Stud / Pipe detectors, are they necessary / do they work??

[des606]

Hello Forum,

I usually just knock on plasterboard walls to find a stud if I'm mounting something heavy, but I've agreed to help a friend mounting a load of shelves, towel racks,cabinets etc. in his new place and i'm concerned about missing a stud or hitting pipes or electrical cables.

So i'm wondering should I get a stud/pipe detector ?

Do they work, are they easy to use - any recommendations on models?

Any info much appreciated.

 

[Chukka63]

ive never really got on with them.is it timber or metal studs youre fixing to???.
if its timber then once you find one the rest are easier to locate as they normally 400mm/600mm apart but not always for example where theres a T section of wall or at the junction of and end wall.

a bradle tapped in at skirting level is easy to hide or where the shelf support will cover a small hole.