OSB interior walls - Fasteners and Purlins

[LuckyRugger]

I'm starting to put up my 1/2" OSB on the interior of my barn and I am using 1-5/8" drywall screws and an impact driver. I've been breaking a lot of heads off my screws. Should I be using different screws or not my impact driver? Also, I just installed purlins 2' OC on the interior, should I do any extra blocking or support for the OSB?

Thanks
Matt


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[Daniel Dudley]

Use construction screws, or use a countersink with a pilot drill attachment.

 

[dlcwent]

What are you using for screws Matt. Drywall?? Torx head worked very well for me. Is it really 1/2" or 7/16"...not that it matters, we don't have 1/2 " in this area (that I've ever seen).

 

[PassnThru]

Drywall screws will not countersink themselves in OSB or even pine with any tolerable level of success. Switch to an exterior or perhaps a deck screw if you don't want to drill a countersink for each screw - and I would imagine that you don't

 

[Bill Ramsey]

Drywall screws will not countersink themselves in OSB or even pine with any tolerable level of success. Switch to an exterior or perhaps a deck screw if you don't want to drill a countersink for each screw - and I would imagine that you don't

+1.

Also, have you tried a non-impact driver, or at least finishing the last 1/4" with a non-impact driver?

 

[G_P]

Drywall screws tend to be made of very hard steel. They have no "give" and you wont feel them twist before they break. They just snap suddenly.

Deck screws would work great.

 

[Highbeam]

I beg to differ. I have just installed 7/16 OSB on the bottom 8' of my 30x60. I have studs every 16". I used my trusty 18 volt dewalt cordless drill and new drywall screws from home depot. A funny thing happened in the last few years with drywall screws. They got thicker, much thicker. I had old screws and could compare with new ones and the new screws are significantly heavier.

I have no problem running the drywall screws way into the osb so they are indeed countersunk. Every once in a while I will hit a dense spot on the surface and it takes some spinning before the screw starts threading in but it will go all the way. I don't think I snapped the heads off of any.

I am not certain but they appear to now be 1-5/8" long by 8 gauge screws. Way thicker now but very expensive when you buy several 5# boxes.

 

[ADSR]

I just put up 26 sheets myself. Do not use drywall screws. The have no sheer value. I used zinc coated decking screws.

 

[jlckmj]

Use a nail gun, much easier and a whole lot faster.

Jim

 

[ADSR]

Use a nail gun, much easier and a whole lot faster.

Jim

The only problem with that, is it looks like ****. The screws I put in are nice and flush.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Try using a little soap (I just scrape the screws on a bar of soap) or other lubricant. Also works for driving nails in hard wood.

 

[aar0s]

I did OSB celing and walls and had no problem with screw heads popping off and I used 1 5/8 drywall screws.

 

[Falcon67]

Iv'e got a full OSB interior and I learned on the first sheet that drywall screws weren't gonna get it. I used 1 5/8" coated decking screws, probably 15 lbs worth.

 

[stage20]

its hit or miss. fine thread screws will hold and not give much resistance going in. i just did a bunch of shelving in my garage back in october and only popped a few heads off. i use drywall screws for everything that cant be seen. dad does drywall, so i get plenty of stock to use.

 

[Aquamoose]

After time, you would feel resistance of the screws which would be a precursor to a snapped head. I just back it out and drive it in. That method dramatically reduces the number of poppers.

 

[justin1795]

I hate the splinters that come with drywall screws. The gold ones seem to be a better quality

 

[Highbeam]

Do you really think that there is something inferior about the metal in a drywall screw vs. another type of screw like a deck screw? I suspect that they are made of the same steel and only the coating is different. Whether hanging a sheet of OSB or a sheet of drywall, the drywall screw has all the strength that is needed.

I too hate the splinters.

 

[xyster101]

I just put up 26 sheets myself. Do not use drywall screws. The have no sheer value. I used zinc coated decking screws.

No vapor barrier?



The deck screws have things on the head to help them counter sink better

 

[mbatarga]

Try using a little soap (I just scrape the screws on a bar of soap) or other lubricant. Also works for driving nails in hard wood.

Although soap works well as a lubricant, it also absorbs moisture -which over time will allow rusting. I recommend instead to go splurge and buy a $3 wax toilet ring - which has a high percentage of beeswax. I cut one up and put it in several plastic yogurt containers and keep them handy in tool boxes. Just stick the screws into the cup and it will coat the threads.

 

[ADSR]

No vapor barrier?



The deck screws have things on the head to help them counter sink better

Hell no! Im a carpenter by trade. Every rott repair I fix is because of poly. I want this shop to breathe.

 

[justin1795]

There's was a good article in one of the car magazines about faster strength and material used.

 

[Old Moparz]

This page is handy for a guide on which fastener to use in different applications.

http://store.curiousinventor.com/guides/Metal_Working/Screws/