I need to buy a new stud finder. Was wondering what others use and like. Any recommendations?

[Link: remotecentral.com]

I have this one from Franklin Sensor and really like it. [Link: franklinsensors.com] I got rid of the others I had.

This is what I've been using, as well as an identical one I got at Costco for half the cost. Both took rather short falls and never worked right again. Both have stopped working. I want to get something that is a bit more rugged. I will likely get another though so I have both as I did really like it.

Get yourself a wrist strap while you are at it.

I have been using a cheap Stanley for years and years. I have tried a couple of more expensive ones but they never worked as well as Stanley.

Zircon...Mine has been excellent for nearly a decade [except on really fresh paint, at which time the water content blocks its signal]...

[Link: zircon.com]

This is what I have. [Link: zircon.com]

Very accurate, I like the fact I can put the pencil mark right in the little V shape groove on top of it. The live AC detection is very awesome. It came in very handy scanning for buried cables... damn sheetrockers. I know you may not deal with 120VAC, but the ability is there. I believe it starts working at 90VAC.

I took it apart last month, because I am a stickler on leaving batteries in a device that may slowly drain them. Then corrosion happens. But I was pleased to see that the button on the side is the first thing that the battery leads hit. So if the button isn’t pressed in, no battery drain.

My only gripe... the display scratches easily. So put clear tape on it and replace it every now and then.

KOT

This

[Link: amazon.com]

Someone here recommended it a while back and it's been awesome. The best one I've ever used.

1/8" drill bit is all you need. Pick a spot fairly close to where you want to be, and start drilling holes every 1/2" in either a left or right direction from your first hole until you find a stud.

If your drill battery is dead, a solid backup to this method is a hammer and nail. :)

I see it done this way all the time....mainly by avid DIYers, but occasionally cabinet installers, electricians, "handymen", and more. YMMV.

DeWalt has a nifty wall/floor scanner....12V Max, it looks like overkill for us TV hangerbangers. Bosch has a similar one as well. $300 is a lot to find a spot to mount a TV to, and I have only missed a stud a handful of times in over 15 years and have never Bruced a waterpipe....so I think I am good with the $15 model from HD. :)

We tried the Franklin briefly. On a very easy stairwell, sheetrock wall in our store, the Franklin couldn't locate the studs. A simple knuckle tap and our ancient Zircon had no trouble dealing with this wall.

Our Zircon must be approaching 20 years old and at this point is on borrowed time (it won't always start up), but I haven't been able to find anything that is as useful to locate studs. The new units have more features, but are not as precise at indicating the edges of the stud. The new units can't correctly locate the stud on their own in-store display.

You must have had a bad unit. I've neve had the Franklin fail. We have 4 of them

Drop one. Then try it. As I stated I had two that both broke after short falls. I had one previously that also broke after a short fall. They work great when working, but after a drop, dead as a doornail.

I take it you checked the batteries first?

Frederick

I've dropped them more times than I can count. Knocked them off the top of six ft ladders too. The battery cover and the batteries go flying, put them back together and they still work