Ipe Clip Extreme Vs. Screw & Plug.

Mr. Fixer

I'm setting up for my first Ipe deck 20'x40'. I'd appreciate any input on suppliers in the Chicago area. I'm also looking at lumberlock or Ipe Clip Extreme vs. screw & plug and pregroved vs. joiner cut.
Thanks

Rivers Edge

Fixer, I use The Deck Yard in St Charles for all of my decking and outdoor materials. They have a huge selection and if they don't have it in stock, they can get it with in a couple of days. As far as the fasteners, I would look into using the Tiger Claw TC-G. I've used them before it's a great product. I just prefer the stainless steel over the plastic.

deckman22

No experience with the lumberlocks, but I have used the extreme ipe clip & found they worked pretty well. The extreme ipe clip does have stainless steel inside the plastic clip. Glue your decking also. I used a biscuit jointer instead of pregrooved boards. Gave me an excuse to buy another tool plus I saved .30 lf on decking not getting grooved boards.

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Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

EIDOL

what is the glue for the mechanical fasteners don't hold ?? I have used deck master it works well, has a powder coated metal tracks that are screwed to the joist then you screw it from below no drilling is required and you can use stock ipe.

deckman22

With the ipe clips you have one screw put in on a 45 dregree angle on one side of the board only. The glue is for extra holding power on the other side of the board.

I'd rather screw decking from the top of the deck than below, the reason I've never used the deckmaster system.

If you do screw & plug I have a little tip for you if you want to make your own plugs. Choose boards that have been well dried out. Yesterday I put in some plugs on an ipe deck. I had problems earlier with plug cutters getting all gooped up. It was the boards that caused the problem, too wet. This time I used old boards that had been in my boneyard for over a year, hardly any smoke & no gooped up crap on the plug cutter. Another thing, I used a slow speed drill this time, 1200 rpm instead of the usual 2500 rpm drills I used for screwing down decking.

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Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

Mr. Fixer

Thanks,
River, how's the pricing at the deck yard?
Looked at tiger claw since my post they look good.
The Lumberlocks screw in @ 90 deg. and allow the wood to side.
I don't know if that is a plus or minus if miter cuts are involved.
I agree Deckman any reason to buy a tool.
Don't know if I like the glue unless it's to fill uneven joists.
Screw and plug seems to be the most bomb-proof but we're shooting for a seamless look.