Good stud scanner?

[Cheese]

[member=12138]L.J[/member]
Can you provide any further information as to how well this scanner works? Such as materials scanned or depths scanned and results?

I really want to like the Milwaukee scanner, but I have such a foul taste in my mouth from using the Zircon units, that I've pretty much decided that most of the existing scanners should end up in the local scrap yard or worse.

Personally, I think Zircon did a huge disservice to the scanner industry in general, by being such a poor representative of the available technology.  They pretty much bragged about their capabilities and then failed to deliver on any of them. Shame on Zircon...

 

[L.J]

[member=12138]L.J[/member]
Can you provide any further information as to how well this scanner works? Such as materials scanned or depths scanned and results?

I really want to like the Milwaukee scanner, but I have such a foul taste in my mouth from using the Zircon units, that I've pretty much decided that most of the existing scanners should end up in the local scrap yard or worse.

Personally, I think Zircon did a huge disservice to the scanner industry in general, by being such a poor representative of the available technology.  They pretty much bragged about their capabilities and then failed to deliver on any of them. Shame on Zircon...

so far I've used it on plaster & sheetrock(double 5\8) and it has found the studs,pipes and electric. It's much better than Zircon but a slight notch under the Dewalt but the Dewalt is substantially more expensive.

 

[Cheese]

[member=12138]L.J[/member]

Interesting, so you can differentiate between metal pipes and electrical wires?

Not being a fan of Dewalt, I'm not familar with the Dewalt version. Have you compared both the Milwaukee and the Dewalt units side by side?

 

[JMSMillwork]

My favorite;
http://www.amazon.com/CH-Hanson-03040-Magnetic-Finder/dp/B000IKK0OI

Tom

A must have....

 

[mwildt]

I've had Zircons and it's junk. Got the Franklin but not perfect, though pretty good. Combine that one with ahttp://www.magicstudfinder.com/  (believe I got it at the container store) and a measuring tape things gets easier. I also check an electric outlet if present to see what side of the outlet the stud is located. Nails in the baseboard can also indicate/confirm locations. The Franklin is really good to check for 'extra' studs in the wall, like carrying beams etc.

 

[L.J]

[member=12138]L.J[/member]

Interesting, so you can differentiate between metal pipes and electrical wires?

Not being a fan of Dewalt, I'm not familar with the Dewalt version. Have you compared both the Milwaukee and the Dewalt units side by side?

I was originally gonna buy the DeWalt but read horrific reviews on it a few  years ago and went with the Milwaukee. DeWalt has since redone their scanner and is much better supposedly. Excuse this video the guy is kinda monotone !!!!

 

[DB10]

Unfortunately I couldn't last the distance on that video. [scared]  I might give it another go at bed time.  but I'm also interested in what people's real life experiences are with using the Milwaukee M12.

 

[Cheese]

Unfortunately I couldn't last the distance on that video. [scared]  I might give it another go at bed time.  but I'm also interested in what people's real life experiences are with using the Milwaukee M12.

I agree...I could only take 11 minutes of him before the pause button was pushed. Maybe I'll return for some more punishment later.

 

[gsdvorak]

I was installing cabinets in my new house over the weekend using a Zircon with very mixed results- thankfully didn't put a screw through a wire or pipe.  This thread was good timing for me- bought the Franklin based on feedback and used for the first time last night- works much better and will use for the remaining cabinets/closet shelving.  Appreciate the recommendations!

Regards,
Gerald

 

[L.J]

I was installing cabinets in my new house over the weekend using a Zircon with very mixed results- thankfully didn't put a screw through a wire or pipe.  This thread was good timing for me- bought the Franklin based on feedback and used for the first time last night- works much better and will use for the remaining cabinets/closet shelving.  Appreciate the recommendations!

Regards,
Gerald

For basic things the Franklin is good but for more invasive work the DeWalt and Milwaukee are much better suited.

 

[TealaG]

I am so frustrated with stud finding.  I've tried Zircon with marginal results.  I then started using this kit:http://www.containerstore.com/s/elf...inder-by-tomboy-tools/123d?productId=10025225

Effectively, it's the rare earth magnet solution.  The problem I had with that is that I don't want to attach anything at that specific spot.  So I try to use a level to guess where the stud is above/below the target/magnet (assuming that the stud is plumb), but I still miss.  Maybe the nail is not in the center of the stud?  I've also tried to assume that the studs are 16" on center...and maybe they are but if I don't know the exact center of the first stud, then I could be a bit off center on the next and so forth. 

So I got the Bosch GMS120 - did some testing in the house and I'm frankly in the "not sure" category on this one. 

I'm tired of making swiss cheese out of my drywall.  I took pictures of the walls prior to the drywall and that has at least kept me out of true trouble (pipes and such...a good thing since I have PVC and PEX). 

Any insight/ideas would be appreciated!

 

[Stunt]

The Franklin looks nice and I have thought of one but until the cheap $10 Zircon I have dies (7 years and still working) it'll stay in my box. Only issue with it are on plaster walls or freshly painted.
My method is roughly locate the stud with the electronic finder, or use my knuckles to sound out the stud, then use an 18ga nail about 1-1/2" long to feel thru the wall with a hammer. If bounces, I've got a pipe or ducting. If it sticks or is hard, it's hit a stud. 3 hits, one in middle and one to either side then I know I have centered a stud.
Sure I have small holes from the 18ga nail but they are easily and sometimes invisibly repaired with small dab of drywall mud, but I mark where I'll be coveringanyhow. Most homes I work my cabinets into are having the walls painted after cabinets are installed so not a big deal.