How to Hang HEAVY Things on Plaster Walls

Here are links to the product we used in this video:
CH Hanson 0304 Magnetic Stud Finder: [amazon affiliate] amzn.to/1ioFRSe
Ryobi Corded Drill with Clutch: [amazon affiliate] amzn.to/1QbDEnv

[@SuffxrBunni]

Hello, just casually roaming through my dads videos- his beard was so….✨magnificent✨ anyways, if you see this dad, it’s 10:33 PM on a Friday night and your downstairs watching tv and I’m just here, roaming through ur videos, lol. Love you.

[@createthisdotcom]

Lol. Stop.

[@Kheid15]

This is the cutest thing of all time🥲

[@chelsea9588]

Just wanted to say that I'm enjoying and learning from this video six years later, thanks for all the work you put into this!

[@lovelyvegas702]

Out of all the research, this one was the most helpful. Thank you from 2022

[@createthisdotcom]

Hey, thanks for watching!

[@S0ngsyngr]

Thanks for being so humble in explaining what you did & what worked & what didn’t.

[@sergioecg]

an easy way I make a magnetic nail or screw finder is with a magnet attached to a string, carefully pass it around the wall and see when the magnet pulls the string to the wall. Now seeing this you showed I wonder why not putting a small wheel in the center with enough tolerance so it does not touch the wall, then you will be more free to slide it around and dont bother about keeping that distance. Also some times plaster walls have chicken fence material inside, and it would make a hell to find metal since its all over. Other plaster walls have lathe behind and there is wood all around. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@stacieshannon9555]

Don’t forget about the good old fashioned measuring tape. Take the cover off of an outlet or switch (normally the box is going to be attached to a stud). If you’re hanging a tv, and you are lucky, your outlet will be right on the stud you need. Otherwise, once you’ve located that stud, measure towards your desired location in 16 inch increments to locate the appropriate center of the desired stud, then if you don’t want to drill “test” holes follow up with your magnet to try and verify.

[@mattandrus8584]

About to close on a house from the 1930's this is a great bit of information! Thanks

[@keegansmith4559]

Probably good to double check with some other stud-finding method though. Building codes require that now but older walls might not have 16 inch spacing.

[@jasminemiele7533]

We did it!! Hung 2 tvs on our plaster walls! In about an hour tops!! Thanks!

[@createthisdotcom]

You're welcome!

[@peaceout7066]

Thanks for the magnet tip. Rather than go buy one of these tho I just grabbed a 2x3 strong magnet off the fridge & it worked so good the whole magnet would totally stick to the wall when I let go & I just went straight up & down the wall to make sure it stuck everywhere so there was a stud & no blank air space. Worked great!

[@lendalcat]

Thanks for the helpful information! My house was built in 1956 and with remodeling has a combination of drywall and plaster walls.

[@elizabethhorne7525]

I have been researching this very subject. I too just bought a Tudor house built in the 1920's and have mostly plaster walls. Not only have Invested in all kinds of stud finders I am also finding it more difficult to drill holes in the walls without the drill bit walking, Thank you for sharing this video, It has made my day, I never heard of a magnetic stud finder and I am purchasing one right now. I appreciate people like you who share their experiences so that people like me have guidance and can more confidently tackle our projects. By the way, I am 60 and doing these things myself and just don't feel it necessary to hire someone to hang my stuff which is why I am thrilled.

[@theresastoltenberg5412]

Me too!!

[@cherylross2718]

Thank you soooo much! Also tell Tracy, the Mr Clean magic eraser will take pencil marks off with little effort and no water marks.

[@Molly-MaryEHackenberger]

Very helpful video. I just moved into an old 1920s building and have unfortunately made holes everywhere. Wish I’d found you earlier. Tracy is awesome. I subscribed to your channel because of her.

[@davidlloydmiller]

Holy shit dude I am so glad I watched this right before going down to the hardware store. Magnetic stud finder is now on the list. I was until quite scared to hang my television.

[@createthisdotcom]

+David Lloyd Miller I just hung a 55" using this tool. Worked perfectly. Enjoy.

[@wizard-of-other-oz]

Just be careful as some builders can nail drywall to void, missing a stud by an inch. With magnetic finder you are going to find nails, not studs)

[@edwardkiernan]

Thanks. I thought it was just my handyman incompetence that caused me to have so much trouble finding wall studs. Now I realize it's the norm.

[@nickySe7en666]

thank you. i have lath and plaster in my apt and have bought every wall anchor home depot sells and they have been useless for heavy stuff. after watching this ill hopefully be able to hang my tv.

[@feliciapalumbo9688]

Thank you this was extremely helpful!! Best vid I watched concerning any repair or how to.. you weren't douche, you were informative, knowledgeable in a honest approach!! 👍

[@eh9deux]

Small tip when using a magnet, attach it to string and it will be even more sensitive to the metal

[@redemptusrenatus5336]

My problem with electronic stud finders is they go off as soon as I hold them in my hand... I'll let myself out. :P

[@synthiaakana67]

🤣🤣🤣

[@rosemarielmt]

😂

[@sherrykinslow7823]

See ya!

[@redemptusrenatus5336]

@@sherrykinslow7823 Ah, I'd forgotten all about this 🤣 Was good for another chuckle 😆🤪

[@bronwenjesswein9264]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I drilled too many holes and used too large drill bits, too. I have a stud finder, but it’s the wrong kind - only learned that after attempting and failing and viewing your video.

[@steveburke3923]

Tracy will love this. Invest in some sticky page markers to keep your place in a book. You can use them on the wall, and you will not have to use pencils. Staples sells them. (OK...Truth..I use pencils, but Tracy does not know me!)

[@jameslund221]

Beautiful family, I must say your videos are very thorough.

[@toosloww]

This was super helpful thank you!!! I thought I was going crazy trying to use an electronic stud finder in this old house.

[@Illestout]

*Pencil marking... this may have been said already... “Stabillo” pencils are made to easily wipe off with a very lightly dampened paper towel or rag.

[@markbajek2541]

When you're dealing with plaster walls and trying to find a stud it can be like playing the game "battleship" you'll sink a few misses to either side of the stud before you find your target.

[@sndmann5]

Your family is priceless.

[@Motivation2Wellness5457]

Many thanks, your video was super educational. I also love the way you work well as a family

[@createthisdotcom]

You’re welcome!

[@mattmgarza]

I was so excited when you held up the stud finder you were recommending--it's the exact one I have. Now I just need to find the damn thing.

[@momalmighty]

Thank you for making the time (and work!) to make this video. After searching for so long to learn how to nail stuff to my very old plaster walls, your video helped more than any articles and vids. I've sent the link to family/friends who have the same problem

[@jasminemiele7533]

This is awesome! We have been dying to hang our smart TV but keep putting useless holes in our walls! Thanks!

[@caseykittel]

Thanks for the video. Great info. I think your holes were still a little too big. When sizing the bit to the screw you need to visualize the screw without the threads then pick that size for the drill. When you do that you’ll get the full bite of the threads in the hole. You should need the socket wrench for several turns. Not just 1/4 turn. Thanks!

[@zman4791]

Thanks! Great vid. Listen to your Dad, sounds like he knows a few things.

[@aaronwagner8904]

I'm so glad to know that I, too, drilled multiple holes after using my stud finder on plaster walls. Going to purchase a magnetic stud finder tomorrow before hanging a bathroom cabinet. Well done. New subscriber. Love that you include your family in the video.

[@BB-zd4fq]

Also demonstrates the importance of drilling pilot holes with smaller bits first.

[@seriousoverthinker8871]

Thank you for this demonstration! Seriously amazing job with your explanations and visuals. You have helped me greatly!

[@DoAndBrewDIY]

Any recommendations on the best way to attach an anchor to plaster on brick walls? I have an 1820 brick house (so they are clay bricks made on site). Thanks for any advice!

[@nickhunter1245]

You saved my butt. Wanted to buy an électronique stud finder to use in my 1925 house with plaster all over and I would be screwed. Thanks !

[@dReAmWiELdEr]

No pun intended, lol.

[@fletchflekota]

They do make a deep scan now but also have electronic that picks up metal just remember old houses used metal pipe lol use a very small drill bit first than a larger bit. Thing about plaster walls is the very on thickness on the same wall. ya the magnet is a good thing. One more thing about plaster is sometimes they would put it on in layers and they would drive small nail from the other side before they would put up the strip to know how thick they were laying on the plaster. as a guild. That is probably what you were picking up. It is a lost are ,there are still a few good muddlers out there. great information.

