How do I find studs in the wall without an electric stud finder?
Question:I'd measure 16'' from an outlet but I'm not sure if the walls are standard.
Answers:
The quickest test is to take a finishing nail and hammer it in and see if you hit a stud. You can do this low on the wall so it is easier to cover up, the finishing nail makes a pretty small hole that can easily be spackled later.
If your walls are just studs and drywall, the "knocking test" works pretty well. Sometimes, if you put a lamp near the wall to sidelight the area, you can also see the small depressions where the drywall is nailed to the stud. Using the outlet as a starting point is a good idea; do remember that the outlet box is side mounted to the stud, not in line with it, so the stud is on one side or the other of the outlet. Knock on that stud to hear the sound you are looking for, and then start tapping about 16" down the wall for the next stud.
Of course, if you have lathe and plaster walls, it is more difficult to find the studs with this method, since the lathe (wood slats) run behind all the plaster to support it making the sounds harder to distinguish. When I was doing my kitchen, I made a "poor--man's stud finder" with a strong refridgerator magnet. I just slid the magnet slowly along the wall; you can feel a slight "tug" as the magnet passes over the stud, since each strip of lathe is nailed down to each stud.
Good luck, I hope one of these suggestions works for you.
Use the old-fashioned method of knocking on the wall with your knuckles. The stud area should have a solid sound, where the empty spots are more hollow sounding. This isn't a fool-proof method, but it worked for many many years by people older than you. My grandfather wouldn't have known what an electric stud finder was. Use the good ole knocking method.
Knock on the wall with your knuckle, areas between studs do sound different than when you hit the stud. More than likely they are sixteen inches apart.
Knocking on the walls is the quick method. With the stud finder, its easy, but what happens what the batteries die? Another way, and I wouldn't recommend this way, but hit the wall hard, put a hole in it and then look inside the hole until you see a stud.
Just knock on the wall you can hear the difference where the studs are.
Use a magnet to locate studs by moving it across the surface until you feel the " grab " when you cross over the nails or screws used to fasten the wallboard. Doesn't work on plaster walls.
ps. go ahead and measure from the outlet to give yourself a starting point.
A good electric stud finder is really the way to go. It will help you find the center of the stud. Many newer stud finders will also alert you if there is electric wiring running down the stud you have located.
If that is not an option, try the knocking method. When you think you have found a stud, use a tiny drill bit to drill several holes on a horizontal line. You will know if you are drilling into a stud because you will feel more resistance than just the drywall. By drilling 6 holes close together, you can determine where the center of the stud is for good anchoring. The last thing you want to do is just hit the edge of a stud and have something fall off the wall. The holes can easily be filled in with spackle or joint compound and paited over. If you are hanging a picture, mount the hanger above the small holes and you will hide them with the picture.
If you are hanging something simple, consider using a drywall anchor. Butterfly anchors can usually hold 30-40 lbs.
Good Luck.
If you do not have a stud finder you can use a drill and a very small drill bit start from a corner of your room and measure 16" then drill a very small hole in this area until you find that wood comes out on the bit.then repeat this to find the next stud.if not at 16" some very old houses may be 28".
There are some good answers above. But, also watch out for electrical lines and plumbing pipes in the wall.
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