Nail or screw Chair Rail on metal studs
ToolFreakBlue
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
A builder I do some trim work for is sending me to a commercial space to install a little bit of chair rail. It is paint grade stock and 2 1/2″ x 9/16″.
Can I shoot it with 15 ga nails into the metal studs?
Or should I absolutly use screws?
Or nails with a screw every 4 feet?
Or nails with a dab of PL behind it?
Or……?
Any help would be appreciated.
TFB (Bill)
Replies
Bill,
I am only a DIY homeowner when it comes to carpentry and woodwworking, but I do work with metal every day and I cannot imagine a nail holding anything into a sheet metal stud for more than a few minutes.
I used trim head stainless screws to put all of my Azec facia boards up, they would probably work real nice on chair rail. The head is very small, but would probably still be a good idea to pre drill with a small countersink also.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
I'd go the nails and PL route. Make sure to angle the nails pretty fair.
I agree. I've also had good luck with Loctite Power Grab. It's a quick adhering water-base glue.
When shooting nails (2 per spot, at opposing angles), I only try to grab the drywall and NOT shoot into the metal studs. They only need to hold long enough for the glue to set up.
Depends on the metal ga. If 20/26 the nail if shot straight will penetrate the stud and make heat that almost "welds" (secures) the nail to the stud.
I would probably go for the stud and have spot glued the backside of the rail.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I'd get Calvin to do it. (G)
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
You've got time no?A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Busy as I could be, no kiddin. And I don't even play golf!
How ya been?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
Good now, terrorized previous 3 wks.
Computer wouldn't turn on. Now it does thanks to eric.
And he saved all my documents so no photo loss, whew!
An almost week camping on Kelly's Island was a blast. Work looks good through the holidays.
BIG mosquito hatch while we were up on the island. Mama Mia-these babies are vicious. No buzz warning and zillions anytime of day out here. Cripes, just walking the dog up the drive and down the street is a no go w/o bug dope. Thinking that major rain just south of us must have given the buggers a boost.
Other than that, spectacular!
And you?A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
We're doing well. Hot, humid and a garden to die for, no shortage of food. We've had ZERO mosquito issues, its such a friggin drought that they all died of thirst.
Moved a bit sideways workwise, still affiliated with Grant, but locked into a gig with some HO's for a major overhaul of a 1915 home. Deep pockets, kinda eccentric, but they value my work.
Good for a least 2 years if I so desire, no rush, no problems.
Living is good, I would like a real vacation sometime tho', maybe that Texasfestex in Feb.
Give J a hug for me..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
I was wondering where you were.
We had to play with a 3some at the Fest. Really could have used another golfer.
Or even a warm body. <G>
Glad to hear it was "only" the computer
Oh, yeah, and I bought a new lens. The Nikon 18-200 VR zoom. Real nice piece of glass.
I'm in a quandary right now on lenses. I want more telephoto and gave some thought to the add on base that increases the 200 to 4 or more.....but don't want to lose any Fstop (I guess). The add on evidently raises it (in my uneducated laymens language. That means shelling out the thousand(s) verses a few hundred. But if I get good at following a moving target I want to be able to shoot fast enough to cut down the blur (ala hummingbird etc).
I really should have taken a photography course.........
Golf, as I improved my game up till august (minorly) I came upon the wall of screwing up. Couldn't putt, couldn't chip with accuracy-very disappointing. Trying now to regain what I had almost accomplished. ####.
But the pennant race is certainly heating up.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Depends on the chair rail.
If it was heavy solid stock I'd use DW finish screws and glue.
If its thin and paint grade I'd snap a line to the underside and use either a light grade construction adhesive or yellow glue, with lots of 18 ga pins on opposing angles. The caulking on top and bottom will hold the rail in place as good as glue anyway.
Gord
I'd say this is a thin chair rail at only 9/16" as opposed to a 1 1/4" projection.Opposing angles up and down or side to side?18ga vs 15ga to keep the holes smaller or do the 18ga penetrate the metal studs better than the heavier 15ga? Thanks to all for the advise so far.
TFB (Bill)
As a union carpenter I do this all the time on commercial jobs. Calvin had it right in his first post.
18 ga. will usually go into light gauge stud. 15 ga. will reliably go into 20 ga. stud.
If it's an exterior wall you might have 16 gauge stud. Senco makes a hardend 15 ga. finish nail that'll go into that and more. I've actually shot wood trim onto a metal door jamb with these nails.
In between studs if it's not laying flat, toe nail to hold it tight until the adhesive sets. This is a good place to use 18 ga. nails.
Let me know if you want the part # for the "armor piercing" nails, I'll go look at my box...buic
Different gun to fire the "armor piercing" rounds?A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Nope, any gun that'll take 15 ga. senco style finish nails (DA####) will shoot these...buic
Just looked at my box of nails.
Senco DA 19 AIA 1 3/4"
It's the only length they make...buic
Thanks.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks (to All) for the help.It has been said before by others but I love this place, it is such a great resource.TFB (Bill)
Just looked at my box of nails.
Senco DA 19 AIA 1 3/4"
It's the only length they make...buic
ThanksTFB (Bill)
I like what the others have said about shooting through the studs but I figure if the drywall isn't going to fall off anytime soon why not glue the rail to the drywall? The 18 ga pins only hold it till the glue sets.
I've hung plenty of 5/8 MDF coat hook brackets in closets and I can tell you if you ever have the displeasure of removing one, the glue on the drywall is holding a heck of alot more than the nails through the metal studs.
Gord
Glue choice? PL/Liquid nail type or good 'ol wood glue?TFB (Bill)
Good old wood glue works just fine
and lots of it.
Cleanup is easy if you get the runs.
Gord
As someone else mentioned I really know Powershoot.Never did chair rails, but used it on baseboard and to fix other trim.And it is stiff enough that grab, what I have used, in place with no or limited fastners..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I like to use trim head screws and 1/4" tapered plugs. GRK makes a screw thats 1-1/2" long and uses a #10 tip.
If there is a big bow in between studs the angled nails and glue works good.
Matt