Replies

1. 
   johnnysawzall | May 14, 2002 06:30am | #1

   first thing you want to do is invest in a crimper. damn thing saves so much time.

2. 
   AP302 | May 14, 2002 08:11pm | #2

   You didn'tsay if you were doing residential or commercial work.  I have done commercial mostly with metal. I usually start by laying out all wall locations on the floor and then cutting and fastening Trac, floor first then ceiling with plumb bob - sometimes with long magnetic level.   I float the studs in the Trac after cutting and trimming, nothing very precise, a little shorter will make things go faster, then position and square up. The crimper is a great idea but screws will do on small jobs.  I've framed doors with metal and/or  wood wood is easier for the finish guys if using wood casing and trim - metal with all metal doors and jams.  Depends on code in your area, too.

1. 
   DCassII | May 15, 2002 03:20am | #3

   Depends on the frames being used, too.

1. 
   CaseyR | May 15, 2002 05:35am | #4

   Where do you get the crimper, and how much.  How do the crimped connections compare in strength to screws?  I did a web search and found lots of crimpers, but none for light gauge framing steel.  I am hoping to construct my shop from light gauge framing steel and if the crimper would significantly speed up construction while giving the same strength, and doesn't cost a fortune, I would be interested in checking one out. 

1. 
   danusan1 | May 15, 2002 05:59am | #5

   I got one at home depot works great

2. 
   danusan1 | May 15, 2002 06:01am | #6

   I got one at home depot works great

1. 
   timkline | May 15, 2002 06:40am | #7

   A skilled carpenter can assemble metal studs twice as fast with screws than with a crimper. I know it sounds hard to believe, but it is true. You have to consider the ease of disassembly with screws as well. That and if you mix gauges of materials, the crimper is useless for the heavier stuff. Save your money and use the screwgun you already have.

   carpenter in transition

2. 
   MGuajard2 | May 16, 2002 12:04am | #8

   I just read your response and appreciate it. You said you were in transition. Is that from residential to commercial? If so, how was your first time with metal?

3. 
   timkline | May 16, 2002 05:38am | #10

   My first time with metal was about 15 years ago doing some soffit work at a local university. A little blood and a few metal splinters is all I remember. Metal studs are great to use for certain applications. They are not the answer to all framing problems. You would be amazed at the number of different sizes and gauges that are available through a professional supplier.

   The transition ?  Well, that would be from pushing a Dewalt everyday to pushing papers behind a desk.carpenter in transition

4. 
   r_ignacki | May 16, 2002 06:25am | #11

   best thing the boss ever did was hire a couple hispanic drywall/metal stud/ceilinggrid mechanics, no hablo but, snip snip snip snip snip, fastest tin snips in the west, snip snip snip, goes thru a bundle of studs in the blink of an eye, one of these guys names is Eduardo we call him Eduardo scissorhands.  

5. 
   DaveRicheson | May 16, 2002 12:46am | #9

   I have to agree with you Tim

3. 
   johnnysawzall | May 16, 2002 07:27am | #12

      crimper i bought was ~$50. I got mine at a show but have since seen them at the home dildo.  If your using zip screws versus the crimper, its about the same strength wise. ( you can smack them both loose if you try) but w/ crimper you can crimp twice if it makes you feel good. (1 crimp just above another) If you have to frame a whole basement the $50 bucks is chump change after you try to figure out how you ever did without it.