Replies

1. 
   johnharkins | Jul 17, 2008 09:09pm | #1

   yes i have Jeff
   from what I remember you one experienced craftsman so I'll forego any gibberish and mention two factors that come to mind
   predrill, predrill - no splitting & those beautiful little SS screws need all the help they can get
   and review completely those little fasteners - last I remember there may be 3 sizes ?
   each w/ a different characteristics - board spacing etc
   my inclination is wider spacing & I think there is a chance that lip that fits in slot can be a might bit bigger for more stability

   out of say 2500 sq ft decks in last 6 yrs I've had maybe 3 boards that were not straight - a bit facetious but gravity & polyurethane glue major components to your fastening system

   we await your forthcoming knee pad review
   salud, john

   PS a bizarre trait I'll let others answer is ipe shrinks in width in summer but expands in length - the miters close but I have vowed no more miters yrs ago ( on ipe )

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/17/2008 2:23 pm ET by johnharkins

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Jul 17, 2008 09:28pm | #2

   Well the ss screw goes into the joist so no predrilling of Ipe required (except the starters - of course that gets pre-drilled).

   The EB-TY sets the spacing so that can't be changed ... it's basically pre-set for Ipe (they even make Ipe plugs for the starter board, which does need to be screwed down).

   Jeff

    

   Edited 7/17/2008 2:28 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke

1. 
   johnharkins | Jul 17, 2008 09:47pm | #3

   assume you use pressure treated joist system & you are correct that will need no predrilling
   your ipe will
   on the eb tys - what I was trying to explain is there are different sizes for different spacing ( there are choices tho limited )

1. 
   Talisker2 | Jul 17, 2008 10:14pm | #4

   I just completed a Trex 16x18 deck with ebtie. Pre slotting was not an option, guess If I had a lot to do I would set up a router and pre slot it though.

    Its a tedious job, I predrilled all of the screws and with the plate joiner (PC) slotting  took quite a while.  If I was to do it again I would order the wider ebties, my hardware shop only carried the narrow ones and my spacing is tighter than I really like on my decking but looks really good.  I would also order my screws from McFeeles if my deck is of any size. Much cheaper than locally (here in AK anyway).  I was using my Makita impact cordless and found it easy to snap off the SS trim heads. I started using my heavy corded Milwaukee and just the two second pull of the trigger allowed the screws to run in as the drill coasted down. Never snapped a screw but sure is a lot heavier than my Mac.

   BTW I tried out the Titan Wood Post anchor system and it worked pretty well. 1-866-577-8868.   A couple of tips there too if anybody has questions.

   Jim

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Jul 17, 2008 11:12pm | #5

   Ever try lubing the screws in liquid soap (dip) before driving?   ;o)And what brand of stainless was snapping?

    

   Jeff 

2. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Jul 17, 2008 11:13pm | #6

   I'm pretty sure we can get the Ipe pre-slotted from local yards here.

    

   Jeff

3. 
   Talisker2 | Jul 17, 2008 11:23pm | #7

   No I didn't try to pre lube, I only broke a couple when I overtorqued it with the impact. May of hit a knot in the pressure treated 2x8. Also stripped the heads on a couple for the same reason.  These had the square bit head and when I ran out Lowes had some with the torx head's seemed to work better.

   Jim

2. 
   forestgirl | Aug 06, 2008 07:57am | #8

   I have another thread going asking about fasteners for an Ipe deck.  What you say above seems different from what I'm reading on the Eb-Ty installation page.  It appears that the screws, driven at an angle, go through the Ipe edge before they get to the joist, and they say specifically:

   Note: Drill an angled 1/8" pilot hole for each screw when installing hardwood decking to avoid splintering and to ensure that the decking is pulled tight to the joist.

   I would think that if you did not pre-drill, you run a high risk of splitting that edge off.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 8/10/2008 6:00 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Aug 06, 2008 05:00pm | #9

   Thanks for that - I didn't realize the screw was supposed to go through the Ipe.

    

   Jeff