[@ginamills8864]

Great video. Thank you!! Going to hang an “L-shaped” desk on a plaster wall. 50” on one side of the “L” and 30” on the other. I’ll probably attach cleats underneath for extra stability. The title of your video caught my eye since the desk is 50lbs. I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks again.

[@juliejones6822]

Thank you for this video. My first plaster wall home and I'm crazy with putting up a tv mount.

[@ogrebloodchief]

Thank you for the input. I'll take all the help I can get as a new learner of plaster walls. Never had to deal with it before and I feel more confident after watching.

[@wendyb9900]

I need to know how to drill a hole in a plaster wall and hang something heavy.

[@davideastham]

Love the video and reminded me why my stud finder didn't work either.

[@Asleeplesknight]

A few items I keep in my tool box: strong disc magnet, 2" yellow translucent delicate painters tap (called Frog Tape), and a magic eraser pad. The magnet is perfect for finding screw/nail heads. I rip a piece of tape off and put it over the nail head (them mark an x over the nail head--on the tape--permanent markers won't bleed thru) and as you do, find a few more nails in a vertical plane. Then use a level to find the middle of the run of nails and draw a line (on the tape).... the tape can be layered several times and still show thru the mark on the first layer... ;) Magic erasers are great for removing smudges, penciltpen marks on painted surfaces.

[@RileyFreeman8]

My magnetic stud finder does not pull towards anything on my plaster walls. Even over very obvious holes. I've had better luck with the electronic finder after getting a general idea of where the studs SHOULD be and then measuring at multiple heights to get a rough outline of the stud. Was very let down when I went out and bought the magnetic stud finder and it just didn't work well at all. We probably just have too many nails stuck in our walls from whoever lived in the house last. It looks like some idiot just tried to guess where studs were and just put finishing nails everywhere and just nailed them in afterwards instead of pulling them out and fixing the mess

[@ballen802]

Zircon MetalliScanner m40Not an actual stud finder but it detects metal in the wall so you can use it with the same techniques that you use the magnet.

[@stevenblack9324]

I demoed a bathroom and my outside walls had no studs. There were just small bands the and lathe lay across it. Thanks for the recommendation for the magnets stud finder.

[@frdm202]

Great content - thank you for making it. Agree with comments below about tightening up dialog and changing title. Good tutorial on plaster walls. Thank you for posting.

[@busters211]

Very good how to video. I need to know the basics and your vid really helped this novice.

[@evettemeuse3178]

I loved your video. Very informative in a way I could actually understand. Hilarious towards the end with the little jokes and bloopers. 😊

[@tanimislam4369]

Thank you Steven Wilson! Also your kid is a man of culture ic

[@tanimislam4369]

P.S: Already loved your music, now I love your tutorials too

[@rmorales5072]

It's the divorce & porn jokes at the end for me 🤣 Thanks for the content👌

[@justsosmooth2k23]

I am attempting to find studs in the ceiling. it is plaster. I did notice around the electrical bot in the ceiling that there are strips of wood that are going horizontally with insulation between them. So although the studs may be going vertically , those strips are going horizontally.

[@mags_smag]

Watching in 2024. Thanks !

[@jillynallred2342]

This made my heart sink 😂 We bought a 1957 ranch with plaster walls but almost everything is wall papered. So I can’t just easily patch up test holes. In our other houses built in the late 40s we could easily use our stud finder and so we hung a lot. Cabinets, shelves on brackets and decorations. Feeling disheartened right now. 😅😅

[@AndreaRuralMN]

To help visualize maybe check out the stairwell to the basement if its unfinished. I have been plagued by plaster my whole life. Due to my meager budget I just bought a 1916 home and will never be rid of plaster. BUT I have a home!

[@dweast]

Your video really helped! Thanks

[@WeTheDylan]

That's great man, thanks for all the help!

[@greekozygirl599]

Thanks so much you just saved us a heap of work, very helpful indeed.

[@heidis3993]

About pencil marks: I get them off quite easily (especially when they are fresh) with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser.

[@bryanutility9609]

How thick is the plaster? Could it be too thick like 3” deep?

[@BurtBowers]

I have Zirckon stud finder bout 10 years old always have to redue the thing dozen times till I feel I have found the center of the stud its a hassle getting miss reads being my walls are plaster has no boards in it they used sheet rock behind the plaster it's all bout retesting n retesting to you feel you got actual stud center.

