I have about 350 feet of privacy fence which is unfinished wood. The house
is 14 years old so it can be as old as that. I moved in 4 years ago.

Some of the vertical pieces are becoming loose from the horizontal pieces.
It looks like they are secured with BIG staples---about 1 inch long.

I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing those slats
that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose. Is the stapler
used for this sort of thing a professional item that is too expensive for
this kind of casual use? It would be very tedious to go around with screws.

Thanks for any advise or suggestions,
Bonnie in NJ

Bonnie wrote:
I have about 350 feet of privacy fence which is unfinished wood. The house
is 14 years old so it can be as old as that. I moved in 4 years ago.

Some of the vertical pieces are becoming loose from the horizontal pieces.
It looks like they are secured with BIG staples---about 1 inch long.

I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing those slats
that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose. Is the stapler
used for this sort of thing a professional item that is too expensive for
this kind of casual use? It would be very tedious to go around with screws.

Thanks for any advise or suggestions,
Bonnie in NJ



Bonnie,

Most homeowners w/o benefit of air nailers or staplers use galvanized
nails for fence repair. Screws can be tedious but will out perform the
nails over time because they won't come loose and you have less chance
of splitting the pickets when applied. A decent cordless screw driver
and the screws are all that's needed.

If the pickets (slats) are in bad shape, cracked, split badly or rotten,
neither may suffice for long or even be worth the effort.

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 10:27:29 -0500, "Bonnie" wrote:

I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing those slats
that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose. Is the stapler
used for this sort of thing a professional item that is too expensive for
this kind of casual use? It would be very tedious to go around with screws.

Are the slats thin, like lattice? If so, you probably shouldn't use
screws anyway because they're likely to split them. Otherwise,
galvanized or exterior coated screws will be your best bet because
they'll tighten up those joints, not just pin them. Just knock off a
few sections every weekend to dilute the tedium.

Alternatively, you can rent a compressor and power stapler. But my
mantra is that every homeowner should own a compressor because they're
just too cool not to have. Compressed air has so many creative uses.

Steve Manes
Brooklyn, NY
http://www.magpie.com/house/bbs

Bonnie wrote:

I have about 350 feet of privacy fence which is unfinished wood. The house
is 14 years old so it can be as old as that. I moved in 4 years ago.

Some of the vertical pieces are becoming loose from the horizontal pieces.
It looks like they are secured with BIG staples---about 1 inch long.

I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing those slats
that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose. Is the stapler
used for this sort of thing a professional item that is too expensive for
this kind of casual use? It would be very tedious to go around with screws.

Thanks for any advise or suggestions,
Bonnie in NJ




Hi,
Nail is better than staples, Screws are better than nails.
There is spiral nails also.
Tony

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 10:27:29 -0500, "Bonnie" wrote:

I have about 350 feet of privacy fence which is unfinished wood. The house
is 14 years old so it can be as old as that. I moved in 4 years ago.

Some of the vertical pieces are becoming loose from the horizontal pieces.
It looks like they are secured with BIG staples---about 1 inch long.

I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing those slats
that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose. Is the stapler
used for this sort of thing a professional item that is too expensive for
this kind of casual use? It would be very tedious to go around with screws.

Thanks for any advise or suggestions,
Bonnie in NJ


I use my cordless screwdriver and some special zinc coated deck
screws. It is fast and fun. I believe mine are 1inch screws and
they work perfectly.

I always try to use the holes that are already in my boards so I
don't split them. If you can't use the staple holes then you may
split an occasional board but who cares.

"Steve Manes" wrote in message
Are the slats thin, like lattice? If so, you probably shouldn't use
screws anyway because they're likely to split them. Otherwise,
galvanized or exterior coated screws will be your best bet because
they'll tighten up those joints, not just pin them. Just knock off a
few sections every weekend to dilute the tedium.
______________

they are regular dog-ear slats---probably 4 inches wide by ½ thick.
I think I will do the galvanized screw thing---and do a bunch every weekend.

Thanks for everyone's advise to use the screws.

Bonnie

Bonnie wrote:
I have about 350 feet of privacy fence which is unfinished wood. The house
is 14 years old so it can be as old as that. I moved in 4 years ago.

Some of the vertical pieces are becoming loose from the horizontal pieces.
It looks like they are secured with BIG staples---about 1 inch long.

I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing those slats
that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose. Is the stapler
used for this sort of thing a professional item that is too expensive for
this kind of casual use? It would be very tedious to go around with screws.

Thanks for any advise or suggestions,
Bonnie in NJ



You mean the staple legs are 1" apart or the
staple legs are 1" long. Better be the former as
1" long would only penetrate the holding board by
1/4." Professionals often use air tools. If you
already have an air compressor you could think
about getting a stapler but they are expensive.
You can get a fair nailer cheaper, but you are
talking about at least $100 for the compressor and
$100- 200 for a nailer.

The standard for the do it yourselfer is 8 penny
galvanized nails (dipped, which are rougher that
plated). (Assumes your upright boards are 1"
thick.) I just finished tightening about 80 feet
of my nearly 30 year old cedar fence. You need
two people--one to hold a heavy hammer on one side
and one on the other side to drive the nails. It
will take you a few hours (like maybe 10 hours) to
do 350 feet depending on condition.

If you use an air tool you only need yourself.
Personally, I would use a hammer and invite a
friend or hire a kid to help you do it every year
or so.

The cheapest alternative for a single person is
probably to use screws. Get the brass colored
drywall screw (coarse thread about 1-3/4") or
stainless steel deck screws. Get a cordless drill
in the 12-14 Volt which will be much cheaper than
buying 4 100 extension cords. A 14 V cordless
drill at Harbor Freight is about $16. A
contractor type will cost you over $100.

Good luck

George E. Cawthon wrote:
Bonnie wrote:
I have about 350 feet of privacy fence which is unfinished wood. The
house is 14 years old so it can be as old as that. I moved in 4
years ago. Some of the vertical pieces are becoming loose from the
horizontal
pieces. It looks like they are secured with BIG staples---about 1
inch long. I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing
those
slats that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose.
Is the stapler used for this sort of thing a professional item that
is too expensive for this kind of casual use? It would be very
tedious to go around with screws. Thanks for any advise or suggestions,
Bonnie in NJ


My Mekita with fresh batteries would not drive a 2-1/4" screw (or very many)
in a fence picket. I used a 3/8" 120v drill without a hiccup.

HeyBub wrote:
George E. Cawthon wrote:

Bonnie wrote:

I have about 350 feet of privacy fence which is unfinished wood. The
house is 14 years old so it can be as old as that. I moved in 4
years ago. Some of the vertical pieces are becoming loose from the
horizontal
pieces. It looks like they are secured with BIG staples---about 1
inch long. I would like to be able to periodically go around, re-securing
those
slats that are starting to get loose....so my dogs don't get loose.
Is the stapler used for this sort of thing a professional item that
is too expensive for this kind of casual use? It would be very
tedious to go around with screws. Thanks for any advise or suggestions,
Bonnie in NJ



My Mekita with fresh batteries would not drive a 2-1/4" screw (or very many)
in a fence picket. I used a 3/8" 120v drill without a hiccup.


Depends on the wood. My fence is entirely cedar
which is pretty soft, so my 12V Harbor Freight
would be suitable; probably not too good with
hardwood posts. Nonetheless, I used it to drive
2" screws to tighten a floor--3/4" chipboard on
top of tongue and groove 2x6 pine/fir. I
switched to a corded drill when I hit knot because
the corded drill has much more power. Corded drill
would give more power at the expense of of four
100 foot extension cords.