THE RACE IS ON:
The latest pneumatic fastener technology can get you to the finish line
Lisa Beally,
Posted
05/01/2009
Living in my home
state of Indiana during May is synonymous with the Balloon Race,
the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo and opening day at Indianapolis
Motor Speedway. Thirty-three drivers will line up on May 24 for the
98th running of the Indianapolis 500.
While you may not be competing against 32 other contractors in the
race to win the bid, you are still competing. What sets your
company apart from the other contractors bidding on this
project?
Think about how much has changed in auto racing or even automobiles
in the last 98 years, and compare this to how much has changed in
the construction industry in that same time period. Are you using
the newest technology available to help you beat the competition?
Now is the time to review your processes, as today's consumers are
demanding quality products and services, as well as cost-saving
ideas.
Fastening Advances
Are you using pneumatic tools and fasteners? If you are building
with cold-formed steel or concrete, you owe it to yourself and your
customers to review pneumatic fastener technology.
Pneumatic fastener technology is advancing faster than traditional
fastening methods. Did you know that you can use pneumatic
fasteners for:
• Multiple layers of steel
• Headers
• Track (floor and ceiling)
• Substrate to steel
• Roof/floor deck
• Trim to steel
Look at your process from the ground up. The building is framed
using 16-gauge track and stud-to-concrete slab. How are you
attaching the track to the concrete? Pin and powder? It's messy,
dangerous and loud, and it requires licensing. Gentlemen, start
your compressors and pin it. Following are some reasons why:
Track to Concrete
• In the time that you spend loading the pin and powder, you could
have shot the pneumatic fastener and moved on.
• No licensing is required, and the tools are lighter and
safer.
Stud/Track
• Put away your screws and screw gun, keep your clamps, and get out
that pneumatic tool and coil of pins.
• Clamp and shoot.
• That's how the pros do it.
Exterior Gypsum
• A screw-and-pin combination is your best bet.
• Tack the board up with screws like usual to help pull it tight to
the studs. • Come back, and pin it!
CFB
• You should be in the groove now.
• Get out your pneumatic tool, and pin it!
Roof/Floor Deck
to Steel
• Flat out pin it!
• Think you are done with pins now? Guess again!
Subfloor to Concrete
• Again with the pin and powder? Or were you thinking of using
Black Mastic? Haven't you been paying attention?
• Pin that subfloor to the concrete.
• Save time and money with pins.
• Think about how happy your customer will be because they don't
have to worry about gas or VOC issues.
• Flat out pin it!
Trim on the Inside of the Exterior Walls
• That's right, there's a pneumatic pin for that, as well.
• Flat out pin it!
The Technology
Still not convinced? Let's talk about the technology itself.
Pneumatic fasteners are designed with ballistic points shaped like
a bullet allowing the fastener to pierce the steel. Most of the
pins will have a knurl on them, creating additional surface area
for the steel to rebound around. The thinner the steel, the more
aggressive the knurl should be, allowing a greater surface area for
the steel to rebound around. When the pin is shot from the tool,
the force of the delivery systems forces the pin into the steel;
the compressive force of the steel causes it to rebound around the
pin forming the bond. All of this happens seven to 10 times faster
than installing a screw.
Get There
Pins will not replace screws in every application, but I challenge
you to review your process to see how many of your applications
might be pinned. Think about it; get those "pain in the xxx"
fastening jobs out of your way, and shorten your total time on the
job, giving you the opportunity to win more bids. You want to see
the checkered flag, not the black flag. Get in the race by
contacting your local supplier and tell them you want to flat out
pin it. See you at the finish line!
For more information about pin fastening of cold-formed steel,
contact the Steel Framing Alliance, Washington, D.C., at
www.steelframingalliance.com.
Lisa Beally is the director of marketing and international sales
for Aerosmith Fastening Systems, Indianapolis. She has conducted
Pin Fastening seminars throughout the United States, Canada, Europe
and the United Kingdom to help further the use of cold-formed steel
though training, as well as worked with consultants in New Zealand.
She has also been involved with the Steel Framing Alliance, helping
to educate contractors about the use of pins in cold-formed steel.
Visit www.aerosmithfastening.com.
www.aerosmithfastening.com; www.steelframingalliance.com