Joining LVL beams

[Maxtork]

Well I got both LVL beams up on my garage project. The next step was to join them together. I looked up the manufacturers specs for nailing them together and bought the proper nails. Well that didn't work so well. Those damn beams are harder than the nails! I only got about 3 of them in out of about 10 nails. I know I'm no master carpenter but I can drive a nail so it wasn't me. Every time I got them about half way in they would turn into a wet noodle and kink in the middle.

Ok so on to plan B. I looked again and found that Simpson Strongtie makes some specials screws for this job. So I spent the $32 for a box of 50 and went to work. That worked much better although I went through 3 batteries on my impact driver getting them in. They do work very well though so I would definitely recommend them even at that cost.

Now the problem I have is that I need 5 more screws and I can only find them sold in boxes of 50. Anyone have any idea where I can get a handful of these without having to buy a whole box? The part number is SDW2238.

Max

 

[Cemoto]

TrussLok is what we used, and yes boxes of fifty only. Ebay has them for a little less, but still boxes of 50.

 

[ADSR]

There should be a nailing detail with the engineering. Around my parts, the detail calls for 5/8 ready rod bolted in a 2 foot stagger. 1 1/2 from top and bottom.

Never heard of using screws.

 

[Maxtork]

There was a nailing schedule as well as one for the strong drive screws. I have heard that you can use carriage bolts similar to your ready rod but I couldn't find any specifics on that which is why I went with the screws. They actually went in really well...in fact probably easier even than drilling holes and putting bolts in. I only have about 30 minutes of work into putting in all 50 screws. I just emailed Simpson to see if they had anywhere I could buy just a few extra screws. We'll see if I hear back.

Max

 

[ADSR]

The problem with screws is, they have no shear rating for seismic. Carriage bolts are the same. The engineers will only sign off on ready rod bolted from both sides.

I would screw the hell out of it and throw maybe just a couple rods in there to be safe.

 

[Nowater]

You could pre-drill for a few nails about 75% of the nail diameter. Finish it up.

 

[sweetcretin]

The problem with screws is, they have no shear rating for seismic. Carriage bolts are the same. The engineers will only sign off on ready rod bolted from both sides.

I would screw the hell out of it and throw maybe just a couple rods in there to be safe.

Generally the Simpson screws are shear rated. That's pretty much the only reason they cost what they do.


Do you have any contractor friends or neighbors? They may have some or may be willing to take the excess off your hands at a steep discount.

 

[Maxtork]

Nowater...I actually tried to predrill for nails and even that didn't help much. I probably didn't use a big enough or long enough bit but I didn't want to ruin the tension between the nail and the beam so I tried to err on the side of safety.

Lorddiesel...normally I think you are correct that screws are not for sheer loads but these are specifically designed for it.

I don't have any contractor friends that might have a few extra screws but I'm sure I can come up with something.

Max

 

[KnurledNut]

Predrilling a smaller size hole than the nail should work fine. I usually just drive em in straight and hard, and only occasionally have one bend.

Another option, Lowes around here carries Hillman hardware in the loose bins. They sell these structural screws by the piece. They are a T30 torx and work well.

http://wedo.hillmangroup.com/viewitems/lag-screws/russ-head-construction-lag-star-drive-ceramic-coat?

 

[ozyborn]

So when I joined mine using 8 of the 5/8 grade 8 bolts? Not strong enough? Tanks go on ground floor, not second floor

 

[f150skidoo]

When i did a bit of framing for a contractor we would just nail the **** out of it with standard 3 1/4" framing nails and would also use carriage bolts.

 

[Maxtork]

I'm sure the nailing and carriage bolts are plenty strong. My big concern was with the inspector. I have been trying to do everything by using some sort of spec or manufacturers documentation. I didn't want to take the chance the the inspector thinks it isn't strong enough and makes me do it over again. Did you guys have any reference for using the bolts? Did the inspector ask about it at all?

Knurled nut...I will have to check out those screws. I may be able to use those for the last few if I can't get any more of the Simpson screws.

Thanks
Max

 

[ishiboo]

I'm sure the nailing and carriage bolts are plenty strong. My big concern was with the inspector. I have been trying to do everything by using some sort of spec or manufacturers documentation. I didn't want to take the chance the the inspector thinks it isn't strong enough and makes me do it over again. Did you guys have any reference for using the bolts? Did the inspector ask about it at all?

Knurled nut...I will have to check out those screws. I may be able to use those for the last few if I can't get any more of the Simpson screws.

Thanks
Max

The only reference will be the screw packaging itself, as well as the installation details on the LVLs since they are engineered you have to follow their instructions.

LVLs/microlam/etc. should be nailed with a pneumatic nailer, as you've found it's basically impossible to hand nail them and that's not how they're intended to be used anyway

 

[sledzz]

I just put up three 11 7/8 x 17' and the engineer said nail them together with a palm nailer. I did just that and some I followed up with a hammer.That palm naler is one handy tool.

 

[Maxtork]

I didn't realize they were so damn hard to nail normally. I couldn't find the exact kind of nails called for that would work in my nail gun or I would have bought those. I'm surprised a palm nailer worked. I might have to get one of those if they are strong enough to nail an LVL it should nail anything I will ever need to!

Max

 

[72Anthony]

When driving screws you can use some bees wax as a dry lubricant to make the process a little easier.

 

[Maxtork]

Hey Guys,

Just thought I would post a quick update on this topic. I emailed Simpson, the manufacturer for the special screws I used to join my LVL beams,asking if there was anyway to buy just a few of these as I only needed about 5 to complete the job. I was fully prepared to get the brush off from a big company like that if I got a response at all. Low and behold I got a call this morning from the Simpson Rep and he said" no problem I can send you some extras"! Not only are they going to get me the screws I need for free they are going to UPS them to me. I know it isn't a big deal as those screws are pennies to them, hell the ups shipping is probably more than the screws themselves, but I was pretty impressed that they went out of their way to help a DIY builder who is just being a cheap *** not wanting to buy $30 bucks worth of screws. I figured the least I could do is post about it hear in hopes that someone else might use their stuff so they get a return on their customer service investment.

Anyhow, here is a pic of the beams with the screws. If you have the need in the future I would recommend them....the screws and the company!



Max

 

[ADSR]

Good on Simpson! That's some damn good service!