Amateur question.

[Staffan1]

I'm planning to build an insulated room-within-a-room, and in the wall studs, I'll be using those metal angles (L-shaped) to attach the studs. Someone mentioned that it's better to avoid cracks, etc., instead of toe nailing.

But to my very simple question. Should I screw or nail the L-profiles?
If so, what type of nails or screws? I remember hearing something about anchor nails or something like that.

It's 45x70 studs I'll be using (if that informs the choice of screws or nails).

 

[MathiasS]

An amateur answer to an amateur question:

I would toenail with 3", it's both quick and easy. IF I still used angles I would screw them, but what doesn't matter much, but there are anchor screws available to buy.

 

[Staffan1]

I was advised to skip toe-nailing, because it's so easy for the studs to crack.

 

[Farzan]

To prevent the studs from cracking, and because I am generally so clumsy with toe-nailing, I usually pre-drill the stud. It usually works well and makes nailing much easier... but the drill bit must not be too thick (I usually use one a couple of mm thinner than the nail) and must not go into the stud you're nailing against, because then it holds less well.

 

[andersmc]

What Staffan1 is wondering about is how to attach the spike fittings. You should use anchor nails or anchor screws. Anchor screws have the great advantage that you can easily change if you get something in the wrong place. It's also not fun to nail upwards on the angles that are in the ceiling. So - it's anchor screws you should get. Available at all building supply stores.

 

[Staffan1]

Thank you for the good answer. Ankarskruv it is.

 

[MathiasS]

I was advised to skip toe-nailing, because it is so easy for the studs to crack.

They don't if you do it right..... : And it's actually not that difficult. But joist hangers work too, although they are more expensive and take more time.

By the way, Biltema has anchoring screws in their range again, you can buy those rascals cheaply there.

 

[Farzan]

It does not if you do it right..... :

And how do you do it right..?

 

[P-J]

An easy way is otherwise to screw up metal studs, but you might want wood.

 

[MathiasS]

And how do you do it right..?

Well, explaining that in text isn't so easy. But if you try toe-nailing a few times, you'll quickly learn which angle and distance from the edge works. I usually drive two nails from one side, and one from the other. I also tend to nail at an angle sharper than 45 degrees.

 

[andersmc]

A trick can be to bend the nails a little before hammering them in, so they kind of curve in their path. Another method is to use a nail gun. It's the easiest of all.

 

[Farzan]

Uhm...okay. Just wanted to check if there was a trick I didn't know about but apart from the nail gun...and I probably won't be getting one of those anytime soon.

 

[MathiasS]

...it also becomes much easier if you first drive the nail in straight for a few millimeters (so it gets some grip), then angle it to the desired angle and continue hammering. But maybe that's obvious, what do I know. Also a good "trick" if you're skrå-skruvar.

 

[Fein]

Regarding Biltema's anchor screws, you have to be careful not to tighten them too hard. I broke off a number of heads. Perhaps that's why the low price?

 

[Mats]

Did the same with the byggmax version, then I got grabber, and pulled off the same number of heads there.