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First introduced in 2000, Senco revolutionized the collated screw market with its DuraSpin (DS1) line. Utilizing proprietary technology, they created a completely integrated auto-feed screw system. Twenty years later, and they're at it again - introducing a new and improved DuraSpin System.
An important step in nearly any major home renovation project? Installing drywall. Knowing how to do it yourself can save time and money. We offer you a few tips and discuss the best tools for the job, here on the Nail Gun Network.
Most new construction projects mandate the use of drywall screws when installing drywall. Screws are certainly ideal, as their thread provides better holding power, especially in climates where wood is prone to expand and contract regularly. In some circumstances, drywall nails can be used to hang wallboard, but beware; over time, nail popping and other imperfections to the wall might occur as the wood frame expands and contracts.
For long-term quality, we recommend using a screw gun and collated drywall screws for a fast, cost-effective drywall installation. Two competitive screw fastening systems, Senco DuraSpin and Simpson Quik Drive, offer best-in-class performance.
Another benefit to using screws over nails for drywall installation is that it generally takes fewer screws to complete the project. Pro Tip: Most drywall screws require a Phillips head drive.
Even for beginners, drywall installation is relatively easy to pick up. Just pay careful attention to the following:
Be certain to consult your local building code before beginning drywall installation, as different regions have different requirements. Beyond building code, don't fall victim to silly, yet expensive errors. Gather all of your tools, and don't forget the small one. For instance, have a tape measure handy to maintain straight lines.
As damp wood dries out, it can lead to popping of fasteners and splitting at seams. Make sure the lumber you are fastening drywall board to is within an acceptable range of moisture content (less than 19 percent by most standards).
Don't overlook sagging panels, particularly when installing a ceiling. Make sure to drive extra screws into place while pressing firmly on the loose board. In some extreme cases, an additional brace or bracket may be required to guarantee a firm fit. Likewise, watch for bulging at your vertical seams. If the drywall board swells at the seam once it's been taped and sealed, it may require sanding. You can prevent this issue by ensuring there is no gap between drywall boards during installation.
Use a corner guard versus drywall tape and spackle. A corner guard will hold up better in the long run and is typically easier to work with than tape. You should also mark your studs and joists prior to installation of a drywall board. This will help improve the accuracy of your drive and will prevent additional repair work in problem areas.
Don't ignore bubbles, streaks, splits or other noticeable imperfections in drywall tape as it is laid. If air is allowed between the tape and base, it will lead to separation later on. Tape that is not secured properly can eventually peel and will require repair and repainting. In areas where warm and cold air are allowed to converge regularly, eventual loosening and separation of tape from the drywall base is almost inevitable.
Depending on the thickness of the board, determine the appropriate screw length and depth adjustment for your screw gun. Driving too deep can cause noticeable divets in the drywall. Driving too short leaves the screw's head protruding. If installed properly, the screw's head should sit slightly below the drywall surface, leaving just enough room for compound to smooth the surface.
To recap, make sure your framing is dry, mark your studs and joists for accurate drive locations, hold the drywall board firmly against the wood frame while fastening in place, line up boards for accuracy, scan and repair imperfections, and enjoy.
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
Summer is approaching quickly, which means its time to enjoy the longer evening hours with some much needed time outdoors. For many Americans, this means relaxing on their deck or patio. An important feature on new and old homes alike, a large, well-built deck can add major profit margins to your home's resale value. If you are considering the addition of a new deck to your home, or are replacing an existing one, learn about some of the tips and tools that will help you build the ultimate deck - here on Nail Gun Depot's blog.
The actual process of building a deck can take weeks - or even months - depending on its size and the amount of resources you have to pour into it. Because it is such an intricate and drawn out process, we are just going to focus on the major milestones in the deck building process. If this is your first woodworking or deck building project, we recommend you consult a professional to help you create the deck of your dreams. One or two missed steps can lead to expensive repairs and time lost.
If you are building a new deck, you will have to start with its foundation - also known as its footing. Typically, footing(s) are poured concrete that you then attach post anchors and beams to, with a power drill. Meanwhile, you will also have to anchor and attach a ledger board to the wall of your house - or the supporting structure - to anchor the deck. You will then anchor the joists to the ledger board.
Once you have installed joists to the beams and the frame is in place, you will then need to consider how you want to attach the flooring of your deck. There are a couple ways to go about flooring installation. You will want to use a deck screw, treated for outside use - Senco offers a full line-up of Duraspin deck screws. If you choose to do a traditional deckfloor install, you should think about using a screw gun with an extension, such as the DuraSpin DS425-AC. The benefit to using this screw gun for deck floors - or any sub-floor installation - is that it has an extendable arm, which eliminates the need to bend over or kneel down to drive screws. Quik Drive also offers decking screws and attachments that are comparable in form and function to that of DuraSpin - and come with a lifetime warranty.
If you don't like the appearance of deck screws, you can opt for a slightly different method of floorboard installation. The CAMO Marksman Pro system drives CAMO deck screws in at an angle to create the appearance of a fastener-free deck. Like the DS425-AC DuraSpin, the CAMO Marksman Pro will work with hardwood and composite decking applications. The Marksman Pro works with most power drills by simply positioning the system over a board, loading your fasteners, and driving the deck screws in with the drill.
