How does a "Stud Finder" work?

[olcus]

A metal detector finds metal. So how does a "Stud Finder" find yellow pine studs behind sheet-rock? Would whatever principle involved be a modifiable way to find non-metal junk and crap in an Oak Log before I cut into it with my bandsaw-mill?

 

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[Oregon Viking]

How do stud finders work? - HowStuffWorks

 

[airscapes]

My stud finder never worked ..So I use a neodymium magnet and find the nails/screws.. Well now i use the TRX but the magnets do work very well.

 

[ivan salis]

stud finder find the nails in the wood .. typically the wooden studs are about 2 foot apart in the walls ..

 

[el padron]

stud finder find the nails in the wood .. typically the wooden studs are about 2 foot apart in the walls ..

Typical code is 18 inches on center, not 18 inches apart......

 

[Oregon Viking]

Typical code is 18 inches on center, not 18 inches apart......

I have never heard of 18" on center
I'll guess you meant 16"

View attachment 1159229

The best stud sensor made IMO....spendy though!

View attachment 1159230

 

[RustyGold]

Yep! 16" on center!

 

[Gold Maven]

What do you mean by non-metal junk?

I have a small band saw mill too, and besides nails, rocks and dirt are the only other things I watch out for, and they are normally on the outside.

 

[olcus]

I appreciate it Oregon Viking. I went to the web site (possibly my new favorite site) and found it helpful. I'll be going there alot now I think... and not have to ask quite as many Q.s. And I like your tag definition of "Patriot"... recon that'd be me.
Gold Maven, WOODweb.com is an excellent site for sawyers and woodworkers. There are many forums like here. One discussion is on what sawyers have found (cut into) in logs. Coke bottles, a pouch of gold coins in California, a bear tooth on a neck chain etc... People mostly hide crap in the crotch and forget about it or die or somethin' and years later it's swallowed up and a sawyer ruins a blade... but as you advised, I won't sweat it.
airscapes... neodymium magnet... I'll go to wikipedia and find out what the heck that is. Thank you all.

 

[Jason in Enid]

 

[atomicscott]

A metal detector finds metal. So how does a "Stud Finder" find yellow pine studs behind sheet-rock? Would whatever principle involved be a modifiable way to find non-metal junk and crap in an Oak Log before I cut into it with my bandsaw-mill?

Ask my wife!

 

[atomicscott]

Typical code is 18 inches on center, not 18 inches apart......

In cali, it's 16" center to center.

 

[woof!]

Some stud finders are not metal detectors, they measure differential dielectric permittivity and find the stud itself with or without nails.

 

[roadrunner]

As Woof stated,they find the difference in density behind the sheet-rock.
Or plywood, ect.Also through roofing when finding rafters for solar panel installation.
Im an ex framer,16 centers on walls,with a standard 2-2x4 top plate.
2 foot if 2x6 double top plate.
2 foot an non bearing interior walls, and on rafters and ceiling joists.
At least in my county.