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Hi, I'm Joe, a Family Handyman. Whether you're hanging a picture, a mirror, or even a huge flat screen TV on your wall, it's always a good practice to anchor whatever you're hanging into a stud that's inside the wall. Now, using a stud finder will make your job much faster and easier. Today I'm going to show you how to use one.
There are basically two types of stud finders: a magnetic one and an electronic one. The magnetic stud finder is basically just that, a magnet. It detects screws, nails, and even metal studs inside your wall. An electronic stud finder detects the density in your wall. There are several different brands and styles of these on the market today. Some even detect plumbing and electrical. Some multi-scanners have four detection modes for studs: deep studs, metal, and electrical.
Before you get started searching for the studs in the wall, put a piece of tape on the wall where you're going to hang your item. Then you can make a mark where the studs are on the tape. Electronic stud finders detect the outside edge of the stud. This one actually detects the center. To locate a stud, hold the stud finder against the wall. Now press and hold the button, then slowly move the device in one direction until it detects the stud. Make a pencil mark where you stopped. Move the device over about six inches, again holding it firmly against the wall. Press and hold the button, slowly moving it in the opposite direction to the other edge of the stud. Stop and make a pencil mark.
A magnetic stud finder will always find a nail, a screw, or even a metal stud inside your wall 90 percent of the time, unless you have a big buildup of wallpaper and mud on your wall. Use the stud finder in the same way you'd use an electronic one, only you have no button to press. That's it. That's how you use a stud finder. For more tips like this, visit us at familyhandyman.com.