Replies

1. 
   nigel_martin | Mar 10, 2002 04:50am | #1

   *
   Yes it works.

1. 
   ken_hill | Mar 10, 2002 05:05am | #2

   *Ditto Nigel- Don't predrill and the screws almost disappear. -Ken

1. 
   bill_burns | Mar 10, 2002 05:16am | #3

   *I prefer to use #7 stainless steel trimhead screws. leaves a small lump to tap down.

1. 
   Steve_Merrette | Mar 10, 2002 06:51am | #4

   *anyone seen the Fastenmaster Trapease screws? there's an ad for them on page 36 of this months issue of JLC (March 2002). they look like they may be worth looking into. if anyone does please report back and let us know.

1. 
   Damon_Burney | Mar 10, 2002 06:23pm | #5

   *When I use screws for Trex there is a type of screw that Trex decks can have no mushrooming. It has a flat underside head eliminating an extra step of hammering it down. They work great .

2. 
   Steve_Merrette | Mar 10, 2002 08:01pm | #6

   *Damon, I think those are like the trapease. if you get a chance check out the ad and see.

3. 
   Mike_Willms | Mar 11, 2002 01:58am | #7

   *Damon,Are you using the Fastenmasters? Checked out their website, might have to drop into my local Ace hardware and have a look-see. They work well? I'd still like to use my Quikdrive and no pre-drilling if I don't need to. Guess I'll have to do some experimenting. Thanks guys.

4. 
   TLE_ | Mar 11, 2002 02:49am | #8

   *The cleanest look is to use Shadoe track or something similar.Having the top surface clear of all fasteners looks real impressive.Fair warning - it installs real slow, easily double the time to face screw.Terry

5. 
   Schelling_McKinley | Mar 11, 2002 01:01pm | #9

   *We tried the mushroom banging method last fall with poor results. We even melted the material to seal the hole and flatten the mushroom. This worked well but discolored the material slightly. It will weather well. We used trim screws on the stairs that we built later and these are perfect.

6. 
   Mike_Willms | Mar 12, 2002 06:53am | #10

   *What do you mean by trim screws?

7. 
   Steve_Merrette | Mar 12, 2002 01:58pm | #11

   *they are usually square drive screws with a very small head. hence the term trim screw, kinda like finish nails have a smaller head so as not to disrupt too much material and so that you can set them. these smaller head screws sink without making too big a crater. any building supply place and yes, gasp, even home depot and lowes carry them. just ask someone to show you some.

8. 
   Schelling_McKinley | Mar 12, 2002 02:14pm | #12

   *Trim screws are a must for fastening trim to metal studs. They do leave a bigger hole than a finish nail but sometimes are the only alternative. They are readily available in a sheetrock screw type finish but I have not seen stainless around here. Sounds like a good idea that I will ask our suppliers about.

9. 
   Mike_Willms | Mar 13, 2002 05:02am | #13

   *Thanks guys. I'll look into them.

10. 
    RichC | Mar 14, 2002 03:56am | #14

    *We just built a deck using timber tech (5/4 X 6") which I believe is very similar to trex. Ended up countersinking and predrilling. Tried hammering the mushrooming down but it left an very ugly flat smooth circle where the rest of the board is textured. I guess we should of tried trim screws. Even the sales guy at the yard said to whack it with a hammer.

11. 
    Steve_Merrette | Mar 16, 2002 05:57am | #15

    *Shelling, rockler has the SS trim screws.

12. 
    ChuckT_ | Mar 16, 2002 03:21pm | #16

    *Anybody ever use deckmaster or similar products where you mount a bracket onto the joist and srew the deck board on from the underside, leaving no fasteners at all on the top?