Screws vs. Nails - Prepping to build a Shed/Garage for my Harleys

[MossflowerWoods]

"Airless" nail guns are great for electricity free zones, and much quieter than the ones run by an air compressor- but also much more expensive.

As an alternative, you could buy one of the many ready made sheds available. But where's the fun in THAT?

Day,

I wonder if I'd be money ahead to just go ahead and buy the generator and the regular air nailer. I have a compressor (I need to test it to see if it runs) the the widow left behind. Heck I need one regardless. Same with the generator, I need one regardless.

Hmmm...

Prebuilt is not likely to fit in the spot I need to use. I will have a nonstandard shaped shed unfortunately. Besides, building it will be more headache I mean FUN!

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Have you checked into a prebuilt building that is hauled to your location?

Get one from the right place and they are generaly cheaper or near the same cost than what you can build for yourself. Our local dealers has hundreds of different storage barns, garages etc

My wife and I just bought a prebuilt run in shed for the horses and it was cheaper that us building one. $1700 delivered/installed . 2 stall, one storage room with a door(schlage lock included) and a window and treated plank wood floor and metal roof and sides. Very well built. All the post and lower pieces were treated lumber. 14' x 30' . Corner post were 6x6", prebuilt trusses on top even had a ridge vent on top.

Time you start going out and buying all you nail hammers etc and your time it's just not worth it.

WOW!!!!

I think that would cost A LOT MORE here close to DC. I do not think I can even come close to that for twice the price...

I will try to stop an ask prices, but the last time I checked they were MUCH higher than that!

That is a NICE run-in shed!

David

 

[bcp]

TBNers,

But what kept me up last night was a concern that the floor joist hangers worrying that screws might not have the same load bearing capacity as Nails, thereby defeating the planned strength of the joist.

I

From:
Strong-Drive® SD Structural-Connector Screw

Specifically designed to replace nails in certain Simpson Strong-Tie connectors, and is the only screw approved for that application. The #9 and #10 SD screws replace 10d and 16d nails respectively.

 

[tractorshopper]

Recently built a good sized chicken coop that I'll document here when I finish painting it. Used PT wood and screwed the entire structure with coated decking screws of various lengths. It is a beast and will outlast me and in my opinion will torque less than if I had used nails.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Recently built a good sized chicken coop that I'll document here when I finish painting it. Used PT wood and screwed the entire structure with coated decking screws of various lengths. It is a beast and will outlast me and in my opinion will torque less than if I had used nails.

I'd like to see it. I have 24 Guinea Fowl myself, and I'd like to add chickens...

David

 

[PapaPerk]

Buy a Hitachi full head framing nailer. It pops nails in just like you would drive with a hammer. Very nice tool. Trust me... I'm extremely picky!

Framing with screws is an overkill IMHO and slower. Plus it's more expensive I believe. And will hurt your wrists more than a nail gun.

 

[brewdog]

A young friend of the family helped his dad build a small barn for storing a little hay and odd and ends. They used Screws for the framing members. After about a month when they started to put some weight on the floor and it got very cold, the floor collapsed, the screws sheared off. If you are going to put weight on a floor or have a heavy snow load in your area, you may want to rent an air nailer. Just my 2 cents.

 

[flusher]

Recently built a good sized chicken coop that I'll document here when I finish painting it. Used PT wood and screwed the entire structure with coated decking screws of various lengths. It is a beast and will outlast me and in my opinion will torque less than if I had used nails.

Deck screws for framing? No way. Those screws are brittle and have low shear strength. There should be a warning somewhere on the box saying that those deck screws are not suitable for framing use. May work for a chicken coop--not for an equipment shed.

 

[LD1]

Deck screws for framing? No way. Those screws are brittle and have low shear strength. There should be a warning somewhere on the box saying that those deck screws are not suitable for framing use. May work for a chicken coop--not for an equipment shed.

I agree 100%

It may "seem" to torque less now, but that is because nails will allow a little torque, whereas them screws will just snap like toothpicks.

 

[MarkV]

Deck screws for framing? No way. Those screws are brittle and have low shear strength. There should be a warning somewhere on the box saying that those deck screws are not suitable for framing use. May work for a chicken coop--not for an equipment shed.

Absolutely right! Screws do not have the shear strength of a nail and in many areas, like mine, would not pass code for joist hangers or other structural elements.

They are great for deck boards or sub-floor where pull out is more of an issue. They are just not designed for shear strength on structural members.

MarkV