If I had the funds, I would get
-16
gauge finish nailer
-18
gauge brad nailer
-Narrow
crown stapler
-Medium
crown stapler
-upholstery stapler
I really have no need anymore for wide
crown staplers. I used to like them for building frames with the 1x on
face, but now I have access to a corrugated stapler for that purpose, and it is much, much better. However its not an essential tool as I've only had need for it maybe two times in the last 8 months.
Now, as for screws, there are screws rated for the same structural applications as nails.
Deck screws and cabinet screws are certainly much tougher and ductile than drywall screws, and even not all drywall screws are equal (Go compare a Grip-Rite from Home Depot to a Blue Hawk from Lowes). However, we all know that hundreds of theatres (even well known regional stages, with TD's from the big schools) use regular [HASHTAG]#7[/HASHTAG] drywall screws for their construction. While its certainly not best practice, the risks can be mitigated by good structural design. The more you can avoid using screws in sheer, the better off you are. Most of the failures I've seen of screws are caused by poor structural design and implementation. Lets talk, for instance, your typical 4'x8'
platform, framed in 2x4 and lidded with 3/4" ply. Most of the platforms I have seen in poor condition were not built well to begin with. Too few screws, no glue, often overloaded, under supported, and toggles on greater than 24" centers, sometimes even with just one support down the middle. Obviously these platforms are suffering from a number of issues, and the use of drywall screws is often the least of them. Also, I cannot tell you the number of
stock platforms built with nails that I've had to rehab in a pinch using screws. In my experiences, a
nail will
bend before a screw will shear, and I can think of numerous moments of sagging and loose platforms built with nails. Of course, I can also think of platforms I've dealt with that looked fine but had broken screws. Regardless of fastener used, I am one of those people that will always prefer to construct my 2x4 frames for platforms with three fasteners per joint. I just don't have enough good experiences to ever trust two fasteners per joint - I think its lazy and cheap. Especially when using drywall screws, I think three fasteners just adds a little
bit more shear strength, but I might just be wishing and dreaming on that one. Perhaps all of this is why I have seen many shops seem to take a mixed fastener approach to building their 4x8 platforms. A screw in the middle of the 2x4 joint to keep it tight, two nails on either side to give it strength, and a liberal amount of glue to bring it all home.
So, my ears are open, I just wanted to present my experiences and my thoughts. Usually I keep quiet in these best practice vs. typical practice threads, but I want to get into this one.