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Discussion Forum

Lines on sheathing

Marson | Posted in General Discussion on July 17, 2008 03:28am

We use 7/16 OSB on our walls. Used to be it always came with both horizontal and vertical nailing guide lines. However, for the last 6 months or so, all the sheathing seems to only have lines drawn for laying the sheathing perpendicularly to the studs. Why the change? Did the manufacturers decide that we should always be installing sheathing perpendicular to studs? Anyone have a clue?

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  1. Framer | Jul 17, 2008 03:51am | #1

    Maybe because many people do install it perpendicular to the studs. Do you need the lines to nail?

     

    Joe Carola
    1. Marson | Jul 17, 2008 04:00am | #2

      But why the switch? Until last summer, it always had vertical lines. It's not a big deal. I can adapt. But why the change?

      1. Shep | Jul 17, 2008 04:09am | #3

        Probably some cost savings thing.

        Not using as much paint on the ply.

      2. User avater
        Sphere | Jul 17, 2008 04:11am | #4

        Keeps the framers from playing tic-tac-toe with thier keels. It's from complaints about slowed production (G).Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

        You gonna play that thing?

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Ln-SpJsy0

      3. Framer | Jul 17, 2008 04:12am | #5

        But why the change?

        They want everyone to sheath horizontally and teaches the DIY'ers to nail without the lines............;-) I don't know why. I never use osb anyway and I sheath horizontally.

        Joe Carola

        Edited 7/16/2008 9:13 pm ET by Framer

        1. karteberry | Jul 19, 2008 02:12am | #27

          Joe, You still make me laugh out loud...

           

    2. User avater
      Timuhler | Jul 19, 2008 02:07am | #25

      Joe, I can't nail anything without a line

       

       

      uh?

      1. Framer | Jul 19, 2008 02:44am | #28

        Joe, I can't nail anything without a line

        Whimp!!!!

        Joey can. I got him training with me picking up tires. Mine is the one on the ground........;-)

         Joe Carola

      2. Jim_Allen | Jul 19, 2008 03:21am | #29

        I always pulled out my tape and used it if the lines were too wandery. I hated seeing shiners. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

  2. RalphWicklund | Jul 17, 2008 05:59am | #6

    The operator wasn't paying attention and let the paint machine run out of paint.

    Same guy who can't set up his machine to paint the lines at the correct o/c position and who sets the spray heads so high that the line is fuzzy and an inch wide.

  3. robert | Jul 17, 2008 06:22am | #7

    For years we got 7/16's OSB with just one set of lines on it. Then one day the other lines showed up.

    To be honest? Don't know why. That was before the internet was so big and we just didn't really care enough to ask anyone.

    We always sheethed horizontally and never used the lines anyway so we didn't care.

  4. Piffin | Jul 17, 2008 01:04pm | #8

    Not all OSB comes from the same plant.

     

     

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    1. Marson | Jul 17, 2008 02:28pm | #9

      Yeah come to think of it, we've had a few plants shut down lately because of the slow market. Still, up till last fall, I had never seen a sheet without lines both directions. I suppose painting those lines has some costs, and OSB manufacturers must be pinching every penny they can, so maybe it's that. One of those job site mysteries.

      1. frammer52 | Jul 18, 2008 01:05am | #10

        We have used LP OSb without lines, like forever.  Other brands all have the lines.  Now if they could actually make the lines even close to accurate, that really would be something!!

        1. Marson | Jul 18, 2008 01:34am | #11

          I'll have to take a look at some 9' OSB and see if it has lines. It's meant to be run vertical.I used to work with a just one partner, and we always ignored the lines. Like you say, they are often so far off they are useless. Now I supervise a lot of younger guys and they seem to need the lines. They whine like babies about the stuff with no lengthwise lines--"what'd you get us roof sheathing for, boss?" they say.

          1. Jim_Allen | Jul 18, 2008 04:16am | #12

            I'd whine too. I love the lines for lots of reasons. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

  5. PASSIN | Jul 18, 2008 07:30am | #13

    i was recently wondering the same thing. we run all our sheet verticly and have no lines. sure was helpful for nailing.

    i see your in Mn. im in Oregon. all plywood osb comes from local mills. where does your come from?

    1. Marson | Jul 18, 2008 02:17pm | #14

      Yeah, ours is local too. Interesting that you have noticed the same thing. What brand OSB? We get Ainsworth (which bought Potlatch's OSB mills) and Norboard. Makes me think it's a cost savings thing in these hard times.

      1. PASSIN | Jul 18, 2008 06:07pm | #15

        Sounds like the same run of mills. lumber yard brings in whatever is cheapest so not uncommon to have 2 diff. brands on a job.

        Ill see today exactly what brand we used on last project.

        1. User avater
          Thawley | Jul 18, 2008 06:23pm | #16

          NEW GUY ALERT:Just curious, do most/all of you nail sheathing to your frames before you lift the wall in place?(I'm getting ready to add to my garage and plan to do the framing my self...)

          1. Jim_Allen | Jul 18, 2008 06:26pm | #17

            Some do, some don't. It's a regional thing. I do, always have, always will unless someone can give me a good reason not to. Do you also build your cornice system too? Siding? Windows? Corner Boards? Where do you draw the line? Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

          2. User avater
            Timuhler | Jul 19, 2008 02:09am | #26

            Where do you draw the line?

             

            16" oc would be nice :-)

          3. Jim_Allen | Jul 18, 2008 06:26pm | #18

            Hey, you are a new guy! Welcome. Where you from? Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

          4. User avater
            Thawley | Jul 18, 2008 07:05pm | #19

            I'm in SoCal pretty close to Disneyland. Done a lot of woodworking and home improvement, just never poured a slab or put up walls. Kinda looking forward to it...

          5. Jim_Allen | Jul 18, 2008 07:06pm | #20

            You might not be allowed to presheath there. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

          6. User avater
            Thawley | Jul 18, 2008 07:09pm | #21

            You serious, or just messing with the new guy?

          7. Jim_Allen | Jul 18, 2008 07:11pm | #22

            Both.I don't know anything about CA building other than there are strict sesmic codes which may make it impossible to presheath. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

          8. User avater
            Thawley | Jul 18, 2008 07:19pm | #23

            Yeah, I imagine I may have to learn a thing or two about the local code before I get too far.Thanks.

          9. toolbear | Jul 18, 2008 10:21pm | #24

            Presheath...Our projects in Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, CA etc. have all been pre-sheathed, but the house wrap goes on after the inspector is happy and signs off.The ToolBear

            "I am still learning." Goya

          10. Marson | Jul 19, 2008 03:30am | #30

            Nearly always sheath before standing, except on slab on grades on flat ground.

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