7 Best And WEIRDEST Ways To FIND A STUD (#7 is the strangest!)

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THERE ARE ACTUALLY 8 METHODS IN THIS VIDEO due to a small editing fiasco. MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER THOUGH, RIGHT?! :)
Who needs a studfinder? These 8 ways to find a stud are the best and the weirdest! Here at The Honest Carpenter, we personally think #3 is the best, but #7 is the weirdest method that REALLY WORKS!!
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There are a lot of ways to find a stud. But these are the ones that I use as a professional carpenter, plus a couple weird ones thrown in!
8 WAYS TO FIND A STUD:
1: The Knocking Method: Use a 16 oz. hammer wrapped in a wash cloth to knock on the wall. The space between studs will make a low pitch sound. The point on studs will make a higher pitch sound.
2: The Electric Razor Method: Battery-powered electric razors also work well. Press them to the wall and move the sideways. Vibrations will make a higher-pitched sound on studs.
3: Use Magnets! : This is by far the best method. I use rare earth neodymium magnets to find screw heads where drywall is attached to studs.
4: Look For Outlets And Lightswitches: These electrical boxes are almost always mounted to studs. Just knock on the wall to either side of the outlet.
5: Look For Nails In Trim: Carpenters mostly try to nail trim to studs for better support. Look for trim nails that painters did not effectively hide, then test the wall with a magnet.
6. Look For Popped Screws: Drywall screws that don't get set deeply enough sometimes pop their mud patches. Use a bright light held near the wall to make them stand out visibly.
QUICK TIP: Remember that studs are spaced 16" on-center, except in some newer homes where they are spaced 24" on-center.
6 (b): The Coathanger Method: Straighten a wire coathanger, then put a crook partway down. Punch a dime-sized hole in the wall. Feel the coathanger through and swing it around until it hits a stud. Pull the coathanger out at that angle and hold it up to the hole in the wall. You'll be able to see the approximate stud location.
#7: The Steel Wool Method: Rub two pads of steel wool together near the wall. The friction between metal surfaces will produce a small electrical charge. Filaments with this charge will fall down the wall and get stuck on screw heads magnetically. These are your stud locations.
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[@TheHonestCarpenter]

THERE ARE ACTUALLY 8 METHODS IN THIS VIDEO! Just had a small fiasco in editing. But more is always better right?! :)

[@shamanosanity6557]

AMAZING a magnet, razor, coathanger hahaha you really included ALL methodes one can conjure up applause , slowly bowing and hemicycling my baseball cap

[@normdawley2355]

Some new info here for a grizzled carpenter. Don't know bout the coathanger, but the steel wool trick is pretty ingenious and just might come in handy. I'm sure you're aware of the following, but I didn't hear you mention it in your video. I use electrical switches/outlets to find studs all the time, but ya gotta keep in mind the possibility that the box isn't mounted directly to a stud.1:47 Shows an electrical box attached to 2 2x4 spacers/blocking attached to a stud. Surprised you didn't mention it when you filmed this very possibility. Of course the 2x4 spacers/blocking can be mounted to by whatever you're attaching to the wall, but only right near the switch/outlet. Sometimes horizontal blocking near the top of bottom cabinets or near the bottom of top cabinets can masquerade as studs. Same is true for plumbing blocking. Both situations are similar to switch/outlet blocking in that this blocking can be mounted to but only right near the blocking. I use some of the ways you describe to find a stud, but I always confirm stud location by what I call the redneck stud finder: hammer a nail into the wall in the location of whatever I'm mounting so the holes will be covered. Unless I framed the wall and am confident in the stud spacing, I always double the location of every stud this way. Keep up the good work. Stay safe out there.

[@redbaron474]

What if my walls don't have studs? stud finders act like the whole wall is one giant stud, magnets don't detect any nails/screws, tapping produces no results... I'm ready to drill a hole and try shoving an endoscope into the wall.

[@Maltloaflegrande]

Excellent: particularly the steel wool method.

[@aztecwarrior9729]

Neat tricks but we need to watch out for electric cables. We don't know if they run all over the wall. 😬🤔

[@mb3799]

This is a great example of why KZbin has value.

[@bbikermama]

Sometimes

[@afisemenaborevlaka48]

Or you can do like my ex tenant did and open up holes with a hammer and nail until you find a stud. Just for kicks I counted 600 holes in the walls of a 1.700 sq. foot house.

