On May 24, 6:50*am, jamesgangnc wrote:
On May 24, 9:16*am, wrote:





On Tue, 24 May 2011 04:40:21 -0700 (PDT), jamesgangnc

wrote:
On May 23, 5:38*pm, "James" wrote:
I have taken all comments to heart, and plan to cut the beams with a 12 inch
miter saw, and cut in more than one pass. * Several responders said that
would make *a smooth cut if care is taken in the process.

NEW * * QUESTION !! *:

While I used *12 inch spiral nails on a similar project about ten years ago,
my carpenter-helper has suggested that I consider using *Spax Lag Screws, of
the proper material for use with PT lumber. * I suppose that I would use *10
inch screws, either *with a torx *or hex head. * *I am old fashioned *(and
old), and I just can't quite see how a screw could provide as much stability
as a 3/8 *inch spike nail, or a spiral nail. *My carpenter assures me that
it can. * It would also seem to me to very hard to install these, but the
Spax website claims one version of the lag screw doesn't even require
pre-drilling *!! * I just can't envision how this *10 inch screw could be
drilled in straight, and not go off on a bad angle or something...

Any thoughts/ *ideas, *or *(most importantly) *experience using these *Spax
products ???

Thanks for any tips on this *!!

James

It will go straight. *Use a couple where you would have used a single
large spike.

You better have one hell of a powerful drill too, and be prepared to
pay about $3 or more per screw. *Dont even think about using a battery
powered drill. *- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It's not really hard to drive them as they are pretty thin. *For the
volume it sounds like he has, a corded drill would be better. *They
are expensive. *They are a labor saving solution. *Fits the commercial
side a bit better where labor is your biggest cost. *They are fast.
Pop a couple in in less than 30 seconds. *No predrilling. *For harry
homeowner labor is free so that might factor differently in the
decision.

Labor saving doesn't seem to be an issue for him though as he plans to
use a miter saw to cut the 6x6s. *MYself I'd mark and cut a bunch with
a chain saw as they were coming off the truck and going down the
hill. *Then zip them together with screws and move on.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

When reading his posts the phrase "polishing a turd" comes to mind.

Harry K