Frame Decks Faster and Easier with ThruLOK Fasteners

comments (3) May 5th, 2011 in Blogs

Rob Wotzak, Web Producer

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Video Length: 1:46
Produced by: Rob Wotzak; edited by Cari Delahanty

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What if you could have the same performance as half inch through bolt but with no drilling necessary? This is the ThruLOK, and in this video I’m going to show you how it works.

The fastest, easiest way to fasten deck framing
You may be familiar with some of FastenMaster’s other time-saving structural-fastening products like: HeadLOK, TimberLOK, TrussLOK. They allow you to drive in a bolt—which is really more like a lag screw—without having to pre-drill. The ThruLOK builds on that a little differently because it gives you a nut on the other end. It’s not your typical nut. When the end is sticking out of the wood, thread on the nut; but don’t thread it all the way tight like you would when using a regular wrench. It self tightens when you finish driving the bolt all the way through.

Further Resources

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Video series: How to build a deck

Deck blog: Design, tools, materials, fasteners, and more

A mock-up demonstration
Notice in the video that we didn’t drill any holes in the wood prior to driving the ThruLOK fastener. It may help to give the bolt a slight rap with a hammer to tap it into the wood. Bolts come in different lengths for different parts of the deck. This one is made for a deck post with a rim joist and a piece of blocking. It’s self-tapping. Make sure you already have the washer on before you drive the bolt. I’m going to stop at a quarter inch from being all the way in, slide the nut onto the exposed threads on the backside, and then drive it the rest of the way tight.
You notice I didn’t have to play any games where I stuck a wrench up underneath and held the nut on one side while I tightened on the other. Thread this on; drive it in on the other side; you’re done. Now it’s rock solid.

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Comments (3)

Kabouterkaas writes: Looks good, but why did I have to watch an advertisement to watch another advertisement?
Posted: 10:48 pm on November 11th

renosteinke writes: Look to be interesting fasteners.

Yet I can't help but speculate - with all the enthusiasm of a new convert - that a better tool to use with them might be an impact driver.

My drill feels so unwanted these days ...
Posted: 9:57 am on May 15th

MikeGuertin writes: You'll find my review of ThruLoks in the Deck Blog section (http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13931/thrulok-screw-in-bolts-replace-12-in-through-bolts) which is a good supplement to Justin's video.

And there's another similar bolt called the ScrewBolt from Universal Fastener. The business end has screw threads to drive the screw through wood components like the ThruLok. But behind the screw threads are machine threads for a nut. Just snap off the screw thread section, spin on a nut and you're connected.

http://www.911-nails.com/sosscrewbolt.html

ScrewBolts come in 10 lengths and two head styles - hex head and torx for a flush mount.

Once you try either the ThruLok or ScrewBolt, you won't go back to piloting and bolting.
Posted: 8:32 pm on May 7th

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