Home DIY is fun and exciting work to do. The house contains renewal, changing decorations, and making things look different. For which a really essential is having enough knowledge over drilling stud. But for new people to residential DIY, drilling studs can be a little complex.
Drilling stud is challenging because it requires a few things. Measurement and stringing knowledge. In homes, the drilling is mainly on wood or board. Residential DIY ensures strong and durable attachment for mounting or showcase. So, in this article, we will focus on how to drill into a stud for better residential DIY.
What is a Stud?
A stud is a vertical frame for supporting the walls and partitions. You can find studs behind your drywall or sheathing. This helps to join the frameworks. The minimum ratio for studs is 2×6 or 2×4. There are two types of studs:
- Wood Stud,
- Metal Stud.
Studs play a huge role in the overall structural stability and strength. They are the primary vertical support and horizontal defense of your structure. The dividing between studs is normally either 16 or 24 inches. Meaning that the center point of one stud is 16 or 24 inches away from the following one. This helps to make sure the whole structure supports each other. While applying making the structure sturdier.
How to drill into a stud
The first step for drilling is to find where the stud is. Tap on the wall to hear the sound or use a stud finder for a better option. When you have found the stud mark it up and draw a center. Now drill along the line and look at the result.
If you think this is all then you are wrong. Drilling DIY takes a lot to be more perfect and precise.
Stud finder
Yes, you can go with drilling but figuring out the stud’s location is essential. Also, you need to locate the edges and center of the stud. Before drilling. For this, it’s better to use a stud finder and go along the work. Because they are more precise and accurate in terms of results.
When the finder discovers a stud it will start beeping. This is the moment you know it’s safe to drill. This is why stud finder is more exact and useful.
Tapping
Also, you can use the tapping methods to identify your stud behind the drywall. When you are tapping on a drywall the sound will be hollow. So start tapping until you hear a solid sound. In this way, you won’t damage your wall. When tapping with a solid sound measure a 16-inch gap. This is the minimal gap between two stud frames. Hopefully, this will help you find the other corner.
For wood studs, you can use your normal drill head to reach 1.5 inches inside the wall. This is the perfect distance for a pilot hole. Pilot holes help to maintain distance and identify where you are drilling. So it a recommended that you make a pilot hole before you start to drill deeper.
How does drilling on a stud feel?
When you reach a stud behind the drywall you will feel the pressure changing. This means that your drill is against a stud. The pressure will be less resisting because under the drywall the only solid surface is the wood studs.
High pressure indicates the drilling side is facing something strong and structural. Wood studs are not an issue the problem is metal studs. They are more difficult to work with. If you find your drill suddenly requires more pressure than before. This indicates your house has metal studs instead of wood.
Also, be aware there can be metal plates on the studs. So, double-check before you jump to the conclusion. This is the moment a pilot hole comes into the clutch.
How to drill into wood stud?
By following the right methods this DIY is easy to accomplish. However, before you start we suggest you have a minimal idea of what you are doing. Otherwise, you can damage your house integration system without any notice.
- Steps to follow for drilling DIY,
- Finding location,
- Suitable bit selection for the drill,
- Pilot hole for better safety,
- Screw installation.
Finding location
Before starting drilling you need to figure out where your studs are. As they are behind the wall you don’t exactly know where they are located. So drilling too much on the drywall and even on the studs can do serious damage over time. This mainly indicates weakened structural support.
To figure out where your light switch is start from a light switch. Studs usually have a gap of 16inch so count 19inch from the switch. Studs are 2-4 inch beams which is why they are pretty durable.
The top ways to find a stud are:
- Stud finder device
- Tapping method
- Stud finder mobile app
Place your stud finder against the wall and slowly go along the line. When the finder will find a screw that is with your stud it will immediately inform you. The indicator light is making you aware that there is a stud behind the wall. Retrace the whole area and mark the place which gives off a strong signal.
