacement I gave up and threw it out after searching for reviews online and multiple people had similar complaints.

kiwitrc

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#1307293 18-May-2015 16:20

Tinder?

Amosnz

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#1307328 18-May-2015 16:59

Ive used 2 Stanley models, a fancier one with lcd screen that told you were the centre is but didnt tell you where the edge is ... complete rubbish for finding studs. It did have a live cable sensor that seemed ok.
A cheaper one with just lights that told you were the edge is and was more reliable but no cable sensor.

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#1307353 18-May-2015 17:25

I've had the best luck with a rare earth magnet in a piece of duct tape (to make a handle). But, I've used only cheap stud finders that were very hit and miss.

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gzt

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#1307359 18-May-2015 17:30

InstallerUFB

rphenix

Which Zircon onestep model do you have?

SATTV

After the comments above I was looking at the Bosch professional tool for $200ish. But the online reviews for that are not streets ahead of the cheaper end. But if it actually works well in kiwi conditions (?) that's good to know and it might swing me.

The marking hole for the bosch looks a little inaccurate and fiddly on a mechanical basis but maybe I can mark at the top of the unit instead.

andrewNZ

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#1307365 18-May-2015 17:43

I honestly trust my fist & ears more than most stud finders.

gzt

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#1307382 18-May-2015 18:21

Manual & inspection methods are good. But I had some idea it was a solved problem. Still waiting for that tri-corder... : )

InstallerUFB

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#1307413 18-May-2015 19:13

gzt:
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rphenix

Which Zircon onestep model do you have?

Mine is marked as a studsensor i65

afe66

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#1307719 19-May-2015 11:58

When I was putting up my tv, I discovered the previous owner had there 55"+ tv just hanging into plaster board - no stud for any of them..

A.

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#1310235 23-May-2015 01:45

kiwitrc: Tinder?

I find a better result with grindr

Ray Taylor

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#1310236 23-May-2015 01:55

I personally use a Zircon i65 - I think it was about $50 at mitre 10.
It finds the edges of studs, and has an AC power warning that comes on when you are near power.
But even though I have this in my car, i still find I use my knuckles more.

You can often assume that power cable will go from a light switch or wall socket, almost vertical up to the attic or under the floor by following a direct path up or down the wall. They wont go horizontal more than 10cm. Most wall sockets or light switches will be mounted on the edge of a stud.

Water however can do funny things. The aim will be to go direct down or up, but they can go horizontal within the walls depending upon where the tap locations were finally chosen.

One thing also to be aware of - and its surprising how many people dont realise, you need to work out where the horizontal ones are.

I once found my mother had gone to the $2 shop and bought a mini hammer and some picture nails that were only slightly longer than a drawing pin, and was using a stud finder to try and find one - the nails wouldnt have fully penetrated the gib. Anyhow she was stuck trying to find the stud because the cheap finder my father had was just a beep on or off, and no matter where she was trying to put it, it would constantly stay on - she was following a horizontal. :-)

Ray Taylor

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