[@borisb1831]

get a heavy duty neodymium magnet, it will snag every ferrous nail in the wall.

[@BurtBowers]

Boris Bagryanskiy that's funny I have a heavy duty magnet i got from harbor freight size of a baseball & the magnet as strong as it is won't grab to any metal thing in the pkaster walls strange as it is I use the Zirckon stud finder it finds studs but I have to use it over n over to get a possible reading but again don't understand why the magnet doesn't grab to the nails in wall..

[@ericeisnor9219]

Thanks for the tips!

[@flefer506]

Just use painters tape for your marks on the wall, it will come off easy with no residue

[@sndmann5]

Very helpful, thanks. I'm a novice. What about the knocking on the wall technique?

[@createthisdotcom]

You can try it but it doesn’t seem to work for me.

[@patrickmillergamble1481]

It seems like my wall has a bunch of metal mesh in it making the magnet solution a bit difficult. Any tips?

[@createthisdotcom]

That’s really hard. No, I don’t really have any tips, sorry. You can try measuring stud distance and blind guess it, but that sucks.

[@marilue6772]

What type and size of crews would you recommend. You said you wished you used longer ones

[@createthisdotcom]

The ones I used are perfectly fine.

[@septegram]

Introduce Tracy to painter's tape. Find a nail, put down a bit of painter's tape, and mark on the tape.

[@pockyporeblixie2138]

HELP. What is rule, If I have plaster walls I use wood screws that are long? And if I have masonary wall I can use anchor. The walls feel like i am drilling into cement. I cannot even hand curtain hardware because screws dont seem to go IN! 1940's construction I think.

[@karenc9359]

Not sure how you guys are making this, if it would even be possible, but more visuals would help. Like if you could put in a picture of what it actually looks like (deconstructed) inside... I'm a visual person so it was kind of hard to picture what you mean. Very very helpful though!

[@createthisdotcom]

+Karen C This might help: www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/articles/anatomy-stud-framed-wall.aspx

[@mybluemars]

Just want to say Thank you for the video! I learned a thing or two about stud finding on plaster walls!

[@createthisdotcom]

You're welcome!

[@Danielo197]

Your video helped, thanks

[@slowemm]

I always use a little bit of wax for lubrication before I drill.

[@Kasperblk]

You could use painters tape or sticky dots instead of pencil.

[@pegg70]

My house was built in 1920, and I think was repositioned on this property (Oakland, CA). I’ve tried magnets before, but sometimes when I drill in to the wall, the bit stalls mid-way and there’s something spongy but dry, fluffy. Like ram board, but more like insulation. What is your estimation of what is happening inside my wall?

[@createthisdotcom]

If the bit stops, chances are you hit metal of some sort. Could be a plate covering electrical or wiring. Move to a different location and try again. Not sure regarding the insulation.

[@endobyotic]

So glad I watched to the end. :D

[@JasonTylerRicci]

Great video and you 3 make a great team for these types of videos. My walls are plaster and lath, any suggestions for hanging cabinets to them?

[@createthisdotcom]

+Jason Ricci I think People generally remove the plaster and lathe when hanging cabinets and bolt them directly to the 2x4 studs, but I've never tried it before. Good luck!

[@derekmitt23]

You can mark it with painters tape and then put the X on the tape.

[@KAVIYAKIRUBA]

Hi tanks for the is help me lot And I have the Zircon m40 and it has done a fine job

[@angelfit5511]

We love Tracy

[@EdieBabeMonster]

Couldn’t your honey use post it style page marker tabs - they are small, brightly coloured and won’t damage anything...?

[@dukelawr]

Great idea! I'll be doing this from now on.

[@ThePdxster]

or painter's tape.

[@bandini22221]

Your girl's a comedian, bro! LOL

[@gooma27]

Great detailed explanation thanks!

[@pockyporeblixie2138]

and on amazon the magnatic stud funder is 9.80 is that the right one?

[@johnulcer]

What if your walls are brick and mortar rather than wood lath? There's no stud to drill into then, right?

[@createthisdotcom]

Possibly. In that case, concrete anchors are probably the way to go. These days, most new construction brick is facade though. It would probably have to be pretty old.

