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Those &^%&^^(&%(% aluminum nails…

RichBeckman | Posted in General Discussion on January 19, 2004 10:30am

Is there a trick to nailing aluminum nails?? 75% simply don’t want to go in and bend. I’ve tried starting the hole with a steel nail, but that has had little success.

I’ve started predrilling…it’s the only thing I can think of, and some of them don’t want to go in even if the hole is predrilled. And then there’s the broken 3/32″ drill bits (at least, I seem prone to breaking them)(yes, I know, keep the drill pointing straight into the hole.

Any hints on this would be greatly appreciated.

Why doesn’t someone come up with a nail gun for these suckers?

Thanks.

Rich Beckman

Another day, another tool.

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Replies

  1. flangehead | Jan 19, 2004 11:02pm | #1

    Are these Al siding nails or trim nails?

    1. User avater
      RichBeckman | Jan 19, 2004 11:22pm | #2

      "Are these Al siding nails or trim nails?"

      I assume trim nails. Not sure I know the difference.

      Rich Beckman

      Another day, another tool.

      1. UncleDunc | Jan 19, 2004 11:28pm | #3

        I think the real question was, what are you nailing with them, or why do they have to be aluminum. If you're having to pre-drill all the holes for aluminum, stainless would probably be cheaper.

      2. VinceCarbone | Jan 19, 2004 11:31pm | #4

        Rich

         I think he's talking about al siding nails ( they look like a roof nail or al trim nails ther're for al coil stock.

        What are you using them for and what are you nailing into?Vince Carbone

        Riverside Builders Franklin NY ICQ #47917652

  2. RJT | Jan 20, 2004 01:20am | #5

    Rich: I use aluminum nails quite frequently in cabinetmaking with a Senco finish nailer. The maximu length we use is 1-1/4". The trick is to shoot no higher than 80# pressure.

    1. User avater
      RichBeckman | Jan 20, 2004 05:56am | #6

      I am installing aluminum soffit and fascia.

      I am using aluminum nails, I'm guessing aluminum trim nails. They are about 1/8" think, about an inch long with a small head.

      I am nailing through the aluminum (I believe it is .019 inch thick) and into the existing wood soffit and fascia. Getting through the aluminum isn't a problem.

      RJT,

      Where do you get the aluminum nails for the Senco?!?! What model number is it? I'll buy the Senco tomorrow if I can get aluminum nails for it.

      Thanks.

      Rich Beckman

      Another day, another tool.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 06:40am | #7

        That nail comes in colored SS and in lenghts to 1-3/4" 

        Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

        1. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 07:35am | #11

          IMERC

          White SS trim nails?  Where/who can I get them from?  Brand name?

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 07:41am | #12

            I get the from my wholesaler.

            Siding, soffit, fascia and etc.

            Matching colored caulks too

            Company name is USSB out of the Springs and Denver 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          2. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 07:50am | #13

            Is USSB the wholesaler or manufact? Tried google/yahoo and only got direct tv and foreign language junk.

          3. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 08:04am | #16

            OOps!!! USBS... Wholesaler...

            Where are you? 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          4. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 08:07am | #17

            You the bob with the Certainteed siding and window leak?

            That wholesaler should have them... 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          5. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 08:21am | #18

            Yep, thats me...live in CT

            Any chance that wholesaler is UBS instead of USBS?? We have one or two around here. I seem to remember that I asked my guy and he said he only had white alum trim nails. No white SS

            BTW...sure wish I wasn't sleepin when I signed up as "bob". Too many here I see. Guess I could re-sign up with my other email, though.

          6. UncleDunc | Jan 20, 2004 08:25am | #19

            You can change your nickname any time without changing your login ID.

          7. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 08:30am | #22

            My nickname is my screen/member name? I thought I read a post about changing it and you had to use another email to do this.

