April 1996
Builders ask many questions concerning the ytpe of fasteners and tools that are required to frame with cold-formed steel. Fortunately, the builder is already familiar with most of the fasteners and tools reuqired, because many of them are also used in wood construction.
The majority of fasteners used in steel framing are screws. Many of the screws are equipped with a drill point that allows the screw to tap through multiple layers of steel without the need for pre-drilling. When attaching to thin steel, a sharp pointed screw will penetrate the steel without the need for a drill point. Recent developments have allowed the use of pneumatic pins for attaching sheathing and sub-flooring.
Table 1 matches different types of fasteners with their specific applications in stell framing. Many builders already own many of the tools required for steel framing. A screwgun, shears and locking C-clamps are some of the most frequently used tools.
Table 2 provides a complete list of tools recommended to frame with steel.
The information in this fact sheet is a partial list of products available from a group of manufacturers who participated in a workshop in April 1996 at Jordan Commons in Homestead, Florida. It is not intended as an endorsement of the products listed here. These products are representative of the group of products used for framing steel homes.
Table 1: Fasteners Used in Steel Framing
| Application |
Fastener |
| Steel to Steel Non-Load Bearing (less than 33 mils) |
#6 minimum, sharp point, low profile |
| Steel to Steel Load Bearing |
#8 minimum, drill point, low profile where gypboard and sheathing is installed; hex head elsewhere. |
| X-Bracing |
#8 minimum, drill point, low profile. |
| Gypsum Wallboard |
#6 minimum, sharp point for 33 mil and thinner. Drill point for 33 mil and thicker, bugle head. |
| Interior Trim |
#6 trim head screws, or finishing nails and adhesive. For wood blocking, finishing nails |
| Foam Insulation |
Roofing nails to structural sheathing, or #6 minimum, drill point, bugle head screws with washer to steel. |
| Structural Sheathing (OSB/Plywood) |
#8 minimum, drill or winged drill point, bugle head screws or pneumatic pins |
| Stucco Lath |
Roofing nails for structural sheathing, or #8 minimum, drill point, low profile screws to steel |
| Siding: Hardboard, fiber cement, or panel |
#8 minimum, drill or winged drill point, bugle head screws to steel, sharp point to structural sheathing |
| Vinyl Siding |
#8 minimum, sharp point to structural sheathing, drill point to steel. |
| Brick Ties |
#8 minimum, drill point, hex head screw. |
| Length of the fasteners varies depending on the thickness on the material being fastened. Screw connections require that the fastener penetrate all layers of material, plus a minimum of three exposed threads. Number of fasteners to be specified by the code or engineer. Refer to manufacturers recommendations for fastening requirements. |
Table 2: Tools Recommended for Use with Steel Framing
Fastening
- Black & Decker 2054 VSR Versa Clutch Screwgun - with 5.4 amp motor, 0 - 2,500 rpm variable speed reversible, bit tip holder release, adjustable torque control for framing.
- Black & Decker 2037 Drywall Screwgun - with 5.4 amp motor, 0 - 4,000 rpm variable speed, reversible, with depth locating nose piece for sheathing and gypboard installation.
- Magnetic Bit tip holder and #2 Phillips bit tips.
- 5/16 inch magnetic hex driver.
- Two pair of Vise-Grip 6R locking C-clamps with regular tips, one pair of 11R's, and one pair of 18R's for clamping headers in wall sections while fastening.
Cutting
- Prosnip Aviation Snips (Left Cut [101] for right handed framers, Right Cut [102] for left handed framers) - for cutting up to 43 mil material and making cuts for coping track.
- Black & Decker 3208, 14 Gauge Swivel Head Electric Shear - cut up to 68 mil material, including C-sections and flat material.
- Black & Decker 3935, 14 inch Chop Saw - good for cutting multiple sections simultaneously, especially bundles of gypboard studs.
- Unibit Step Drill Bit, 1 inch - for drilling holes in studs in track for anchor bolts, etc.
- Caddy Hole Punch, 1-¼ inch - punching holes for the installation of electrical and plumbing systems.
Miscellaneous
- Wiss 3 ½ and 5 inch Hand Seamers - bending and coping track.
- Bull nose pliers - removing screws.
- Magnetic level - frees hands during wall leveling.
- Felt marker - makes clear marks for layout and cuts (Black and Red).
- Other Miscellaneous tools include: Tape Measure, Speed Square, Utility Knife, Wallboard ax, and 50 foot grounded extension cords.
Prepared by:
NAHB Research Center
Upper Marlboro, MD