Nails: Concrete, installation

[Groggy]

I have never had success with concrete nails, whether I am putting in edge strip for carpet or nailing a new wall in. I have a few large hammers but when I hit the thing through the plate and it touches the concrete it just bends over. The nails are trade quality so I can't blame them.

Any idea what I am doing wrong? Do I need a larger persuader?

[Big Shed]

No, you need softer concrete

I have the same problem, thought it was just me

[ozwinner]

Pre drill.

Al

[Groggy]

Pre drill.

Al

Is that a serious answer Al? I asked and was told no, pre-drilling is not required - I specifically told them the slab was 15 years hardened. If that advice is wrong there is going to be a body in the Mitre 10 skip tomorrow , I asked twice!

[rick_rine]

I have found that the best use for concrete nails is within a couple of weeks of pouring the slab and a small lump-hammer works well . After that the concrete does get to hard .


Rick

[Big Shed]

I have given up on concrete nails, these days I drill, insert spaghetti and use normal mild steel nails. Quick, easy and certainly cheaper.

[ozwinner]

Is that a serious answer Al? I asked and was told no, pre-drilling is not required. If that advice is wrong there is going to be a body in the Mitre 10 skip tomorrow , I asked twice!

Tell the bloke from M10 Im really sorry that he is a doofus

I always pre drill and some times insert spag too.
The concrete is just too hard for the Chinese "concrete" nails Im sorry.

Al

[martrix]

The only time I would try to drive nails into concrete is with one of these.

Otherwise its hammer drill hole, insert spaghetti(for screws) and drive away.

[Groggy]

Tell the bloke from M10 Im really sorry that he is a doofus

I always pre drill and some times insert spag too.
The concrete is just too hard for the Chinese "concrete" nails Im sorry.

Al

Thanks mate, wasn't sure if you were having a lend. I should have known better than to take the guys advice, although he was about my age.

[duckman]

With a slab of that age, pre-drilling is necessary. Whether you use spaghetti and one nail or 2-3, 3" nails and no spaghetti into a single hole is up to you. For bottom plates, I've found each to be as effective as each other which is handy if you don't have spaghetti on hand or the correct size drill bit for it.

Avoid using a claw hammer for driving the nails though. The face of the hammer may chip which could ruin your hammer and possibly hurt you if the chip were to hit you in your face. A mash hammer is a safer option. Claw hammers aren't designed to hit hardened steel but we do it frequently.

HTH,

Mark.

[ozwinner]

although he was about my age.

Mate, not everybody is a genius.

Al

[Groggy]

Mate, not everybody is a genius.

Al

I was hoping for experience to carry him over the line . Genius? Heck, I can't even drive a nail in concrete....

[Groggy]

Avoid using a claw hammer for driving the nails though. The face of the hammer may chip which could ruin your hammer and possibly hurt you if the chip were to hit you in your face. A mash hammer is a safer option. Claw hammers aren't designed to hit hardened steel but we do it frequently.

That's a good safety tip Mark, thanks.

[ozwinner]

How many nails are you looking at driving in?

Forget the Ramset, thats old fashion technology.

There is an electric drill that works like a hammer drill, a lot of chippies use the to fix the frame to the slab.
It comes with a string of nails set in a cartridge so you can just go from nail to nail with no effort.

If you have a few to drive pay a visit to a hire shop and see what they have.

Al

[rick_rine]

All mitre 10 employees should be thrown in a dumpster .... or trained better . As I said earlier , if they don't know , don't pretend to know .
The owners of these shops should take their responsibility more seriously and spend more on staff training . Even if they got the suppliers of concrete nails to come to their shop just one day and explain to all staff the use of their product , the same with tile underlay , paint , screws , garden products , whatever , it shouldn't cost mitre 10 anything as the supplier should be happy to provide the service . Am I the only one on this planet who has any common sense ?!

If you are going to drill you might as well use dyna bolts .