We use ACQ for the most part cadmium is supposed to be okay with ACQ. Not sure about ceramic coated, ACQ sucks balls because everything but stainless starts to rust in 3 years. Most the manufacturers of coated fasteners will say okay but wont say recommend for ACQ.

Sidebar here, does anyone know if the MCQ is just as bad?

 

I spoke the GRK guys in Canada dam there nice up there. They pointed out that the ground approved pt will rust there crews but not make them fail. It's mostly surface rust in 3-5years. What happens next?? is hole other story. My structural warranty is for 3/yrs. That does not mean it should fall apart either. Is MCQ for ground? At least I use what's approved for ACQ. Either way this copper things is big pain in the balls. I'm frozen over again tomorrow so I'll call grabberman.

 

I was using all Fastenmaster structural and ledger fasteners until my main supplier, a local store with very sharp pricing, switched to Simpson. I still prefer Fastenmaster as a company/product but I'm not going to HD for it. So now I use a mix of Simpson and Fastenmaster. I still use carriage bolts for my post and beam connections when they're very visible just because I like the way they look.

I'm pretty sure that most of the yards around here are carrying anything larger than 2x in ACQ and 2x and thinner in MCQ. We have a lot of salt water around so that might be just a regional thing.

 

I was using all Fastenmaster structural and ledger fasteners until my main supplier, a local store with very sharp pricing, switched to Simpson. I still prefer Fastenmaster as a company/product but I'm not going to HD for it. So now I use a mix of Simpson and Fastenmaster. I still use carriage bolts for my post and beam connections when they're very visible just because I like the way they look.

I'm pretty sure that most of the yards around here are carrying anything larger than 2x in ACQ and 2x and thinner in MCQ. We have a lot of salt water around so that might be just a regional thing.

Waiting on compliance docs from grabber. They keep sending me codes loads and every thing but exterior/ acq use. We use a few thousand of these things last. Looking to shave the cost. Im really pissed about grk#12 not coming with washer head. There perfect.

 

I would stay away from structural screws manufactured in China.

Purely to assist you, and not out of self-promotion, I think you owe it to yourself to check out construction lag screws from Big Timber. These are top of the line, ACQ compatible, and have a washer head like you desire. This brand is best known in the west and midwest, but it's really spreading.

You can find these for sale on many websites. I myself carry this brand, but I am not telling you this to earn myself business, but to help you solve a problem. Where you choose to get the screws is completely up to you and your research. I hope this helps!

 

ledger locs, timber locs, head locs, and thru locs, pretty much all i use, I try to not use simpson products for the most part.

 

Contact Fazzio steel for pricing. We get a lot of our fasteners there with ridiculously great pricing.

 

already a regular at fazzio. there piecing is good but only carry simpson and found a supplier for a good bit less.

 

another vote for fazzio:thumbup:

 

I also primarily use the Fasten master products. They are just carried everywhere.

 

I though you retired??? Didn't you move to Costa Rica yet... lol

 

Where's this other supplier?

 

I'm an absolute FastenMaster fan. I just trust their products. They have a top notch operation, and their customer service is second to none. My rep for my area seems glad to have me call him for information. That's a a breath of fresh air in a world full of automated tellers.

 

Should have all my numbers in tomorrow.
Grk.
spax.
grabber.

Used to fastenmaster and the rep is great but cant waste time switching out bits. There different heads for the 3" and 5".
Spoke to rep there just wrapping up testing on there new line they all have the same bit. Won't be out till end of this year.

 

FM:

I would like to see thrulocs with an "open" ended nut and a little more threading for more versatility

 

FM:

I would like to see thrulocs with an "open" ended nut and a little more threading for more versatility

Me too but I bet it's a liability issue with the sharp points.

 

I remember a number of years ago (think I may have seen em at a deckexpo) a similar product where just below the lag/tip threading was a score, and once driven through, you just knocked off the tip and the shank had threading for machine nut/washer. Never took off, but good idea. I have in some instances, where I counter bore for a flush to framing railpost situation with fascia over the head/washer, just knock off the end of the nut with bolt cutters, so when I bite down on it, it doesn't bottom out in the nut:whistling

 

My purpose for the this post was to get some feed back from you all which I thank you for taking the time.
I buy 2-3 nice size orders per year and want to considerate my vendors, time and hassle.
Fasten master is no no doubt GRADE A all the way. And will sill continue there tags and thru loks and I wish there did have an open end nut.

As of now it looking tight between grk and grabber. I'll be saving about 30% across the board.
I have gotten the driver / tip bit down 1 for 85-90% of the time.
Picked up tico's for almost 1/2 off.
All thread down about 12%
Epoxy down more then 1/2.
3" framers down 15%.

Over all a nice chunk change is left in my pocket.

For Rob I have a couple of metal decks in the pipe and designed my own adjustable footing similar to the helical pier which will save a lot of labor when it comes to building masonry piers on roof tops. On a 16 x 20 deck I'll be able to install 8 of them in 2-3 hrs. level (solo) and frame right away. Add the metal pre ordered framing cuts out the waste, a lot of tools, clean up, set up and labor on the job. :thumbsup:

It's been frozen over here and I'm bored out of my mind but have working on a ton of designs and cutting fat of out things. Trucks, shop, tool packages, prefabricating roof access dog houses to be faster and leaner in all the things that get you stumped and seem to bring the clock to stop in the field. Remember were not on the ground were it' safe fast and easy. I'm glad to have to time to work out the details of my business because I like others won't have the time when it's busy.
Booking the year nicely looking forward to a proper thaw and getting back in the field.

 

My purpose for the this post was to get some feed back from you all which I thank you for taking the time.
I buy 2-3 nice size orders per year and want to considerate my vendors, time and hassle.
Fasten master is no no doubt GRADE A all the way. And will sill continue there tags and thru loks and I wish there did have an open end nut.

As of now it looking tight between grk and grabber. I'll be saving about 30% across the board.
I have gotten the driver / tip bit down 1 for 85-90% of the time.
Picked up tico's for almost 1/2 off.
All thread down about 12%
Epoxy down more then 1/2.
3" framers down 15%.

Over all a nice chunk change is left in my pocket.

For Rob I have a couple of metal decks in the pipe and designed my own adjustable footing similar to the helical pier which will save a lot of labor when it comes to building masonry piers on roof tops. On a 16 x 20 deck I'll be able to install 8 of them in 2-3 hrs. level (solo) and frame right away. Add the metal pre ordered framing cuts out the waste, a lot of tools, clean up, set up and labor on the job. :thumbsup:

It's been frozen over here and I'm bored out of my mind but have working on a ton of designs and cutting fat of out things. Trucks, shop, tool packages, prefabricating roof access dog houses to be faster and leaner in all the things that get you stumped and seem to bring the clock to stop in the field. Remember were not on the ground were it' safe fast and easy. I'm glad to have to time to work out the details of my business because I like others won't have the time when it's busy.
Booking the year nicely looking forward to a proper thaw and getting back in the field.

A dollar saved is almost 2 dollars earned after tax.

 

I use ceramic coated screws on acq strapping on a rain screen detail. It doesn't see much water. Otherwise anything that sees a lot of moisture I would use stainless. I like fasten master stuff better than Simpson, but the yard I use has been carrying both and pushing the Simpson. I do like that fact that simpson's lvl screws have a head that sits flush in the wood rather than one that sticks out like the trusslok. Doesn't really apply to your needs though.

 

Not too long ago it would have been considered breaking trade to buy the way we do.

It's all wide open now. Getting fasteners on line is the only way to go.

I am a FASCO kinda Guy , same with them no tax no shipping. By the box those ss screws are .4 cents per. Not Bad

JonMon www.deckmastersllc.com

 

John, What is the website that you order those from?

 

Shhhh the IRS are listening.

That would be state tax board not the IRS

I had a load of fencing come across the Nevada border. When the semi went through a fruit fly check stand they took down the package info and I got a call from the California State Board of Equalization. They said I owed them tax money. Ended up paying them 400 bucks because the order was around 5000.

They at first asked me to go through all my receipts and declare all my other stuff I've bought as well. I said "well, what info do you have, please refresh my memory". They said, "well the only package were aware of is the fencing". I said, "then that's the only package I bought across state lines". Nice try! They have to tell you what info they have. But they won't unless you ask.

 

The States have been going back and forth on the tax issue ever since the Al gore invented the internet.

Brick and mortar/ the state on one side the web business on the other. On and On it goes. If you make money everyone wants a piece of it from the street thug to the state governor.

Funny world.

J.

 

Fasco has a site but it is Vast.

Better to call them 1 866 327 2633 and get on their mailing/flyer list.


The ones I use the most # 7 1 5/8'' torx drive SS $ 169.68 for 4,000 count, 2 1/2'' # 7 torx drive SS $ 149..90 for 3,000 count.

They pay the shipping and it's pretty fast.

J.

 

Your flying at 10,000 feet. Your remodeling the interior of a private jet. You're attaching a 2x ledger to the bulkhead, beam, with structural screws. Your electrical cord gets tangled around the 2x ledger and your legs. You fall out of the airplane.

What structural screw would you use to save your life?

Simpson, GRK, FastenMaster, Spax, Xander, other brand?

Sim

 

They're all good (actually I don't know xander) I'd hang my life off spax, grk, and mastenmaster all day long.

 

1/2'' hot dipped glav lag bolt.

JonMon www.deckmastersllc.com

 

What are you guys using these structural screws for? Makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong.

 

Attaching ledgers to the house...

 

No replacement for displacement .

True in drag car motors and ledger attachment fasteners.

JonMon < OKC street racer Fan << www.deckmastersllc.com

 

Jon Mon, you crack me up. Your posts would be a lot easier to read and understand if you spoke normal.

What I'm thinking you're trying to say is: "the old school way is the only way."

 

Your flying at 10,000 feet. Your remodeling the interior of a private jet. You're attaching a 2x ledger to the bulkhead, beam, with structural screws. Your electrical cord gets tangled around the 2x ledger and your legs. You fall out of the airplane. What structural screw would you use to save your life? Simpson, GRK, FastenMaster, Spax, Xander, other brand? Sim

Simpson. We lifted 3200 pounds clt panels using Simpson screws and d ring tie off points. Didn't believe it till lifted six of them without a hitch.

 

Normal is as Normal does Rob.


J.

 

See, here's where a comma would help. Now I have this image of some guy named Normal, doing Rob...:laughing:

Just messing with ya, Jon.