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Two fastener questions

shoppit | Posted in General Discussion on September 2, 2005 04:44am

I want to use some small (#4 x 3/4″) screws to fasten the kneewall trim in an unheated  three season’s room, so I can remove it for access later.  All I can find at Loew’s are zinc coated wood screws.  How will zinc coated screws be (for rust) in a high moisture environment?

I also plan to use tongue and groove fir for the ceiling.  What kind of nail gun and nails would be best to angle nail the tongues to hide the fasteners.

Thanks.

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  1. FastEddie | Sep 02, 2005 05:08am | #1

    You would be better off with brass or stainless screws.  How thin is the trim?  A 3/4" screw seems a bit short.

    A 15 ga finish nailer would be appropriate for the ceiling.  I have a Bostich magnesioum gun that I like ... it's light and works well.

     

     

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

    1. shoppit | Sep 02, 2005 03:38pm | #4

      The trim is a synthetic 3/8" thick three bead wainscot from NELS-TEK.  It has a 3/16" tongue for fastening that's flush to the back.  I even considered using 1/2" screws.

      1. FastEddie | Sep 03, 2005 02:06am | #9

        The 18 ga nailer is probably much too light.  I don't know the other nailer you have.  If it is 16 or 15 ga it would be the better of the two you already have.

        Are you putting the 3/8" wainscot material on the ceiling?  Then you might want to by an air stapler and use 1" or 1-1/4" staples.  They will have much better holding power because the "head" is much larger than a finish nail.  And runa  bead of PL adhesive on the joists too.

          

        "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

        1. shoppit | Sep 03, 2005 04:06am | #10

          The Bostitch N60FN-2 is a 15 guage nailer that shoots 3d to 8d (1-1/4" to 2-1/2") nails.  Although it wasn't really labeled as an angle nailer when I bought it, I think it is, as bith the magazine and nail stick are angled.  One problem is that I can't seem to find a local supply of galvanized nails for this gun and my supply is all steel.  I don't kow if it's important to use galvanized for this application.  Home Depot has galvanized angled finish nails for the Porta-Cable, but I really hate buying another gun just to get the nails I want.

          I hadn't considered a stapler; I don't own one.  I may go back out to see if I can get galvanized staples. Which stapler would you recommend for this.  Is there an angle stapler or wouldn't it matter for this?  Is a 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" fastener appropriate?  I like the PL400 suggestion, thanks.

           

          1. shoppit | Sep 03, 2005 04:19am | #12

            Took a quick look online at Bostitch and Porta-Cable staplers.  Most are 18 guage, except the Porta-Cable MS200 is 16 guage with 1" to 2" staples.  However, these are labeled sheathing staples and are not galvanized.  Advice?

        2. shoppit | Sep 03, 2005 05:59am | #13

          Just back from HD & Lowes.  Was hoping to bang it out this weekend, so it's all about local supply.  HD has galvanized 18 guage 1/4" staples, so I could use a Porta-Cable NS100A, if 18 guage is OK.  Only other galvanized is 16 guage straight pins, so they won't fin my Bostitch n60fn-2 gun.  I love my Bostitch guns, but always frustrated that they won't use standard fasteners.  The Porta-Cable 15 guage angled pins look galvanized and the HD rack label says galvanized, but nowhere on the package does it say that.

          So, if I want to buy local galvanized, I can get either the Porta-Cable 18 guage stapler or 16 guage straight pin.  If I go steel, I would likely use my Bostitch N60FN.

           

          1. FastEddie | Sep 03, 2005 06:13am | #14

            What kind of material are you putting on the ceiling?

            Never mind what the shelf label says at HD or lowes.  If the package does not say galvanmized, then it'd not galvanized.

            Check the nail box for a list of guns that will accept the nails.  Usually there are several brands that use the same nail.

              

            "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

          2. shoppit | Sep 03, 2005 06:40am | #15

            I'm putting up 5/8" x 6" center bead tongue and groove fir.  It's an unheated 3 season's room, so it won't get wet, but could get some pretty high humidity (on the MA coast).  What would you recommend?

          3. FastEddie | Sep 04, 2005 03:12am | #16

            Trim head screws.  The ones I use are 2-1/4" long with a R1 square recess and the head is much smaller than a sheetrock screw.  The heads are easy to cover with wood filler or caulk.

              

            "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

    2. shoppit | Sep 02, 2005 03:39pm | #5

      I'd like to do the job this weekend.  Lowe's has brass, but not stainless, so I think my choice will be brass.  Thanks.

  2. MRinger | Sep 02, 2005 02:26pm | #2

    I recommend using stainless steel screws

    15 ga. Angle Finish Nailer I use Senco but their is a lot guns out there. Stainless Steel finish nails might be expensive so I would go Galv. finish on the ceiling.

    http://senco.com/pdf/fastener/Finish_15ga.pdf

    http://www.manasquanfasteners.com/Senco%20Stainless%20Steel%20Angled%20Finish%20Nails.htm

    1. shoppit | Sep 02, 2005 03:50pm | #6

      Looking through the old gun rack ....

      I have a Bostitch N60FN-2 2.5" finish nailer and a Porter-Cable BN200A 18 guage 2" brad nailer.  Good enough or should I try to find an angle nailer?

      1. MRinger | Sep 02, 2005 05:11pm | #7

        Try to find a good 15 ga. Angle nailer it works well for your application, because you have to nail at angle from a straight gun.

        1. shoppit | Sep 02, 2005 09:48pm | #8

          I'll be on pipe staging nailing the underside of a gable ceiling.  Are both of these guns inappropriate for the job or just less convenient?

          1. MRinger | Sep 03, 2005 04:17am | #11

            If you got the guns use them. I have a cordless -18 ga. paslode straight finish nailer (I use the cordless in small jobs) I just ran the gun parallal to bead board with 45 deg. angle and shot 2 - 2 1/2" nails on each rafter/strapping. It work fine for me

            ps You are a contractor/carpenter or HomeOwner?

             

  3. JonE | Sep 02, 2005 03:12pm | #3

    Order stainless or brass screws from McFeeley's.

     

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