          8. UncleDunc | Jan 20, 2004 09:41am | #31

            When I put you on the ignore list (don't worry, I took you right back off again), the system told me your login ID is DIYMAN, which means that 'bob' is what Prospero calls a nickname, which means you can change it without changing your e-mail address.

            Click on the MY FORUMS button in the third row of buttons at the top of the page, then click on the My Preferences button, and your nickname is after e-mail address, password, and first and last name.

          9. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 10:01am | #33

            Guess I should have read all the rules instead of diving right in when I first 'linked' to BT. Add to the fact I was half asleep. I'd like to can that Diyman, but I'll bet that requires a new email to change. BTW, looks like I'm hijackin again. I try not to now. Just can't win ;>)

            I'll change the name tomorrow and set up a profile. It's 2:00 am now and 7:00 am will be here in about 5 min <G>

            Thanks for the help

          10. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 10:16am | #34

            Sounds like another addict is here... 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          11. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 10:23am | #35

            Is there a cure?

          12. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 10:32am | #36

            More BT 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          13. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 10:39am | #38

            BT addict + more BT = overdose

            hmm.....2:37am and still hooked

            wanna trade time zones?

          14. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 10:44am | #39

            You trade the weather with the time zone too.. 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          15. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 10:56am | #41

             

            You trade the weather with the time zone too..

            Nah......I don't mind snow and the cold, but I hate the SLOPPY MESS, besides, we got bout 6"...and you?, probably 6'

            OD... No such luck.

            wrong....almost 3:00am and I'm still here. It's hopeless now. I'll never find a cure

          16. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 11:05am | #42

            It's been to -40 and more for about a week.

            Been snowed in for for a total of 7 weeks since November. Just got out a week ago or so and can't get back up to the house yet. I am not digging out 2 miles of drive way to go either way. 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          17. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 11:31am | #43

            Geez.....its warmer in my freezer. On second thought, I'll keep my time zone.

            Been snowed in for for a total of 7 weeks since November. Just got out a week ago or so and can't get back up to the house yet. I am not digging out 2 miles of drive way to go either way.

            Seems to me we played this song awhile back<G>

            I guess its not as bad here as I think!

            Well I'm outa here. This laptop puter is starting to burn my azz or its me. My typing skills are lame enough, but when this thing starts spittin out more crap then me, its time to quit. Later............

             

          18. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 10:45am | #40

            OD... No such luck. 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          19. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 08:29am | #20

            USBS fur sure...

            Pretty much local outfit..

            Time for the yellow pages...

            Whitney punch might be the ticket...

            Ah hell would a pound get you by? Two?

            Email me an address... 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          20. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 08:52am | #24

            I can email my address (I just sent it to Sphere) but it seems to me that I should be able to get the white SS around here. I'll have to check. When my guy said no can do, I settled for the alum. What's the $ damage for a pound, and any idea of a # count? Only need enough for about 300' of fascia/gable trim...about 100 would cover it, I think. I hate wrinkles, so I don't over nail. 

          21. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 09:02am | #25

            There are a bunch and then some in a pound.

            Make it clear it's you in the subject block. 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          22. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 09:09am | #26

            Ok, re:subject block

            You the same IMERC that has rocket fuel in your thermos...LOL...that Sphere drinks?

          23. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 09:12am | #27

            Yup 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          24. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 09:19am | #28

            Thought so..........you guys are a riot!!

            Email on its way

          25. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 09:33am | #29

            Only IMERC here....

            Now, about the travel and perdieum to get me there to put 'em in.

            Or would you like to pick them up at Rez's B&G?

            They're outta here tomorrow.

            PS fill in yur profile 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          26. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 09:38am | #30

            Just got some notice from your spamblocker and I tried to follow up so I could add my email to your inbox, but my message got lost? If you didnt get it, I'll post it(email)for you. I am somewhat aware of spamblocker, but first time I ever got that message.

          27. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 08:35pm | #44

            Had a 1/3rd of box on hand. They're gone...

