[Rav]

I'm going to install aluminum stair edging on the wood treads of the stairs that go down to our unfinished basement. They come with 1-1/4" metal screw nails (like the ones at http://www.homedepot.com/p/MD-Build...-4-in-Floor-Metal-Screw-Nails-21478/202066473). Before hammering the screw nails in, should I drill pilot holes for them? If yes, I can't find what gauge these screw nails are so I'm not sure what size bit I should use. Thanks for any guidance.

 

[NickTheGreat]

You wouldn't have to. But on something like aluminum you could bend it whilst pounding the nail in.

So I probably would. Get your drill press set up and it shouldn't take too long.

As to the bit size? Grab a nail, and hold it up to your bits until you see the right sized one. I'd make the hole in the aluminum slightly bigger than the nail shank, as you're counting on the nail in the wood to do the holding.

Some guys would probably say you should drill the wood behind too, and you probably should. But I don't know if I would unless I could see some splitting. And this depends on whether you're nailing into sheeting or 2x10's or . . .

 

[Rav]

You wouldn't have to. But on something like aluminum you could bend it whilst pounding the nail in. So I probably would. Get your drill press set up and it shouldn't take too long. As to the bit size? Grab a nail, and hold it up to your bits until you see the right sized one. I'd make the hole in the aluminum slightly bigger than the nail shank, as you're counting on the nail in the wood to do the holding. Some guys would probably say you should drill the wood behind too, and you probably should. But I don't know if I would unless I could see some splitting. And this depends on whether you're nailing into sheeting or 2x10's or . . .

Thanks for the detailed reply. I should have been more specific. The aluminum edging already have holes pre-drilled in them. It was just the wood treads that I was wondering if I needed to put pilot holes in. It sounds like it wouldn't hurt to do so (the treads are 1-3/4" thick).

 

[123pugsy]

Predrilling depends on the tread material.
If they are oak, predrill for sure.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I agree with pugsy.

 

[lenaitch]

Well I'll be darned. I always thought "screw nail" was a regional term for ordinary wood screws but I now stand corrected - I have never seen those before. I would definitely pre-drill and that's what the H-D website says also.

 

[ront02769]

Screw nails are commonly used with flooring as are ring shank. Just another way to insure that they don't pull out. As to drilling grab a 1/16" bit, put a piece of tape around it with the bottom of the tape at 3/4", and try a pilot hole that deep and see if it works. Adjust as necessary. Ron

 

[joecaption]

Screw nails are not ring shanked.
They really should be called spiral nails.
As long as the bit is smaller then the minor diameter of the nail your good.

 

[DIYusually]

I don't think ront02769 is saying these screw nails are ring-shanked; he's just saying that both screw nails and ring-shanked nails are used in flooring ("as are," not "and are").

 

[Gary in WA]

They are "improved" nails, with the threaded shank. IF you pre drill the hole you will lose a lot of the shear resistance and friction that prevents easy with-drawl, the wood fibers expand in between threads- usually; pp.85; https://books.google.com/books?id=L...thread length on decking screw better&f=false If they loosen, add more without drilling first. They should be hardened for oak, or even concrete, depending on the application/product from manufacturer. They mention the product is pre drilled, not before the install.

Gary

 

[TimPa]

choose the pilot size as nick mentioned. then drill one. test the fit before drilling the rest. for a stair component, you want a very solid hold, not loose.