Paslode/Framing

[Anonymous]

A lot of threads at the moment on WS Builds. Bought a Paslode Nailer because it was on offer and considered diversifying into garden projects, decking etc.
But does this tool (NAILS) replace screws ? Or should I still use screws?

TIA Koolwabbit

 

[Vormulac]

I could be generalising here but I never simply reply on nails where strength is concerned, always use screws too. I used a nailgun for the primary assembly when I built my decking, but if I hadn't screwed half a ton of twisted steel into it as well it would have fallen apart in very short order.

Just my twopenn'orth.

V.

 

[Scrit]

I think it depends on the type of nails used. Annular ring shank nails

can be almost impossible to pull out of timber and are excellent for fast-build projects such as fencing and sheds. Personally I favour the full head nails over the clipped-head or "D-head" type because I reckon they hold better, but that may just be a personal bias. I'd only use screws where you need to get the joints apart, such as panel to panel jointing.

Scrit

 

[nickson71]

interesting question

I guess the strength issue can not be ignored .............. but does the type of nail used, the size of nail and the angle and number of nail used in the joint have an effect?

in addition to this the design of the the thing being built will have an impact on what fixing need to be used. When I built my shed/workshop I screwed the framework together only because I couldn't afford a frame nailer ........... If I had one I would have used it as it would have save a lot of time and the way I designed the frames no downward forces where on the screws ....... i.e. the screws just held the frame sections in thier proper places

again interesting question in my mind the nailgun should relpace most screwing application........... but in certain case an extra screw maybe used.

 

[Anonymous]

So my £400+ investment isn`t a "White Elephant" ??? :? :? :?

 

[nickson71]

I don't think it's a white elephant ...........

 

[wizer]

i'll be using my paslode 350 for all the framing on my workshop

 

[Lord Nibbo]

I think it depends on the type of nails used. Annular ring shank nails

can be almost impossible to pull out of timber and are excellent for fast-build projects such as fencing and sheds. Personally I favour the full head nails over the clipped-head or "D-head" type because I reckon they hold better, but that may just be a personal bias. I'd only use screws where you need to get the joints apart, such as panel to panel jointing.

Scrit

Got to agree with you Scrit. I have used thousands of them making palletts. The wood will break before the nail will.

 

[Jake]

Nails are stronger in shear than screws, so better for framing (and any other task where shear strength is more important than 'gripping' strength).

 

[engineer one]

there is of course the feeling that in the framing type situations, you should put the nails in at an angle, so called dovetailing, to
greater resist pull out.

sometimes i watch the canadian guy mike holmes, he seems to hate
nails, preferring screws for almost everything, but i often wonder
whether that is to do with the c**p he is replacing being made with
nails.

i think there is an argument for using both screws and nails
depending upon the location. think about where the stresses are,
and in those places, use screws, elsewhere nails.

my 2p
paul :wink:

 

[les chicken]

When I make a summer house or equivalent I always use 3" decking screws to screw the 6x2 base together as they tend to pull the joints together. No stress on the screw as the joists are usually on padstones.

For the framing 75mm galvanized ring shank.

51mm galvanized ring shank to fit the 12mm ply for walls and roof, also to fix shiplap to outside as cladding.

Built to last, also with the framing gun the building and your ears and wrists take less of a bashing against all that hammering.

Les

 

[wizer]

les do u use the framing gun for the sheeting\cladding or a smaller gun?

 

[Mike B]

Just out of interest, are all of the nail types mentioned available for use with nail guns?? I'm guessing that a nail gun cannot fire the traditional round head nail only the smaller headed variety...

The original question is quite interesting and one which i wonder myself more and more these days (how sad 8) )

A building engineer I spoke to said he did not particularly care whether nail or screws were used, but he did say that in shear nails or screws had equal strength (assuming equal diameters) but suggested screws are stronger in tension.

However, I have also read that the continual expansion/contraction of wood eventually destroying the wood holding the screw threads (apparently especially evident in very old furniture) and so nails tend to hold better over time. I'm guessing this is the same in framing applications.

Finally, where do square twisted nails fit in?? Are they supposeded to be stronger in tension than round nails?? My dad seemed to have loads when I was a kid...

Mike

 

[DaveL]

Finally, where do square twisted nails fit in??

I have help to make roof trusses and square twist nails were used tho fix the nail plates on.

 

[mailee]

I used galv framing nails on my worksho build and it is still up a year later. I had no problems with anything coming loose. I did bolt the frame sections together but other than that it is all nails. Oh by the way I did hear that the Paslode nailer won't shoot the last three nails whereas a pnumatic one will?

 

[Jake]

Just out of interest, are all of the nail types mentioned available for use with nail guns?? I'm guessing that a nail gun cannot fire the traditional round head nail only the smaller headed variety...

You can get big framing nailers (pneumatics) that fire round head nails.

A building engineer I spoke to said he did not particularly care whether nail or screws were used, but he did say that in shear nails or screws had equal strength (assuming equal diameters) but suggested screws are stronger in tension.

He's wrong (except insofar as tension strength is concerned) . Even if you take the root diameter it isn't correct, because screws are hardened and therefore more brittle, which equals less strong in shear. In reality a screw diameter is the external measurement of the thread rather than the root, and therefore the difference is even more substantial.

 

[les chicken]

WiZer

I use the im350 for all 12mm ply fixing and for the 15mm shiplap for the cladding. The inside t&g again 15mm for strength and better looks (will take a screw) I use my B&Q compressor and 18 gauge nailer to enable secret nailing through the tongues.

Les