            They were made by CLENDENIN BROTHERS and US made in Baltimore.

            http://www.clendeninbrothers.com

             

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

            Edited 1/20/2004 12:41:28 PM ET by IMERC

          28. User avater
            Sphere | Jan 21, 2004 01:23am | #47

            What the ??????/....did you hit that link?...

          29. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 21, 2004 05:47am | #48

            Some things just happen that way.... 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          30. User avater
            RichBeckman | Jan 21, 2004 07:08am | #49

            I checked at the lumberyard and, lo and behold, they have stainless steel trim nails (white!).

            Why they didn't mention these when I was buying the aluminum, I don't know.

            But I got 'em today and they sure made a huge difference. Thanks all.

            I am still interested in a nailgun.

            Rich Beckman

            Another day, another tool.

      2. MRockwell | Jan 20, 2004 06:58am | #9

        Rich,

          I sometimes use a nail starter/punch tool.  The nail goes inside a sleeve and there is a rod that is hit with the hammer that actually drives the nail.  Works great for tight spots also. 

        Mitch

        Edited 1/19/2004 11:00:11 PM ET by MROCKWELL1

      3. RJT | Jan 20, 2004 08:02am | #15

        Rich: the model is called SFN-1 (senco finish nailer -1). This is probably a number of an older gun, but a dealer would know the new version. I will get back here on tuesday with info on the nail source, and more on the nailer if I can find out more.  

  3. User avater
    gecko | Jan 20, 2004 06:55am | #8

    I had the same bloody problem about a year ago putting a drip edge on. 9 times out of 10 the nails would bend before they got through the drip edge. I had a tonne of them and I had a bit of extra time on my hands so I figured I would just keep going with them. I wasn't about to hang onto 2 boxes of crappy nails I knew I would never use again.

    Custom Cabinetry and Furniture

    http://www.BartlettWoodworking.com

     

  4. misfit | Jan 20, 2004 07:31am | #10
    Is there a trick to nailing aluminum nails??

    When I hang my fascia, I use a little soap on the nail and it drives straight in 99% of the time.

  5. BillMcG | Jan 20, 2004 07:59am | #14

    Funny, I just ran across one tonight in my box o' leftover screws and nails. It reminded me of all the cursing when I had the same problem.

    I wound up pre-punching the alumnimum sheet goods with a regular nail then putting the AL nail through.

    If I had to do it today I'd try my palm nailer. It would be hard to hit the nail at an angle with the palm nailer, which is what causes the nails to bend.

    Oh, and don't test the palm nailer on your hand. DAMHINT.

  6. sungod | Jan 20, 2004 08:29am | #21

    I haven't tried this, but would the al. nails not bend if a waffeled faced hammer is used?  This is true with steel nails.

  7. User avater
    Luka | Jan 20, 2004 08:34am | #23

    You gotta use an aluminum hammer.

    ; )

    Yaaarg !¡!¡!  Hold still... While I smite thee ! 

    quittintime

  8. MarkCadioli | Jan 20, 2004 09:47am | #32

    Duke

    you have to use an aluminium hammer ( or even an aluminum one )

    regards

    mark

     Quittintime

  9. User avater
    IMERC | Jan 20, 2004 10:38am | #37

    Rich.. While I'm out chasing down some SS nails ...You want in???

     

    Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

  10. fireball | Jan 21, 2004 12:49am | #45

    Rich,

    I agree, f those little aluminum trim nails.My Lowe's or Home Depot(forget which) has Maze stainless steel white trim nails sitting on the shelf.Makes a world of difference.I couldn't resist buying the trim nailer tool also.

    Barry

  11. User avater
    jonblakemore | Jan 21, 2004 12:52am | #46

    Rich,

    I just came across this thread and don't feel like wading through the posts (seem to be off subject).

    Here is what I use.

    http://www.malcotools.com/products/siding/tnp.htm

    This will solve all your problems.  Also great for nailing soffit material.

    Hope this helps.

     

    Jon Blakemore

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