Superior Stud Detectors
Improve Hardware
Store Options
To meet DIYer and contractor demand, hardware stores
are providing advanced stud finders with more sensors
and a wider, horizontal display that enables sensing the
full width of the stud
Although there are a variety of price points in the
hardware market for stud finders, store owners and
managers are rounding out their offerings to include
units with more sophisticated sensing technology
to satisfy DIYer and contractors looking for greater
accuracy and ease of use.
For many, stud finders have a reputation for being
somewhat difficult to operate and with varying results
in identifying stud location. Even higher priced
options with LCD screens typically utilize the same
one or two sensors as lower-end models and so offer
similar sensing technology.
Now a growing number of hardware stores are offering
advanced stud finders that utilize as many as six times
the sensors, along with a much wider, horizontal
profile, that more accurately and effectively identify
the full width of the stud.
“We’ve been really surprised and happy with the
sales of the more advanced stud finders, which have
rounded out our in-store offerings and given us a
‘wow factor’ that gets customers’ attention,” says Leah
Nelson, hardware store manager at Caldwell True
Value in Caldwell, Idaho, an independently owned
affiliate of True Value.
Hardware store managers like Nelson are also finding
that more accurate stud finders are proving popular
with a wide range of customers. This includes
everyone from DIY homeowners mounting shelves,
framed pictures, and wall-mounted TVs to drywall,
plumbing, electrical, and remodeling contractors.
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NCP Magazine • March ‘19
By Del Williams