Ten years ago, electronic devices for
scanning the location of studs in finished
walls were new to most builders.
These sensors didn't always work well,
but they were a definite improvement
over rapping the wall with your knuckles
or poking holes with nails. Today,
Zircon leads the field of manufacturers
in this high-tech market, and has introduced
several new scanning features
into its tool lineup. Newcomer Stanley
offers a smaller line of competing products,
while lesser-known products, such
as Ver Sales's Wall Wizard, have also
found their way into hardware stores
and lumberyards.
Scanning tools suited for light construction
fall into three main classes.
Basic stud sensors are designed to detect
wood studs behind conventional finished
wall surfaces such as