What nails to use for Tongu and Groove, 1 x 6, Cedar to be stained with a translucent stain, and to be installed on a soffit? In the Pacific Northwest – Idaho panhandle – humidity is highish in winter with damp springs and falls)
6 d ?
galvanized? (most to be nailed in the tongue – less of a bleed issue and it is a soffit which not likely to get wet althought condensation in the winter could be an issue ??????)
Siding nail or finish nail?
Recommned hand nailing or finish nailer?
If hand nailed — predrill?
Replies
Do Right,
Stainless steel 15 ga gun nails would be my choice.
KK
yeah...
I'd probably go with 15 ga. gun finish nails too. I don't know your climate but in my world galvies are mostly fine.
I'd use ss staples, preferably. Other stuff will work too. I'd rather it was ss though, just to eliminate staining from happening, may not be necessary on a soffit though. I have aluminum 15 ga bostitch finish nails that would probably work fine too. Or use hand driven nails, maze sells some colored ones in ss so you wont see shiney ss nails peeking through the seams.
which nail to use?
Do Right,
SS gun nails/ staples will fail on cedar, the proper fastener to use is either 6d hot dip galv. box nail
or 6d hot dip galv. finish nail, both hand nails, NOT gun nails. Use a nail set to set either nail to it's final depth.
My preference would be the box nail, set w/ a nail set to final depth. pre -drilling is not needed , but does make
it easier to drive the nail, since you use the pre-drill to set the angle of the nail install, your choice either way.
Good Luck,
Geoff
Geoff
why not gun nails?
Gun nail vs. Hand nail
Hi Calvin,
My experience w/ gun nails vs. hand nails lies in their gauge size. Gun nails also have a smaller head diameter , and especially when used on exterior work, tend to allow more movement of the wood being held than hand nails, subsequently allowing the wood to pull away from the fastening nail. In a T&G fastening situation I like the larger head (holding power) of a box nail vs.
a finish, and especially prefer it over a gun nail.
I have come across many instances where gun finish nails on exterior work, have allowed the trim/siding being held, to pull away from the fastener.
just my 2cents
Geoff
P.S. Also, since I'm a remodeler, removing any trim, interior or exterior, It's significantly easier to pull hand nails (even finish nails) vs. gun finish nails/staples (frame nails as well, due to the clipped heads) , but since I use Paslode cordless framers, I am guilty of using clipped heads, but only because there is no other option available (full head), at least that I'm aware of.
Geoff
Geoff
thanks for the reply!