[@1junetop]

Yes yes yes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tttm99]

Indeed. And I want to believe that the eerie timing of the video's appearance in my playlist is purely down to the baader meinhof effect... 😳

[@skeeterburke]

right! this is why I always tell people "I went to KZbin University" 🎓

[@michaelparks3106]

For the coat hanger trick: bend it in a "U" shape with both legs the same length, when the leg inside the wall hits the stud, the outside leg will show you exactly where it is.

[@cesar270686]

😮👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@sr64olds]

Very smart👏👍

[@riseabove3082]

Awesome tip. Thanks for sharing

[@juliostoopen8869]

This is also a very good tip! Thanks!

[@DankUrbanBoss]

Solid tip

[@freddyfriesen]

This has got to be the best video I have seen in a long time. Short and effective, packed with loads of useful information. Thanks

[@sharongodbee2270]

Just walked around the house finding studs with a magnet. I feel so empowered. You have already help me fix a door lock and split trim in my sunroom. I now use the ladder extra bits but would love to learn how to roll up an electrical cord so it rolls out without being tangled. You are awesome.

[@artdeco5464]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/maHYpqeGa6mZbpY He is working with mic cable but extension cords coil the same for the same reason... the wires inside are twisted and want to coil naturally

[@DavidSmith-rf5je]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6jEeJaGotmHqbM I seen this method, won't go back to any other way. Over under, around the arm, throwing it on the floor in a pile, all of them produce nasty messes for me. This video shows how to do it mess free. Rolls up fast and unroll faster.

[@rolls_8798]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6jEeJaGotmHqbM can't go wrong with this technique, and it's from a great channel. Might not be the best option for very short cables, but it will never tangle and you can actually unhook and hold onto the ends and throw the whole cable outwards where it will unravel in the air and impress your friends. Personally, I like having the two ends together so i can plug it into the wall and a tool/another extension cable and just walk away, letting it unravel as i go.

[@rolls_8798]

@@DavidSmith-rf5je absolutely. Hands down the best way, I made my comment before I realised it was the same video 😂

[@coolbreeze1774]

The Essential Craftsman channel shows some extension cord tips and much much more.

[@joejr9653]

Magnets are a great idea. That steel wool trick is crazy. I've never seen that before.

[@titi9238]

Yeah, now am thinking of getting some.

[@honeyspiderii]

OMG! the magnet method works amazingly well. Stud finding has been a great source of frustration for me, especially in cases of irregular stud placement. Thanks so much for this video.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@johnkelley9877]

I never thought of using magnets but I see it works! That is a great idea and I will certainly remember it.

[@MM-ts2fi]

Great tips. I have been nailing onto the wall with small nails all the way across the wall until i hot a stud and then marking it. I love the magnet method!

[@KaritKtana]

Appreciate how short and to the point the video is! But what I'm most terrified of is drilling into a pipe or wire by accident. Is there a way to avoid this???

[@WGMedia]

When builders follow code, pipe and wire is located in the center of the wall cavity. Studs are typically 3 - ½" so you don't want to drill into the stud deep enough to reach that point. The rule of thumb is ¾" to 1" of penetration. If you have ½" drywall and are attaching a ¾" board to the wall, you will use screws that are 2" or 2 - ¼"

[@amc5936]

for a female that has to rely mainly on myself more so now, I apreciate your tips and and how you exsplain things thanks!!!!

[@geraldinegranado3386]

Funny but I always have a hard time trying to listen in to find the stud. I'm going to try the magnetic one. Thanks for helping!

[@nassirbadrudin9741]

These methods will help you find the screws attaching the board to the stud but ideally you need to "bracket" the found stud to find its centre. That screw may have only just caught the edge of the stud. Drive a finishing nail progressively to the side of the screw until it misses the stud. That will give you one edge of the stud. Do the same in the opposite direction for the other edge. It will usually be 1 1/2 inches.

[@felicityhill9343]

And you have done it again. Thanks for the awesome tips🎉

[@peterleiza4351]

My grandfather said it the best ... you learn something new everyday

[@gregmahler9506]

The magnet trick was sage wisdom! Thanks !!!

[@bejo5161]

Thank You for this video! Currently hanging a very heavy cabinet and the disc magnet suggestion is awesome and also allows one to avoid the dryhole nails when selecting spots in the studs for pilot holes. Best Regards!

[@DennisMiscannon]

I Love the magnet....I Havent ever heard of it ...Too cool!!!!!!!!

