I can't find a wall stud :( Please help

[.jacob]

I feel like such a goober, but I can't find a stud. I've drilled 8 holes in my wall and haven't hit anything. I'm in an old apartment. I've tried two different stud finders, each gave wacky readings and I haven't hit anything yet. Using the touch method, I felt certain I've found a stud as it feels solid, but I haven't hit anything yet.

I put a piece of wire down on my drill holes and from the outer-surface of the drywall to the inner surface it hits the depth is 2 5/8".

The wall has a plug box added retroactively to the baseboard, but nothing else to indicate where a stud could be. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Crypto Sailor]

Generally they should be 12 or 16 inches on center.

 

[smokemifugotem]

Look for nail pops too...you can start measuring from any nail pops. Just a slim possibility...

 

[strife]

Take off the nearest outlet or switch plate and determine which side of the gang box the stud is. Measure in increments of 16 inches from there and under normal circumstances you should have a beam. I say normal because if the gang box that you're measuring from is near an entrance there's a chance that they nailed it to a king stud in which case find a box near the center of the wall and do the same.

 

[dpricenator]

16-18 inches apart. Remove the wall socket and see if it is directly next to a stud. Ususally the box would have been screwed to a stud. If it was a retro fit box, and is blue plastic, it was most likely just attached to the drywall, and nopt nessesarily on a stud. Eitehr way a few more holes and you'll find one.

 

[coastalgriff]

If you can't find it measuring from an outlet, buy a stud finder at the hardware store. They are cheap. Some do work better than others though.

 

[Clint]

I'm a stud....Can I help?

 

[shuckins]

some older buildings originally had plaster walls with lattice work and the studs were run horizontally instead of vertically...

 

[dpricenator]

good call dude.

 

[Ratbert]

I've never bought a stud finder that worked. Although older homes are pretty consistent with the framing being 16" on center, who knows with the way new homes are being thrown together.

One method that has worked for me is to go along the baseboard until you can locate a nail, then go straight up with a laser level. Use the smallest drill bit you have to test and see if you're hitting wood.

 

[ciggy]

Take off the nearest outlet or switch plate and determine which side of the gang box the stud is. Measure in increments of 16 inches from there and under normal circumstances you should have a beam. I say normal because if the gang box that you're measuring from is near an entrance there's a chance that they nailed it to a king stud in which case find a box near the center of the wall and do the same.

DITTO...best method for sure!:thumbsup:

 

[Slow Burn]

as strife said, new work electrical boxes are mounted directly to studs which are 16" on center for more modern building, and 24" on center for more historic homes.

if you have plaster walls you will have a system of horizontal 3/8" lath behind allowing the plaster to "bed". this can give you a false reading!

when all else fails, i use a screw and a screw gun every inch horizontally until i find something in the area where something is getting hung, so that it covers my holes when i find the stud!

hope this helps...

 

[gibbleguts]

I guess a little more info could help. Is it plaster or drywall? One thought for me is if it is drywall and you are using screws to test could be light eweight steel studs and you are stripping them out due to the low holding capacity. The other thing is what are you mounting to the wall? There are some great anchors out there these days capable of holding a few hundred pounds.

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[t_ron99]

I picked up a cheap magnetic stud finder at a local hardware store. It has strong magnets and will work no matter how accurate your framer installed the studs.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/CH-Hanson-03040-STUD4SURE-Magnetic/dp/B000IKK0OI"]Amazon.com: CH Hanson 03040 STUD4SURE Magnetic Stud Finder: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XocXBJG%2BL.@@AMEPARAM@@41XocXBJG%2BL[/ame]

The one I have works great...it's similar to the one above...make sure it has a strong magnet though.