Recent comments in /f/DIY

IndyPoker979 t1_j9dqtk8 wrote

Reply to How do I find these g-d studs?? by WaterChestnutII

All of the suggestions are solid but if you already drilled a small hole, take a wire hanger and find it behind the wall that way to know which direction you need to go. Then just measure over and test it to make sure.

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LogiHiminn t1_j9dqr3j wrote

Reply to How do I find these g-d studs?? by WaterChestnutII

My last house was built in the 60’s and had shiplap behind the drywall. You might have a similar situation. Maybe take a cover plate off an outlet/switch and see if you can see behind the drywall next to the junction box.

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AddNamAndHim t1_j9dpgbc wrote

Reply to How do I find these g-d studs?? by WaterChestnutII

Find the most powerful magnet you have. Ours happens to be the magnet "key" that keeps our toddler out of the cabinets. Gently slide the magnet around on the wall, near where you'd like to hang your whatever. The magnet will snap on to the closest drywall screw head it can find. Pow, there's your stud.

Edit: Do not drill exactly where the magnet stopped. There's already a screw there.

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PointyWombat t1_j9dm1h9 wrote

Reply to Questions on a shed gravel foundation . by Camarofeind

  • clean down to bare, hard ground;
  • cover ground with a few inches of crush gravel, level and compact it;
  • build your frame on top of this gravel;
  • butt connect 2 4X4s by sistering a 4' length of 2x4 inside along the butt joint and secure with 2 or 3 carriage bolts on each side of the butt join. This joint needs to be strong;
  • fill the outside perimeter of the foundation frame with gravel, so that rodents cannot live under it. (skunks do this a lot where I am). I would fill the whole foundation to the top of the 2x4s to not risk it. Actually, I would just pour a concrete foundation.
  • all lumber on the ground should be pressure treated and any cut boards should have the ends treated.
  • if the area is prone holding water on top, consider raising the area with dirt so in the end, your foundation never sits in water. Pressure treated lumber ain't what it used to be.
  • Good Luck!
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squaredistrict2213 t1_j9dlrzm wrote

Reply to How do I find these g-d studs?? by WaterChestnutII

Get a stronger stud finder. My walls are drywall then plaster. Almost 2” thick in spots. A regular stud finder does nothing for me, but I’ve got a higher end one that can find them.

Otherwise the old outlet box trick is a good way to start.

Measuring 16” from the corner isn’t a good way because the wall probably isn’t a perfect multiple of 16”. That corner could have been the end of the wall when they framed it. A 170” wall from the tail end is going to have studs at 10”, 26”, 42”, etc

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Gonzostewie t1_j9dlrlj wrote

Reply to comment by Vyzantinist in Attaching TV wall mount - how to avoid electrical wiring in the walls? by Vyzantinist

The wire won't run up the wall unless it's running from the breaker to another room above. Even then, the odds are very low. 20yrs of handyman and diy projects has taught me that. I've never hit a wire.

The recep boxes are attached to studs. The stud will be on either side of the recep box. Tap next to the plug and one side will sound solid (stud) while the other will sound hollow and get deeper as you move away from the stud. You may even be able to see the stud by taking off the recep cover of the drywall hole is big enough.

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