Thread: Cheap handheld metal detector

Originally Posted by Simon Purser

I just bought a handheld "stud finder" from ALDI ($15.00) which has a metal (and AC current) detector function as well. I've tested it on some old oregon rescued from a renovation site and it picked up all the nails I could see, and a few I missed. If it saves just one saw/router/planer blade it'll be worth it.

Cheap. Pays for itself very quickly if it finds a nail you overlooked. Might grab one of those myself. Thanks for the tip

Thanks for thr tip. Been looking for one for a while. I wrecked 2 bandsaw blades about 6 months ago. That really develops the swear lobe of the brain when you hear the metal grind.

I have the carba -tec metal detector and have just purchased the Aldi stud finder which is still in the plastic wrapper.

I purchased it because it was cheap and I have some cupboards that will go up in the sewing room so needed to find the studs. Could have just banged on the wall but.

Did not even think about it being a metal detector even though it has it written on the box. Will try a comparison tomorrow to see how it compares.

Peter.

brought one today had a play with it everything works ok I a have a pro hand wand metal detector like they use at the air ports but for $15 u cant have to meny

Can anyone pleae advise what / where ALDI is?
regards,
Jill

Dear Jill,

Originally Posted by JillB

Can anyone pleae advise what / where ALDI is?

http://aldi.com.au/au/html/service/s...?WT.z_src=main

But the only thing is Jill - if the closest one to you is so far away that you don't know who or where they are yet, is it going to be a practical exercise for you to drive there just to buy a $15 part-time metal-detector?... (You might be better off Mail-Ordering a properer one...)

Gents - can you confirm that you don't have to hold a button down during the scanning, as you have to do with many other brands of Stud-Finder? (ie. Does it have a Switch instead of the usual Button?...)

Many Thanks,
Batpig.

Supercheap Auto has a stud/metal/ac voltage/electonic tape measure unit too, or they did about 18mnths ago, can't remember how much mine cost but it works well, even the tape measure is within +-2mm.

Cheers
Michael

Confirming it has a switch instead of a button, 3 positions Stud Finder / Off / Metal & AC Detector.

Dear Sparhawk,

Originally Posted by Sparhawk

Confirming it has a switch instead of a button, 3 positions Stud Finder / Off / Metal & AC Detector.

Awww, that would be pretty good then. I've got a Zircon Stud-Sensor, but the way you have to hold the button down on it when scanning is barely tolerable - even just for detecting Studs. Being able to just "switch" the Aldi unit on when using it for Metal Detecting would be very, very handy...

Many Thanks,
Batpig.

I happened to be in Aldi this morning so I decided to grab the stud/metal detector & give it a try.

Unfortunately, while it finds some stuff, it misses some to. I started running it over door frames etc in the house & the bigger nails & screws were found. But in places where a circle of filler showed a small nail present, I couldn't get the detector to go off.

Not sure if I'll trust my thicknesser blades to it's judgement. Might have to spring for something a bit more pricey.

hi gonty u can make a fine tune with the scredriver that comes with the unit its under the battery each end has a hole to do this

Originally Posted by woftam69

hi gonty u can make a fine tune with the scredriver that comes with the unit its under the battery each end has a hole to do this

i tried tweaking it with the screwdriver but it's still not picking up the small nails.