What kind of screw and washer should I use to attach hardware cloth?

[wmcdow]

I'm attaching 1/2" hardware cloth to 4x4 and 2x4 treated lumber. Are there different sizes and types? Thanks!

 

[PapaChaz]

fastest way to do it is an air powered stapler.....there is a screw called a ' modified truss screw' that has a large diameter head, looks like the washer is made on it. Not sure if they make them big enough to work on a 1/2" hardware cloth, but if you can't find them, and are stuck buying a screw and washer, make sure you get pan head screws, and fender washers.........the washers will stay on them much better than regular wood screws.

 

[JDGator]

staples are nice and quick and pretty strong. if you don't have a air gun, electric, or gas powered, use coated deck screws (1 1/2"-2") and a 5/16" stainless flat washer. don't use a regular plated washer or it will rust. if you don't care about the rust look, then buy regular ones as they will be much cheaper.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You have treated wood so watch what hardware you use. That’s probably what JD was talking about. You need different hardware for treated wood.

Many people use screws and washers but I don’t. I take a strip of wood, ½” to ¾” thick and lay that over the ends of the hardware cloth, drill a pilot hole so the wood doesn’t split, and screw that on. With treated wood, get the screws especially made for treated wood. Just clamping the wood on tight will hold it, but putting the screws through holes in the hardware cloth makes it all that much more secure. The wood also covers the ends of the hardware cloth so it looks neat and does not snag your clothes or skin.

The risk to this is that the wood can split if you don’t drill pilot holes (which makes it a lot easier to start the screws anyway) or if you use wood too thin or too brittle. I use a table saw and rip mine out of a 2x4.

When people talk about staples, they are not talking about the kind of staples you use to staple a few pieces of paper together. I’ve seen that confusion on here before. They are talking about the heavy duty construction staples.

I also use the fencing staples you drive in with a hammer on round fence posts where covering it with a strip of flat wood is more difficult. I don’t use the ¾” poultry staples because I don’t think they are robust enough to keep a raccoon form pulling them out. I use 1-1/4” fencing staples. When installing them you need the piece you are driving them into to be pretty solid. If the piece is thin it can split or if it can vibrate or is flimsy these staples are a real pain to drive in.

There are different ways to do this. I just like using wood and screws instead of screws and washers. I have not compared costs but by ripping a 2x4 instead of buying already cut wood for this, I don’t think it costs all that much, but I have a good table saw. What tools you have or are willing to buy, rent, or borrow make a difference.

Good luck!

 

[Belott]

I used 1 5/8 star drive deck screws with 3/16 X 1 1/4 fender washers. The fender washers run between $7-$8 per box of a hundred.

I personally don't believe in using staples as a determined coon or dog can pull staples out unless using heavy duty fence staples used for attaching barbed wire to fence posts.

David

 

[DntBrnDPig]

I recently got a pneumatic staple gun and it has change my life. I've made several cages in the last couple weeks and without the staple gun - life would not be so good. With the gun, the projects were fun.

 

[RonP]

 

[blucoondawg]

No animal is going to pull staples shot from an air crown stapler unless they have opposable thumbs and a pry bar

 

[Belott]

No animal is going to pull staples shot from an air crown stapler unless they have opposable thumbs and a pry bar

Funny you mention that!!

The other night I passed a coon walking down the side of the road dragging a pry bar. Curiosity got the best of me, so I turned around and pulled up next to him. I asked him what was a coon doing with a pry bar and he grinned at me and said he was going just down the road where he had found this brand new built chicken coop which someone had just used staples instead of screws and washers and he was gonna have a chicken head eating buffet.

David

Just to add; I agree with you on the air crown stapler but 90% of the people on this forum think of a less than adequate tool when a stapler is mentioned.

 

[DntBrnDPig]

No animal is going to pull staples shot from an air crown stapler unless they have opposable thumbs and a pry bar

So you're saying there's a chance