Hidden Deck Fasteners

ghhartmann

Hey Ronnie,

I am on the road. That is no excuse, I have a cell phone and the help knows how to forward calls. I will deal with the office when I get back there. With unemployment so high it shouldn't be so hard to find good help.

Sounds like one of the guys on contractortalk.com might be willing to help you. He is among the very few builders that has one. Like you I need these guys in the industry who are willing to read and answer all these posts. If I like their post or not I try real hard not alienate any of them. I will also get any of them anything I can to help make their job easier.

I can get you a Tiger Jaw too.

Here is my cell phone 860 984-9033. I will get you a Tiger Jaw. Call me direct. It is a brand new tool, not even in production yet. It should be hard to find. Sorry for the poor communication at our office.

bert0168

Ronnie,

I just got to use one of the prototype Tiger Jaw tools and I can tell you as soon as these go into production I am getting one.

Definitely get in touch with Greg and if you can hold off on the decking install until you get one I promise you won't be disappointed. This thing makes installation 100 times easier than the 2 x 4 method.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCo. Yep, you guessed, sold by a fancy white guy, installed by the brown army.

ronniearnello

It's in Binghamton N.Y..

Bone Saw

while I haven't used the tiger jaw yet, I have always been a fan of tiger claw products, as for beating the side of a board in with a sledge, not so much. one trick I've used with great success with their clips is pressing the next board in to the previous one with 1 or more bowrenches, 3 works best

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ronniearnello

Thanks for all the help and info people, the customer demands I start putting the decking on tomorrow AM. She's tired of looking at the framing outside her slider. I'm going to screw it down with Deckster anti-mushrooming screws. RA

Bone Saw

what does your contract say, unless you are an employee of her's, and/or are working as a sub under her directive, SHE can go pound sand! Don't lose control of your jobs.

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Chester County Custom Decks
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ronniearnello

I only do high end projects for a select clientel or other contractors who need a very maticulas project assistant. This lady has used me on numerous special projects and never asked or complained about my cost. She has a political fund raising event coming up and wants it done well before. She understands the results will be differant because of her decision, but it's the customers choice. Tell your customers to pound sand and eventually you'll be pounding the pavement. I haven't advertised in over 18 years, get all jobs by repeat customers or word of mouth. I am usally booked 6 to 9 months in advance year round. I give my customers what they want when they want it and they take care of me. My outside projects look like they were built by a cabinet maker, because they are. RA

John Hyatt

Got a site up Man? J.

Bone Saw

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Btrbimmer

http://abswood.com/absdocuments/deck..._sales_lit.pdf

I'm looking for a solution for installing Ipe and Garapa.

Which is best??

Also, the dealer was recommending using a sub floor adhesive along with the hidden fasteners.

I was thinking of using this product: http://www.stickwithpl.com/Products....9-a343f2ef9458

I have used in the past and its really strong and seems to adhere to anything.

neolitic

Don't know about the clips,
but that PL is the right stuff.

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Btrbimmer

Have you used PL Premium on Ipe or Garapa?

They say very few adhesives work well with the very dense wood.

neolitic

E-mail them.
I haven't used it on Ipe
but I can't see why not.
It works on teak.

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John Hyatt

Actually most all adhesives work on the S American lumber, tightbond111,CA, liquid nails 490 uppers the green mafia outlawed that and the replacment heavy duty is a joke. Anyway bonding to ipe garapa,masenramduba is not a problem at all.

Think about using the clips, say nothing out of 1000 things that could go wrong dont. You still look down and see the clip and the screw and the extra wide gap they are not hidden at all. And then there is the money/extra labor for this install as well as the gamble using them.

However if I was dead long stupid set on using a clip or had a Wallet that was it would be the tigerclaw that goes into the slot. Those little spring loaded guys are tough.

For my Outfit there is less money and labor screwing/pluging, A lot less, with no gamble going on its a sure thing. JonMon

Clemens

Sounds like we have to send all our questions to Ronnie.
Clemens

deckman22

I've used it on both, no problemo.

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John Hyatt

Noppers C mon the roni is to busy cutting dovetail joints in the decking and figuring out what job to do next. I bet he is so busy its like a mule stuck between two hay bales that goes starving caus he cant make up his mind. J.

ghhartmann

Grabber has always handled great products. Call them and ask for samples.

If you want to try a stainless steel fastener that will fit the same groove dimension as the Deck Clip from Grabber. Shoot me your address or call me. gregh@deckfastener.com 860 984-9033 I will send you a couple packs to try.

What size deckboards are you using,

Btrbimmer

I'm installing 1 x 6 Ipe and Garapa.

Are you suggesting the TC-120? http://www.deckfastener.com/products_tc120.asp

The other option is the TC-4S, but that does not look very attractive because you basically need to force it into the side of the decking board, and it has less area to "grab".

For the TC-120, would I slot the decking with a biscuit joiner? What are your thoughts on using PL Premium adhesive as well?

It seems like some folks think the various hidden fasteners are ok and others say not to bother. Use two stainless steel screws per joist, and have no worries.

I'm still undecided...

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ghhartmann

Yes the TC-120 will work great for your application. The TC-4 is not for 6 inch wide decking.

As far as adhesives, if your fastener has the ability to maintain extreme hold down power there should be no need for adhesives.

I don't blame the guys who are concerned about using hidden fasteners. If the deck fails you are going to be the first guy in the customers firing line. As the builder you have a great deal of liability. Use only fasteners you have confidence in. Do just what you are doing. Ask questions do the research. Make sure whatever you use has been proven in the field over years of use.

Putting down Ipe nearly everyone recommends stainless steel. That leaves screws, Tiger Claw or a couple bracket systems. If you use screws and leave them visible use 316 stainless it will not discolor as easy. With screws that are plugged or with stainless hidden fasteners you can use 304 stainless since discoloration is not visible.

Tiger Claw has sold 70 million grooved board fasteners. Enough for 50 million square feet of decking. There has never been a fastener failure. Tiger Claw fasteners are tested at ATI. All fasteners have a test goal of 300 pounds of up lift resistance. 300 pounds is what most stainless steel screws can achieve, and about 6 times what most nails can achieve. The grooved board fasteners tested have all far exceeded the goal. These thing are proven.

Let me know if you want to try a couple packs on TC. I will put fasteners in your hand a a guy on your project.