Tbh, my way to hang shelves without stud finders is foolproof.

Honestly, I tap the wall and listen for solid spots instead of using a stud finder. Ngl, testing with a small nail first saves so much hassle. It never fails me.

4 comments

4 Comments

knight.dylan14d ago

Ugh, tapping is such a gamble. I mean, @quinna89 is totally right about older houses being a mess. I tried the tapping thing in my place, built in the 50s, and ended up with a line of five useless holes because the studs were just... wherever. Felt like an idiot. You can tap all you want, but if the builder was having an off day, you're just listening for a stud that might be six inches over. I keep a cheap magnetic finder in my junk drawer now for a reason.

jason_lewis31mo ago

Read somewhere that studs are usually 16 inches apart from center to center... makes the tapping method way easier.

karen3611mo ago

Disagree with @jason_lewis3 on this... 16 inches on center is just a rule of thumb, not a sure thing. I've lived in older homes where studs were all over the place, sometimes 24 inches, sometimes even random spacing. Tapping can be tricky if you assume that rhythm... you might miss the stud entirely or hit pipes or wiring. It's better to use a stud finder or check plans if you can. Relying on tapping alone has caused me to put holes in drywall for no reason... frustrating waste of time. So yeah, while 16 inches is common, it's not something to bet on without checking first.

quinna891mo ago

Wait, is that always true though? I mean, 16 inches on center is super common in newer places, but I've definitely hit walls where they're 24 inches apart, especially in older houses. The tapping trick still works, but your rhythm has to change. Maybe start by checking near an outlet or a corner to get a clue, then tap from there.