Tweet
I am not familiar with this product and would like some advice. Can they be used in solid mahogany? Would it be a good product to be used to apply sapelli plywood to a mahogany framed boat? Can you drive them with Porter Cable brad gun? Thanks in advance for any advice.
-
-
Re: Polymer Brads
Yes, yes, and yes... in that order.
If the product you're considering is these:
Raptor_18_Gauge_Composite_Brads__01584.jpg
- the company also makes non-metallic staples.
(When I inquired whether their staples would work in a standard T-50 style staple gun I was told no, they're not compatible.)
These brads work great for holding items in position during assembly where metallic brads aren't desirable or other means of temporarily securing parts is either awkward or impractical.
Bear in mind that, elaborating on my brief answer to your second question, these aren't intended to be the only means of fastening plywood hull material to frames.
Out of curiosity, what kind of watercraft are you looking to use these for building? -
Re: Polymer Brads
I use them. When I first started, I had an older Senco brad nailer that shot them just fine. It was stolen, I replaced it, and the new gun wouldn't shoot the Raptor (polymer) brads. Just crumpled them up. So I went ahead and bought the dedicated Omer brad nailer, and it seems to work fine.
The non-metallic brads won't penetrate as far as the steel ones, but not a terrible much less.
Raptor will send you some free samples to try in your gun.David G
Harbor Woodworks
https://www.facebook.com/HarborWoodworks/
"It was a Sunday morning and Goddard gave thanks that there were still places where one could worship in temples not made by human hands." -- L. F. Herreshoff (The Compleat Cruiser)
Comment
-
Re: Polymer Brads
I agree that the best use of these is to secure things in place while glue hardens, etc. They don't have terrific strength on their own, and the strength they do have is of the brittle variety rather than a tenacious strength. I used thousands of them when strip planking Western Red Cedar, and I can't imagine a more perfect application. They are also good for trim, and there are no electrolysis / nail sickness concerns. When one of these catches a weird grain line and comes out the side of a piece of wood rather that where it's supposed to be, a quick touch with a belt sander makes it better. When I bought-in, Raptor had a deal where you bought the 'gun and some ammunition' and used it for some specific time, and could send it back if it didn't work for you.
KenComment
-
Re: Polymer Brads
https://www.glen-l.com/20-6-22-Party.../products/345/
Probably best consider something else then. 3/4" ply doesn't leave much of a 1" brad to hold it in place.
Were I contemplating this as a future project I'd simply go with Glen_L's suggested fastener kit; they know what it takes to put one of these together properly:
Party Boat Materials PDFComment
-
Re: Polymer Brads
Thanks, that was my first choice, they recommend nails and I really don't want to see them.Comment
-
Re: Polymer Brads
Raptor makes longer nails if needed, and brown ones if you don't want to see them. https://raptornails.com/product-cata...nish-nails.phpComment
Comment