[@beckyd4756]

Thank you for giving clear concise and easy directions straight to the point

[@bryanrocker5033]

Great tips each and every one of them. One note, the light method of looking on a wall for screws/nails etc also works extremely well when looking for dropped hardware on the floor. The brighter/stronger the light the better.

[@hudentdw2]

The magnet way seems to be the easiest way I never tried it but soon I'll give it a shot when I do some picture hanging..Thanks for the tips🙏🏻.

[@canebro1]

One tip if you need to find multiple studs (like installing slat wall), is to cut a scrap piece of of wood 16" (or 24") long. Something small but still rigid, like a 1x2. Then once you find the first stud, just line it up and immediately know where the next one is. If you need it level, just duct tape a level on the top or bottom.

[@GerardHaight]

Like I said you are way above average. Excellent class.

[@NahYeahMate]

Love it, thanks mate! The magnets worked a treat!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Great to hear!

[@lydiaross7259]

Great video! Stud finders have led me astray many times. Definitely buying this kind of magnets for all future stud finding.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Lyd!! They’ve never let me down 😁

[@wilsonjohnson9774]

Hi, watched your videos a lot, and still learing. As an old DIYer, this is the best informative video on utube, you sir just saved me 30$ more and a few headaches. From the bottom of my heart " THANK-YOU " keep these videos coming . Thanks again Wils 👍

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Wilson! 😄

[@campingandrelaxing]

thank you so much for sharing! The magnet one is the best! The apartment I live in has studs that spread out unevenly... so this is a life-saver!

[@patient864]

Thank you so much. The magnet technique saved my day. I was able to map a wall using magnets, outlets, light switches, and a stud finder. I was planning hanging floating bookshelves for a couple days, finding the the studs was vital. Thanks!

[@visualeffect]

Clever Ideas! Thanks!

[@t.h.nguyen5193]

Very clever! I like the magnet idea, tip #3! Thank you for all the tips!

[@jonathanlee7355]

Magnets are my go to! I bought a stud finder that actually uses magnets, just because it has more than one and makes lining things up a lil easier with built in level.

[@dondash8921]

Over 40 years, I have 5 stud finders including a magnet (lost it) & 2 that indicate electrical. Both of those are always alerting to electricity even when I put it on an interior door. So I use my oldest (with 3 vertical lights circa 1985) & my newest multi light finder. I bought the first finder but then I wanted to upgrade. After I moved in 2018, I was doing renos & the electrical warning in the finder was continuous so I bought an improved finder with a screen but it alerted to electricity where I knew there was no wire (back of a utility room wall). I exchanged the tool but still the same issue.The house has the foil backed vapor barrier fibreglass insulation (circa 1980) so I bought the newest finder. I love it.

[@robertbuck7186]

Wow really awesome I only knew of the coat hanger method

[@domingocavazos]

Great video. Do you have one that helps you avoid or find electrical wires?

[@mr.t9976]

Or plumbing. Seen some videos of people drilling though copper pipe and flooding their house

[@claireskrine4837]

@@mr.t9976 I've done this, although I heard the hissing in time, worked out what had happened, kept the nail to block the hole in until the plumber came and only caused minimal damage to the flat below....eeek. The people who had the flat before had run a water pipe under the floorboards by cutting out notches in the joists and putting the floorboards back on top, so when I was trying to stabilise the now very creaky floorboards by putting more nails through the joists, I hit the pipe.

[@robertford7302]

A good "non-contact voltage detector" will sense the voltage through drywall. Find the stud, then run the voltage detector around the area. This works pretty well. Also, look for switches or receptacles directly above or below where you are working. I know this seems obvious, but you would be surprised. One other thing, the wires should be attached to the side of the stud, if you hit the wire, you probably missed the stud. But still it is better to stay away from studs with electrical wires attached to them.

[@pumpkinheadghoul]

Great video. I have to find some ceiling joists through a drywall ceiling, and I don't trust my Ryobi stud finder, as it's let me astray more than once. However, I just happen to have a pack of rare earth magnets, so as soon as I saw you do it. I grabbed the magnets from my desk and quickly walked to my nearest wall, and started sticking magnets up and down the wall. GENIUS idea! Now I don't even need to draw any lines or lay out lines of tape or anything, because I can just follow the straight line of magnets laid out on my ceiling. Thanks so much for this great tip.

