I've always used a screwdriver for most things, naturally including decking for the patio and the dock, etc.
This summer, my neighbor built a BIG dock, and he used a regular, traditional hammer and nails.
The result? Well, it went quickly and turned out well as far as I can judge. An advantage of nails, besides being MUCH cheaper than screws, is that it's significantly easier to demolish when the time comes - a crowbar and then knocking out nails actually goes pretty quickly.
I was furious when I tore down a patio recently. Screws that slipped and chewed up bits, eventually becoming impossible to remove - & then almost impossible to pry up the boards with a crowbar.
So, why should one use a screwdriver anyway?
This summer, my neighbor built a BIG dock, and he used a regular, traditional hammer and nails.
The result? Well, it went quickly and turned out well as far as I can judge. An advantage of nails, besides being MUCH cheaper than screws, is that it's significantly easier to demolish when the time comes - a crowbar and then knocking out nails actually goes pretty quickly.
I was furious when I tore down a patio recently. Screws that slipped and chewed up bits, eventually becoming impossible to remove - & then almost impossible to pry up the boards with a crowbar.
So, why should one use a screwdriver anyway?
Have you torn up your socks (or skin) on a nail that has migrated out as the wood moves? Have you ripped out a click-floor because the subfloor's creaking is driving you insane?
Nails are good for many things, like siding and moldings and wood paneling and birdhouses etc etc. But for floors and things that move, screws are definitely better.
Nails are good for many things, like siding and moldings and wood paneling and birdhouses etc etc. But for floors and things that move, screws are definitely better.
My parents' deck floor is nailed. It works, but all the nails are driven in with a countersink. Got a few kronor per board to do this as a kid about 25 years ago, i.e., before battery-powered screwdrivers were common. I can only say that I don't think it was particularly time-saving compared to decking screws. As long as you have a machine that can drive decking screws on setting 2, it goes pretty fast.
Only nailing old wooden floors here in the house, you can't really use PH2 there.
Then I have to say that for a change, there's a certain pleasure in working with a handsaw and hammer instead of a miter saw, circular saw, and driver.
Then I have to say that for a change, there's a certain pleasure in working with a handsaw and hammer instead of a miter saw, circular saw, and driver.
Well, maybe we're also using machines wrong like in your case when there are better-suited options. My first power drill was purchased in 1986 and was a green 7.2V Bosch. Today, I have a set of machines for different uses. When it comes to dismantling (but also assembling), I now use an impact wrench. With that machine, I could have definitely taken down your old decking and removed all the screws. If you had used stainless decking screws that hadn't broken the heads during installation, you could in practice reuse at least 80-90% of the screws when installing new decking. I've myself replaced some decking on our piers, and it goes smoothly with an impact wrench.
So what I want to say is that development moves forward and you should use the right machine for the task. For your example of screwing deck boards, a power drill works fine but maybe even better with an impact wrench. For easily replacing decking, it's all about the impact wrench. The name impact wrench is a bit misleading since most people now use the rechargeable ones for screwing regular screws. The only thing I still nail is outdoor paneling because I think it looks nicer with painted nails that blend with a bit of color compared to screws that are more visible.
So what I want to say is that development moves forward and you should use the right machine for the task. For your example of screwing deck boards, a power drill works fine but maybe even better with an impact wrench. For easily replacing decking, it's all about the impact wrench. The name impact wrench is a bit misleading since most people now use the rechargeable ones for screwing regular screws. The only thing I still nail is outdoor paneling because I think it looks nicer with painted nails that blend with a bit of color compared to screws that are more visible.
When I built the deck last fall, I thought about nailing with picka but there were no nails that could withstand the saltwater we had in the pool. Therefore, it ended up being A4 screws that could handle that environment.
My thought was also that one can lift planks more easily now, but when I unscrew a screw, it turns out that the wood has dried over the head, and you get large splinters when you pull out the screw.
My thought was also that one can lift planks more easily now, but when I unscrew a screw, it turns out that the wood has dried over the head, and you get large splinters when you pull out the screw.
I've got the idea that if you unscrew the head from the boards at low speed with an impact wrench, it causes less damage to the decking than a regular screwdriver, which "kicks in" with higher speed to pull out the screw. Maybe off-topic. In most cases, you can turn a deck board over if it's been removed and splintered, and then re-screw it back. There will be a bit of a color difference, but after a year or so, it evens out. So it doesn't have to be a problem.TrollMann said:
Started putting together a birdhouse the other day, didn't have self-drilling screws in the right dimension at home. Nails don't split end grain as easily... but after cursing at the material bouncing back and out of place with each strike and getting a couple of bent nail heads, I pre-drilled and screwed everything together. I think a nail gun/brad nailer has more advantages than a hammer. Additionally, there is collated stainless steel A4 quality nails. We have it in our facade.. can't remember the brand now, but can check if anyone is interested.
Nice to see the responses. It seems I'm not getting support for the hammer & nail methodpinebar said:
To pinebar and others, I want to respond that I was primarily thinking about decking projects and I have actually never encountered the underlying rule "not responding" in that type of construction. It's clear that screwdrivers have several advantages as pointed out here, but for decking projects specifically, I'm not entirely convinced yet...
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And today many builders (even DIYers) seem to be switching to impact drivers that put significantly less strain on wrists and elbows.jokomoko said:Fun to see the responses. It seems I'm not getting much support for the hammer & nail method
To pinebar and others, I want to reply that I mostly mean decking constructions, and I actually haven't experienced the beam underneath "not responding" with that type of construction. It's clear that screwdrivers have several advantages, as pointed out here, but for decking constructions, I'm not entirely convinced yet...
So I agree with you, it won't be the screwdriver for me either, but the impact driver for decking
Then I, being ignorant, must ask - how did the builders of old times work, when there were no screwdrivers? My house is 130 years old and still stands firmly, despite not having a single screw in the frame!