Think I could use nails instead of screws on a kids playset?

[petebert]

I'm going to be putting together a playset like the one below. It's the type were you buy and cut your own wood. It calls for around 700 deck screws. Think I could put it together using my nailgun? I figure that'd be way faster but would it hold as well? It uses #8 2-1/2" deck screws and #8 1-1/4".

 

[Gary Fowler]

I wouldn't use nails or nail gun on this. Screws will stay put much better.

 

[Weedy Fields]

I wouldn't use nails.
As this is used the nails will continue to loosen.
Personally I'd glue and screw.

 

[FTG-05]

I haven't pounded a nail in years, certainly for nothing that will be structural.

Torx head screws for the win!

 

[Deere Dude]

I built my house with nails.

I would use nails except where you think soundness is more important. Nails will always outlast screws when vibration comes into play. Most of the rugged joints will be bolts anyway.

Just keep an eye on any that may come loose over the two months the kids will play with that nice swing set.

 

[4570Man]

I wouldn't nail it. Screws hold much better.

 

[Rustyiron]

Screw's, in 8 years you can un-screw it and sell it. GRK screw's only:thumbsup:

 

[Wagtail]

Screw's, in 8 years you can un-screw it and sell it. GRK screw's only:thumbsup:

Excellent point. Kids grow up and it'll be a long time between them and grand-kids.

 

[yanmars]

I would use appropriate screws.

 

[MossRoad]

Excellent point. Kids grow up and it'll be a long time between them and grand-kids.

When our last kid went off to college last year, my wife and I took down the two swings and substituted one porch swing for us... it's our turn!!!

We used screws in our when we built it back around 1996. 21 years. It's still standing. I wouldn't use nails.