simple question about nails....
 

Cant really find any good info. Im in the planning process of finishing the basement. It will have a PT base. I have alot of 8d spiral galvanized exterior nails left over from another project. Would these be ok to use to toenail the studs into the top and bottom plates? I was at Lowes and the only PT treated nails I could find was the spirals and common exterior nails.

Thanks

They make a special treated that is called Borate treated. It is designed for uses like basement walls. It can be nailed with regular nails. Cost is the same and it is usually lighter.

For PT wood use Stainless Steel or at least real hot dipped galvanized nails.
http://www.ufpi.com/literature/acqfastener-216.pdf

The 8d spiral nails are rated for PT wood. These should be ok to use for framing right? Toe nailed 3 nails per end.

SR,
8's are on the small side for toenailing studs. They make nails for the framing guns that are made to go with treated lumber. Get a box of 12's and borrow a nail gun. Why are you going to toenail them anyway? Build the walls in sections, make them 1/2" or 3/4", stand them up, then shim in between the top of the wall and the bottom of the ceiling joists and nail. Much quicker and a lot more fun.
Mike Hawkins:)

Honestly dont know anyone with a nail gun. This is a tight budget but no time restraints so its the old hammer and nail routine... As suggested from another DIY type site im using Roger German Remodeling a Basement book as a guide for this project (why I was stick building). Its the book that suggested 8d would be easier to toenail and since its not a load bearing wall it should be ok. Not to mention I have alot of 8D spiraled galv nails from a older project lol.

The only problem would be if you have the newer pressure treated, It requires nails with heavy coat of hot dipped galvanizing. Otherwise they are fine.

The reaction that causes PT lumber to corrode fasteners needs moisture to work, if your basement is DRY and your climate is DRY then there would be no issues using them. However as has been pointed out 8D is a bit on the short side. I would never think of hand nailing an entire basement frame... even if I had all the time in the world (and it would take all the time in the world if you're toenailing).

As said, they may not last as long as H.D. Galvanized. 8d are per code, they are fine:

#16 Stud to sole plate, toe nail 3-8d (21/2" × 0.113")
or
2-16d 31/2" × 0.135") —
—From: http://publicecodes.citation.com/ico...005.htm------- Number 16.
More importantly, use a poly sill sealer under the p.t. for a capillary/thermal/air break to the slab/earth below: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...-building-code

Your choice on how to deal with the moisture: http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...study-analysis


Gary

Thanks for the replies all. Yes we shall see how long this will take lol.


Appreciate it

Those spiral galvanized nails don't seem to hold very well. I used them to put down the deck boards on a small deck, and every few months I have to pound them down again. I'm just about ready to replace them all with screws.

i cant remember the length of 8d's, im in canada where fasteners are referred to by the actual length.. for toe nailing i use 2 1/2" nails as for using galvy's its perfectly acceptable as its below grade. the older canadian code actually called for galvanized fasteners for use in basements.