Replies

1. 
   andybuildz | Mar 31, 2002 04:51pm | #1

   Its no different then attching it to drywall really. NAil into the studs with 6b finish nails. The only difference may be to drill pilot holes first so as not to crack the plaster. I've worked in a real lot of old homes with plaster walls and plaster moldings. Even spent quite  a bit of time recreating the existing plaster moldings where walls had to be removed. Just cut the existing plaster molding flush and make a profile onto a piece of metal....cut it out .put a handle on it and put up your structolite/plaster and use the formed knife to create the shape. I charged $75 a foot with a one foot minimum. Great money in that.

   Good luck and be well

                                   Andy

   It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   Shieldwolf1 | Apr 02, 2002 04:34am | #7

   Thanks Andy. All you guys are great. How do I get rid of the none and get my name up there?

1. 
   JeffOps | Apr 02, 2002 05:25am | #9

   Click on your current name, (none), in the grey area at the top of this post.

   In the java box that pops up, choose "My Prefs".

   Now, scroll down until you see "Nickname".

   Whatever you type in that box will become the name that is seen at the top of your posts.

   Whattaya mean, I can't be three people at once ???!!?

2. 
   JohnSprung | Apr 02, 2002 08:51pm | #12

   If this picture rail is really going to be used to hang things from, do be sure to find and hit the studs.

   -- J.S.

2. 
   PhillGiles | Mar 31, 2002 05:49pm | #2

   I was taught to put down a line of tape (permanent, like clear Scotch Brand or "box tape"). It seems to prevent the plaster from cracking/shattering. Now I use double-sided tape, which even holds up the molding while you carefully nail it: predrilling is an option.

   .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 31, 2002 09:47pm | #3

   You hand nailing or shotting a gun. I've had no problems using the trim gun as I would do normally. Olny thing different for me........harder time finding the studs thru plaster. I don't care what the stud finder says......Deep Scan don't do it!

   I go back to the old tried and true....knock and drill. Nail at window and door trimmers......look for electrival boxes....usually one side or the other.

   Find the ceiling joists too.

   If you are hand nailing........predrilling helps. All this depends on the condition the plaster is in. I've seen 25 year young stuff ready to spall if ya breath on it...and 125 year old stuff strong enough and thich enough to hold a finish nail on it's own. And that's what we did......with a helper....run a small bead of liquid nails on the top and bottom of the back......stick and nail off. Just gotta make sure no squeeze thru comes out and ruins everything. Use 2 1/2 finish nails that at least grab the lath every now and again....and it's not going anywhere for a lifetime. Jeff   *  Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA  *    

   2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman                         

1. 
   zindpr | Apr 01, 2002 05:05am | #4

   Lee Valley Tools sells a nail spinner which attaches to an drill and drives finishing nails without cracking the plaster.  Works and is cheap.

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=2&page=32273&category=1,180,42334

   Paul

1. 
   BungalowJeff | Apr 01, 2002 03:20pm | #5

   The nail spinner is great for hard woods, although a trim nailer will shoot clean through the wood and plaster without cracks. I retrimmed the dining room with the nail spinner and the living room with a nailer. The time savings with the nailer was several hours for similar sized rooms....that's not a mistake, it's rustic

2. 
   Shieldwolf1 | Apr 02, 2002 04:24am | #6

   Thanks Jeff. A great help. I'll be shooting with a 16ga finish gun. I haven't seen the job yet, but now I have some kind of idea. A lttle different than drywall! Oh, my name's Randy. Didn't know the nickname was used as a heading.

2. 
   Shieldwolf1 | Apr 02, 2002 04:37am | #8

   Thanks Phil. How thick is the double sided tape you use?

1. 
   PhillGiles | Apr 02, 2002 06:45am | #10

   I've used 3M "Scotch" 665 - it comes in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" wide in big rolls (I think they're 33m, a little over 100'). It's quite a thin film and the adhesive is permanent.

   3M also make a "removeable" double-sided tape that you can use to test positions of chair rails, picture rails, etc. and it won't pull the paint off if you move it..

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   BungalowJeff | Apr 02, 2002 03:10pm | #11

   That double-sided tape idea is great. I was using my wife to hold up the other end of the trim when I was doing my house. When I walked over to hand her the gun to tack her end, she would pull away and wince. ...that's not a mistake, it's rustic

2. 
   Shieldwolf1 | Apr 03, 2002 03:44am | #13

   Thanks for the follow up. Good solution when a extra set of hands aren't around.