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Does anyone out there build piers and docks? Ive been building a few lately and have a few questions. Is it better to have the pilings driven in or wash them down with water pressure? Anyone tried the hot dip galv. nails for pneumatics, do they hold up better than the electro galv., and what brand seems best? Some people dont want to pay for stainless and i dont drive many by hand any more.I use duofast but would change if i could find some that hold up better. This is in salt water so things get eaten up pretty fast.
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Dock building is very regional specialty...Around Lake George I build crib docks which are just a series of connected "box of rocks" set ups...Pilings are rare. They would work here but it's not the way that the guys did it years ago...I am in lake water and have started to use SS rods for the box of rocks set ups and also use heavily dip galvanised spikes and nails...
I would think the cost using the best fasteners money can buy would be an easy sell in salt water.
Near the salt free stream,
J
*Charles, I haven't done it since the '70s, but we drove piles. The yard had the pile driver already, so new technology wasn't forthcoming.Overall, the cost of fasteners in minor in comparison to the cost of construction. Go Stainless, try: http://www.mazenails.com for a source.
*Well guess I'll try again. Posted to this a couple days ago but it seems to have disappeared. Was there some kind of malfunction?Don't think it makes much difference how the pilings are driven. Only that they are to a solid strata and braced against wind/wake action.I just used the new(for me)electro coated nails last fall so can't offer an opinion yet. Doubt stainless is worth it in a dock even though I use it exclusively in boat hardware.Please see my Docks post in the main board. Sure could use some advise for a river dock I'm doing. Have done lake docks but this is the first river one.