You may be a contractor hoping to save money by saving time, or a homeowner hoping to save your back and knees, there are a few tools that can make your installation easier.
Decking Fastener Tools
Stand-up tools for fastening decking fastener include Camo Drive tools for Camo Edge screws or Edge/Wedge clips, the Simpson Quick-Drive gun for face screws and screw-and-plug screws, and the PAMfast gun for Cortex screws.
Instead of using the handheld yellow bit funnel for Camo Edge/Wedge clips, Camo ClipDrive sticks attach to a drill and have a funnel that locates the screw on a Camo clip and drives it from a standing position.
The Camo Drive tool replaces a Marksman tool for Edge screws and can also be used like a ClipDrive stick. Collated Edge Screws should be purchased when using them with the Drive tool, and used with the orange Edge screw tip, Swap out the orange Edge end for the silver Edgeclip tip, and it can be used to secure clips while standing.
Simpson Quick-Drive tools work with Simpson's rigid 30-screw strips of DCU or DTH strips for face-fastening decking screws. You can also change out the bit and adjust the driving depth of the bit to screw a DCU screw extra-deep, and a Cortex or Pro Plug can be inserted over the screw (pre-drilling is recommended for composite decking, but not needed for PVC boards).
You can find all of these tools and accessories at Pro Deck Supply.
Tools for Securing Connectors and Framing Boards
If you're a contractor, you likely have a 3" pneumatic nail gun. Use it with 3" galvanized nails to attach blocking, laminate beam or double rim joists, and temporarily hold 2-bys in place. They should NOT be used as the only fasteners securing beams, joists, or ledgers, since the coating is light and the diameter of the nail is so small. They should also NOT be used to secure any connectors to the framing, since the head size and nail shank is not rated for it. Hot-dipped galvanized hanger nails, SWD screws, or long lag screws should be used for securing hangers, post bases, stringers, stringer connectors, and ledgers, depending on the application.
If you want a faster and easier way of securing your connector nails or any other nails, it's probably worth your time to pick up a pneumatic palm nailer. They have a magnet that holds the nail in the tool head, and putting pressure on the nail against the 2-by will activate an air-powered piston that hits the nail head until it's driven all the way.
If you would like to speed up your joist hanger nailing, you can purchase a positive-placement nail gun and 1-1/2" nails that are okay to use with joist hangers. since it's a positive-placement nailer, this means you can accurately get the nail tip into a joist hanger nail hole, pull the trigger, and the nail gets shot into the hanger hole. No need to start the nail by hand or use the palm nailer and individual nails.
