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M18 screw gun with Simpson decking screws?

cdaiscool

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Jan 20, 2015
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Ann Arbor, MI
Hey GJ, just got a new tool for the fence I'm hoping to begin on in a week. Decided I would use screws to put the pickets on, and ordered an M18 Screw Gun and a collated attachment for it. Then I ordered 1 5/8" Simpson deck screws, DSVT158S.

I can't seem to get them to work nor how they're supposed to work.

I can't get the screws to bend as they ask, and cutting the collated plastic to try it out they don't feed. The bit they sent with the gun goes right through where the screw hits, and pushing it back makes the gun go off.

What am I doing wrong? Does this gun not work with these screws even though it says compatible with all screws up to 2" and all major brands?

I'm in IT, so I don't really play with this stuff often.

Thanks for any help.
 
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signcrafter

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Some pictures or at least model numbers of the gun/attachment/screws would help.
 

LeeG

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It looks like the screws are for a QuickDrive system, and the gun is just for single, non-collated screws. I am not sure if Simpson makes an adapter to run their QuickDrive screws on the Milwaukee 2866. Check out this link for the various supported motors.

It would probably be easier to just buy the bulk loose screws and use them.
 
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cdaiscool

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If the screw gun I have isn't for collated screws, why do they sell a collated attachment for it?

I do agree, I don't think the screws I have are for the gun - so much for 'fits every major brand' I guess.


This pretty much covers what I'm looking at, screw gun-wise.
 
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cdaiscool

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Oh man, my 1/4 hex impact is on the approved motors with adapters. Still don't know anyone who's got the QD system, think I'm just going to try making what I have now work, versus returning a whole bunch of stuff and buying even more expensive stuff.
 

signcrafter

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I would email both Milwaukee and Simpson and see what they say why it's not working. Or just buy some screws that will work in the Milwaukee gun for sure.

My guess, I have that Milwaukee drywall gun but not the collated adapter. Is that the collated strips aren't feeding right due to a different design.
 
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cdaiscool

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Ann Arbor, MI
Yeah, I bought some late last night. Some Sencos which someone on a FB group said should work, based on their use of drywall screws from same manufacturer, same style.

Not sure I'm enthused about them, but they're the only 1 3/4" collated exterior screw I could find, it does have weatherex on it so hoping it doesn't streak the PT wood pickets.

Going to e-mail Milwaukee next and see what they think about why the bit sticks so far outside the collated attachment.
 

oldldh

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I put those screws in with my Milwaukee Fuel 1/4" Impact Driver, and appropriate bit...

Albeit...

One at a time...

It threw them in whatever I chose to screw...

I don't know this, but I would assume the torque rating on the Impact Driver would be considerably higher, than a Drywall Driver...

If I was doing Fencing (Again, I'm assuming a "Wooden Privacy" type fence)
I would lean toward the Impact Driver...

But, that's just me...The Impact Driver, at one at a time feed rate, is much more precise, and I do like my screws in the right places...
 
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cdaiscool

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I have over 5200 screws to place just on the pickets, the fence going in is 380 ft.

I'd much prefer an auto-feed to manually placing all those, plus the 160+ stringers with 6 each, etc.

I'm going to use the hex impact driver to put the individual screws in on the stringers.
 

oldldh

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Now that, my son, is what I call a fence!!!...

Tight stringers are a must...

I hope you sort out your driver issues...

My builds were a "Drop the engine block, there..." workbench...

And a 22x16 deck...

Also "Engine Block Stout"...
 
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cdaiscool

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I've bought 7300 screws now. Not including the 6,000 Simpson screws that gotta go back now.

Now to find a nice weekend to put it up. And my damn permit to be approved from the water resource commission!
 
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cdaiscool

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Nice update.

So apparently, the bit for the Milwaukee collated attachment is proprietary, 4mm wide, and 5.8" long. So no square bit fits it, and Milwaukee states they didn't design it for square bits.

I'm going to return the collated tool but keep the gun itself if I can get a small square bit for it.

Good news is, Simpson makes an attachment for the M18 1/4" hex impact. So Friday I'll have that an attachment, and already have the screws.

Fence goes up this weekend.
 

RickyCas81

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Jun 8, 2022
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Nice update.

So apparently, the bit for the Milwaukee collated attachment is proprietary, 4mm wide, and 5.8" long. So no square bit fits it, and Milwaukee states they didn't design it for square bits.

I'm going to return the collated tool but keep the gun itself if I can get a small square bit for it.

Good news is, Simpson makes an attachment for the M18 1/4" hex impact. So Friday I'll have that an attachment, and already have the screws.

Fence goes up this weekend.

I know this if from a few years back but do you have the part number? I am looking for anything that will work with my battery powered Milwaukee 1/4" impact and im having a heck of a time!

Pam = No
Senko = No
It looks like this Simpson may work but Im having trouble finding what i'm needing.
 
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