What’s better to use for framing?

[Harry13]

Hi all, I’ve got a few diy jobs upcoming and wanted to know options on what is best, screws or nails? 
I’ve done a few flat roofs and stud walls in the past and have always skew screwed in, the roofs have held up for a number of years now. 
I would like to know if it’s worth my while investing in a first fix nail gun, what are people’s thoughts? 
TIA

[Bonner]

Nail gun is much faster for large repetitive jobs but expensive and not much gain for smaller jobs. Strength depends as much on the joint as the fixing but screws generally equal or better than nails.

[SteamyTea]

25 minutes ago, Bonner said:

Strength depends as much on the joint as the fixing but screws generally equal or better than nails.

Only if the correct screws are used.

[Oz07]

Screws are brittle nails are soft. So screws can snap where a nail will bend. Maybe just nail with a hammer for what you need

[saveasteading]

I'm putting up a stud wall single handed. But I'm not skilled at it.

I am screwing the framework once for control as i have only 2 hands. Then banging in nail gun nails for stability and strength.

The gun cost me £70 off marketplace. It's a scary beast to use.

If I was knocking up mass produced panels on the floor, I'd use the gun much more.

[crispy_wafer]

I found, as a novice, that the using screws gave more control over final position of a stud, nail gun in my hands tended to knock the studs away from where I wanted them.  In the end I used a mixture of both, but much preferred to use screws.

[JohnMo]

22 minutes ago, crispy_wafer said:

preferred to use screws

Should be ok in a partition wall, that isn't structural.

 

Not many screws are classed as structural, so you should discuss with your structural engineer what to use. The size will also be very different from a nail due to the physical properties of the metal used in screws and nails.

[crispy_wafer]

8 hours ago, JohnMo said:

Should be ok in a partition wall, that isn't structural.

 

Not many screws are classed as structural, so you should discuss with your structural engineer what to use. The size will also be very different from a nail due to the physical properties of the metal used in screws and nails.

Agreed, None of my stud walls are structural, most of my timber work is cupboards, metal frame mostly for partitions.  brings it’s own problems though, I’m finding the fine thread plasterboard screws don’t like to penetrate the plasterboard and are leaving heads slightly proud of the board, then just spin.

[JohnMo]

31 minutes ago, crispy_wafer said:

fine thread plasterboard screws

They are normally for metal, the wood ones are very coarse thread 

[crispy_wafer]

👍 yep, its the metal partitions and ceilings (res bar) and the fine thread screws giving me the issues.  Probably down to me (user error) but i'll persist. 

Edited August 25, 2024 by crispy_wafer