Electronic Stud Finder

• The light will flash when a nail is found.
  
  The electronic stud finder locates studs by calculating the thickness of the wall. Press the stud finder against the wall, and slide the instrument across the wall and watch for a flashing light. The flashing light indicates a stud has been located. Make a faint mark on the wall. Move the stud finder about 1 foot to the opposite side of the mark and slide the stud finder toward the mark. When the light flashes make another faint mark on the wall. Mark the center of the two marks on the wall for the center of the stud. This method is very accurate for locating studs.
  
  

Magnet Stud Finder

• The red pointer will move to the direction of a nail.
  
  This method locates screws or nails that have been used to fasten studs. A small pointer will swivel to the direction of anything metal indicating the location of a nail. Although it is accurate for locating metals, it will also sense metal conduit and galvanized pipes, which will give you a false reading of a stud location. It is best to double-check your reading by measuring 16 inches or 24 inches to each side of the reading to determine if there is another stud. Once you have determined there is a pattern, you can feel assured that you have located a stud.
  
  

Tapping

• Starting at the end of the wall, tap the wall with your knuckle. Listen to the sound the wall returns when there is a solid object behind it. Tap a second time, approximately 6 inches from the wall edge; note that the sound is different because it is hollow behind the wall. Continue using the tapping method until you feel confident that you can differentiate between a solid and hollow sound. Use a small nail driven into the wall to determine if you have actually located a stud. Larger nails can be used once you are certain that a stud has been located.
  
  

Drilling

• Use this method as a last resort because it is slightly more complex. Drill a small hole at an angle through the wall in the direction of the stud. Insert a thick insulated wire through the hole. Be sure to wrap electrical tape over both ends of the wire as a safety precaution. Push the wire until you feel it is hitting the stud and then make a slight bend in the wire to mark the distance. Using the wire as a guide, you can locate the stud from the outside of the wall. Add 3/4 inch to mark the center of the stud.