Switched from drilling anchor holes dry to using a template jig after 8 years in the field

I used to just mark my spots with a pencil and drill straight into drywall for alarm panel mounts. Last month I installed a big commercial setup at a office park in Austin and hit a metal stud behind the sheetrock, broke two bits before I figured it out. A buddy loaned me his plastic template jig and now I trace the hole pattern first, check with a stud finder. Anyone else deal with hidden surprises behind walls or just me?

3 comments

3 Comments

johnson.paul12d ago

Ngl, "broke two bits" is just the universe telling you to slow down.

bennett.vera14d ago

Eight years and just now finding out about template jigs... man, I've been there with the hidden stud situation too. A stud finder should be standard kit for anyone hanging heavy gear on drywall, but we all learn the hard way sometimes. Those metal studs are particularly nasty because they don't give any warning until you're already through the bit.

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jesse_williams6214d ago

Man those metal studs are the worst, have you found any trick for locating them without a stud finder that actually works?