Plasterboard Stud / wiring wall finder

[DrWho]

I know this has been asked plenty of times on here but many are about 4 years old and not good to resurrect old threads so here goes.

I'm looking for advice as to the best recommended stud, wiring, and pipe finder for plasterboard walls that's currently available, any advice on anything appreciated.

 

[foxhole]

Never seen a reliable one, never had a problem without one.What’s your project.

 

[DrWho]

Never seen a reliable one, never had a problem without one.What’s your project.

Hi, hanging stuff on the plasterboard walls, also worried about missing studs and hitting a live wire or pipe etc.

 

[foxhole]

Should not be any wires in wall except above or below a light switch/socket.Even less likely to find pipes.
Studs can be found by measurements and confirmed with a panel pin or fine screwdriver ( pin holes easily patched).

 

[DrWho]

Should not be any wires in wall except above or below a light switch/socket.Even less likely to find pipes.
Studs can be found by measurements and confirmed with a panel pin or fine screwdriver ( pin holes easily patched).

I wonder why they have these items for sale.

 

[foxhole]

I wonder why they have these items for sale.

People are gullible.

 

[DrWho]

People are gullible.

Loads of tradesmen use these, are you trying to tell me that they are all gullible?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Like who? I rarely see tradesmen using them probably because they are so unreliable.

 

[DrWho]

Like who? I rarely see tradesmen using them probably because they are so unreliable.

Joiners.

 

[DrWho]

So all those people that have been asking which one to use on this forum are all gullible are they?

Not a very respectable thing to say.

 

[foxhole]

So all those people that have been asking which one to use on this forum are all gullible are they?

Not a very respectable thing to say.

Only gullible if they actually buy one, not for asking.

 

[DrWho]

Only gullible if they actually buy one, not for asking.

That's your opinion not everyone's going by the reviews I've seen with many being positive.

Some just like the simplicity of them so to not have to work out measurements of where each joist will be.

 

[foxhole]

That's your opinion not everyone's going by the reviews I've seen with many being positive.

Some just like the simplicity of them so to not have to work out measurements of where each joist will be.

You still have to poke a hole in the plasterboard to confirm your findings .

 

[DrWho]

You still have to poke a hole in the plasterboard to confirm your findings .

For sure, but at least if the piece of equipment can detect where a joist is or a live wire given that on paper we should know where they are but not every workman goes by the rulebook therefore detecting prior must help, I certainly would not want to be poking holes in the plasterboard till I was sure it was safe and these gadgets help with this.

 

[endecotp]

Should not be any wires in wall except above or below a light switch/socket.

And horizontally in line with those, and in corners, and across the top of the wall.


Personally, I’ve found these things not bad for detecting cables and pipes but pretty useless for finding wooden studs. Tapping to find the less-hollow bits, and using a magnet to find nails/screws, and confirming by drilling small holes, is much more reliable.