How to Find a Stud in a Plaster Wall (Without a Stud Finder)

Learn a simple trick to find a stud in plaster walls. This trick will also work on drywall. No stud finder needed!

DISCLAIMER:
This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support this channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

Videos produced by Fix It Flip are provided for informational purposes only. All material provided within this video is for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. Please use all safety precautions while following any instructions or concepts provided by this video. Viewers must be aware that by doing projects on their homes they are doing it at their own risk and Fix It Flip cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to educate themselves on their local codes and regulations before undertaking any sort of project. Always have safety in mind and have fun!

[kevinbills]

Genius! Where were you in 2003 when I drilled 18 million tiny holes in my plaster wall to find where to mount shelves.

[ritaszoke]

Thank you for being direct and concise- this is what I have been looking for for years- even the guys at Lowe's couldn't help me!!

[davidk]

I purchased a magnetic stud finder to find the studs in my plaster walls. I was having trouble using it.
I took your advice and hung the magnetic stud finder from a string and it worked perfectly. Thanks!

[xxMuMuxx]

This is sorcery. You might as well be using divining rods to find these studs. 😄 So good!!

[AshtonKish]

I have incredibly strong magnets from an old hard drive that I disassembled. They've just been sitting in my tool box for a couple of years with no real use (especially because their shape is kind of funky) but you've finally given me a reason to use them! We just bought a house from 1935 with plaster walls. Thanks for the tip!! (and the saved money.)

[andrzejbrzoznowski]

This was huge for me. I own an old 3 unit building with plaster and lath walls. I used to dread trying to fix things when I knew I’d have find a stud. But now I’m Putting in new cabinets in one unit and I found the studs quick and easy. Thank you!

[ladyknu-knu]

Thank you so much, this is wonderful. I am a woman trying to put up a grab bar, so it needs to be on a stud. This is such a smart ideal.

[mimamicic]

Thank you so much! I was using a cheapie stud finder and was getting all sorts of funky results. Took your advice (and randomly had these magnets at home) and it worked! Thanks for the direct and super helpful advice.

[ronmcdonald]

That did the trick. I thought I was losing my mind! Simple but effective for my 80 yo house. Thx!!

[Da_boss_Not_found]

I mounted my daughters TV thanks to your video, harbor freight sells neodymium magnets pretty cheap, and they worked great.

[SavvySteak]

You saved me money.
Was about to get one of the $20 stud finders. Then i was a cheap little $5 stud finder that just had small strong magnets in it.
Thanks bro.

[Logic-kmui]

Amazingly helpful. I wish I'd known about the plaster issue before I spent nearly $20 on a useless stud finder. Ordering the magnet now.

[joshuarosen]

Thank you very much. As a result of your helpful, concise and informative video I was able to hang the mirror that my wife bought my daughter for Christmas exactly where she wanted it. Thanks to you, DIY Daddy came to the rescue again and my wife and daughter are pleased. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[BlueMoiraine]

Thank you! I bought a pre-1880 farm house, and the original part is ALL PLASTER! I hadn't installed any shelving yet, or made closets (people in 1800s didn't own enough clothing to need closets!) . This will save me time and frustration!

[mohdikram]

Man you saved me from buying so expensive electronic stuff for just to find a small stud in my wall and that stud will be used only once....thumbs up

[troyd.]

Great tip! I’ve used magnets before with no luck but I think that’s because the “stick” when it was over the mail wasn’t very strong and I couldn’t tell. Attaching the magnet to a string for a visual aid is genius and I was able to see the magnet stop over the nails. Thanks for the info!!

[ddade]

This worked like a champ, thank you. Also, you deserve more thumbs up but this video shows up on the Google search results without bringing someone to YouTube. I watched all of your ads as well. :)

[ashleybrooks]

Great tip, there are other videos about using magnets but none of them feature using the string - made the difference for me!

[adrianclarke]

This is genius. Wish I knew this earlier instead of wasting my time with the stud-finders. Since my walls have that knockdown texture it was difficult to locate the studs accurately.

[livscoolerthanu]

My house was made in 1838 and we are trying to redo some of it and this is so helpful Thankyou 1 million