Thanks for the video! I just got mine the other day and it actually works on my 123-year-old very thick plaster walls! I've gone through so many stud finders that were intermittent or didn't really work at all but this one is a keeper. Thanks again!
Wish I would have seen this video before I watched your previous video and bought the other scanner. Tried scanning for studs to hang a TV on plaster walls and the Zircon stud finder couldn't find anything. Bought some rare earth magnets and those couldn't locate anything either. Was about to give up when I saw someone mention this scanner on Reddit. Came to UA-cam to find a video and here I am again on your channel full circle. I just watched to wrong video! Ordering this on Amazon and going to give it a go next time I can get back to my daughter's place. At least the first Zircon was only $20.
I had tried some cheaper (passive) magnetic nail finders, such as CH Hanson, ..., but they were ALL useless with my thick old plaster and lathing walls/ceilings. So I'll try this Zircon m40 and hopefully it'll work.?
@@Housebarons Thanks for the reply HouseBarons: But will the Zircon M40 be enough to find nails in my joists, in my thick plaster and lath ceilings, or would you recommend something else even more powerful.? My house was built in 1926, and it's all plaster & lath walls/ceilings. The only reason I'm not removing all the plaster & lath on the 2nd story ceilings is because the attic, just above, is filled with about a foot of those loose old goat hairs, ..., and fibreglass insulation on top, -none of which I want falling down. So, I need to find those ceiling joists to either screw in drywall support, or ship-lap wood plank support. Sorry to bug ya, but any tips would be appreciated. and Thanks again.
Question…if I’m understanding you correctly the main emphasis of the device is stud finding with an emphasis on metal detection. My question is…is it able to differentiate between other piping and older metal wire insulation used in older homes from that of the nail in the stud? Any drawbacks from your experience with it?
Hey Andrew, I guess there is potential to get some confusing readings but so far we’ve done ok. Plaster is thick and poses unique challenges. This tool is does a good job! Thx for watching!
I would think if you had it detect metal in a vertical row that’s around 16” from another vertical row of detection that would indicate it’s detecting nails instead of wires or pipes. Use this in conjunction with a good voltage detector that can sense voltage behind a wall to ensure a wire isn’t running along side a stud.
Ok so it finds the nail, now how do you know from that where the center of the stud is? Just hope? Wing it? In the video some of the nails you showed were just barley inside the edge of the stud, you wouldn't want to use that to be attaching something heavy or weight bearing to the wall. So if this is the best tool, how do you use it to find center of stud then?
Hey lone… You can find nails above and below and those multiple points of reference can give you a better idea. OR If you are hanging something over that spot, then there is no risk to drill using a small drill bit or hammer in a small nail in multiple places to the sides of where you got an indication of the stud nail. There is a definite difference in feel if you are drilling or nailing into the stud or just a void on either side of the stud. Hope that helps. Thx for watching!
This is exactly the solution I used. Just so happens that the cable management magnets that come with Secretlab's Magnus Pro XL desk are very strong. They're hanging off a couple of the nails right now, through a stucco wall.
What if you have a plaster and metal lath wall? What's the best way to find the studs? (old apartment building from 1910) I used a magnet and basically the whole wall is slightly magnetic. Franklin stud finder is iffy here as well.
Hey nosurf, You are going to need one that has a deep scan which looks for density, not metal. The other problem is old buildings have thicker plaster walls so you have a lot of mass to peer through. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!
Hey nosurf, No experience w/ it but “Walabot” might be a pricey solution - says it detects up to 4 inches. On other hand - super cheap method - drill small holes where needed, cut a metal clothes hanger for a stiff wire and insert into the hole to the right and left till you feel a stud. Your choice…😃 Hope that helps.
Thanks for the video! I just got mine the other day and it actually works on my 123-year-old very thick plaster walls! I've gone through so many stud finders that were intermittent or didn't really work at all but this one is a keeper. Thanks again!
Hey walz…,
Awesome! Thx for watching!
Wish I would have seen this video before I watched your previous video and bought the other scanner. Tried scanning for studs to hang a TV on plaster walls and the Zircon stud finder couldn't find anything. Bought some rare earth magnets and those couldn't locate anything either. Was about to give up when I saw someone mention this scanner on Reddit. Came to UA-cam to find a video and here I am again on your channel full circle. I just watched to wrong video! Ordering this on Amazon and going to give it a go next time I can get back to my daughter's place. At least the first Zircon was only $20.
And did this end up working for you on thick paster where magnets fail?
