I'm trying to hang something on my walls, but my house was built in the 1930s and has those old horsehair plaster walls with wire mesh underneath. I've been using a Zircon stud finder, but it hasn't been very effective. Can anyone recommend a better method or tool for locating studs in this kind of wall?
5 Answers
Honestly, trial and error has worked best for me. I usually measure from a corner to estimate where the studs might be and then use a tiny drill bit to see if I hit one. It's not perfect, and you may need to do some patching, but it tends to work really well.
For heavier items, toggle bolts are fantastic! They hold really well in plaster walls, just make sure you get the ones that are long enough to go through the lathing.
A really strong magnet can be a lifesaver! It can help you find the screws or nails in the walls, without any issues from the wire mesh. Just move it around until it sticks to something solid. It's a simple but effective method!
I usually knock first and then verify with a 1/16" drill bit. Gives you confidence that you've hit a stud before committing to hanging anything heavy.
I personally swear by the "knock" method! If you tap on the wall, you'll notice a sound difference when you hit a stud. Just listen closely as you go. It's a bit old-school but really effective!
Will the wire mesh interfere with how well it works?