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Newbie nail question.

TDRucker | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 17, 2005 04:20am

The other day I was helping to put some boards in a tree fort and found that one of the boards that we had to move was held on with a 20d.  Holy crap that was a hard nail to pull.  Way more than a 16d.  Had to get my crowbar. Got me to thinking…

So my question,  Any offical word yet on gun nails, holding power and shear strength? 

 A few years ago, I tried to pin down the local inspectors on this issue but they were ” just go by what is spec’d”  Talked to local Arch/Eng and they didn’t seem to be up on this issue either.  It seems that the specs that most designers use assume 3 1/2″ and .160 diameter. ( if I remember that right )  Many gun nails, while at 16d length, are .133 or .148 in diameter.  How does this effect schedules?  I know many use 16shorts, 12ds etc. 

I haven’t had to frame in a few years and I’m getting back in the game for a while.

Any new word on this since I’ve been playing at another career?

Thanks.

Terence

Reply

Replies

  1. jrnbj | Oct 19, 2005 08:10pm | #1

    Only caveat I know of involves the clipped head vs full head question......

  2. RalphWicklund | Oct 19, 2005 09:27pm | #2

    Download a copy of NER-272

    All you every wanted to know about nailing schedules, substitutions, etc.

    1. TDRucker | Oct 20, 2005 09:57am | #3

      Thanks for the info. I'll check it out. I'm reading the Instructions to the Installer section of Simpson's catalog right now. Its directed to the fastening of their products but it does raise some interesting questions.
      Terence

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