Nailing Into Cinder Block

[Currmudgeon]

I would limit the nailing to the mortar joints. I've cracked a few blocks nailing into the block itself. If you're going the powder actuated route, I'd definitely restrict the shooting to the mortar, and even then be damsure there is no one on the back side of the wall. Those shot nails make fair bullets over short ranges.

 

[johnday]

First off, are they concrete or cinder blocks. If I'm not mistaken, cinder blocks haven't been used for building for many years, they just don't have they strength or longevity of concrete. That said, Tapcons are the only thing I use for fastening to any concrete, I gave up on masonry nails years ago after I drove my first Tapcon. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MikePA]

They are cinderblocks. This is a garage that's over 30 years old.

 

[MarkV]

Mike,
I sure would caution you against trying to use a pneumatic framing nailer for that application. Even if the nails will penetrate the block there is just too much chance of a nail deflecting or the nailer double nailing, common with framing guns when the impact causes them to bounce and shot again.

I use nail guns daily and I would not try it. Keep in mind that a nail gun will shot a 3" nail all the way into a leg and chip bone. Don't ask how I know that.

MarkV

 

[Libertine]

MikePA:
Never used nail gun for concrete, however, I occasionally have to attach/drill into granite (a bit more brittle-harder than concrete). I use a rotary impact drill (have Bosch, but other brands around) with an SDS bit. If attaching something, I drill hole then insert a sleeve and screw into that. Works great and is fairly quick, does not damage the granite (fracture it or chip it). It's no doubt slower than a nail gun, but does a nice clean job. If I were attaching (mechanical as opposed to "gluing") wood to cement, that's what I would use if I did not have a huge number to do, or, I was not in a "production" mode. Also, an impact/rotary drill can be used for other stuff as well unlike a straight nail gun that is more single purpose.
JEH

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> I use a rotary impact drill (have Bosch, but other brands around) with an SDS bit. If attaching something, I drill hole then insert a sleeve and screw into that. </font>
I've been trading emails with someone at Awesome Garage about their products. They recommend 2" x 4" PTs ripped in half secured with Tapcons. I'm partial to your solution of sleeves and screws.

 

[Libertine]

MikePA:
Don't know what "tapcons" are, but name sounds ok. Thanks for ref to awesome garage-gee, everything is specialized! If can drill into granite, going into cinder block should be like cutting warm butter. Popping in sleeves easy enough and can pull (unscrew) the stud off easy if needed. Of course, if you were in production (rather than a home project) something else might be a lot quicker (though, as some others have mentioned in this thread, a nail gun is, well, a gun). Good luck.
JEH

 

[jdmar]

Last fall I put up furring and vinyl siding on a 30 x 40 or so older house. It had started life in the 50's as a cinder block garage...but now is a house. I bought a bunch of tapcon...and very quickly tired of the drill and drive routine...yes I am easily bored.

I then bought a $18.00 22 cal hammer fired driver....WOW. This is a tool that works and is cheap. It is easy to use, drives consistently and is very fast. I tried to pry off some "sample shots" first and couldn't budge them. Yes, I occasionally had a weak fire or loss nail...but VERY rarely. The house is now sided and nothing is loose. This is now a favorite tool of mine...and so cheap too!

Peter