FYI: Simpson 1/4″ x 4″ screw breakage
Installed some ledgers today with the Simpson 1/4″ x 4″ structural screws. At first it sounded like a great deal to have another source of tough structural screws other than the very good timber lock and those not so good torx head structural lags.
When installing them through a single lvl and doug fir stud with 3/16″ pilot hole about 1 in 25 broke before snugging down. About like those torx head structural lags.
At least with the timber locks they don’t break, or I should say I haven’t seen one break in the last 7 years.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn’t rule the world.
Replies
I have had GRK's snap and Ledgerlocks snap. Kind of makes me nervous.
LVL's for ridge beams snapped the GRK's, and a treated lumber deck killed a few ledger locks.
Curious (both of you), what did you use to drive them?
GRK is supposed to be the wonderscrew (or uberscrew if you have a german accent). Were you using the 1/4" torx lag?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
1/2" drive electric impact. They go in fast.
Curious (both of you), what did you use to drive them?
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Mud mixer and screwdriver.
Those GRKs must be the other brand I was thinking of that have breakage problems. We've used them in the 5/16" and 1/4" sizes and didn't care for them for structural uses. What they are great for is stuff like holding pedistle sinks to the wall and other finish related stuff that can benefit from the large smooth heads.
The steel used in the Timber locks is much tougher. Drive one in half way and it can be pounded over 90 degrees without breaking. They are a bit skinny so it takes more of 'em.
:-)
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
use an impact...
goes better..
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