Hello!
I'm in the process of building a garage and thought, why not use screws, like "grabber," instead of nails in the "nail plates (metal plate with pre-drilled holes)" in, for example, rafters and the frame. I'm lucky that I haven't gotten as far as the actual garage building yet.
When I built the form for my concrete slab, I thought it would be easier to dismantle the form if I used screws instead of nails. But when I dismantled the form, I discovered that at least 2 out of 10 screws had broken, often at the head, but also in the middle. The form was probably quite stressed by the heavy concrete, but the fact that so many screws broke makes me doubt whether I should use screws instead of nails for the actual garage. The building will likely shift slightly over time, so it's likely that these screws could also break.
Nails are obviously more flexible than screws, but it would be interesting to hear if anyone else has "screwed" together their garage/house instead of "nailed" it.
Maybe it's completely insane to use screws. My thought was that far in the future, maintenance would be significantly easier. Price-wise, there's not much of a difference between nails and screws. 2000:- for screws for the entire build versus maybe 1000:- for nails. (Okay, 100%, but in the long run, I don't think it makes much difference.)
Grateful for comments. Regards, Fredrik
I'm in the process of building a garage and thought, why not use screws, like "grabber," instead of nails in the "nail plates (metal plate with pre-drilled holes)" in, for example, rafters and the frame. I'm lucky that I haven't gotten as far as the actual garage building yet.
When I built the form for my concrete slab, I thought it would be easier to dismantle the form if I used screws instead of nails. But when I dismantled the form, I discovered that at least 2 out of 10 screws had broken, often at the head, but also in the middle. The form was probably quite stressed by the heavy concrete, but the fact that so many screws broke makes me doubt whether I should use screws instead of nails for the actual garage. The building will likely shift slightly over time, so it's likely that these screws could also break.
Nails are obviously more flexible than screws, but it would be interesting to hear if anyone else has "screwed" together their garage/house instead of "nailed" it.
Maybe it's completely insane to use screws. My thought was that far in the future, maintenance would be significantly easier. Price-wise, there's not much of a difference between nails and screws. 2000:- for screws for the entire build versus maybe 1000:- for nails. (Okay, 100%, but in the long run, I don't think it makes much difference.)
Grateful for comments. Regards, Fredrik
Screwed both battens and counter battens on a 140 m2 roof a few years ago. Used ÖB's/Jula's/Beijer's stainless steel (A2 & A4), not because I was afraid they might rust, but they are always available and often at extra price, and I find them softer than electro-galvanized, which reduces the risk of them breaking. Another reason was that I could screw all night long without disturbing the neighbors, which wouldn't have worked with nails.
Which is faster? Probably nails, but with a bit of skill with bits and a screwdriver, the difference is marginal. The only "risk" I've experienced is that long screws can be weakened by friction heat when working with hard wood, increasing the risk of them breaking, and the stainless ones have a poor cross. But with the right speed, right torque, and using Torx instead of crosshead, the issues were solved for me.
Which is faster? Probably nails, but with a bit of skill with bits and a screwdriver, the difference is marginal. The only "risk" I've experienced is that long screws can be weakened by friction heat when working with hard wood, increasing the risk of them breaking, and the stainless ones have a poor cross. But with the right speed, right torque, and using Torx instead of crosshead, the issues were solved for me.
Member
· Älvsborg/Göteborg
· 235 posts
here is another one who advocates screws in many cases.. however, as someone said earlier, it's good to use the right screw for the right thing.. nails are a bit more "works for everything" but with screws, you have to think a little before you shop.. what you are going to use it for..
If you find screws with Torx design instead of Phillips, these are much easier to handle. Especially if you have your wife doing the screwing 
At work, we initially had regular Phillips. We used about 1-2 bits per shift. Then we switched to Torx, and now the bits last until someone loses them.
At work, we initially had regular Phillips. We used about 1-2 bits per shift. Then we switched to Torx, and now the bits last until someone loses them.