brads/nails vs. screws

[budahbuddy803 10+ year member]

thanks guys this is very informational for me

 

[hempy 10+ year member]

Clamp farming.

Indeed.

But why would you wait 24hrs to unclamp a workpiece? It sets in about 30 mins, and unless you have some self-stressing joint like an arc or bend, it should be fine to move on after about a half hour.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Because I'm a nitpicky SOB and wanted to make sure that the joint is cured before I unclamped...

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

^^^Nothing worse than assuming that the joint is set only to have it pull apart when you unclamp it too soon. The joint is garbage at that point. It will never set right unless you disassemble it, remove the glue and re-glue/clamp.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Only issue I've ever had using a brad nailer is long panels that are warped as they won't pull the wood in tight enough. Otherwise for smaller boxes they are 100x faster then screw & glue, and it's the glue that holds the box together, not the brads or screws...

 

[budahbuddy803 10+ year member]

Only issue I've ever had using a brad nailer is long panels that are warped as they won't pull the wood in tight enough. Otherwise for smaller boxes they are 100x faster then screw & glue, and it's the glue that holds the box together, not the brads or screws...

this is true, but when i use screws i get the wood tighter than i can get it when nailing. Its like a super tight bond instead of just a loose one.

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

Brad nails can make it MUCH faster but only if your cuts and your wood is straight. If everything is lined up properly then nails and glue will work. If it's just a little off, however, the nails won't pull in tightly like screws or clamps can. Clamps are optimal but with some joints it can be difficult to clamp effectively also. Also if you are doing dry fit testing then screws have a clear advantage over both. But if you are doing a basic proven box that you want to finish quickly and you make sure your cuts all line up, then nails and glue works fine.

 

[BassAddictJ 5,000+ posts]

good thread

 

[PSturmer 10+ year member]

i dont know how you guys use a nail gun. but i use put 45'' clamps on and then a bar or quick grip on and then pop some nails in. after i take the clamps off it is not even close to the strength a screw has.

 

[brokeitagain 10+ year member]

I drill,countersink,glue and screw . i did a box today at the local audio shop, because the owner fired his builder, he insisted i use the brad nailer and liquid nails, i am begining to wonder if that is one of the reasons a few of their boxes have been blown/rattled apart.

Screws have far better holding power until the glue fully cures, i will continue to use screws and titebond II until something better comes along

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

I use a brad nailer along with glue if it's not going to be used for serious bass,hella faster!But if its for serious I pre-drill,counter sink,glue and screw.

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

Counter sink? Please explain!

 

[jnralp00 10+ year member]

counter sink so the head of the screw is actually hidden in the wood. You can buy a bit to do this. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

counter sink so the head of the screw is actually hidden in the wood. You can buy a bit to do this. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

So basically, drilling out a hole the size of the head? Is only cosmetic?

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

Only issue I've ever had using a brad nailer is long panels that are warped as they won't pull the wood in tight enough. Otherwise for smaller boxes they are 100x faster then screw & glue, and it's the glue that holds the box together, not the brads or screws...

exactly why i want a good wood to wood contact...which i will never trust nails/brads to do.