I need a pneumatic stable gun to put up expanded metal lath for synthetic stone.
Do I need a wide or medium crown, and what would be a best buy for likely one time use?
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I use 1/4" crown (narrow).
One use? Whatever Harbor Freight is selling today. LOL!
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
I have a 1/4" Bostich, but it only shoots up to 1 1/4".
I'm going over 1" of rigid foam and into 1/2" cdx, so I need someting that will shoot between 1 1/2" to 2".
I am surprized that a 1/4" narrow crown will work. I envisioned problems getting the legs of the staples to straddle the metal lath. Nice to know because I think I might change the installation order on the second half of this project.
Over foam, huh? Not sure about that one. I'd be tempted to use something that gives more support than a staple would. And I'd also try to hit studs rather than the ply. Maybe ask the stone supplier?
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
I did several years ago when I went to a seminar on the stuff, but they didn't have an answer for me then.
Maybe I'll get one now, cause I'm spend some $$ this time, instead of just being some DA carpenter attending one of the seminars.
Use roofing nails. Really.
I was thinking that.
Figured someone would shoot me down if I was off base on the staples.
Course I could always use some support fer gettin another toy, ah,er,... tool that is :~)
Meet me 1/2 way and I'll loan my Bostitch roofer , you gotta buy the long nails tho' all I have are 1.25".
Dave, Harbor freight has one for 20.00 that shoots 2 in staples. 18 guage.
You think 18ga staples are going to hold the weight of a stucco mud base on the wall?Put up warning signs where you work.
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LOL...EXACTLY my thinking.
Not even close. He was the one that suggested.
I have never seen or used anything but roofers, myself>G<
Staples were what they used on the demonstration wall at the synthetic stone seminar. They installed the lath over 30# felt, over 1/2" cdx.
I'll take Malo and piffens advice and use roofing nails.
I would also suggest as the nails are a tad thicker than 18 guage.
I will say this, I used to own a staple gun, can't remember the name, that would nail up and wouldn't be a problem. The stqaples legs were as thick as 15 guage.
Don't know.
That's why I posted.
Figured you guys would straighten me out.
I'll use roofing nails and tapcons where I overlap the foundation wall.
I'm doing all the prep work and will have a mason do the stone work. Saves me a few bucks on the front end and I know the flashing and drainage details are correct.
I've worked with way to many subs that don't know diddly about the correct way to detail flashing or drainage planes, and they don't even try to keep up or learn anything beyond "that's the way we've always done it."
What I do know after 35 years in the trades is what I don't know.
It is always better to run it up the flag pole here and pick out what seems to be the best solution(s).
Fasteners aside, I'm curious what special details flashing for a synthetic stone face require. Is it pretty much the same as 3-coat stucco? weep screeds etc.?
k
The only stucco I have ever seen on a job around here was over 25 years ago on a bank we built.
I have looked at the details for both stone and three coat stucco and they are practically the same. I have looked at two synthetic stone jobs thus far. Neither one used a weep screed, so they left me wondering what else was left out. I have yet to get bids from either of the two masons, although it has been three weeks since I sent them prints. I've got a third one I'll be meeting this weekend. I require referances and phone number/addresses in order to put eyeballs on thier work. The list gets shorter when those items are mentioned.
Real stucco installers are a dying breed around here and I don't think the masons that are doing synthetic stone realize just how similar it is to stucco. Like i told Piffen, it gives me the willies to think that some of these guys know less about thier trade than I can learn here and with a little research.
I'll keep searching untill I find someone that impresses me, or decide to just do it all myself.
Bostich
If you already have a roofer, use that. Or you could pick up
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/senco/3L0003N/
Advantages of a stapler are it's lighter, more ergonomic, don't have to re-load as often, and the staples are cheaper than roofin' nails.
Either Lowe's or Home Depot is sellin' the Senco, but I can't remember which place I saw it at.
Last stucco job I did must have been 20 years ago and we hand-nailed the lathe with 2" roofin' nails.
The best stapler for this would be the Bostitch 1" crown stapler, shhots up to 2" leg length staples. Wire gauge is 16. Here it is: http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp?TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=450S2
Bill
Dave,
I forgot to add, stay away from the Senco wide crown stapler. The Bostitch is much better. You can always sell it when you are done with the current job, but I kept mine and use it more than I thought I would.
Bill
Yup. Keep those wide staplers for doing comp. roofing.