Most magnet type stud finders don’t work effectively since they are dependent on locating the fasteners (screws) used to secure the drywall and they can be very difficult to locate.

If you don’t have a stud finder, there are several methods that can be effective in finding studs. When a home is framed, the wall studs are usually spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. If you start in a corner and measure out 16 inches and you don’t find a stud, you should find one at 24 inches.

1. Shine a flashlight at a steep angle against the wall. Look for a column of bumps or dimples in the surface.
2. Examine the baseboard for nails or outlets.
3. Measure 16 inches from the first stud you find to approximate the location of the next one.
4. Drive a small nail into the wall where you believe you have found a stud.

Stud finder app for iOS and Android brings the simplicity and effectiveness of a real stud detector tool to your iPhone or Android device. The app uses your device’s compass (magnetometer sensor) to pinpoint metal studs, nails, and screws embedded in all wood wall studs.

Stud Detector is one of the best stud finder app for android users which allows you to easily ind metal framing studs. It is simple, easy to use and free android app which works on basis of magnetic field and compass apps. You can also use it as to know magnetic field from your android smartphone.

Make a fist and knock on the wall with your knuckles. In some places, you’ll hear a hollow sound. Other areas will sound more “solid.” The “solid” sound indicates you have knocked on a stud. Studs are located about 16 to 24-inches apart.

When it detects a stud, it will emit an audible alarm and produce a visual indicator, depending on the specific model. Electronic stud finders are more precise than magnetic ones. High-quality electronic stud detectors can detect studs located deeper in the wall than what a magnet can detect (up to 1-1/2 inches).

If you’re hanging shelves or mounting anything heavy to the wall, you’ll probably want to mount it directly to the wall studs. However, you should be drilling pilot holes first before driving in any screws.

The screw should be a #8 or #10 size screw and penetrate the wall stud at least 1″ to 1.5″. Make sure to accommodate the thickness of the wall covering such as 1/2″ drywall when selecting the screw length.

First, drill a pilot hole through both boards. Pilot holes guarantee that your screw won’t break off and your wood won’t crack. For most hardwoods, the pilot hole should be at least as large as the screw’s minor diameter. If the screw has deep threads, or the wood is very hard, the pilot hole should be another 1/64-in.

Your one word answer is Hardness. Stone is harder than steel which is why it cannot really be drilled without diamond or carbide impregnated bits. Machine tools like drill bits are sharpened by grinding stones not the other way around. Now brick and other masonry are brittle so they can chip or crack easily.

“One common rule is to avoid drilling around light switches and sockets, as the electrical wires can go horizontally and vertically around these fixtures,” Williams explains. “You can also get an idea of where wires and pipes run by looking in the attic and basement to see where they go up or down through framing.”

If you are looking to drill a reinforced concrete wall, it’s best to use a carbide-tipped drill bit with 3 or 4 cutting edges. Of course you must always drill straight (meaning at a right angle to your surface). Using an in-and-out motion will help to remove dust from your holes as you drill.

Masonry Drill Bits – Best for Stone and Brickwork Masonry bits look like larger twist drills with a slightly tighter corkscrew shape. You can identify them thanks to their wide arrow-shaped heads.

The screw, and hole, should be longer than the plug! The screw should go all the way through the wallplug and split it open to force the tightest possible fit with the wall. For most DIY jobs a bog standard plastic Wallplug will suffice.

If you’re planning to drill into plastic, you may be wondering, can I use a wood drill bit on plastic? The simple answer is yes, but it’s not the ideal bit. The best drill bit to use on plastic is a dowel bit, also known as a spur-point bit. If you drill too hard, the plastic material will crack.

The best drill bits for plastic are spur (also known as dowel or Brad point) bits. These bits essentially have a four-point tip, which results in a much neater entry point and a cleaner hole. Alternatively, you can use a countersink bit to create an initial depression in the plastic.

While drilling through plastic can be done using any power drill, it’s important to have the correct drill bits so you don’t chip or crack the material. When drilling plastic, the larger the hole, the slower drill speed you should use since high speeds can melt the plastic.

While a spade bit can be used carefully to drill plastic, it is nottie advised tool for the job. As mentioned, a step bit is appropriate.

Drilling holes in plexiglass can be challenging. Often the traditional drill bits, used for metal and wood, chip and crack the plexiglass while drilling through its surface. Specialty drill bits prevent the cracking and chipping. You can also alter traditional drill bits to work better with plexiglass.

It’s always best to pre-drill holes before screwing through rigid plastic. As with wood, screwing is always an option when you are assembling anything made of plastic. Many plastics are more rigid and prone to cracking than wood, and you should always pre-drill a hole before driving a screw through them.