Andy Graves
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| 13 Aug 2010 12:06 AM |
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I have to install some bars in a shower. We talked to the customer and they didn't want any support for the bars when we installed and now they need them.
Somehow, I have to find the studs so I have something to attach each end of the bar.
Does anyone know of a stud finder that will detect a stud through 1/2" solid surface and 1/2" drywall?
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KCWOOD
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| 13 Aug 2010 12:49 AM |
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I would assume any of them would. I would think the 1/2" ss panel would support a grab bar??? |
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Tom M
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| 13 Aug 2010 03:27 AM |
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Full height sheets? |
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Lenny E
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| 13 Aug 2010 03:36 AM |
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Those stud finders dont work. Im a registered stud and None of you were able to find me with those.  I'll be here all week. Order the beef and stay away from the veal, due to a slight trichinosis problem  |
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Norm Walters
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| 13 Aug 2010 10:40 AM |
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Andy, see if you can find the studs from the other side of the shower wall, then measure from a fixed point such as a doorway to locate the studs on the shower side. |
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Tom M
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| 13 Aug 2010 02:00 PM |
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Lenny, with my sex life, it would work better to have a duSt finder. |
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...those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
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William Turner
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| 13 Aug 2010 03:16 PM |
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Andy they make some that clam to scan deeper than most that should work. I think the big orange carries them. I would see about making up a mock up of the wall that you can carry with you and try them out before you buy. If the big orange won't let you try it out in the store, buy it, try it, take it back if necessary.
Also ask some of the Contractors you deal with. |
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William @ TNC Word for the day - LIQUIDITY
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John Christensen
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| 13 Aug 2010 04:46 PM |
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Try this home made remedy. Tie a small magnet to a piece of string. Suspend the magnet from your finger with about 1 foot of string and about 1/8" from the wall. Raise and lower the magnet along the verticle line. The magnet should pull toward the wall when it is over a screw or nail.
It works. I tried it with a piece of Corian "Linen". It found the screw through the 1/2" material with dead accuracy. Interestingly I also tried it with a piece of Corian "Midnight". The "Midnight" piece was magnetic all by itself.
Johnny C |
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Steve Mehan
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| 13 Aug 2010 04:55 PM |
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We use these Snaptoggles when we cant find stud's. www.toggler.com |
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Bill Wolle
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| 13 Aug 2010 06:24 PM |
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Find the studs, the SS is NOT strong enough for a true grab bar. |
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Wayne
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KCWOOD
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| 14 Aug 2010 01:57 AM |
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Posted By William Wolle on 13 Aug 2010 01:24 PM
Find the studs, the SS is NOT strong enough for a true grab bar. 1/2" thick, large shower panel, why not? You think it will pull from the wall, or it will break? I could see it in 1/4" material. Years ago, I helped install cultured marble shower surrounds in a large hotel. We did about 300 of them and attached the grab bars to the panels, not the studs. The location was spec'd by the architect. I was in there years later and everything still looked nice, in the 2 rooms I was in. Do you think cultered panels are better and stronger than solid surface? |
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Norm Walters
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| 14 Aug 2010 12:29 PM |
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Grab bars are rated to support 250 lbs. I think I would find the studs. |
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John Cristina
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| 14 Aug 2010 01:16 PM |
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Posted By Kelsey Crisp on 13 Aug 2010 08:57 PM
Posted By William Wolle on 13 Aug 2010 01:24 PM
Find the studs, the SS is NOT strong enough for a true grab bar.
1/2" thick, large shower panel, why not? You think it will pull from the wall, or it will break? I could see it in 1/4" material.
Years ago, I helped install cultured marble shower surrounds in a large hotel. We did about 300 of them and attached the grab bars to the panels, not the studs. The location was spec'd by the architect. I was in there years later and everything still looked nice, in the 2 rooms I was in.
Do you think cultered panels are better and stronger than solid surface?
Cultured marble is not as strong. Growing up in the industry, I would never attach anything directly to those panels. I am surprised they dont have any law suites for people ripping them off and getting hurt. Studs, baby, studs. Its still just a decorative surface not structural. |
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Bill Wolle
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| 14 Aug 2010 01:54 PM |
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Solid surface is not this kind of structural material and is not strong enough for grab bar support.
I would contend that ceramic tile is stronger than SS and you should not install grab bars only into tile.
I am not sure and do not have a reason to research other than here but I believe if you look into ADA specs, you will find load requirements for grab bars that would only be met by fastening to a structural member.
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Lenny E
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| 15 Aug 2010 02:36 AM |
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Hi Bill, SS comes in all sorts of flavors. I bet 3/4 inch or definitely 3 CM could support a grab bar! What are your thoughts? |
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Bill Wolle
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| 15 Aug 2010 01:18 PM |
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Lenny,
I would still be concerned with the fastening system. I would guess 3 cm has the strength. I have not seen or would not really understand the test numbers anyway. I would think you would have to through bolt with a fender type washer. I think screws would pull out and the material would not hold. I personally was never a fan of adhesive only for grab bars but I am old school and not familiar with all the new adhesives. The load on grab bars is not a shear strength type thing and I think might be pulled off easier? |
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Guy Robertson
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| 15 Aug 2010 02:53 PM |
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Posted By John Christensen on 13 Aug 2010 11:46 AM
Try this home made remedy. Tie a small magnet to a piece of string. Suspend the magnet from your finger with about 1 foot of string and about 1/8" from the wall. Raise and lower the magnet along the verticle line. The magnet should pull toward the wall when it is over a screw or nail.
It works. I tried it with a piece of Corian "Linen". It found the screw through the 1/2" material with dead accuracy. Interestingly I also tried it with a piece of Corian "Midnight". The "Midnight" piece was magnetic all by itself.
Johnny C
John, That is a brilliantly simple way of doing it. (and cheap)  |
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Andy Graves
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| 15 Aug 2010 06:27 PM |
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The panels go to the ceiling so I have to locate them through the corian. I like the magnet idea, seen it work before with just drywall.
I don't think I would want to take on the liability of attaching directly to panel and not the stud. If it was my house and had no other choice Ii might do it, but I can't take that chance with a customer. |
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FabNet Administrator
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Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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