[@CrashboatAl]

Another Bullseye for you Ethan. Good job ! 😉

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Al! 😁

[@patriciaingraldi4719]

I cannot believe what you just taught me. I just used the little magnets which I happened to have and found all the studs on the wall. I've been using this is zircon stud finder and it's so confusing and I don't trust it. Your method was spot on. Thank you so much.!!

[@MrPinkyless]

My little trick is more for commercial not home, but places like offices that have ceiling tiles, you can open the tile above where your going to mount, usually you can see the stud exposed above the ceiling grid, then follow it down.

[@maggie7053]

Love ur videos. Thanks!

[@atweetythuyvi]

Will be buying magnets now (do you have Canadian Amazon links?). Also this is the first time I’ve heard about the coat hanger and steel wool trick. Thank you!

[@floydparker7772]

I just used the magnet technique in a closet re-build. It worked like a charm! I also used the light to spot a few rogue screws. Thanks for the tips!

[@premtaton]

Hey this is simply the best way, Thank you so much for sharing !

[@robertpryor7225]

Side lighting with a flashlight works for so many things, finding things dropped on a floor, any flaws on drywall/patch, checking flooring, body work on your car, hairs growing out of your head where they shouldn't be.

[@AfterBurner369]

Great stuff. Thank you. 😊 I'm not sure about number 6 with the coat-hanger, or no 7 with the steel wall, but the others are good. 👍👍👍

[@BeachCat]

The steel wool technique is really cool!

[@amsohn1]

Wowzers Ethan, I thought I had used some "weird" ways to find a stud... I love the magnet way... ordering this today! I really enjoyed watching and listening to your tips and tricks of the trade... thanks for sharing and especially caring how things are done and done right! Many Blessings

[@pamelasusan332]

The magnet method worked for me, LIKE MAGIC! Thanks.

[@paradoxdea]

Sir, you just saved my life...thank you!!

[@johnjkizer6399]

Wow, thank you very much for this valuable info.

[@JJones-nf9ce]

The magnet suggestion is Gold

[@troypierce9517]

Super cool methods finding studs and people can pick which one they like. Cool, Thanks !

[@AroundTheBlockAgain]

Thank you for this video! I ended up using a combination of the hammer-and-washcloth knocking to estimate where the studs were, and then used the magnet to pinpoint it. That did the trick. The walls in my (ancient) house are WACK, stud spacing is bizarre, and there's so many layers of paint on there. This video saved me a lot of frustration and some money on a stud finder that might not have worked!

[@SoFreshBlaze]

Same, there is not uniform spacing for any of these walls in my house

[@billyoung8118]

I spent a crap-ton of money for a high-end stud sensor from a professional tool store (not a box store, and definitely not the dollar-store version of a tool store). Don't work worth a crap. Spent $20 for a 1"x1"x1" neodymium magnet. Works 100% every time.

[@billhundreds8762]

Stud finders work if you know how to use them properly.

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

Great info and I always keep a few neodymium magnets stuck to the metal plate in my head which keeps them handy . Thanks again .

[@chrisgraham2904]

Dam! That doesn't work for me. The plate in my head is non-magnetic titanium.

[@rayoh2011]

Good job, Ethan! Enjoyed this video, Thank you!

[@Bhrazz]

that magnet trick, awesome!

[@xeropunt5749]

Genius . With good outro music👍

[@taz9221]

The magnet method is awesome. Thank you.

[@kathyb-007]

Omg. You're not only honest, but smart. LOVE the magnet one!!! I assume this (and all 8 methods) will work over wallpapered-wall too?

[@krisg6365]

I have to say, it is very rare for me to comment on channels and even rarer to subscribe but this is such practical and helpful information. Fantastic

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Kris! 😄

[@landlobster6871]

I use a 180 pound magnet as sometimes in older homes the mud is so thick that the smaller magnets have a hard time locating the metal. Then hang several smaller magnets to mark off the studs position as the drywallers do not always hit dead center, especially on a drywall joint.

[@Thomas.deNorth]

I always have my pin-pointer from my metal detecting kit with me at work. It is also useful when trying to decide where hidden electrical wiring goes.

[@rg1360]

Thank you so much. Helped me wall mount a TV

[@j.mccarthy3008]

Thank you!! Many great ideas!!! 💡

[@georgewhitehead8185]

All were super ideas. Thanks a lot. Nice, clear, and fast paced video...a great learning tool.

[@tomyen187]

Just tried and it worked perfectly well. After all, we need mags ~ ~ ~ Thanks~

[@jorgevelasquez9955]

Nathan....always great videos...Thanks!

