Curious what size/kind of nails to use to hang my 5 1/2 inch t & g on my woodshop exterior? Never done this before so I want it to be right....is Capesams or MAC hangin' out around here? :eyes: Galvanized??? Any help would be appreciated! :wiggle:

Larry I believe the general rule is 2.5 times the thickness of the wood will be the right length.. If you're using them on face then definitely hot dipped....and stainless is even better but more $$.

I'd probably use a 8d hot dipped siding nail, or a 8d hd box nail. Or the stainless if you wanna spend extra money.

Spend the money on stainless, you won't kick yourself later. On T+G, I've nailed thru the face and at an angle thru the tongue on the first board. The rest are nailed thru the tongue. Tis way the nails won't show. The last board is nailed thru the face. Set and fill the face nailed ones. With stainless you wil never have rust streaks. Galvy gets knocked off with the hammer, ask how I know that.... :wall:

The only way to nail t&G siding is right through the tounge on approximatley a 45 degree angle. Only face nail when you have to, as for nails, definatley a 2 t0 2-1/2" stainless steel ring shank siding nail, galvy's will eventually bleed. If you have access to a compressor, rent yourself a nail gun you will have it done in no time, if not bang the nails leaving about a quater inch and finish it off with a nail set. setting them just slightly so it will not hang up in the groove of the next piece. Nice clean job, no nails showing. Hope this helps.

8 penny galvy worm nails are fine.
like someone said, drive in at 45 at tongue so nail is hidden

8D galvy spiral or ring shanked. I like to gun them with the ring shank nails. Less chance if a missed blow causing a dent and it is a lot faster.

Larry,
8d ring shank galvi nails in my nail gun is what I have used!
I could possibly lend it to you!
I know you have a compressor :eyes:

The tongue won't split? :eek:

Doesn't the tongue go up? :conf: How do you nail the tongue?

you won't be going through alot of nails lb wise...first choice 7d sst ring shank sst siding nail.....second choice would be hot dipped galv. all hand nailed....gun's can and do pop the galv. off the head,,,sst. nails are good in a gun if you can find someone who has an open box and would allow you buy them ///pay for what you use and not a whole box.

Nail through the tongue Steve? How can I accomplish that if the tongue slides into the groove??? :eek: How big is the head on those nails Steve?

It's probably not that tight of a fit. A ringshank siding nail doesn't have a big head...keep it tight and you shouldn't have a problem...

Then again, I'm no pro :devil:

-spence

Larry on tounge and groove u wanna blind nail we call it ur first board u are gonna have ur tounge showing thats were u nail then slide ur next board on grove over tounge then nail u got it go wit stainless and hand nail it if u never did it? u will split every tounge :jump:

Larry on tounge and groove u wanna blind nail we call it ur first board u are gonna have ur tounge showing thats were u nail then slide ur next board on grove over tounge then nail u got it go wit stainless and hand nail it if u never did it? u will split every tounge :jump: check ur boards for level the first and about every 4th or 5th board

for hand nailing ....you turn the nail over and hold it against a solid surface
and bang the point flat. then the nail is pushed pushed as you hit it
instead of acting like a wood splitting maul.

with air...
there's exterior stainless small packs of t-head siding staples sold at home depot now.
2- 2 1/2 inches and it'll sink the head a bit depending on how much air pressure is set on the compressor.

What Capesam said... The angle you fire at still allows for groove to slide over tongue. And on an exterior, with longer lengths needing some persuasion, you aren't trying for as tight a fit as you would need on a flooring installation. If the wood is really dry and you get some splitting, try backing off the pressure at the compressor, then again you may have to use the punch to set the nails flush. Don't sweat it, you'll be fine by your 4th or 5th board. And keep checking for plumb before you reach the window or door casings.

IMO the stainless steel products we get today suck. I have some bleeding through on the Azek trimboards around the windows of my own house :(