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I’m going to be replacing some termite damage, opening up part of a wall, and putting in a header. I want to try to do this without damaging the ornamental plaster cornice at the top of the wall. So, I’m looking for tips and advice on working gently. One idea is to use deck screws instead of nails to toenail the new studs to the top plate. The screws should be stronger than nails, but will an inspector be likely to accept them? Another thought is that instead of hammering or using the pneumatic nailer, I might rig up a way to press the nails in with levers or a bottle jack, sort of like giant thumb tacks. Time consuming, but worth it to avoid impact damage to the old plaster keys.
— J.S.
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John: Most screws are more brittle than nails and you're right, the inspector is not going to approve. The big difference is between nailing with a hammer and with a pnuematic nailer. The nail gun knocks things around a LOT less. An experienced carpenter is between a nail gun and a DIY with a hammer. Sinking a 16d with one or two blows will damage the plaster less than doing it with 10 blows (and 2 misses), but it takes a lot of practice. Buy or rent a nail gun would be my suggestion. -David
*Deck and drywall screws are weak. But something like the square-drive screws supplied by McFeeley are extremely strong.My building inspector approved them instead of nailing for some minor problems during inspection. This was after I showed him the screws and some of McFeeley's data in the catalog.Keep in mind that when using screws, that the unthreaded portion must be as long as the upper wood you are attaching, or else you must drill a clearance hole. If you don't, you will not be able to pull the two pieces together.
*How about pre-drilling the nail holes?
*the decorative plaster cornice was probably put up in sections and then a plaster runner was used to finish it..you may be able to cut the cornice section down.. reframe your wall.. install blueboard and skim coat .. replace the cornice section and patch the plaster cornice back to original condition...this may , in fact , be easier than trying to work around it...if the cornice wern't there... isn't this what you would do anyways ?b but hey, whadda i no ?
*Screws and construction adhesive might pass. You will have to check on the shear strength of the adhesive first though.
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I'm going to be replacing some termite damage, opening up part of a wall, and putting in a header. I want to try to do this without damaging the ornamental plaster cornice at the top of the wall. So, I'm looking for tips and advice on working gently. One idea is to use deck screws instead of nails to toenail the new studs to the top plate. The screws should be stronger than nails, but will an inspector be likely to accept them? Another thought is that instead of hammering or using the pneumatic nailer, I might rig up a way to press the nails in with levers or a bottle jack, sort of like giant thumb tacks. Time consuming, but worth it to avoid impact damage to the old plaster keys.
-- J.S.