Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Ultimate Tool Bag Giveaway). This thread is read-only.
How about the M12 sub-scanner tool or the Franklin Prosensor 710?
Are you only looking at those two? I have a very old one that has served me well, but it is not very precise………let me now what you get and how reliable it is.
I usually use a really strong rare earth magnet to find drywall screw heads and nails into studs. I’ve had a few Bosch and Hilti units and sometimes would trust them as far as you could throw them lol
I bought the M12 sub scanner and it’s great 🙂
The magnet idea is pretty simple I have no idea why I have not thought about it before…………
Have a Zircon ( sorry, not sure of the model number) that has a digital screen, will show you you are close to the edge of a stud and produce a red laser- line when you’re at the centre – but have had accuracy issues with it.
Also now have a Franklin Prosensor 710, and it’s great ! I can highly recommend it. Very accurate, so easy to use, no need to calibrate it, just press the button and place it on the surface you’re testing. Done.
Have also used the “Magnet” trick and it does work – another little tip if using that method – cut the drywall around the screw – you can now remove whole sheets at a time and reuse them later with minimal patching. Can save a lot of material !
earth mags works best imo, its cheap and never needs batteries
a quality stud finder is a great idea for the tool bag
I have the Zircon cheapo, around $20 bucks, and it does a pretty fair job provided you’re patient. It will identify both sides of the stud so you can virtually see the center.
I do have to admit to having discovered myself drooling while eyeballing the Franklin Pro-Sensor 710. It’s good to hear that someone actually uses one and is pleased with the results.
I went through 3 models of zircons from basic to mid range and never really liked any of them. Then I got the Pro Sensor 710 and wow.. it just works! Not perfect on plaster but the best I have seen.. sometimes a magnet is the only way to go
Yea the franklin is awesome I got it last year from my inlaws as a present and ended up hanging 3 tvs for them :/ it has came in very handy for my house also
The Franklin is the way to go as far as I am concerned. They sold one at Costco for a while for 38 bucks under a different name.
Agreed on the Franklin. If you need something that finds electrical, rebar, etc, you’ll need something else. But for a stud finder, the Franklin is awesome.
Stud finder ? you don’t have to look to far ChrisK is around here somewhere.
No but really I use the Zircon M40 to find studs in plaster walls. It is basically a metal scanner and finds the nail heads holding the lath to the studs. now I’m waiting on the new Dewalt scanner.
I have the profinder 5000 from Costco – the same thing like franklin just blue.
works like a charm
got an old Zircon works for my needs…….
Wow comp I’ve seen my gramps with one of these very nice that u still have that