Working on a new floor structure for the kitchen and need to attach load-bearing beams along the long sides of the existing sill, but I'm unsure what to use for attachment, large nails or lag screws or something else, and if I should use shims underneath?
I can't place the load-bearing beam on the foundation wall, the question is whether I should shim between the load-bearing beam and the foundation wall, or if it's enough to attach it to the existing sill.
In any case, I'm wondering what fastening bracket is standard? 90mm wire nails feel weak...
Maybe 6" nails or should I use lag screws, e.g., 8*100?
I can't place the load-bearing beam on the foundation wall, the question is whether I should shim between the load-bearing beam and the foundation wall, or if it's enough to attach it to the existing sill.
In any case, I'm wondering what fastening bracket is standard? 90mm wire nails feel weak...
Maybe 6" nails or should I use lag screws, e.g., 8*100?
5" i.e. 125 mm driven in slightly at an angle I think works well if you want to nail, otherwise 120X6 mm screws but make sure to get properly galvanized or stainless steel. Screws are always good when you need to adjust a little afterwards 
I adjusted with 90 nails and dug into grandpa's old nail box and found a solid bundle of fine 5" nails. They held well, so now it's starting to look like a joist. Thanks for the advice (and shimming underneath didn't feel relevant after a couple of 5" ;-)
I would still have placed some blocks under the bearers to make it a bit more rigid. But standing and driving in 5s outward could mean that both the sill and the wall give way. Better to use screws, as there are such, or the French ones you suggest, but increase the length, about 125mm will be good. But then you need to pre-drill if you use the French ones.
Use some Timberlok instead of French screws! Much better.
$90 for 250 pcs 4".:eek: No thanks, even though it is a good screw.vedeldaren said:
But thanks for the tips and input from everyone. As mentioned, I had a box of 5" galvanized nails that I've hammered in a likely required quantity
. That the sill would move in my case didn't seem likely either, but it's a good warning. It seems to hold well where it is, and the beams lie pointwise against the foundation wall so I haven't had the need to shim all the way. Feels very solid. I have an over-dimension on the floor joists too, max 2m span with 48*195 K24 that I bought cheap .