7 Best And WEIRDEST Ways To FIND A STUD (#7 is the strangest!)

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THERE ARE ACTUALLY 8 METHODS IN THIS VIDEO due to a small editing fiasco. MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER THOUGH, RIGHT?! :)

Who needs a studfinder? These 8 ways to find a stud are the best and the weirdest! Here at The Honest Carpenter, we personally think #3 is the best, but #7 is the weirdest method that REALLY WORKS!!

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There are a lot of ways to find a stud. But these are the ones that I use as a professional carpenter, plus a couple weird ones thrown in!

8 WAYS TO FIND A STUD:
1: The Knocking Method: Use a 16 oz. hammer wrapped in a wash cloth to knock on the wall. The space between studs will make a low pitch sound. The point on studs will make a higher pitch sound.
2: The Electric Razor Method: Battery-powered electric razors also work well. Press them to the wall and move the sideways. Vibrations will make a higher-pitched sound on studs.
3: Use Magnets! : This is by far the best method. I use rare earth neodymium magnets to find screw heads where drywall is attached to studs.
4: Look For Outlets And Lightswitches: These electrical boxes are almost always mounted to studs. Just knock on the wall to either side of the outlet.
5: Look For Nails In Trim: Carpenters mostly try to nail trim to studs for better support. Look for trim nails that painters did not effectively hide, then test the wall with a magnet.
6. Look For Popped Screws: Drywall screws that don't get set deeply enough sometimes pop their mud patches. Use a bright light held near the wall to make them stand out visibly.
QUICK TIP: Remember that studs are spaced 16" on-center, except in some newer homes where they are spaced 24" on-center.
6 (b): The Coathanger Method: Straighten a wire coathanger, then put a crook partway down. Punch a dime-sized hole in the wall. Feel the coathanger through and swing it around until it hits a stud. Pull the coathanger out at that angle and hold it up to the hole in the wall. You'll be able to see the approximate stud location.
#7: The Steel Wool Method: Rub two pads of steel wool together near the wall. The friction between metal surfaces will produce a small electrical charge. Filaments with this charge will fall down the wall and get stuck on screw heads magnetically. These are your stud locations.

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[TheHonestCarpenter]

THERE ARE ACTUALLY 8 METHODS IN THIS VIDEO! Just had a small fiasco in editing. But more is always better right?! :)

[mb]

This is a great example of why YouTube has value.

[michaelparks]

For the coat hanger trick: bend it in a "U" shape with both legs the same length, when the leg inside the wall hits the stud, the outside leg will show you exactly where it is.

[freddyfriesen]

This has got to be the best video I have seen in a long time. Short and effective, packed with loads of useful information. Thanks

[sharongodbee]

Just walked around the house finding studs with a magnet. I feel so empowered. You have already help me fix a door lock and split trim in my sunroom. I now use the ladder extra bits but would love to learn how to roll up an electrical cord so it rolls out without being tangled. You are awesome.

[joejr]

Magnets are a great idea. That steel wool trick is crazy. I've never seen that before.

[peterleiza]

My grandfather said it the best ... you learn something new everyday

[nassirbadrudin]

These methods will help you find the screws attaching the board to the stud but ideally you need to "bracket" the found stud to find its centre. That screw may have only just caught the edge of the stud. Drive a finishing nail progressively to the side of the screw until it misses the stud. That will give you one edge of the stud. Do the same in the opposite direction for the other edge. It will usually be 1 1/2 inches.

[bejo]

Thank You for this video!

Currently hanging a very heavy cabinet and the disc magnet suggestion is awesome and also allows one to avoid the dryhole nails when selecting spots in the studs for pilot holes.

Best Regards!

[canebro]

One tip if you need to find multiple studs (like installing slat wall), is to cut a scrap piece of of wood 16" (or 24") long. Something small but still rigid, like a 1x2. Then once you find the first stud, just line it up and immediately know where the next one is. If you need it level, just duct tape a level on the top or bottom.

[geraldinegranado]

Funny but I always have a hard time trying to listen in to find the stud. I'm going to try the magnetic one. Thanks for helping!

[johnkelley]

I never thought of using magnets but I see it works! That is a great idea and I will certainly remember it.

[honeyspiderii]

OMG! the magnet method works amazingly well. Stud finding has been a great source of frustration for me, especially in cases of irregular stud placement. Thanks so much for this video.

[MM-tsfi]

Great tips. I have been nailing onto the wall with small nails all the way across the wall until i hot a stud and then marking it. I love the magnet method!

[felicityhill]

And you have done it again. Thanks for the awesome tips🎉

[beckyd]

Thank you for giving clear concise and easy directions straight to the point

[amc]

for a female that has to rely mainly on myself more so now, I apreciate your tips and and how you exsplain things thanks!!!!

[floydparker]

I just used the magnet technique in a closet re-build. It worked like a charm! I also used the light to spot a few rogue screws. Thanks for the tips!

[hudentdw]

The magnet way seems to be the easiest way I never tried it but soon I'll give it a shot when I do some picture hanging..Thanks for the tips🙏🏻.

[patient]

Thank you so much. The magnet technique saved my day. I was able to map a wall using magnets, outlets, light switches, and a stud finder. I was planning hanging floating bookshelves for a couple days, finding the the studs was vital. Thanks!