Replies

1. 
   [email protected] | Oct 29, 2008 10:07pm | #1

   Super magnets on a string, will usually find screws or nails. 

   A high quality compass will also work, they show up on eBay sometimes under the collectable/engineering, as dip compasses.  (Surveyors used to use them before metal detectors to locate pins.)

   A good quality metal detector, sold at the woodworking stores for finding metal in wood before you ruin your planer blades, would also work.  The small ones are on sale on the Woodcraft site for $15.    http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3820&mode=details#tabs

1. 
   jimmiem | Oct 30, 2008 02:40am | #6

   Good suggestions.  Thank You.  Your magnet suggestions remind me of an article I recently saw where a rare earth magnet is loaded into a holder which you run over a wall.  When metal is found the magnet pops out of the holder and attaches to the metal area.

    

      

1. 
   DonCanDo | Oct 30, 2008 03:20am | #7

   I have a rare earth magnet that I sometimes use to find studs.  (It came out of a computer hard drive).  I could not find the studs behind tile with it.  Maybe it will work with your tile, but it didn't work with mine.

   Recently I installed a pair of grab bars in a tub area.  I used these Toggler anchors.  First, I made a small hole just in case I actually hit a stud and then, if I didn't, I made a larger hole for the wall anchor.

   These anchors are seriously strong.  Try and catch the studs if you can, but I think it will be plenty strong with these Toggler toggle bolts.

1. 
   jimmiem | Oct 30, 2008 03:30pm | #12

   Thank You.  I'll use them!  Problem solved!!! 

2. 
   marv | Oct 29, 2008 10:42pm | #2

   Whats on the other side of the wall?

   You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv

1. 
   jimmiem | Oct 30, 2008 02:31am | #4

   I'm not sure.  It's a very old house.  The bath tub surround was tiled.  I'm not sure what was put under the tile.  Original wall would have had wood lathe...don't know if it was removed and replaced with cement board or green board under the tile. I need to add a grab bar and want to make sure I can attach to something solid.

    

3. 
   Piffin | Oct 29, 2008 11:20pm | #3

   A two pound sledge maybe!

   :o)

   Some tile actually has metal in it, and I don't know if yours in directly on greenboard or a mudbase with metal lathe.

   Most detectors go for the metal in the screws and nails magnetically, but they can be confused if there is a lot of metal in the wall. Both Zircon and Bosch have more sensitive ones that range between 70 and 100 bucks.

   Does the tile go all the way to the ceiling?
   Are there any receptacles or light switches on the wall?

    

    

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1. 
   jimmiem | Oct 30, 2008 02:36am | #5

   The area is the bath tub surround and the tile does go to the celiing.  The only break in the tile is a window.  I would think there is a stud beneath it and studs framing it.  I suppose I could see how those areas respond to a magnet or metal detector and check other areas for studs. Your thoughts?

    

   P.S.  The 2 lb sledge is out...how 'bout a baby sledge?  

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Oct 30, 2008 02:52pm | #9

   If the house is old enough, it may have expanded diamond lath or worse, expanded metal lath, behind the tile, both of which are metal. If so, a studfinder is going to have a tough time finding wood behind all that metal. If you have access to the other side of the wall, it may be easier to locate studs there and transfer the measurements.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

1. 
   jimmiem | Oct 30, 2008 03:31pm | #13

   It's an outside wall and the house is close to 100 years old.

    

4. 
   gordsco | Oct 30, 2008 05:28am | #8

   A tile wall is usually pretty solid. Toggles can mount bars where they will do the most good.

   I used them in a hi-rise where steel studs  and concrete block were under the drywall.

   Need to be stainless steel in bath areas.

   Another option in interior walls is to cut open a hole on the other side and glue plywood blocks to accept the stainless grab bar screws.

    

    

5. 
   Matt | Oct 30, 2008 02:56pm | #10

   Can you get to the back side of the wall?

1. 
   jimmiem | Oct 30, 2008 03:32pm | #14

   It's an outside wall.

6. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Oct 30, 2008 02:56pm | #11

   Check out the new generation heavy-duty hollow wall anchors:

   http://www.ronhazelton.com/projects/install-secure-mount-grabBar-system.htm

    

   View Image

    

   http://www.topmedicalsupply.com/moen-drywall-hollow-wall-grab-bar-anchors-item-220-154-cl1-p.html?utm_source=froogle

   View Image

    

    

   http://estore.websitepros.com/1188279/Search.bok?category=WingIts+Fastening+System%3AGrab+Bar+WingIts

    

    

   View Image

    

    

   Jeff
1. 
   jimmiem | Oct 30, 2008 03:33pm | #15

   Thank You.