Switched from framing nailer to screws for deck boards after a bad blowout

Used to bang through decking with a nail gun because it's fast, but last summer a 2x6 split right down the middle on a hot day in Austin. Now I pre-drill and screw everything even though it takes twice as long. Anyone else get burned by nail pops on treated lumber?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylanrodriguez22d ago

Man my wrist already hates me from all the other stuff I do wrong. Pretty sure I'd need a surgery schedule just to pre-drill a 500 square foot deck.

david92022d ago

Man the "surgery schedule just to pre-drill" part hits close to home. But heres something nobody brings up - try a self-centering bit if you're gonna pre-drill anyway. Its basically a bit with a little spring loaded sleeve that stops at the right depth for your screw. One less thing to measure and your wrist will thank you cause you're not fighting the bit wandering around on the wood. I grabbed a set off Amazon for like 12 bucks and it made a huge difference on my last job.

charlie19822d ago

Did you try the ring shank nails? I used to get pops too until I switched to the coated ring shanks for decking and never looked back. Pre-drilling every board on a 500 square foot deck sounds like a nightmare for your wrist and your timeline. Those nails hold like crazy in treated lumber, and if you nail at the right angle you can avoid splits even in Texas heat. Just a thought cause I've seen screw heads snap off on me too and that's its own headache.