Walabot Stud Finder

On my Right Hand.....center finger first joint.........works every time.

 

I use a glorified magnet (ch hanson stud finder) no phone or batteries required.

That way I can find all the metal pipes when im shooting trim

If it could detect temperature changes that be something. Find water leaks faster.

 

I have this one on my shopping list - Zircon StudSensor e50-FFP Edge Finding Stud Finder with Live AC WireWarning Detection - - Amazon.com I saw this on TOH and it's probably better than the magnetic one I have now. I have the Hansen magnet referred to above, and it does find the embedded fasteners in the wall. CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder - Stud Finders And Scanning Tools - Amazon.com

In my old house, there have been renovations and the construction is sometimes ... surprising. Hanging stuff on the porches has been frustrating, using the knuckle (or magnet) method. I went looking for "how does it work" links about the Walabot and came first to this lukewarm review. Walabot DIY review – The Gadgeteer Supposedly it works by reflected rf. Gets a little more technical here - https://walabot.com/docs/walabot-tech-brief-416.pdf The product is being promoted as a broad-application remote sensing platform.

 

I'm a tap on the wall guy but I got to admit that is an impressive tool!

 

Finding a stud sometimes with any device including my trusty finger can be a PITA because sometimes the stud behind the wall has either warped in or cupped during the drying process or was installed that way........I like to move up and down the wall when I'm looking.................I've even seen walls after demo , where the sheet rock in places due to warped wood was only nailed off top and bottom leaving a significant enough gap in the middle that would have made the wall tough to finish if nailed or screwed off..........

My last old trick is to use a finely sharpened ice pick as a probe.........much like a finish nail , making a series of holes L/R of the stud and marking C/L along the way.........in most cases a few extra holes patched and painted behind a picture or mirror is no big deal.

I've gotten in the habit of string lining walls and ceilings before I or others hang rock. Then shim or plane off what needs to be fixed........thus eliminating future problems with the next process . but I must admit that some of these sheet rock guys can hide some obvious mistakes with there mud.....

 

Been reading reviews on it.. Seems to be half snake oil...

 

I use the knock-knock method with my middle finger too, a tape (but was it 12,16 or 24 centers?), have a B&D 'scream' finder -it is a magnet that is hooked to a LED and a 'screaming speaker' - it works 'most' of the time, and like Tarry, I use a finish nail rather than an ice-pick. My middle finger also doubles as a secondary tool, but we can't use that here very often...