Anyone Else Hate Metal Framing?

Quiglag

I don't know what it is like in other states, be here in So. Cal. it seems like everything is steel stud anymore.

This makes it hard to attach finished wood to anything. You go to install the baseboard, and the bottom plate is all metal. So what are you nailing to now, just drywall? Sometimes you need some real holding power that drywall does not allow. Then nails hit the bottom plate and accordion or curve back out. You then try to install the door casing, and you run across the same thing, only this time it is even worse. At least with tall base you could go above the metal. So now you have to severely angle the nail so it doesn't hit anything. Good thing the door frame is still wood. Same thing with crown, paneling, etc. Then you have to start using trim head screws for anything that wont hold. Now you have screw holes to fill.

Anyone else running into these problems?

I just need to vent. The only thing I hate more, is paneling radius walls, with steel studs.

brutis

a trim carpenter guy said to me that he puts the base nails real low to the floor to keep them from bending the top of the metal and winging out , and keeps the nails all as close the bend in the stud

hope this helps

Chris Johnson

Buy yourself an ETF model 110 nailer....for trim on structural steel studs (18g)...stand above the competition

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Chris

2ndGen

With all due respect to the benefits of steel...

...I hate it.

Wood is good.

But again, I respect steel's benefits.

Wood framing reminds me of The Forest...like man replacing the land he cleared to make his habitation with wood in a new configuration.


Though I wouldn't argue with this interpretation:

+ YouTube Video

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"I've been up on the roof. I know what those guys go through.
My whole life has been about making that profession respectable."
Ken Hendricks
www.SolutionsRoofing.com

threaderman

I have no love for metal framing,and that's all I have to say about that.

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Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park

troubleseeker

Simple answer..YES, a real PITA. I love when they look at you and tell you how easy it is to just use trim screws.

Even more pitifull, is that an awful lot of people who want to build with metal have been convinced what a wonderfull "green" product it is because no trees were cut down, no mention of the environmental impact or the amount of energy used to manufacture steel.

valleyman

If I'm doing the framing, I lay scrap 2x4 into the bottom track between the studs. This gives you something more to nail to.

rbsremodeling

I actually love using them in basements and for bulkheads and really difficult framing.

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jcease10

I agree, buy a steel stud trim nailer if you're doing alot of trim. If not, we've used the 2x4 idea in between the studs (or every other). For door openings, frame them 3" larger and 1.5 taller and wrap with 2x4's. For the crown try cutting triangles the same size and degree as the crown, screw them every or every other stud, that way you can just shoot the crown to the wood block instead of trying to get it into a metal stud or ceiling joist. From a trim guy's perspective, metal studs are definately not the ideal framing product but as a framer also, once you get used to them they're lighter, easier to cut, straighter, soffits and bulkheads are a breeze. They tend to grow on you. (hanging drywall on them can be tricky at first too with them wanting to twist and with those darn big-headed panhead screws!)

Quiglag

Do you know the gauge size of the nails? It doesn't say anywhere on their product page.

I guess their are hardened nails made to go in a 15ga. finish nailer, but I have never used them. I would rather just shoot into wood

Also are there any other brand nailers out there?

Thanks