fixing into steel ?

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BRUNO
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fixing into steel ?

Post by BRUNO »

I want to attach cement board (hardibacker) to steel angle iron 10mm thick.

I was going to use a wonder glue , sticks like , then mechanicaly fix using self tapping screws. but I;d like to get it done before the end of the year..and i forsee a lot of pain trying to drill into 10mm of steel.. :sad:

is there a gun that fires nails into steel, a bit like the hilti guns that fire into concrete??
cheers
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steviejoiner74
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Re: fixing into steel ?

Post by steviejoiner74 »

Hilti guns fire into steel as well. I've got an old dx450 hilti that shoots into steel no problem.
The problem you might have with using a hilti gun is the cement board will break up,I'd use decent self tapping screws and a tek gun and you'll fix the boards back no problem.
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BRUNO
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Re: fixing into steel ?

Post by BRUNO »

cheers steve. was thinking the same with the board splitting, thought maybe I could aim the gun at a pre drilled hole.
I dont have a tek gun, or a lot of experience with self tappers and steel. will an impact driver do the same job?

presume i need to pre drill the steel?

any recommendation for screws ?
Liam2349
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Re: fixing into steel ?

Post by Liam2349 »

Not heard of screws that can tap steel before, but concrete self-tappers exist so I guess steel tapping screws must too...

I'd be careful tapping a hole with an impact driver though, could possibly make a mess. My gut instinct tells me to go for a powerful drill or tap wrench instead, for a steadier application of torque, since impact drivers put out huge amounts of torque in a split second.

Also yeah, I think you would have to drill the steel before using self-tapping steel screws.
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philprime
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Re: fixing into steel ?

Post by philprime »

http://m.screwfix.com/p/timco-phillips- ... -200/62277

I have used these in the past I agree with Liam about using an impact driver you will probably be better using a combi drill
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BRUNO
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Re: fixing into steel ?

Post by BRUNO »

thanks lads , noted about the impact driver

cant get my head around been able to drill 12mil steel with a bit and sink a screw into it, I just never get to work with with steel.

this is the same stuff used in RSJ's and the like, a big lump of 200x100 :scratch:
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