Switched from standard framing nails to ring shank for a deck job last spring

The ring shanks held like crazy in pressure-treated lumber while the smooth ones just kept popping out on me, has anyone else noticed that big a difference with rough cuts?

2 comments

2 Comments

kevin_dixon9d ago

Well don't you worry there buddy, next time I'll just ask the wood how dry it's feeling before I start hammering... I mean, who needs ring shanks when you can just negotiate with the lumber, right? But seriously though, I tried smooth shanks on a batch of PT 2x6s last fall and had three pop out before I even finished the first joist. Switched to ring shanks and it was like nailing into concrete instead of butter.

ryan_ellis9d ago

yeah i mean i hear you but is it really that big of a deal? i've used smooth shanks on a ton of decks and never had one pop out unless i was being careless with the nail gun or the wood was wet. ring shanks are definitely better for holding but sometimes people act like smooth nails are worthless which just isnt true. maybe you just got a bad batch or the wood was extra wet that day.