Stud Finder Features: What to Look for When Buying
So you’ve finally decided to re-do your home theater and you want to mount your television on the wall, for example: Now comes the fun part of buying the tools for the job. Mounting a television or other furniture or home decor is not as easy as just drilling screws into the wall to hang it; instead, there is a bit of a process that goes into place when you decide to mount something, be it a mirror, furniture, or TV.
The average home consumer will use a stud finder several times in their life, and when you do use it, you are going to want to have the best features. Stud finders are that one tool that you will need in your toolbox for years, and when you use one, you want a tool that will be effective.
Different stud finders are geared toward different usages, and choosing the one that you are going to get your money's worth out of is important. You can use a stud finder for a good deal of different tasks, which is why it's a good tool to keep around. There are always going to be times when you need to hang something on your wall, and the stud finder is how you will be able to anchor items securely to the wall by using the studs that make up your homes subframe. Hanging heavy wall items on sheetrock can damage your walls, and create a safety hazard for small children.
We are going to be taking a look at what features you should be looking for in your next stud finder.
How to Decide What Type Of Stud Finder You Want
The very first thing that you want to consider is what kind of stud finder you want, do you want the magnetic or electric variation? Two different types of stud finders currently dominate the market, and to find the one that’s best suited to you depends on the application. The average home-based consumer is going to be using a stud finder to hang heavy items on the walls such as electronics and even shelving, and when you need these items to be secure you must screw into a stud.
For all-around ease of use and accuracy, the electronic stud finder is more suitable for the home consumer, offering a quick and accurate way to tell where your studs are in the wall. The electronic stud finder is generally powered by batteries, although the newer models are rechargeable thanks to advances in rechargeable battery technology. What used to be an expensive unit can now be had for a very affordable price, and with the simplistic design just about anyone can figure out how to use an electronic stud finder successfully.
Easy-To-Read Stud Finder Display
You are going to be using a stud finder to locate studs in your wall, and as such you need to have a vivid display. The stud finder should have a screen that will show you the location of each stud, so that way you can find a central location to drill your screw into. You want to get an easy to read display that comes either backlit or has a vivid LCD screen because this is going to make locating each stud a much easier process. You also want to shoot for a stud finder that has a level built-into the display, which will help you hang your wall items at a level position.
Not all stud finders come with a screen, there are a majority of the less expensive units that simply come with a row of lights. These lights will illuminate and make a beeping sound when you are on top of a stud, and this is how the older electronic units would operate. Ideally, with today's advancements in technology, you’ll want to get a unit that has a screen on it, but if money is an issue you can go with the lighted option. Finding an electronic stud finder that has a vivid display is going to make your projects go smoother, and a whole lot faster.
Why Hands-free stud finder Usage Is Best
The best type of stud finder is the one that will lock into place when you find a stud, this is called hands-free usage. When you are working with a large stud finder it’s not going to be able to be a hands-free unit, but for the lightweight models, you can find a hands-free unit that will latch in place once a stud has been found. The hands-free unit is great because it gives you a sense of accuracy, whereas a more traditional unit you’ll have to hold and then mark it with a pencil, which can be problematic if you have a handful of tools.
Anything that’s going to make the process easier for the home user is a welcome experience, and the hands-free stud finder is no exception. If you can seek out a hands-free stud finder for a reasonable price it’s worth its weight in gold, from the simplicity standpoint and the value standpoint as well because you are going to spend less time trying to find a stud and more time enjoying your new wall decorations.
How to choose The Best Stud Finder Based On Your Needs
You are going to use your stud finder for a variety of needs around the house, but you want to keep within a reasonable price range if you don’t plan on using it very often. You’ll want to examine what your needs are before you rush right out and buy the first stud finder that you see. Choose a stud finder that offers versatility as well as the easy to use options that are reasonable enough for a new user to learn on the weekend. Stud finders are a great tool that will make mounting a television or hanging shelves on your walls a safe and productive project, so take your time and choose the right stud finder for your weekend projects.
Resources— Complete Home Maker, CNet
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