Replies

1. 
   semar | Nov 23, 2009 07:05am | #1

   for the new pressure treated lumber you need different nails than galvanized. Check with the lumber supplier to specify which material they are using to treat the lumber - not all are the same

1. 
   frammer52 | Nov 23, 2009 05:30pm | #2

   Actually that is not true.  Double dipped gav. are fine with the new PT or the old as the newest stuff is not as corrosive as when the big shift was first made.

2. 
   JTC1 | Nov 23, 2009 05:32pm | #3

   I use SS, but I am paranoid about corrosion & PT.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
1. 
   gfretwell | Nov 23, 2009 06:39pm | #4

   I have a box of electrogalvanized gun nails that say ACQ on them but I am not convinced.They may just be saying the new PT is so weak the nails will outlast it.

   Edited 11/23/2009 10:41 am ET by gfretwell

1. 
   frammer52 | Nov 23, 2009 08:51pm | #5

   Use em and don't worry!

2. 
   JTC1 | Nov 23, 2009 10:00pm | #6

   Electro-galvanized? Not sure I would use them.  Never seen EG in a gun nail, but haven't looked for it either.

   Wood treaters are saying hot-dipped galvanized as a minimum.

   But, like I said, I'm paranoid.

   Here I can get virtually anything I want in SS, near coastal and a great independent nail supplier.  He has about anything you could want in SS for guns - coil & stick framing, 15 &16 ga finish, staples, etc....

   Pricey on a per nail basis, but in the grand scheme of a project, they are cheap for peace of mind.  Don't really use that many, and the customer pays for them anyhow. 

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

1. 
   gfretwell | Nov 23, 2009 10:38pm | #7

   I just looked and they call these hot dipped galvanized but they sure look electroplated to me.http://gfretwell.com/ftp/gun%20nails.jpg

1. 
   JTC1 | Nov 24, 2009 08:09pm | #8

   They sure don't look "hot dipped" to me either - too smooth and the striations just below the heads look too sharp to have ever been dipped.

   However, I guess, the galvanization could have been plated to the needed thickness. I presume it is the thickness of the zinc layer which really counts, regardless of the method used to apply it.

   The Z-Max joist hangers which I use do not have the characteristic lumpy look of hot dipped either, but they are certainly plated to some ASTM standard thickness which is approved for ACQ use. 

   At least your Senco nails are from a reputable manufacturer who was willing to "sign their work" and they are certainly labelled for use in ACQ.

   What does the ACQ oval label say on the top line? (right under ACQ) Looks like the last words in the line are "Stainless Steel".

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

2. 
   gfretwell | Nov 24, 2009 11:53pm | #9

   "for best results use stainless steel"In other words, "These are hold your nose legal in ACQ but still expect them to rust"I didn't really buy these for PT, I was just looking for something a little more rust resistant. I have some stainless ammo too when I really want them to last.

3. 
   JTC1 | Nov 25, 2009 03:38am | #10

   I thought it might be some sort of SS disclaimer!

   Really need to start pulling fasteners out of my test chunks soon.....

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

4. 
   joeh | Nov 25, 2009 04:16am | #11

   need to start pulling fasteners out of my test chunks soon

   Seems there was a thread here within the last year about a project that had disintegrated due to the fasteners vanishing in a short period of time.

   Joe H

5. 
   fingersandtoes | Nov 25, 2009 05:25am | #12

   I think a couple of posters have test nails in chunks of wood "curing". Last spring I built a short set of steps on a path using PT 6"x6" pinned together by 3/4" rebar. Eight months later they are still tight and show no signs of corrosion.

6. 
   JTC1 | Nov 25, 2009 08:37pm | #13

   I have test fasteners aging in ACQ, KD, and MCQ. 2 years. Various nails and screws.

   Indoor (basement) samples and outdoor. Indoor samples were made to simulate PT sills that were mostly "out of the weather".

   Meanwhile I have been exclusively using SS for all PT fastening.

   Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

7. 
   fingersandtoes | Nov 25, 2009 11:17pm | #16

   I'd be interested to hear periodic reports. My "test steps" were built that way because the client didn't believe it was a problem. So far he is right, but what is 8 months in the life of a path?

8. 
   Dinosaur | Nov 25, 2009 10:10pm | #15

   'Electrogalvanised' nails aren't galvenised at all; they are electro-plated. Galvanisation requires the use of heat sufficient to cause the steel nail and the zinc to form an alloy which is harder than either.

   I took a look at your photo and they are probably galvanised, not electroplated. There are a lot of different hot galvanising processes, one of which is 'hot drum' galvanising wherein the nails are tumbled in a heated drum with zinc powder until they get hot enough to form the alloys I spoke of above. This qualifies as 'hot galvanising' and is far superior to electroplating. However, it does not produce as thick a coating of zinc alloy as hot-dip galvanisation, hence the absence of the typical rough 'molten' look of HDG nails.

   Your nails are probably shiny because they were quenched when they were dumped out of the drum. Quenching creates a brighter finish than air cooling. It's used by manufacturers a lot because although it's an extra step, market research has found that the average consumer likes shiny products better than dull grey ones.

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

3. 
   Dinosaur | Nov 25, 2009 09:55pm | #14

   Hot dipped or double hot dipped are rated for PT but stainless is preferred.

   Even better is to use naturally rot-resistant species instead of PT.

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
   low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
   foolish men call Justice....
   

   

4. 
   florida | Nov 25, 2009 11:34pm | #17

   The story is that as long as they aren't exposed to moisture they'll be fine. If you're concerned why not use borate treated lumber for your sills?