Method for locating metal studs hidden behind a wall partition by use of particulate magnetic material

Method for locating a plurality of metal studs disposed in upright manner and spaced apart from one another horizontally along a wall, said metal studs being hidden from view by a vertically disposed wallboard member having a front face facing outwardly into a room or other open area and being defined by vertically upright first and second edges, said wallboard member being secured to each of the said plurality of metal studs by a plurality of spaced-apart metal screw-type fasteners located in vertical disposition along each said metal stud, said crew-type fasteners being characterized by their ability to attract magnetic particles comprising the following steps:

• (a) providing in loose fashion particulate magnetic material capable of being attracted by said fasteners;
• and
• (b) causing said particulate material to be deposited in dispersed manner on the said front surface of the wallboard member between said upright edges whereby a portion of said particulate material is attracted to one of the said screw-type fasteners, and other portions of the particulate material will be attracted to other of said fasteners;
• and whereby the location of said studs is thereby defined.