Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
Aside from the joke about stud finders always pointing back at me, the question remains: Do stud finders work? Actually, yes they do…sort of. Here’s the thing—even the best stud finders require knowing how they operate. The key involves getting one that does what you specifically need it to do.
You also want to stay with reputable brands like Zircon, Franklin Sensors, Bosch, and others. Know your tool, and know the applications, then you’ll have a great chance of success. Even well-known brands like DeWalt often feel (to us) like they merely put their name on a generic stud finder. These tools still typically function well. They just don’t offer advanced features or anything above and beyond the norm. The Zircon MetalliScanner MT6 is one of our particular favorite advanced stud finders.
Our experience shows that most battery-operated types work fairly well to some extent. Some of this is a function of “you get what you pay for” since many low-cost stud finders do not have the penetrating power to accurately get though the wall materials to find the studs. There’s also the issue of not having the sensors needed to find things that are important to you—like electrical wires or metal studs or metal conduit.
We’ve found that owners of cinder block homes (in particular) really benefit from a stud finder that indicates if there are hidden electrical wires within the wall. Most magnet-type stud finders don’t work effectively since they reply on locating the fasteners (screws) used to secure the drywall. These can be very difficult to locate.
In addition, magnetic stud finders don’t necessarily help you if you have wiring run down the middle of a section of furring strips. Put a drill bit through the middle of live Romex and you won’t forget the experience…or the hassle!
Another really cool product is the Franklin ProSensor 710 Stud Finder which can locate multiple studs at the same time and uses an array of LEDs to indicate the position of a wood or steel stud behind the drywall. It’s only too bad we can’t have them design an inexpensive model to find underground wiring!
This stud finder gets a hearty thumbs up for its sheer convenience. When you can see the entire width of a stud (or two or three) it makes it that much easier to set your nail or screw marks. They also have the Franklin T6, a truncated version with less LEDs.
On the other end of the scale, simple often rules the day. That’s the case with the StudPop magnetic stud finders. These little beauties simply locate the screws or nails that hold the drywall to the stud. Since you can’t screw into air, they end up being very reliable.
Still more impressive are sophisticated devices like the Bosch D-Tect 150 or the Makita DWD181 Wall Scanner which locate wood, electrical, ferrous, or non-ferrous metals, and now even plastic behind drywall or sheetrock. These devices go deeper than normal to really probe the depths of material and reveal what lies beneath.
For many applications, this proves critical to not making very expensive mistakes drilling or cutting.
In the end, you need a good stud finder. While the knuckle-knock test works a majority of the time on simple drywall, a good stud finder gives you more precision. It also saves your knuckles for more important tasks like gripping a hammer drill!
If you have any stud finder stories (good or bad) please let us know in the comments below. As always—thanks for reading!
When he's not remodeling part of his house or playing with the latest power tool, Clint enjoys life as a husband, father, and avid reader. He has a degree in recording engineering and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another since 1992.
Clint’s career has covered nearly the entire realm of audio and video production. After graduating at the top of his class with an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering, he began working for the famed Soundelux studios in 1994, one of the largest post-production companies specializing in audio for feature films & television. Working on a myriad of feature films, Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer. Years later, he moved into the expanding area of video editing, where he served as the company’s senior AVID video editor for three years.
Working for such clients as Universal Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, NASA, Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, SEGA, NASCAR, and others, Clint dealt extensively with client management as well as film & video editing, color correction, and digital video & MPEG compression. He also carries several THX certifications (Technician I and II, THX Video), and is ISF Level II Certified.
After founding the CD Media, Inc. publishing company in 1996, he went on to help start or grow several successful online publications, including Audioholics (as Editor-in-Chief for 12 years), Audiogurus, and AV Gadgets. In 2008, Clint founded Pro Tool Reviews followed by the landscape and outdoor power equipment-focused OPE Reviews in 2017. He also heads up the Pro Tool Innovation Awards, an annual awards program honoring innovative tools and accessories across the trades.
Crediting his excellent staff for the success of what is now the largest power tool review publication in the industry, Clint DeBoer hopes to see continued growth for the company as it rapidly expands its reach. Pro Tool Reviews critically reviews hundreds of hand tools, power tools, and accessories each year to help inform users about the best and newest products in the industry. Reaching everyone from the construction industry professional and tradesman to the serious DIYer, Pro Tool Reviews helps tool consumers shop better, work smarter, and stay aware of what tools and products can help put them at the top of their game.
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
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