[RE-wrenches] Milwaukee Sub Scanner versus Bosch D-Tect versus others?

[August Goers]

Wrenches,

We have a Bosch D-tect 100 and Milwaukee M12 sub-scanner. The Milwaukee is
one of the most worthless stud finders I have ever used. It might be
helpful for scanning concrete but is basically useless for any other
scanning task that I've tried. It definitely won't work on a roof.

The D-tect has been helpful for rooftop use over the years. It is also
helpful for scanning concrete to find rebar and post-tension cables.
Although I can't say that it should be relied on to find post-tension
cables (that is a big liability)!

In order to use the D-tect on the roof you have a use a thin piece of
cardboard (like a manila folder) or a thin flexible cutting board to get
it to roll properly. It is not easy and takes quite a bit of finesse. It
has, however, been able to find rafters in difficult cases where hammers
and other tricks aren't working well. There is no question that it is
difficult to use on comp shingle or other bumpy roofs and I've found that
most of our installers give up before getting any benefit.

The bottom line is that the old fashioned hammer and measuring up from
below is the best way to reliably find rafters. You might find an
occasional roof where the D-tect will help but for the most part it is
more finicky than it is worth on a roof.

Has anyone tried using an infrared camera to see rafters in the morning
when there might be a temperature differential? I've been wanting to give
that a try but haven't yet.

Best,

August

-----Original Message-----
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of Matt Partymiller
Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2015 6:03 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee Sub Scanner versus Bosch D-Tect
versus others?

We have tried a number of products.  The D-Tect is in amazing stud finder
but did very little on shingle roofs.  The mechanism by which you run it
across a surface is clearly not made for shingles.  It is basically a
$1000 sculpture on the top shelf in our shop.

I am still not aware of any great method for identifying rafters.


On Sun, May 10, 2015 12:40 am, SES wrote:
> Pleeeeease don't reply offlist.  I would kill for a rooftop rafter
> finder that points to anything but me.
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>
>> On May 9, 2015, at 11:42 AM, Mick Abraham <mick at abrahamsolar.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hello, Mechanix~
>>
>>
>> "Sub Scanner" was mentioned a couple of seasons back so I wonder if
>> those who "bought in" could "weigh in" with their opinions? My main
>> goal is to scan through composition shingles and find the trusses for
>> anchor points...with no goofs. Also I'd like to find wall studs when
>> scanning through synthetic stucco & exterior rigid foam insulation.
>>
>> Bosch D-Tect 150 is a more costly version in this glorified "stud
>> finder" category; that one seems to have a bigger display and no need
>> for calibration. Could I get user opinions on that?
>>
>> ...and then DeWalt had their version which picked up some bad reviews
>> and I think that was replaced with a new model so now I'm thoroughly
>> confused but looking for installer opinions on these type products.
>>
>> Contact me "off List" if there's an extra scanner-gizmo available for
>> purchase or for lease. Thanks in advance. The Wrench List is the Bomb!
>>
>> Mick Abraham, Proprietor
>> www.abrahamsolar.com
>>
>> Voice: 970-731-4675
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Matthew Partymiller
Solar Energy Solutions LLC
(877) 312-7456
matt at solar-energy-solutions.com


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