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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Toenailing Advice?
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rmckenzie
Member
# Posted: 27 Aug 2023 08:50pm
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Hey y’all, I’ve gotten to the stage of installing my ceiling joists, but I’m at the end of my rope trying to toenail them into the top plate. I’ve tried two 16ds, four 8ds, dulling the nail, all sorts of different angles, and it still seems like most of the time the board ends up splitting on the end…

Is there something I’m missing? I’ve used way more 2x6s than I’d like to admit, and I’ve only got 5/13 of the joists put in. Or is it just the kind of thing where I shouldn’t be too worried? Normally I don’t think I’d be as critical about it but since I’m going to be using these to support my platform for building the roof, I’d like to know they’re not going to twist out from under me.

Any and all advice is appreciated!
3C6F8E8367A44F088.jpeg
3C6F8E8367A44F088.jpeg


DaveBell
Moderator
# Posted: 27 Aug 2023 09:23pm
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Simpson Strong Tie

Whiskerbiscuit
Member
# Posted: 27 Aug 2023 09:29pm
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I've found pre-drilling the hole (just through the top joist) helps sometimes. Also I like to cut a block of 2x4 scrap and put it inbetween each joist, that way when you're hammering you have something solid to push against so you're not whacking the rafter out of position.

travellerw
Member
# Posted: 27 Aug 2023 09:57pm
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Quoting: DaveBell
Simpson Strong Tie


Yup.. This!

rmckenzie
Member
# Posted: 27 Aug 2023 11:29pm
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For the Simpsons Strong Tie, like the 2.5A? Those will hold the joists well enough to put a platform on? And just one on there? I could see doing that then putting one on the other side to tie into the rafters once I add them on.

Thanks for the help!!

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2023 05:36am
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Are those floor joists or ceiling joists? Either way I have not used any hangers or pre drilled anything in this situation.

Judging by how gray the wood is I bet there prety sun dried boards. Some splitting isnt a big deal. But toe nailing can be tricky. Have you thought about screwing it from the bottom up?

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2023 08:04am
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I used a framing nailer with 3 to 3 1/4" nails and then added the strong ties, code here requires the strong tires for high winds to keep from uplifting.

rmckenzie
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2023 08:41am
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Quoting: Brettny
Have you thought about screwing it from the bottom up?


These are ceiling joists, and won’t be used for a loft or anything, just for a temporary support to build the roof and for holding the walls together. Everything is definitely very dry right now!

For screwing in from the bottom, do you mean at an angle or straight up through the double top plate? I had not thought about that.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2023 10:02am - Edited by: Brettny
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Quoting: rmckenzie
For screwing in from the bottom, do you mean at an angle or straight up through the double top plate? I had not thought about that

You can do either one depending on screw length. If there just temporary then screw them for sure.

On my recent build I found that 8in structual screws screwed in at an angle meet my code and replace a hurricane tie. There also cheaper and easier to put in. Some times brackets/hangers are the only way to go but in some cases there more expensive.


https://www.fastenmaster.com/blog/understanding-timberlok-screws-vs-hurricane-ties

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