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 > finding frame members (stud finder)

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85AllegroSam

Madison, Al

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Posted: 05/09/08 05:51am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My home type stud finder does not give a clue in my trailer as to where aluminum, or steel frame members are. There must be a trick to finding the frame members in our RV's so we can drill into structural points for hanging things on the walls.

Any tricks, or devices? My home type stud finder is an older one from Sears. Will the newer ones work for aluminum or steel etc? magnets do not work on the aluminum.

pulsar

Lewisville, NC

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Posted: 05/09/08 06:07am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Moved from Forum Technical Support to Tech Issues.


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erobinson1

Bainbridge,Ga.

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Posted: 05/09/08 07:03am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My Zircon will find metal studs. A quick check of their website says all models will detect metal studs. You might ought to pick up a newer model.Lowes and HD routinely sell models for about 20 bucks.

Dick_B

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Posted: 05/09/08 07:06am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

In the latest Duluth Trading flyer (www.duluthtrading.com) they have an item called Stud 4 Sure which is a powerful magnet that will find steel studs and/or screws and nails in drywall. It will probably not help find aluminum studs.
My rig has aluminum studs and after a rain the outline of the studs can be seen when looking at the outside fiberglass walls. It seems the drying rate is different for bare wall vs walls backed up with studs.
Hope some of this helps.


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ryanallie1

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Posted: 05/09/08 07:06am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi All.

There is a whole new genertion of stud finders on the market now. Yes, they have one, that can locate allumimn or metal wall studs. They also have one that can trace electrial wires and electrail conduetes also. Go Look at Lowes. I have seen them in the Tool Department. Good Luck. Happy Camping, Dan & Jill


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85AllegroSam

Madison, Al

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Posted: 05/09/08 10:35am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Thanks all. Just needed to know i wasn't looking for a left handed monkey wrench or something like that. I will start shopping shortly and I will repost when I have found the finder of my dreams

85AllegroSam

Madison, Al

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Posted: 05/09/08 10:42am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Forgot to mention that I am going to now be the nutcase that is always staring at the sides of the trailer after rains to see he can get a mental picture of of his frame

djevans

Tennessee

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Posted: 05/09/08 12:58pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

85AllegroSam wrote:

Forgot to mention that I am going to now be the nutcase that is always staring at the sides of the trailer after rains to see he can get a mental picture of of his frame


85AllegroSam . . .

You usually can see the outline better when the vehicle is cold. (especially when frosted lightly) So you might not see them for a while!

They also won't help as accurately from the outside of the vehicle, if you're mounting something on the inside.


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85AllegroSam

Madison, Al

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Posted: 05/09/08 01:48pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hey djevans, who is talking about accuracy Right now I have no idea where any of my framing is located. One nice frosty morning I am going to have a whole better idea where to look when I get inside. I feel clever already, even if I didn't figure it out by myself.

Mikeyxx

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Posted: 05/09/08 01:58pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Can't you gently press along your walls until they won't flex? That's how I located mine. It was...flex...flex...less...less..none..more...more...flex..flex. Then I knew where that one was, and then I went 16" from there and found the next, and the next and....

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