CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder

by CH Hanson

• Small and compact, easily fits in pocket
• Powerful magnets allows hands free use
• 2 way level for ease of marking
• No batteries required
• Soft grip for easy grabbing and gentle touch

Product Description

Amazon.com

The Stud 4 Sure is a stud finder that uses powerful rare earth magnets to pinpoint the exact location of screws or nails in a stud. The tool doesn’t require batteries and never needs calibration. By keeping the tool free of moving or electronic parts, the Stud 4 Sure is easy to use and fits easily into any tool pouch. Just place the stud finder on the wall and sweep in an "S" pattern to locate any metal fastener. The rare earth magnets are strong enough to allow Stud 4 Sure to hang hands-free on a wall, eliminating the need for pencil markings. The ergonomically designed, China made product is guaranteed to last a lifetime of being tossed, dropped, and banged around.

From the Manufacturer

Positively locates nails and screws with powerful "neodymium" magnets. The magnetic stud finder works like magic. It sticks to the wall leaving your hands free--no batteries, no calibration, no lights, no hassle. It works on wood or metal studs, and uses multiple industrial strength magnets to “Field Vector” the stud. This is the last stud finder you will ever buy. Simply slide the flat surface of the magnetic stud finder slowly across a wall in a circular or "S" motion until you feel a strong pull to a nail head or screw. Once you have the magnetic stud finder directly above a nail head or screw, let it go and it sticks to the wall.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

350 of 356 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From HandyMan with Years of Experience. This is the ONE. March 2, 2008

By J. Russell

I agree with all the high praise for this low tech simple and highly effective approach to the age old stud finding task.

I don't know what took me so long it find this. Oh, I know. I didn't know 'this' kind of powerful finding magnet existed. I was use to being frustrated by the always questionable(is it a stud or isn't it) and unreliable high tech electronic ones, and at the other end, the low tech low power 'floating magnet pointer' kind.

Let me tell you the advantages from much OTJ experience. First, unlike the low power pointer kind, this one is much larger and there you can scan/cover an area much faster. Second, once you have located a stud nail its powerful magnet sticks to the nail providing an absolute positive ID, unlike an electronic one, and because it stays on the wall, it provides its own 'marker' until you are ready to attach your thingy. No marking on your wall.

Now, keep in mind once you have located a nail, if it is not where you want to attach something in the horizontal direction, measure in multiples of 16" increments in either direction to find other studs along your wall. Then move the magnet, to that location to scan again to verify the closest stud to your desired location. Also, once you have located your horizontal location, be sure your vertical location point selected to drive a larger nail or screw is really a full length stud locating a nail above and below your vertical point using this magnet.

Bottom line: Its simple, can't break, compact in your tool drawer, no marks(sticks to nail for reference point and is vinyl coated to protect wall while sliding/scanning), and can sub as a frig magnet. :)

110 of 110 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Way To Find A Stud February 7, 2007

By Northern Traveler

Amazon Verified Purchase

After using a variety of "stud finding" tools, I've finally ended my search. Short of high tech instrumentation not available to the general public, this stud finder is as good as it gets. It's amazing how we spend a lot of money on battery powered stud finders with all sorts of lights and sounds, when all you really need is this boring yellow magnet.

133 of 138 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars First Studfinder that really works January 8, 2007

By Fillmoe VINE™ VOICE

Our house has lath and plaster walls that are covered by Sheetrock. It has always been very difficult to locate studs for hanging heavy items because of the thickness of the walls. The electronic studfinders are undependable. This one works astonishingly well. Just hold it somewhat loosely and move it around in a sort of figure-eight motion. When it finds a stud, it pulls out of your hand and hangs on the wall. You can double check it by trying the same process a foot or two lower. Great product!

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget the Electronic Studfinder - Avoid nailing into pipes! February 20, 2010

By Just Anonymous TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Amazon Verified Purchase

A few years ago, I was installing some new pantry shelving. I went and bought one of the best electronic studfinders in the market and proceeded to make my installation. A month or two later, I noticed that there was discoloration on my pantry wall....I had drilled my pantry shelfing into a sink pipe from upstairs!!!! I had to remove drywall, fix the pipe, and redo the shelving -- horrible experience.

My father-in law was laughing and mentioned that electronic studfinders are unreliable and can't distinguish a stud from a pipe. He mentioned how his father used a small magnet attached to a string and would use it to find the steel nails in the wall.

This little gadget works in much the same way, only the magnets in this devices are really strong and will stick to the wall when it finds a nail and it has a level so you know what is up and down.

If you own a home that has drywall, this little tool is is 100, no 1,000, times better than electronic studfinders.

The concept is simple, when drywall is applied, steel nails are used to nail it to the 2x4 studs underneath. These steel nails can be found with a strong magnet.

Just run this little gadget in a figure 8, box, or whatever little pattern gently over your wall and when it finds a steel nail, it'll magnetize itself to the wall: you can feel when you're close to the nail. Save $30 buy this instead - it's much more reliable. Just make sure that when you find a nail, move the tool vertical line up and down in a against your wall so you find the "line" of nails (they should be spaced one every foot or two) - that way, you're sure you have a stud and not some random nail in the wall -- there should be multiple nails along the nail line: that's where your stud will be.... Not only that but construction guys will nail on the center of the stud. I can't tell you how many times I've just caught the edge of the stud with an electronic studfinder - frustrating.

Also, in the US standard construction places studs every 16 inches so you should be able to quickly determine where adjacent studs are. Just be careful, not all builders follow all practices and sometimes it's impractical to put studs ever 16 inches.

Also, when sheet rock nails are applied, the contractors nail them to the center of the studs (the good contractors do) so you know you've found the exact center of the stud. Finding the center of a stud (or water pipe) with an electronic studfinder can be frustrating.

Oh on size - it's small, maybe the size of a lighter but heavier because of the magnets.

Anyway - good luck on your projects. Read more ›

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple and elegant, but mind your application June 20, 2008

By Mars

Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this device's simplicity of design and use. It is an elegant solution to a difficult problem.

I have lath and plaster walls in my home. Evidently the plaster is thick, the tacks are small, or the magnets are not quite powerful enough; in any case I have trouble detecting the studs beneath. It takes a light hand and sensitivity to the magnets' pull. Once I think I have a stud I can move straight up and down to find the adjoining tacks, but it is still a fairly loose and imprecise process - especially if I have to nail a stud dead-on. I can get a pretty clear idea where the studs are, but the stud finder will not stick to any of the tacks in my walls.

This is a simple and reliable product. I am satisfied with my purchase, but be aware it is not exactly a silver bullet in all cases.