Many thanks for making this video. I have watched a number of videos on it, but you have helped make my mind up to get the M40! 👍🏼
Hey imr…,
It has its advantages. Thx for watching!
I had tried some cheaper (passive) magnetic nail finders, such as CH Hanson, ..., but they were ALL useless with my thick old plaster and lathing walls/ceilings.
So I'll try this Zircon m40 and hopefully it'll work.?
Hey Blade,
Hope it works well for you. Thx for watching!
@@Housebarons
Thanks for the reply HouseBarons:
But will the Zircon M40 be enough to find nails in my joists, in my thick plaster and lath ceilings, or would you recommend something else even more powerful.?
My house was built in 1926, and it's all plaster & lath walls/ceilings.
The only reason I'm not removing all the plaster & lath on the 2nd story ceilings is because the attic, just above, is filled with about a foot of those loose old goat hairs, ..., and fibreglass insulation on top, -none of which I want falling down.
So, I need to find those ceiling joists to either screw in drywall support, or ship-lap wood plank support.
Sorry to bug ya, but any tips would be appreciated.
and Thanks again.
Question…if I’m understanding you correctly the main emphasis of the device is stud finding with an emphasis on metal detection. My question is…is it able to differentiate between other piping and older metal wire insulation used in older homes from that of the nail in the stud?
Any drawbacks from your experience with it?
Hey Andrew,
I guess there is potential to get some confusing readings but so far we’ve done ok.
Plaster is thick and poses unique challenges.
This tool is does a good job!
Thx for watching!
I would think if you had it detect metal in a vertical row that’s around 16” from another vertical row of detection that would indicate it’s detecting nails instead of wires or pipes. Use this in conjunction with a good voltage detector that can sense voltage behind a wall to ensure a wire isn’t running along side a stud.
I have plaster boards without lath. Very few nails, so the magnets are inconsistent and the regular Zircon device is useless.
Would a strong magnet not do the same thing??
Hey April.,
Yes. Most likely so. Thanks for watching!
Does it work if my plaster wall have metal wire mesh? I found wire mesh in my ceiling plaster, but not sure if the vertical wall has it too.
That might be an issue. I guess I would be sure about your wall composition before buying.
Thx for watching!
That's great j need one I have one similar to the regular stud finder and its terrible!
Hey Emily,
👍 . Thx for watching!
Some old houses have a layer of metal lath, so it won't work for these types of walls.
Yeah, when they have that metal mesh, I can't see this working but I'm always in the market for a new toy
Ok so it finds the nail, now how do you know from that where the center of the stud is? Just hope? Wing it? In the video some of the nails you showed were just barley inside the edge of the stud, you wouldn't want to use that to be attaching something heavy or weight bearing to the wall. So if this is the best tool, how do you use it to find center of stud then?
Hey lone…
You can find nails above and below and those multiple points of reference can give you a better idea.
OR
If you are hanging something over that spot, then there is no risk to drill using a small drill bit or hammer in a small nail in multiple places to the sides of where you got an indication of the stud nail. There is a definite difference in feel if you are drilling or nailing into the stud or just a void on either side of the stud.
Hope that helps.
Thx for watching!
Use a decent magnet. Low tech very accurate. You're welcome 😅
Thanks for the tip!
This is exactly the solution I used. Just so happens that the cable management magnets that come with Secretlab's Magnus Pro XL desk are very strong. They're hanging off a couple of the nails right now, through a stucco wall.
I’m literally using every magnet in my house to no success
What if you have a plaster and metal lath wall? What's the best way to find the studs? (old apartment building from 1910)
I used a magnet and basically the whole wall is slightly magnetic. Franklin stud finder is iffy here as well.
Hey nosurf,
You are going to need one that has a deep scan which looks for density, not metal. The other problem is old buildings have thicker plaster walls so you have a lot of mass to peer through.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for watching!
@@Housebarons Thanks! Do you have any suggestions on deep scan stud finders? All the ones on Amazon seem only to go up to 1.7in deep.
Hey nosurf,
No experience w/ it but “Walabot” might be a pricey solution - says it detects up to 4 inches.
On other hand - super cheap method - drill small holes where needed, cut a metal clothes hanger for a stiff wire and insert into the hole to the right and left till you feel a stud.
Your choice…😃
Hope that helps.
Did you get paid for this video? I'm seeing mixed reviews for this product.
Thank you!
Hi William, you're welcome, thanks for viewing and commenting!
great video, thanks!
Hey Chris,
Glad you liked it! Thx for watching!