In addition to the flooring installation, you will also need to build stairs - assuming the deck is going to connect with the ground below it - and install a railing that surrounds the deck. Depending on the type of wood you are using, if you are building a wood deck, check to see how long the wood needs to set before it is ready for stain.
For more information on deck building tools and fasteners, contact us at Nail Gun Depot.
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
An increasing demand for sustainable living has led many people - both rural and urban - to grow their own food. The perfect place to manage and monitor the growth of your food source, especially in urban areas, consider building a raised garden bed to harvest mini-crops. Once built, these sustainable planters will continue to provide a renewable food supply - year after year.
Building one or two of these large planters is easier than you might think - it only requires a few hours, a nailer or screw gun, fasteners, a power saw, and lumber. Once built, you will want to fill each "box" with a soil and compost mixture, creating a nutrient rich fertilizer that can boost and sustain the growth of your garden. The purpose of these beds is to raise the soil up, creating a built in drainage system and reducing the amount of space needed between plants - helping to crowd out weeds.
To get started, dig a trench around the space you want to install your raised garden bed(s). The trench should outline the shape of the garden bed, typically designed in a rectangular formation. The size of a raised garden bed can vary, with small ones that are 3' by 6' - ranging to larger ones that can double in size. Typically, these beds should be 1' to 2' high, as it might be hard to produce enough "fill-dirt" if the bed is much deeper. While there is not a "correct" size, you want each garden bed to be small enough that you can reach the center when planting, watering and harvesting.
Once a trench has been dug out, begin laying your lumber to create a frame that fits into the trench that was formed. Note that if you are using a pressure treated wood (or any lumber that has been exposed to chemicals), you will want to insert a layer of landscape fabric into the bed of the planter to protect against any chemical seepage. Be sure to also use only galvanized or stainless steel nails or screws, to reduce/eliminate rust corrosion.
Build each wall of your raised garden bed separately, then attach them together at the end of the project. You will want to use either a framing nailer or a collated screw gun. Once the walls are in place, you will want to also install a ledge along the frame of the bed, to rest on and/or lay gardening tools.
Now that your garden bed frame has been built, you can elect to install an irrigation system or greenhouse cover, depending on the budget for your project and the vegetation you are looking to grow. Build your raised garden bed to accommodate the crops you are intending to plant. Tropical plants will require a greenhouse-like environment (including heat in the winter), whereas tomatoes only require sunlight and water from late-spring to early-fall.
NOTE: If you plan to keep any plant alive during the winter, you will need to protect them from the outside elements of colder climate areas.
After adding your fertilizer mixture and planting your crop, be sure to protect your garden from predators such as deer and other wildlife that will eat your plants. Install a tall wire or chain fence around the garden bed(s) to prevent deer and other wildlife from feeding on your veggies. If budget allows, build an open, small-framed structure around your beds to protect them from animals - without blocking sun and rain from reaching them. You might find a Hog Ring Tool beneficial for fastening the wire.
All that's left to do is tend to your crops and enjoy the sustainable foods that you grew in your backyard.
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
It might be April Fool's Day, but we aren't joking around with this tricky project. Nail pops occur over time, when a nail begins to separate from the stud it is anchoring drywall to. As the nail begins to work itself out, it eventually applies enough pressure to the spackle or putty above it, to force the putty away from the drywall - exposing the nail's head. Nail pops may be caused by a variety of reasons - from wood beams that swell with humidity to a settling foundation.
An occasional nail pop is nothing to get excited about, but if you notice other problems such as severe cracking, bulges or discoloration in your walls and ceiling - consult a building inspector to have your home evaluated for a more serious issue.
More often than not, a nail pop is caused by the convergence of warm and cold climate(s), which causes wood to swell and contract. They are also more common in older homes, as screws were not a preferred method of drywall fastening 20-30 years ago. Current builders and contractors have the option of using a screw gun, such as Senco's DuraSpin tools, when installing drywall. In the past, nails were typically used for drywall installation. Because a nail has a smooth body, it doesn't command the same holding power that the tracks on a screw do - making it easier to slip out of position.
There are a couple ways to repair a nail pop, depending on the arsenal of tools at your disposal. The simpler solution, take a nail punch to the center of a nail pop, and lightly tap it with a hammer. In the unlikely event that a screw has come loose, simply take a screwdriver and tighten. When using the nail punch, sheetrock and drywall will likely chip away if the nail has not completely protruded through yet, so you will have to use spackle to cover the opening; followed by smoothing, sanding and painting.
For a more permanent solution to the problem, you can also drive a drywall screw into the drywall, along the same stud where the nail has begun to separate. The screw should secure the drywall in place - whereas using a nail punch does not guarantee the issue will not recur if the nail re-separates. Once the screw is in place, scrape any leftover sheetrock or putty away from the original nail gap and spackle over both the nail and screw opening(s). Smooth, sand and paint as necessary.
Nail pops can be a tricky problem for homeowners, but can be easily repaired with the proper attention. If you don't feel comfortable repairing the issue yourself, consult a handyman or professional.
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
Are you looking for a tool that will increase your job site productivity by at least 30 percent? Then you need Senco's new DuraSpin auto-feed screw system. With DuraSpin, you can hang a 4’ by 12’ sheet of drywall within 60 seconds. This screw system is incredibly fast - and available at Nail Gun Depot.
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