By using the tapping methods you need to identify where your std are through sound. The different pitch in sound will indicate where your studs are located. When you heal the hollow sound changes into a solid sound this means there is a stud. Quickly make the place with a pencil and keep a notice of the surroundings.
You can also use some mobile apps on iOS and Android. Though they are not that much preferable still they can work. The mobiles use this app by creating a magnetic field around the mobile. When the field discovers the screws on the studs it starts to signal.
Marking the whole stud
Remember a stud is 2-4 inches wide. So when you are marking the stud center point also mark the left and right. Use a pencil to mark the wall and move your finger left/right. This will give you an idea of how wide the stud is. This will give you the center of the edges of a stud.
Suitable drill bit
If you are familiar with drills you may have seen different drill heads. Are you familiar with the reason for this? Well if not then let me explain.
Different bits for the drill are useful for different scenarios:
If you are working on wood using the masonry bit is the better choice. But remember to use a smaller bit than the screw you are about to use. For metal, you need to use High-Speed Steel (HSS) bits or Cobalt steel bits. They give an edge while working on metal bits. For drywall, you can use simple drywall bits to just penetrate the wall. This bit will easily punch through the drywall like nothing.
Before starting to drill you can clean your bits and try sharpening them a little. This will help better penetration. A sharper edge will go through the stud but if it is not good enough it can break or damage the stud. Also while drilling make sure of the screws and how much space they may require.
Drilling a pilot hole
When the time to drill we suggest you drill a pilot hole first. Pilot holes are 1 inch deep which doesn’t damage the electrical and interior of a house. Blindly drilling can damage your system or in major cases can create dangerous situations.
To create a pilot hole use smaller bits than what you require. Try to create holes in the center point of the studs. In this way, you can get a whole overview of the surrounding. What now remain is just driving the screws inside.
Screw installation
Now insert the screw into the penetrated opening on the wood stud by embedding the drill into the screw head and drill directly to go through the wall. Alternatively, you can drive the screw or nail through the wood stud through the drilled hole with a hammer. Make a point to keep the power drill and the screw consistent until most pieces of the screwdriver are in the drill opening.
At the point when the screw drives about a third into the wall, move your hand back and apply somewhat more tension. You’ll notice it hitting the studs. Try not to drive the entire screw into the stud as you will have a problem with spaces.
What to keep in mind when learning how to drill into a stud
Everything has a structural build which is their strong point. Studs are the same if you don’t do anything to them the studs will do their job as they should. But when you puncture any hole in the studs or drill the structure weakens. You are creating a void in the whole structure.
But by installing screws you are somehow closing it but not completely. If you are using your studs for simple purposes like hanging small studs then carry on. But for bigger appliances try to distribute the weight using different screws.
Another fact you can drill as many as you want on the studs. But remember doing so you are weakening your stud’s strength.
Remember to never use a screw over 1 inch. Long screws can mess with your electrical systems like wiring and others. So, try to keep the size minimal for security and safety purposes. Also, stop drilling when you come into contact with a metal frame. As they usually contain electrical wiring inside.
Also in terms of drilling never go more than 40% of the studs. Don’t drill too much and for emergencies, you can drill like 3-5 times. This will weaken the wood stud with time. For length try to keep the length within 1.5 inches for better reassurance.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, learning the process of how to drill into a stud is fairly easy. It is a genuinely clear interaction from the very start as far as possible. Be that as it may, you start it’s vital to find the stud utilizing a stud locater or different strategies. Practice alert before finishing the work for more well-being.
Start with the larger drill bit, make a pilot hole first. Additionally, apply consistent and negligible strain to guarantee the drill is on level. When the opening is ready, insert the screw safely into the stud.
Follow safety rules, and utilize the right instruments to have work productivity. Whether you are a mortgage holder or another person Realizing this Do-It-Yourself is pivotal. It’s a significant expertise for any Do-It-Yourself answer for occupants.