I get the urge to just keep poking holes till you hit something solid, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with a strong magnet than any of those electronic stud finders. The magnet trick isn’t perfect, but at least it finds the nails in the lath, and you can usually map out where the studs are running. It’s not foolproof—sometimes you’re just finding some random old nail—but it’s less destructive than making Swiss cheese out of your wall.
I’d also say, with plaster and lath, sometimes anchors designed for masonry or toggle bolts actually hold up better than relying on a stud you’re not 100% sure about. I know it goes against the “always hit a stud” mantra, but I’ve hung shelves that way and they’re still up years later. Just depends on what you’re hanging and how much faith you have in 100-year-old wood behind that wall...
Load distribution in old houses is a real puzzle, especially with plaster and lath. I totally get the magnet trick—I've used it myself when stud finders just gave me static. One thing I've found helpful: if you're hanging something heavy, try spreading the weight across multiple anchors or toggle bolts, not just one. Even if you miss a stud, distributing the load makes a big difference. And honestly, sometimes those old studs are so dried out they don't hold much better than the lath anyway... I've learned to trust good anchors more than century-old wood in some cases.
Totally agree about the old studs—sometimes they’re just not worth the hassle. Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Spreading the weight is key, but I’ve found toggle bolts are a lifesaver for plaster walls. Not cheap, but worth it.
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Yeah, I’ve had screws just spin in those before. If you’re on a budget, plastic anchors can do the trick for lighter stuff, but I wouldn’t trust them for shelves or TVs.“sometimes those old studs are so dried out they don't hold much better than the lath anyway...”
- If you can, try to hit at least one stud, even if it’s not perfect—every bit helps.
Honestly, sometimes I just avoid putting anything heavy up and call it a day...
Why does load distribution always trip me up?
That bit about screws just spinning in the old studs—been there, done that.
Makes me wonder if half my house is just decorative at this point. I keep thinking, does it really matter if I use three anchors or four? Or am I overthinking it and a couple of well-placed toggle bolts are enough? Honestly, sometimes I eyeball it and hope for the best... but it’s nerve-wracking when you hear a creak later. Anyone else get paranoid and check the wall after hanging something heavy?“sometimes those old studs are so dried out they don't hold much better than the lath anyway...”
Honestly, I wouldn’t trust just a couple toggle bolts for anything heavy, especially if you’re dealing with crumbly old studs. Even if you use four anchors, if the wall material’s weak, it’s still a gamble. I usually go for a French cleat or spread the load across as many solid points as possible—sometimes that means patching and reinforcing behind the drywall. It’s a pain, but I’ve seen too many shelves slowly tilt over time. That creak you hear? Yeah, I’d check it... sometimes it’s nothing, but sometimes it’s the start of a slow-motion disaster.
