£15 vs £279 stud finder

timhoward

-

Broke Internet

Esteemed

Arms

Supporter

Joined

Jul 19, 2019

Messages

4,618

Solutions

1

Reaction score

9,331

Location

Oswestry

• Dec 19, 2021

• #1

 

R

RDB85

-

Trainee

Joined

Nov 23, 2017

Messages

1,085

Reaction score

168

Location

Liverpool

• Dec 19, 2021

• #2

He probably didn’t pay for either the YouTube clown so his opinion is irrelevant.

 

OP

timhoward

-

Broke Internet

Esteemed

Arms

Supporter

Joined

Jul 19, 2019

Messages

4,618

Solutions

1

Reaction score

9,331

Location

Oswestry

• Dec 19, 2021

• #3

RDB85 said:

He probably didn’t pay for either the YouTube clown so his opinion is irrelevant.

Click to expand...

Whether he paid for them or not the tests are interesting

 

OP

timhoward

-

Broke Internet

Esteemed

Arms

Supporter

Joined

Jul 19, 2019

Messages

4,618

Solutions

1

Reaction score

9,331

Location

Oswestry

• Dec 19, 2021

• #4

In summary the cheap one worked exactly the same until you add a further 8mm of plywood and then it became unreliable.

 

R

RDB85

-

Trainee

Joined

Nov 23, 2017

Messages

1,085

Reaction score

168

Location

Liverpool

• Dec 19, 2021

• #5

timhoward said:

Whether he paid for them or not the tests are interesting
View attachment 93198

View attachment 93200

Click to expand...

Each to their own. I don’t like any of the YouTube Celebs unfortunately.

 

D

Dustydazzler

-

Arms

Supporter

V.Nearly Esteemed

Joined

Mar 15, 2019

Messages

7,585

Reaction score

8,281

Location

Surrey

• Dec 19, 2021

• #6

Out of all the celebrity electricians Nagy , Bundy and Delroy seem the most reliable to me

 

OP

timhoward

-

Broke Internet

Esteemed

Arms

Supporter

Joined

Jul 19, 2019

Messages

4,618

Solutions

1

Reaction score

9,331

Location

Oswestry

• Dec 19, 2021

• #7

I started this thread because when anyone tests out two tools and mocks up services in a drywall it could save me money or maybe convince me to spend more money.
I only have a very basic and old stud / metal / cable finder and found it interesting to see two more modern models in use. I do have a strong magnet for finding joists which is handy.
I'm interested in what other people use for this task, especially if there's anything worth having in between £15 and £279.

 

R

RDB85

-

Trainee

Joined

Nov 23, 2017

Messages

1,085

Reaction score

168

Location

Liverpool

• Dec 19, 2021

• #8

timhoward said:

I started this thread because when anyone tests out two tools and mocks up services in a drywall it could save me money or maybe convince me to spend more money.
I only have a very basic and old stud / metal / cable finder and found it interesting to see two more modern models in use. I do have a strong magnet for finding joists which is handy.
I'm interested in what other people use for this task, especially if there's anything worth having in between £15 and £279.

Click to expand...

I’ve got a cheap one that was £20 from Screwfix it’s okay. You have to take the readings with a pinch of salt. The test was okay what Bundy done, but most walls will have some form of insulation in so it’s not a full test. I wouldn’t pay £280 for that personally.

 

Last edited: Dec 19, 2021

D

Dustydazzler

-

Arms

Supporter

V.Nearly Esteemed

Joined

Mar 15, 2019

Messages

7,585

Reaction score

8,281

Location

Surrey

• Dec 19, 2021

• #9

I had an old black & decker stud / pipe finder and I honestly didn't find it that useful , if there was a really good one on the market in the 50 quid bracket then it would be something worth keeping in the van

but £200/250 not a chance

 

N

nicebutdim

• Dec 19, 2021

• #10

I had one like this about 30 years ago and reckon I could have discerned more by licking the wall.

 

DPG

-

Esteemed

Arms

Patron

Joined

Dec 9, 2008

Messages

13,460

Reaction score

16,958

Location

S Yorkshire

• Dec 19, 2021

• #11

Cheaper still is Studbuddy (careful googling that!). A powerful magnet that can detect the plasterboard screws. And if you can find them then you've found your stud.

A good tip is to use a few small neodymimium magnets to pop on the screws once you've found them. So you can see the line.

 

N

nicebutdim

• Dec 19, 2021

• #12

DPG said:

Cheaper still is Studbuddy (careful googling that!). A powerful magnet that can detect the plasterboard screws. And if you can find them then you've found your stud.

A good tip is to use a few small neodymimium magnets to pop on the screws once you've found them. So you can see the line.

Click to expand...

I like the idea of that little thing, but studs aren't too much of an issue. If only something as reliable was available for finding pipes and cables.

 

DPG

-

Esteemed

Arms

Patron

Joined

Dec 9, 2008

Messages

13,460

Reaction score

16,958

Location

S Yorkshire

• Dec 19, 2021

• #13

nicebutdim said:

I like the idea of that little thing, but studs aren't too much of an issue. If only something as reliable was available for finding pipes and cables.

Click to expand...

Very useful when mounting TV brackets and shelves etc. though

 

N

nicebutdim

• Dec 19, 2021

• #14

DPG said:

Very useful when mounting TV brackets and shelves etc. though

Click to expand...

I might just buy one now

 

DPG

-

Esteemed

Arms

Patron

Joined

Dec 9, 2008

Messages

13,460

Reaction score

16,958

Location

S Yorkshire

• Dec 19, 2021

• #15

nicebutdim said:

I might just buy one now

Click to expand...

Worth a go for what they cost.