I’m bidding out a deck rebuild and the homeowner wants a hidden fastener system used. Doing some research I think the fasten from below system would be best. It’ll be 5/4 x 6 cedar run on the diagonal. We will have access beneath the deck. Does anyone have any experience with the “Deckmaster” or “Shadoe Track” or a similar type system? How much additional labor do I need to figure? I normally screw down the decking with a screwgun and collated screws. Any other suggestions? Thanks!
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Replies
"Does anyone have any experience with the "Deckmaster" or "Shadoe Track" or a similar type system? How much additional labor do I need to figure?'
Bob,
I've used the "deckmaster" system once on an IPE deck with stainless fasteners. Had to pre-drill everything. Labor? 4x as much vs PT or cedar and standard deck screws in that particular situation. You could probably skip the pre-drilling with a softer decking MTRL and no stainless fasteners.
Don't under-bid.
Jon
I did over 2000 sq ft with Deckmaster (this was when they were new and customer friendly) and my records show that I had increased my labor by 1/3. This was for a cedar deck and I found that I did not need to pre-drill. You need to have enough room to get the screw gun and your head under the deck, but if you are using cedar I assume that you at least that.
I used "Deckmaster" on a 16' x 20' composite-decking deck last summer. I'd didn't keep track of the actual time doing the Deckmaster, so I can't help much with labor charges.
I used about a miliion screws at funny angles under the deck even though I could easily stand under there, and I got some interesting pains in my hands.
I was doing this just as all the concern about ACQ lumber was coming to light. I was using the galvanized Deckmaster, so I'm a little concerned about it and will keep an eye on it. I understand Deckmaster is available is stainless steel.
The system seemed to work well and hold the decking securely. The finished product looked pretty sharp with no fasteners showing on the surface.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Thanks for the feedback!
about the only hidden fastener that you can use when running the decking at an angle is shadoe track. An excellent system (which I have used a few times), works well. You're in luck, because cedar is soft enough that you should'nt have to predrill for any of your screws. Mahogany, fir, or ipe, you have to pre drill. Make sure that you allot for the extra bucks that it will cost you to use the stainless shadoe track, as it will insure that you wont have any reacitvity problems with the wood. Good luck.
chris
Easton, MA
"about the only hidden fastener that you can use when running the decking at an angle is shadoe track."
Chris,
Shoot, I guess I'm going to have to rip up the DeckMasters and replace 'um with Shadoe Trac's LOL.
View Image
Jon
I guess I will have to rip up my angle deck boards too! Let me know when we should start, I also used DeckMaster.
"Let me know when we should start,"
Saying there is only ONE WAY to do something is a pretty BOLD statement.............
Jon
Geez, fellas, no need to crush a guy's skull over one moderate over-statement. At least wait until he posts back... who knows... maybe he's humble.
Nice deck, the spindles copper?
I never met a tool I didn't like!
"Nice deck, the spindles copper?"
Nick,
Thanks, and no sorry, 'um, painted EMT conduit. Not my idea, IMO, should have used galvanized 1/2 pipe, but the friend was on a budget, and it worked.
Jon
I humbly stand corrected.....Pardon my Ignorance. The deck looks great! I guess you told me. What a beautiful job. Are those fasteners easy to work with?
Chris
Easton, MA
"Are those fasteners easy to work with?"
Chris,
So, so. Not anything like just driving a screw though a board. That deck was a PITA, and a freebie. The stainless screws we used snapped a lot when they hit a knot.
All in all Deckmaster is not a bad system, but the install is slow, but not rocket science.
Jon