[@veredictum4503]

Great ideas! Another tip. Salvage the strong magnets from a (dead) hard disk drive. Since drives inevitably fail, it's easy to soon have a few. KZbin shows how to open HDDs.

[@mattbrown8026]

You are a winner, winning. Thank you.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Matt!! 😁

[@JoeR203]

I use those magnets to hold the license plate on the bumper of my Wrangler so it covers the hole meant for the Winch cable.

[@fbtool]

Cool info thanks! Getting ready to mount a big screen TV in a 1950's house with plaster walls. I need all the stud location help I can get!

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Top tip, good Sir! I've got a pa k of rare earth magnets in the garage. I've also got a stud finder that I got as a gift. The magnet seems a much more reliable method. Thanks for sharing

[@mandiigraham1596]

Magnets and steel wool. I’m going to try this just for fun. I’m enjoying your videos. Thank you..

[@sr64olds]

Brilliant methods! Nicely done demo. Thank you.

[@jldude84]

I bought a electronic battery operated stud finder, but it just wasn't as reliable as I'd like, so I got an even cheaper magnetic finder (bout $9 at Lowe's) and it works sooooooooo much better.

[@Will-mv8kd]

@The Honest Carpenter Thank you for teaching me a lot of tips! Wondering if the magnet trick would work over top of tile (ie. tiled over dry wall)?

[@SSJIndy]

I recently used several neodymium magnets to 'map' out the ceiling joists before I cut into it to remove a piece of drywall damaged by a roof leak. It was nice knowing where I was cutting so I got my best placement of the patch piece. Just stuck them to the nail heads. Also a plug here for my oscillating tool that made a neat job of cutting with only a shallow cut. No worries about hidden wires!

[@deanhenthorn1890]

I use an old speaker magnet, it’s wider and covers more area, then pinpoint it with the little magnet like those your using. One thing to know, some commercial buildings use metal studs in the walls.

[@maibalzitch4086]

I've kept magnets of all types in my tool bag at all times. This saves time & trouble.

[@wesleysouth2560]

your vids are incredibly well designed & packed with excellent content. Thk u.

[@jerryhernandez5122]

Thanks for being honest.

[@neetrab]

So, the place where the magnet sticks on the wall (the stud?) is where i can drill/use hammer to put a nail in all the way, right? I won't hit a pipe or wire??

[@lesorr1312]

#7 Was really surprising. Will give it a try 🤙

[@pastimepursuit7212]

How do you know there is nothing running through the stud that you want to avoid, like metal or pvc pipes or wires? Is there ALWAYS a certain distance that metal and pvc pipes, and wires are from the screws / nails that connect the drywall to the stud? So as long as I put my nail or screw in x inches from the magnet-detected screw / nail already in the drywall, I am safe?? Need more guidance, thank you

[@mikec2810]

Great tips! Thanks

[@MarkoAbo]

Ethan! You are the best!

[@2011k1500]

I glue/tape one of the magnets to a piece of thread, maybe two feet long. Dangle it close to the wall and it will pop onto a screw. I'll attach a small washer to the other end of the thread. If you put the magnet on a screw, the thread will hang straight down due to the weight of the washer. (Of course this does not work on ceilings)

[@b5maddog]

Loved the tips! Thanks!

[@marklawrence343]

Awesome stuff Ethan. Thanks.

[@Watchesvideos]

I'm looking into this to mount my own TV on the wall.

[@davidshaw5973]

Oh finally a great KZbin video!!

[@RODsDIY]

Christ! I came here thinking you were publishing my email, phone number, address, twitter account, website and ID (that's 7) but no, you meant another kind of stud. I'm so relieved.

[@onetry7406]

How fun with the steel will!

[@ernesto9359]

You are a genius, bro

[@jackdeangelis6585]

Great tips but how about finding a floor joist under subfloor and vinyl? I have a squeaky floor in a bathroom that I'd like to re-screw before putting down new 12x12 peel & stick vinyl.

[@canuckcrusader5037]

The magnet trick is genius!

[@billruha4728]

These tips are amazing! MAGNETS! I never thought of magnets before. Thanks a ton for all of these videos, they are incredibly helpful.

[@edchaca9080]

Amazing tips, you are very knowledgeable. Thank you

[@valerierichardson6437]

Omg this is so cool! I’m literally grinning like a kid in a candy store. Thanks for sharing.

[@jerseyjim9092]

Stanley magnetic stud finder 47-400. About $5 on Amazon works great.