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Recommend - Larry While I do not use daily, this will fit your needs for all basic work. Used only one time, but this one really works. It is above the other two basic models, so I went with this one.
I would like to know what I'm doing wrong, or how to find one of these things that works really well. The "How To" video is a joke, since it doesn't contain anything that is not in the written instructions. The stud finder works only marginally well on the wall, and doesn't work on the floor at all (it is supposed to).
I've been working on this old house for 3 years. Here are a few tips that might help.a) Set the unit flat against the wall and press and hold the left-side button. Again, slow down and maintain an even horizontal movement as best you can, shifting its position. First of all, many owners never bother to read the instructions, and try to use these devices too quickly.
This sets the initial depth reading.b) Keeping the unit pressed against the wall, continue pressing that button (do not release it after setting the depth)-- then start sliding it slowly on a horizontal line parallel to the floor. But there have been a few tools which I've bought during this time that actually WORK -- and this is one of them.The other, invaluable remodeling tools I've purchased include DeWalt battery-operated circular saw and drills, Milwaukee Sawzall for ripping out pipes (corded is best, with the rotating handle), and my Makita combination saw. Give credit where credit is due. Zircon builds a good product. This i65 unit from Zircon works very well, based on my experience. I have been remodeling a very old home for three years, and it included removing and working with existing wood lath with plaster walls.Conventional wisdom says none of the modern-day Stud Sensors work with wood lath and plaster walls, and the reasons cited include.1) The rows of wood lath can vary in thickness -- thereby, throwing off the reading depth of the sensor.2) When plaster is applied, it is forced through the gaps in the wood lath and builds up behind the lath to lock the plaster to the wall upon drying. When you reach the leading edge of a stud it will show the gauge on the device, and when you reach the center of that stud the red light will come on indicating that centerline.c) If the device fails to locate a stud within 16 inches of your starting point (typically, more like within 8 or 12 inches) a few possibilities could have occurred: 1) You started off directly on a stud by chance. But the device acts differently when that happens.For instance, the red light may never come on.This is a sign of moving too quickly, or of hitting an odd pocket of very dense plaster during the initial read -- in my opinion.Or it may show a narrow gauge reading on the screen, which quickly disappears.
Yes. This device definitely works. 8-) I'm sure I'll be happy once this ordeal is through. 2) You moved the device too quickly. And if you ever hear me mention the word "remodel", again, please SHOOT ME.
These varying thicknesses also throw off the accuracy of these stud sensors.Yes, I agree with all of that on merit -- but I've used the i65 successfully after realizing a few things. Believe me. Do you get the occasional misread. This will result in a flash of its red locator light and a short beep. 3) You hit large pockets of plaster by chance.Solution.Move the device down (or up) about an inch from your original level, reset the depth reading as described earlier -- and try again.Using this method, my i65 read accurately thru a layer of 1/2" drywall on top of cracked deteriorating plaster of about 3/4" thickness, and that was on top of 3/8" thick wood lath -- finding the studs accurately nearly every time.
I would recommend to others. Great tool. I did not know what to expect, and was pleasingly surprised.
About half the time the "stud" turns out not to be a "stud." I have textured wall. Even using the tool the way suggested by the manufacturer, I have really inconsistent results.
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