Why use a screwdriver really ?

[baljbalj]

Nails are probably good for building, cheap and you can use a nail gun if you want real speed.

I myself have a 40s house and tearing down without a reciprocating saw is almost impossible. Thick nails crisscross make it impossible to use a crowbar; it might work with something like a board on a joist, but joist against joist with nails both angled and straight through the joist is tough.

I imagine that screws are much easier to dismantle (though not all screws because sometimes they're so hard that multi-tool blades can't cut through and you have to saw anyway?

I've thought a bit, and some of the demolition I've done would probably have been almost impossible if the (fairly soft) nails had been the super-hard Jettings screws instead, as they were nailed from two sides that you couldn't reach to unscrew.

 

[Robban_C]

... So, why should one use a screwdriver anyway?

This was about decks, right?
Then I can give a very good answer:
One should use screws because it is forbidden to nail decks. At least for those who do it in their professional capacity. Nailing decks is considered unprofessional work, and this is justified by the fact that nails may risk shifting outwards over time.
It is also the case that the heads of the screws should be sunk a bit into the decking, and it's difficult to do that with nails without sitting and fiddling with a drift on every nail. Screws, on the other hand, are driven down until they're perfect, and you do it in the same moment as the installation.
This applies to anyone doing it as part of their job. A private person building their own deck can do whatever the heck they want and risks nothing more than damaged soles or possibly a note during inspection in connection with the sale of the property.

But I can give another reason:
Forget the screwdriver and use a screw gun instead. It drives each screw to the right depth and it goes incredibly fast.

Someone wrote that easier demolition would be the reason for nailing. If I'm demolishing a deck to remove it, then a chainsaw is what you need. Nothing else goes as quickly and smoothly.
If I'm removing single decking boards to access something underneath, it's easier with screws. There’s simply less damage to the decking than with nailing. And if the head is damaged, it's easy to drill off the head, lift the decking, and when reassembling, place a new screw next to it.

 

[Norrhyttan]

Haha, sometimes I wonder what people are up to during the day since they have time to sit and dig up old threads to revive without any direct reason.

 

[Robban_C]

And you, Norrhyttan, are even worse because you have time to sit and reply to threads that you are obviously not interested in.

I haven't "sought out" the thread. It appeared on its own as a suggestion here on the page, and I reacted to the title, read the thread, and realized that the questioner was not aware of what BBR/AMA says, so I responded to it. I could not in my wildest dreams imagine that the forum would suggest threads that are four years old, so it's hardly me you should be targeting. Target the forum's owners instead.

Moreover, you and I have encountered each other on the forum before, and back then you had a much more serious approach than sitting and ridiculing things like this. Have you deteriorated that much?

 

[harry73]

4 years is nothing
Look what I found today

 

[harry73]

4 years is nothing
Look what I found today

11 years :wow: not bad

 

[prototypen]

Seems to be something from before the internet since there is no web link....

Protte

 

[Stefan Bengtsson]

Seems to be something from before the internet's time since there's no web link....

Protte

Maybe it's a response to an 11-year-old letter to the editor in the local paper.

 

[harry73]

If you click on my name in the quote, you'll be directed to the right thread

 

[Chrissofsweden]

This was about decks, right?
Then I can give a very good answer:
You should use screws because it is forbidden to nail decks. At least for those doing it in their professional capacity. It is considered unprofessional to nail decks and it is motivated by the fact that nails risk working their way out over time.
It is also the case that the heads on the screws should be slightly recessed in the decking, and it is difficult to do this with nails without having to fiddle with a punch on every nail. Screws, on the other hand, are driven down until it's good and you accomplish it in the same motion as the installation.
This applies to those who do it within the scope of their profession. A private individual building their own deck can do whatever the heck they want and risks nothing more than damaged soles or possibly a note during an inspection associated with the sale of the property.

But I can give another reason:
Forget the cordless drill and use a screw gun instead. It drives each screw to the right depth, and it goes extremely fast.

Someone wrote that easier demolition would be a reason for nailing. If I'm tearing down a deck to remove it, a chainsaw is what's needed. Nothing else is as fast and smooth.
If I'm removing individual decking to access something underneath, it's easier with screwed decking. It simply causes less damage to the decking than with nailed. And if the head is damaged, it's easy to drill away the head, remove the decking, and during reinstallation, place a new screw next to it.

But professionals are allowed to nail decks. Is there any rule that says you can't? Recommended, no. Allowed, yes.

 

[Robban_C]

For me, you can do exactly as you like, but as a professional, you risk getting faults during inspection. Decks should be screwed, but private individuals can do as they wish with their own projects.

 

[Thomas_Blekinge]

Then I, being ignorant, must ask - how did house builders do it in the past, when there weren't power drills? My house is 130 years old and still stands firmly, despite not having a single screw in the frame!

It's actually a bit of an art to nail. Not just to drive the nail in with as few strikes as possible. But to choose the right nail. To nail at the right angle. To bend nails as needed. And surely much more that I haven't learned yet.

 

[Chrissofsweden]

For me, you can do exactly as you want, but as a professional, you risk getting flagged during inspection. Decks should be screwed, but private individuals can do as they please with their own projects.

I would never nail a decking board. I only nail in emergencies because I love my screwdrivers. But surely professionals can nail without getting a note in the report. I would love to see a source on that, and if you're right, it would make me happy for reasons unknown to the thread so far

 

[f91jsw]

I do not question that screws are better than nails for wooden decking, but up until two decades ago all decking was nailed and has been done so since time immemorial. And that worked well too. There are still plenty of piers that are nailed.

 

[AndersS]

I'm not questioning that screws are better than nails for decking, but up until two decades ago, all decking was nailed, and it has been done that way since time immemorial. And it worked well too. There are still plenty of piers that are nailed.

Yes, but now there are better options, and, of course, there are still constructions that were made earlier. In all areas, there are things done with different techniques that were the "right" solution at the time. I have boxes of nails I no longer use, such as stainless twist nails which I used for my first decking but would not consider using today.