mark studs discreetly

anuvanoob

I'm currently helping mud and tape my attic apartment that has wonky framing throughout (almost none of them are exactly 16 on center). Since it will be difficult to find studs when hanging/mounting pictures, art, big mirrors, TVs, etc. is there a way I can mark them discretely so I can find them easily after the finishes are installed?

This will be a furnished income property and I'd like the option to move art, mirrors, TVs around periodically, that's why I'm looking for a way to mark studs discretely.

mae-ling

stud finder?
https://www.google.ca/search?q=stud%...uEHentiQKaqYF4

anuvanoob

Oh, I forgot to mention - I won't use a stud finder. I've had little success with those

allthumbsdiy

how about drawing a simple picture of studs on a piece of paper and mark the distances from one side?

Otherwise, with spacing being uneven, you would have to mark each individual studs which would not be so discreet.

As mae-ling said, I would personally go with an stud finder. Even the inexpensive unit is good at finding studs. Just make sure you install fresh batteries and go slow when scanning.

hammerlane

Really?? Invisible ink??

7echo

Make a good as-built drawing.


Or use a magnet. A rare earth magnet will find the screw heads with no problem. No batteries needed. It will be able to differentiate between the 2 screw heads at a drywall butt joint as well.

hand drive

a dimensional layout type drawing for each wall along with a pic on a camera works great for locating what ins in the wall later. I've always done that especially for blocking in walls for grab bars to be installed in bathrooms and handicap access areas. The butt end of a hammer works good at finding studs also, just tap on the wall and listen for the solid thunk of a stud.

joecaption

Another old fashioned way of dealing with hanging pictures with 0 damage to the walls is with picture moulding.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...8CFE&first=285

Then the art work is hung from wires or HD mono fishing line.

md2lgyk

Mark the location of each stud on the floor or ceiling with a piece of tape. I use painter's tape because it's easy to pull up when you don't need it any more

fourx

mark each location with cat urine and use a blacklight to find them in the future.

j/k of course


i'd draw a diagram with the stud locations..

anuvanoob

LOL! Oddly enough I was looking for a solution on the lines of the invisible ink or cat pee/black light suggestion, but I guess I shouldn't be lazy and go with the as-built drawing suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

Hammer450R

That is if they actually hit the stud with the screw or nail lol

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hammerlane

1. Put a tape measure in photo for scale.
2.Take a photo of stud locations before drywall goes back up.
3. Open safe deposit box at bank.
4. Put photo in safe deposit box for safekeeping just in case a picture or mirror needs to be hung.

This is not rocket science.

Hammer450R

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kwikfishron

Nail your baseboards to the studs and there ya go. Even after filling nail holes chances are that a keen eye can still find the nails.

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