50
votes
Why was a screw hot after removal from a wall?
It's friction. If you hit a power wire, you'll know immediately as a circuit breaker will pop and there will be a very loud sound. Removing or installing a long screw in wood with a screwgun can ...
- 9,302
28
votes
How do I figure out what size drill bit I need to hang some ceiling hooks?
Here is a DIY method to determine the pre-drill size.
Hold the screw and find a drill bit and hold it over the screw (parallel) that visually covers just the body (the inner part) of the screw.
You ...
- 16.9k
25
votes
Accepted
I think my electrician compromised a loadbearing stud
That is a little rough. It's not a problem.
Any stud is part of a system, which includes many other studs, wall plates, wall sheathing, the roof structure, etc. You could take just about any common ...
- 130k
9
votes
Accepted
Mounting a pull up bar that doesn't align with studs
Don't
Based on your comments so far the wall was designed and built as a divider for a closet with sideways-mounted studs. You should not mount a chin up bar to this wall. It's strong enough to ...
- 34.4k
7
votes
Why was a screw hot after removal from a wall?
If you shorted a circuit, check your circuit breaker to see if any of the breakers have been unexpectedly tripped.
It's certainly possible you hit a wire, but if you hit a live wire, you would've ...
- 530
6
votes
How should I mount objects on a garage firewall if I can't find studs?
To answer your specific questions:
Where the hell are the studs in this thing?
Use the old-fashioned stud finder: take a coat hanger wire and bend it at 90-degress. Make a hole, insert at least 10&...
- 4,165
6
votes
How can I mount a large TV over wall molding?
This doesn't need to be fancy or complicated. You just need standoffs that are large enough to not crush into the drywall. Simple 1x2 boards would do just fine. If that doesn't give you quite enough ...
- 130k
5
votes
How do I figure out what size drill bit I need to hang some ceiling hooks?
Alternate "empirical" answer: take a drill bit that is about a quarter of the diameter of the largest part of the screw (either the straight part just under the head, or the threads ...
- 325
5
votes
Accepted
Patch 4-inch gap between two uneven drywalls
A few options:
A. Pad the closet wall out. Determine how much extra material has to be added to the left wall to make it flush with the room wall. If you're fortunate, one of the different available ...
- 6,534
5
votes
What did I hit drilling into my wall?
The reason this happened was because my drill was turning the wrong way. There is no metal object.
- 231
5
votes
How can I mount a large TV over wall molding?
If you anchor it solidly into studs, you can definitely shim it.
I'd make two shims, as large as well fit in those gaps, just slightly proud of the trim. Then place a 1/2" plywood panel over it, ...
- 2,289
4
votes
Shelves into single metal stud. Is it possible?
My recommendation here is the same as for a TV:
Cut a piece of plywood long enough to attach to two studs.
Paint the plywood to match the rest of the wall. Even if you don't end up with an exact ...
4
votes
Accepted
Is it a problem that the mounting screws of solar panels are not into framing?
Highly unlikely the nails are from the solar installation. They probably are part of the original construction. Not leaking...no problem.
The screws anchoring the solar panels do not need to be into ...
- 25.1k
4
votes
Do all fasteners for a sliding door need to be in framing?
I would consider drilling extra holes to get screws into studs. Otherwise, you may have to bury "stretcher" wood between studs behind the drywall to allow for the factory holes to be used.
- 6,534
4
votes
Accepted
Pull up bar mounted on a plank that's attached to a stud. How is this safer?
The 1" pine boards are only used to keep the steel brackets from digging into the drywall. They provide no strength at all. The 5" screws go about 2.5" into the studs. So, you would ...
- 66
4
votes
Uneven wall studs impacting project to finish garage
Do not try to straighten studs by hammering them. Once sheathing is on the studs they cannot be straightened. Decades ago bowed studs were straightened by cutting a saw kerf or a notch in the outward ...
- 20.9k
4
votes
Accepted
Bathroom fixture with no junction box, centered near PVC pipe
The vent pipe is smaller in diameter than the thickness of the stud.
You should be able to mount the pancake box with a knockout toward the vent pipe side. Then have enough room to sneak the cable in ...
- 25.1k
4
votes
Accepted
How to replace blocking behind shower valve?
Use a chisel or drill to split the short block stub along the wood grain. It'll practically fall off the nails. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult to simply pry the block off the stud, though....
- 130k
4
votes
How can I affix carpet to a vertical surface?
I wouldn't worry about the top. Cats have good balance, and a 4' fall isn't likely to hurt them.
If they would really rather climb than jump...
Carpeted "cat trees" often use staples, but ...
- 27.7k
4
votes
How can I affix carpet to a vertical surface?
Personally, I would build a wooden frame that I could simply hang over the wall—think inverted U shape—and staple/glue the carpet to the frame. The frame would stay in place by means of gravity, ...
- 2,782
4
votes
Accepted
Corner Reinforcement for Railing
You can sandwich a scrap of 1/2" plywood between two 2x4s, glue and screw them together and that will get you the required 3½".
Seeing how you've got that wire to contend with it might be a ...
- 2,319
4
votes
Mounting Ikea Cabinet not able to mount directly to studs
If Ikea is close to where you are, get the suspension rail they make (SEKTION) for this application. You mount it to the wall so that it spans across the studs. Use toggle bolts on the ends if needed. ...
- 5,469
3
votes
How long do you overcut replacement studs on a load bearing wall?
You want them barely snug, but it depends on whether there's any give in the plates. 1/8" is too much if the plates are rigidly supported, and the stud will bow or you'll do damage to the plates ...
- 130k
3
votes
Mounting a pull up bar that doesn't align with studs
Yes your plan to bridge across the missing studs is sound.
to protect the glass install a door stopper on the angle bracket and another on the floor.
- 19.1k
3
votes
Studs less than 16 inches apart in shower stall?
On just a plain wall with no windows/doors the standard 16 or 24 inch spacing works well.
When you start adding windows/doors, there is a king stud going up to the ceiling and a shorter jack stud ...
- 22.9k
3
votes
Finding a real stud
I have some version of electronic studfinder.
When I want to know where a stud really is, I use a strong magnet to look for screws (or nails in old drywall) holding the drywall to the stud. Find ...
- 203k
3
votes
mounting a shelf to an indoor partition wall end
There should be a stud or two at the end. So it's fairly safe to drill for screws. You can prove it by drilling a hole with your smallest bit and confirm that there is wood there.
- 5,100
3
votes
Accepted
Strong attachment point on drywall in front of 1.5" thick stud in front of concrete
I would not trust the studs to be anchored to the concrete enough to take weight, they might just have enough nails or glue to hold the drywall up.
Drill right into the concrete and use concrete ...
- 22.9k
3
votes
Uneven wall studs impacting project to finish garage
As others said you cannot straighten the old studs.
I would sister in 2x6s next to the 2x4s. Hand pick the straightest you can find.
Then as you install them you can control the flat plane that you ...
- 25.1k
3
votes
Locating studs behind cultured marble
Get a wicked* strong magnet.
Like, really, really wicked strong, and go looking for screw-heads.
Mark each one in pencil and connect the dots.
*New England slang usage - emphatically really very...
- 203k
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