Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Jun 24, 2009 02:10pm | #1

   Two years and no problems. The only thing I would do different is to pre-drill for any screws that are within, say, 3" of a board end. Those tend to split if you don't pre-drill.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA
   Everything fits, until you put glue on it.

2. 
   dogville | Jun 24, 2009 04:52pm | #2

   I did Deckmaster on 1x4 Mahogany 5-6 years ago, no problems. I am thinking the pre-drill on butts would be a good idea, I have 2 boards in a 800 sqft project that have split@ the ends, this could also be checking. Make sure to anchor seal butts. Also a littel trick I found  to create good butts is to screw the joist 1 away from the one the butt will occur on first, on the side of the joist closest to the butt, this pulls he board being mounted toward the butt nice and tight, then screw the butt side. Basically because you are screwing at an angle the boards drawback to the screw.... Also pre-cut a bunch of brackets to be used for butts either 2 or 3 wholes wide depending on material width. Lastly also paint the top side of the brackets on cardboard prior to mounting, this prevents seeing the bracket down through the decking. I apologize if some of this is obvious! I will say I did this by myself and and it was tedious at best. I recently did a deck with EB-ty and 1x6 IPE(not pre-slotted) it was not as fast as I thought it would have been, and requires more face fastening and as a result plugs than did the deckmaster. I also did all of my stairs with th deckmasters and they are holding up perfectly. The only plugs required on the deck were on the outer rim do to the narrow boards and double rim(no where to mount a bracket and catch the boards)...

1. 
   tominportland | Jun 28, 2009 02:12am | #3

   To Mike and dogville,

   Thanks for the info.  I ordered two boxes of Deckmaster today.  Mike, I'm doing my IPE on the diagonal like you did.  Anything I should watch out for?

   Tom

    

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Jun 28, 2009 08:03pm | #4

   Yeah -- watch out for the ipe dust -- it'll make ya gag, or mebbee worse. ;-)

   Other than that, and pre-drilling for any screw that's, say, 3" from any end, it's pretty straight forward.

   FWIW, if you're using treated wood for the framing, I like to use copper to flash and if you double up any framing members, flash the top to keep water out, or space 'em 1/4" or so to let 'em dry.Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PAEverything fits, until you put glue on it.

1. 
   tominportland | Jun 30, 2009 12:05am | #5

   Thanks, Mike.