OATEY 33895 1-1/2 in. x 6 in. 16 Gauge Self-Nailing Stud Guard – 5-1/2 in. between points

It is a galvanized steel plate that goes over a notched or bored stud to keep drywall screws and finish nails from hitting the pipe or wire running through it. The Oatey 33895 measures 1-1/2 in. x 6 in. with 5-1/2 in. between the points, so it covers a drilled or notched run in a standard framing member before the wall gets closed up.

No separate fasteners. The 33895 has a self-nailing feature, meaning the integral points drive straight into the stud face when you tap the plate on. One hammer and you are done, which is why these get used in production framing where a plumber is protecting dozens of penetrations in a day.

Yes. A nominal 2x4 stud is 3-1/2 in. deep, and the 33895 plate is 6 in. long with 5-1/2 in. between its driving points, so it spans the full stud face with the points landing on the edges. On a 2x6 stud (5-1/2 in. actual depth) it still covers the face, though you may need a second guard if the bore is offset or a large pipe requires wider coverage.

The plate is galvanized steel, which is the standard corrosion protection for nail plates buried in framing, including exterior wall cavities and bath walls. It is a metal plate with no coating beyond the galvanizing, so it is not intended for direct exposure to weather once the wall is open.

Order one per penetration you want protected, and remember that a code inspector generally wants a plate on both faces of the stud where the pipe or cable sits close to either edge. The 33895 is sold by the individual plate under manufacturer part number 33895, so plumbers stocking a truck typically buy them by the box quantity for supply and DWV runs alike.

It is, at a listed product weight of 0.129, so it is a thin light plate you can hold in one hand and drive with the other overhead on a joist bore or a top plate. Nothing about it requires a second person or a drill.