CAMO MARKSMAN Pro, Deck Tool for Edge Fastening Installation, 3/16″ Spacing, Fits 5-1/4-5-3/4″ Composite Decking (0345001)…

Great Tool!
Background – I needed to resurface a deck. We decided on using a PVC product from the local big box. The material had a lifetime warranty and a good price. The deck was 12 by 20 feet. I was doing the job alone and I have never done a deck before.The Tool – I found the deck to be of high quality and I did the complete deck and the tool shows no signs of wear. The bit, on the other hand, shows shaft wear but no tip wear. I used one screw driver shaft for the entire job, although I purchased the two pack CAMO TORX DRV BIT 2PK. I did not buy the pro kit, so I did have to buy these separately. I do feel however that it should be included with the tool. -1/2 STARInstructions – I have to admit, I did not spend much time reading the instructions. I did look at the company website’s videos. These were adequate.Set-up – There is really only one adjustment to set the spacer to the width of the board. Once you set this for your board width, you are done.Use – Basically you pull the grip, set it on the board, set a screw into each guide hole, and drill. The tool has a built in spacer and it is important that you get the board set correctly. It is also important that you ensure that the tool is flat against the board. If it is not flat, you will not get the desired results. Drill at a steady speed with constant pressure until the bit bottoms in the tool, then repeat. NOTE – you must use the screws that go with this system. CAMO Deck Screws 1-7/8″ x 7# 350 ct pack [CAPITOL CITY LUMBER] While doing this, I kept steady pressure on the tool to hold in place, but it is not designed for your entire body weight. I did notice that no matter how hard I tried, the tool would move due to the torque of the screw. Once I figured that out, I adjusted placement for the effect and had no issues.Results – See my pictures. It looks great. You can see the screws between the boards if you look closely between the boards, but to the the person casually using your deck, I doubt they would notice the screws.Removal – I read another review that said it was impossible to remove the screws. I actually found this not to be the case with one exception. As long as your screw goes into something, it can be removed. If you miss the joist completely, you can still remove it, but you will have to have someone climb under the deck and provide pressure with a piece of wood. It does take patience to remove the screws because the tip of the driver must be in the counter-sunk screw head completely. Since you are doing this in the blind, take your time and you will be able to remove any board you want (And yes, I know this from experience).Recommendation – I recommend this product and would purchase it again. Not only does it allow the “hidden fastener” look, but allows you to remove a single board without having to remove a significant section of your deck. It was also very easy to use.

Coolest Tool Ever
I own a small remodeling company in the midewest. I have installed decking with every fastener imaginable: Face nailed, face screwed, clips that go under the decking, hidden clips on the side, in a groove, biscuits…you name it. None of them work correctly every time. The gaps aren’t consistent, the screws don’t drive in correctly, you have to place a spacer in between each board before nailing etc. This tool eliminates all of it. No clips, no spacers nothing. Material is screwed to the joists. Done.I bought 2 of the tools and had my guys work together…one sets ahead and loads screws, one drives them in and hands the tool off to be reloaded. With this system, we screwed down a 1200 sq’ deck in less than half the time it would take to use clips, and in about the same time as face screwing without the measuring, countersinking etc.The tool is light and pretty well built. I have used them on two large decks in 2 weeks and it shows no sign of wear (like I thought it would). The screws cost about as much as face nail screws, so you don’t overspend there. We used this with Azek and composite decking. The holes never got clogged (though I think they would with Ipe or other wood).The screws have conventional right hand threads on the bottom and self drill. The top (that embeds in the decking) has left hand threads that force the plank down to the joists. There was no riding up, and they held superbly. On the first piece we installed, we left about 12″ overhang…I pushed up on it as hard as I could to try and get them to fail…not happening. I think the piece would’ve broken before the screws let out – and @ $10/sq’for the decking, I decided to stop before that happened.Learning curve: Make sure you take time to set the tool up before starting, to ensure it is tight at the width you want it. also, you HAVE to make sure the tool is held tight to the decking before driving, or the screw will enter at the corner (where you can see it).Best parts: Fast, easy to use…and if something happens to a piece in the middle of the deck, you don’t have to remove the whole deck back to it. You just take the screws out of the piece you want, and it comes right out. The 3/16 pre-gap piece.After two decks, I am still using the first two drivers I took out of the box. I also thought these would wear out quickly, but so far so good.Homeowners – worth the $50 for the tool, even if you only use it for one deck.Contractors – You’re gonna love this tool. Time saver, good selling point, neat tool all around. IF I had to buy this tool with every deck I’d do it, but I think this one will last at least most of the summer. My guys love it because it’s so easy, and homeowners love the hidden fastener part of it, as well as the “remove one piece in the middle” part too.Overall: Very cool tool.

Très Bon produit je le recommande

Nicht für profis

I’ve finished half my deck with this and it looks fantastic. Super easy to use.You won’t be able to use it on the inside edge of the deck boards closest to the house so you’ll probably have to face screw them.Also make sure you nail your measurements because you cant really make up space as you go – if you wanted a space thinner than the tool spacers your kind of screwed 😉