[@Apocamox]

This is super helpful but I’m still scared to ruin my wall. I’ll get through it though. 😅

[@MiMoTheMusician]

Thank you so much brotha, this is extremely helpful

[@LynnZhao]

thank you for this video! dumb question...but how can you tell which walls are plaster vs drywall? I've had contractors tell us we have both in the house and said they could tell by the sound, but it's really hard for me to distinguish. any tips would be helpful!

[@createthisdotcom]

You can usually tell just by feeling them and pressing gently. Drywall tends to be softer and plaster tends to be harder. That said, it’s usually pretty obvious when you drill if you examine the debris. The technique in this video works on both types of walls btw.

[@katrinamatheson9786]

I can confirm stud finders still do not work on plaster walls.

[@timmothycopeland4866]

I second that

[@Eger118877]

Tie a string or piece of dental floss on the magnetic stud finder and let in hang while you're dragging it across the wall. When you encounter the stud, or nails in the stud, it will be much more pronounced than just holding the stud finder in your hand.

[@nataliegarrett9637]

You need to ground the wall by placing one hand on the wall, while you hold the stud finder in the other hand. You get a false positive reading otherwise, due to the plaster not being properly grounded. It works - I've tried this myself.

[@douglassgarvey653]

Year 2020 pushing to 2021 annnnd they still don't work lol

[@scubasteve1236]

Bought a stud finder the other week couldn’t find a stud in my plaster wall

[@dukelawr]

Helpful video, thanks!

[@SuicideKing777]

The studs have wooden lath running horizontal also. The whole room (ceiling & walls). Has about a half inch gap between each piece. The gap is what holds the plaster to the wall. This is why a magnet is good to find the nail which "should" be in a stud.

[@CattGeller]

thank you so very much ..... very helpful .... !!!

[@aleks4307]

whats a stud?

[@sherrykinslow7823]

Best comment yet, lol my hubby's a stud!

[@JenniferAlvarado5]

Thanks for the video. Really helped out

[@miltonborrows2936]

fuck it, the guitars are staying on the floors, i'm just imagining the almighty crash and snapping sound in the middle of the night as one of my favourite axes dies a death falling from my shoddy DIY attempts. does any want to buy x4 guitar wall mounting brackets?

[@kirbytate9961]

I just moved into an apartment with plaster walls and used the magnet trick first bc I didn't have a studfinder handy. however, my magnet sticks to the wall as I drag it the whole vertical length from ceiling to floor. are metal studs possible?

[@createthisdotcom]

+Kirby Tate definitely. Especially in newer construction. Could also be iron pipe.

[@kirbytate9961]

createthis there are spaced at pretty regular distances from one another which makes me think studs and not pipes. in that case what do I do with metal studs?

[@createthisdotcom]

You can drill into them and use zip screws, but honestly I wouldn't want to. I'd be worried I'd hit a pipe or electrical wire. Wooden stud construction often uses metal plates as a way to stop people from drilling in areas where things like pipes and wiring pass through the studs. You drill, hit the plate, get frustrated and give up. Disaster averted. I see a lot of people recommending toggle bolts for drywall when steel studs are an issue. Might work for plaster too. I've never tried toggle bolts as I've never had anything but wood studs to deal with.

[@kirbytate9961]

createthis thanks for your response and advice. I've only had to deal with drywall in the past and this whole plaster thing seems frustrating. appreciate your video and replies.

[@j2muw667]

You probably have metal lath instead of wood slat lath.

[@tashanorton2972]

Do you need a special drill bit for plaster?

[@createthisdotcom]

No. Anything will work, but I wouldn’t recommend using a drill bit you particularly care about. Plaster is tough on bits.

[@SteveSilverActor]

How do you know which walls are plaster and which are drywall? (Or brick?)

[@createthisdotcom]

Shouldn’t matter much if you use a magnet. Only doesn’t work if there is a metal strip, a metal stud, etc.

[@createthisdotcom]

Once you drill a hole it becomes readily apparent what you are drilling into.

[@Kymimom]

What is the average span between stubs for houses that were built in the 1920-40s ?

[@createthisdotcom]

Wall studs in modern homes are spaced 16 inches on center -- that is thedistance from the center of one wall stud to the center of the next is 16inches. In older homes, studs may be 24 inches apart, or spaced irregularly.