equipment for installing different decks
in about a week i’ll be installing approximately 600 sf of hardwood decking (massaranduba to be specific). all of it will be 5/4 and i plan on using an undermount attachment system (probably deckmaster and weather-proof adheasive). what tool would work best here? i’ve got two makita cordless impact drivers but they are loud and i’m not sure that a drywall screwgun won’t work better. i’m concerned about how well a screwgun will hold up to the exceptionally hard wood. i’m also looking at the senco/duraspin corded, collated gun that hd sells. not having to hold every screw would really speed the project. i’m already assuming that i will have to predrill all holes.
in about three weeks i’ll be installing a tamko synthetic deck (elements). it too will be 5/4. i’ve looked at the quikdrive system but i not sure i can get stainless fastners that would work best for this type of decking (won’t mushroom or break it apart). any suggestions here (using my makitas, duraspin, quikdrive)? is there a source that would tell me what collated fastners work with which gun?
thanks,
jud
Replies
I've got a "Grabber superdrive" it can use senco screws, but not quickdrive.
I would never use it for decking, if appearance was critically important. Too hard to shoot an exact line of screws. Predrilling and possibly counter sinking sound like prerequisites for your project.
I've used it for 5/4 PT decking (CCA), using sencos 3'' Galv. screws, but the job was for a commercial marina where utility was more important then aesthetics. Grabbers website has some cross references and other screws available to fit the gun. http://www.superdrive.info/faq.asp
It just seems to me , that trying to hit a predrilled hole with any collated system defeats the purpose of speed over using a regular driver. I would be especially leery of driving SS fasteners in hardwood. As SS is soft and has a tendency to shear if overdriven even a small amount.
impact drivers
if loud bothers you ( guess I'm already deaf enough to not notice) then get some hearing protection
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I used to love my impact drivers for decking but I'd go to bed at night and couldn't shut off the ratta tat tat in my head from using them all day.
The Dewalt 18 volt XRP is our tool of choice now for installing Trex decking.
We use star drive (torque) head stainless screws and the drill on high speed.
You really have your work cut out for yourself with undermount fasteners.
I would stay away from high speed drywall guns and anything with a cord.
Stay cordless, plan on taking twice as much time as face screwing.
Good luck,
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob