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SteveBell SteveBell is offline
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Default screws or nails for osb sheathing

EXT wrote in s.com:


"SteveBell" wrote in message
...
RedDwarf wrote in
:

hi folks, in a follow up to my shed building woes...
i'm building a 10x15 shed outside. 2x4 walls, 16in on center...
ready to start sheathing (osb, was planning on doing 1/2in) do i
nail or screw sheathing in? I have a nail gun, but part of me
thinks it should be screwed in... what kind of screws if so?


I've put up tons (literally) of OSB sheathing on /Habitat for
Humanity/ builds, and we use 8d nails.


8d nails, what size is that, every time an American uses this term I
have to hunt up a conversion chart. Why use this outdated arbitrary
system? Here in Canada the nail companies, including companies that
sell on both sides of the border, sell nails by type and length in
inches with metric size as well.

I can buy 1 1/2", 2", 2 1/2" 3", 3 1/2, etc. etc, in common (plain
shank, not used much anymore) ring (grooves around the shank) ardox
(spiral grooves, which are common for construction) along with the
other types without having to convert.


Well, I use it because that's the way they're sold. You're right; it's
confusing. I'll be happy to convert as soon as the manufacturers come
to their senses. Based on our progress in converting to metric, I'm not
going to hold my breath.

The terminology comes from England. "8d" is short for "8-penny". The
"d" is apparently the symbol for "pence", by way of "denarius", thanks
to the Romans. Way back when, you paid a blacksmith eight pence for 100
nails of this size.

Here's a chart:
http://www.sizes.com/tools/images/Nailsd.gif

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX