How to use a stud finder
Whether you’re exhibiting artwork or trying to wall mount your best TV, using a stud finder is an absolute must for a thorough job!
I have renovated several homes over the years and taken on many DIY projects. And like so many, I had to learn the hard way that heavy objects need to be anchored to a stand in the wall…
If you’ve ever tried to hang something on the wall only to have it fall and grab some sheetrock, the humble stud finder will become your favorite DIY tool you have to have. Learn how to use yours properly and you’ll make a ton of different DIY jobs a lot easier!
What is a stud?
Cleats are the boards that run vertically along the inside of the walls of your home. They are typically 16 inches apart and are used to frame the exterior and interior of a home. Cleats can be metal or wood. Outer wood lugs are typically 2x6s, while inner wood lugs are 2x4s.
Knowing how to find the stands in your walls is helpful for a number of reasons, but the most common are to hang pictures or mount something like a shelf. Especially when you’re hanging something heavy, you need the support of the stud to make sure it doesn’t pull out of the wall.
Some elements to consider when mounting on a stud:
- TV
- artwork
- wall lamps
- Big mirrors
- shelves
- Heavy picture frames
Different types of bolt finders
One way to find a bolt is by knocking on the wall. The wall will sound hollow where there are no poles. Knocking over a beam should make the wall sound more solid. While trying to find a stud this way is handy because no tools are required, it’s not foolproof.
Luckily, you can find studs easily, even if you just use a basic stud finder (opens in new tab) specially designed to show you where the studs are in your walls.
There are several types of stud finders, each with different functions. Let’s take a look at two of my favorite stud finder tools!
(Image credit: Dori Turner)
Magnetic stud finder
This handy stud finder (opens in new tab) has a magnet so it’s great for finding metal studs in the wall. But it can also work for wood posts as it finds the nails or screws used in the wood posts. Simply run the magnetic standing finder over the wall until it sticks to the wall. When it sticks to the wall by itself, you’ll know you’ve found the bolt. It even has a built-in spirit level for evenly hanging artwork!
(Image credit: Dori Turner)
LED stud finder
An LED post finder is more advanced and uses LED technology to detect the posts in your wall. You don’t need to worry about calibration or tuning before using, you just turn it on and start scanning.
Passing the LED post finder over your wall, it lights up when it finds something behind the surface. To make sure you’ve found a bolt, run it up and down the wall. My favorite LED stud finder is the Hart Advanced Stud Finder (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Dori Turner)
Once you find your studs, you’re ready to complete your project, whether it’s hanging artwork or mounting a flat screen TV!
(Image credit: Dori Turner)
Bolt finders are a tool no DIY enthusiast would want to be without. It’s a small price to pay if you want to hang or mount something in your home!