EARTHQUAKE-PROOFED MY FIRST BUILDING AND IT ACTUALLY WORKED
Ha, pre-drilling into plaster is a lifesaver—learned that after a chunk the size of a sandwich fell off my 1920s dining room wall. Ever tried those toggle bolts? I swear by them for weird spots where there’s no stud, but I still get nervous hanging anything heavier than a clock. Anyone else ever have a stud finder go haywire on lath and plaster? Mine just beeps at me like it’s judging my life choices...
Mine just beeps at me like it’s judging my life choices...
That’s the story of every stud finder I’ve owned—those things are basically haunted when it comes to lath and plaster. I’ll throw in a curveball: I actually prefer molly bolts over toggles for old walls. Less drama if you ever need to patch things up later, and they don’t leave craters behind. But yeah, anything heavier than a clock and I start sweating too.
I actually prefer molly bolts over toggles for old walls. Less drama if you ever need to patch things up later, and they don’t leave craters behind.
Couldn’t agree more about molly bolts—those toggles are like little demolition crews if you ever have to take something down. I learned that the hard way hanging a shelf in my 1920s hallway... patching that hole was a weekend project by itself. Stud finders just seem to give up on lath and plaster. At this point, I’m convinced they’re only good for finding the one spot with zero stud behind it.
Stud finders just seem to give up on lath and plaster. At this point, I’m convinced they’re only good for finding the one spot with zero stud behind it.
That’s the truth. I swear my stud finder is just a fancy random number generator at this point. I’ve tried the magnet trick too, but all I found was a nail from 1934 and a lot of frustration. Molly bolts have saved my sanity more than once—at least they don’t turn your wall into Swiss cheese if you change your mind later. Old houses really keep you humble, don’t they?
I swear my stud finder is just a fancy random number generator at this point.
Couldn’t agree more—mine’s beeped at everything except a stud. I’ve had better luck with a finish nail and a flashlight. Molly bolts are a lifesaver, though. Old plaster walls really do keep you guessing… and patching.
