Back on Track:
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
The move from my old place to my new place was like having a four day root canal without anesthetic. I am still surrounded by boxes mostly of books. One of the really great things about this new place is that it has nine and a half feet high ceilings, my paintings look great on these high white walls. Also this extra wall height will allow me to put up enough shelving to house my extensive library.
Found a marvelous little electronic gizmo in Canadian Tire , it is a Stud Sensor by Mastercraft and cost just under $15.00 amazing, because it actually works and gives off a nice little red blinking light and beeb! beeb! beeb! when I find a hidden stud. This is important as anyone knows who has ever made the mistake of screwing wall shelf brackets into mere drywall. Never made that mistake myself, but a friend of mine did.
One night he was sitting in his literary apartment smoking a stogie and feeling pretty good when he was struck by how good the bud was because all the wall shelves began to move and tremble. Next thing he was definitely in the zone as all his wall shelves containing his most treasured possessions came crashing down all around him. For a moment he was still not sure if he was hallucinating or not. Now he’s a real stickler for wall shelf brackets being securely fixed to studs, just like I have always been. Perhaps I’ll lend him my gizmo next time he needs new book shelves.
In the past I used the tap the wall with your knuckle and listen closely method. When you think you’ve found a wall stud you get the thinest longest nail you can find and try to confirm that there really is solid wood in there. The disadvantages of this method are obvious, too many little holes in the wall. Of course if you can discern the span of the studs which may be 16″ apart or alternatively 18′’ apart, it helps.
I have had to borrow a big step ladder to get to the top of these wonderfully extra high walls. Almost any moment when not busy with prayer, work and money you can find me teetering precariously at the top of that ladder, Makita power tool in hand.
