Ipe decking attachchment

[dlhunter]

I am currently bidding a 400 sqft deck. The decking will be ipe. It will be my first ipe install. I do not want to use any kind of hidden fastener system. My plan is to countersink screws and plug the holes.

Should I buy the pre made plugs or make them myself? If I make them myself is there a good plug cutter recommendation? TB III or gorilla glue?
What is the best way to trim the plugs? I've seen most say chisel and sand but that seems like a lot of chisel work. And when I sand do I need to sand the whole deck as opposed to just the plugs to keep a consistent look? Could I use a lipping planer to trim them or the mfk700 set up like in toms video? (That could be a good excuse to buy a new toy)
How about the countersink bit. Do they make a carbide tip one?
Thanks.

[Joe Wood]

You're elbow will be sorry if you make them yourself, Buy them from http://www.ipeclip.com/deck-screw/wood-plugs.html they have a pretty clean plug.

I like the snappy bits http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/MS-3...tandard-Pt-Bit they have a nice hex countersink lock.

http://woodsshop.com/PROJECTS/Mill/C...20Mill/m19.htm

I have a small belt sander I use one handed to knock off most of the excess then hit them with a 6" random orbit with 60 grit.

TBIII and a glue tip applicator, one size smaller then the 3/8" hole.

Don't forget your knee pads :-)

[Catspaw]

I have used and would recommend the Pro Plug system.

http://www.starbornindustries.com/pro-plug

Their pugs go in flush so there is really nothing to trim. Just need a light sanding to clean up any fuzzies around the hole. I would buy an extra smart bit to have just in case and an extra package of drill bits since you will probably break a few before you get the feel for drilling. The countersink part of the bit can be sharpened with a small file.

While the system might seem expensive, you will appreciate anything that speeds up this very tedious part of the job.

You can get everything from McFeelys if not available locally.

- Rich

[ThingOfBeauty]

I do not want to use any kind of hidden fastener system. My plan is to countersink screws and plug the holes.

Greaat info in those first two replies, if you are dead set on screwing and plugging.

Having done and seen multiple ways of attaching ipe, I would go slotted edge hidden fastener every time. Less work, looks better, works better...as well anyway.

I'm curious what has lead you to screws and plugs. What am I missing?

[dlhunter]

Greaat info in those first two replies, if you are dead set on screwing and plugging.

Having done and seen multiple ways of attaching ipe, I would go slotted edge hidden fastener every time. Less work, looks better, works better...as well anyway.

I'm curious what has lead you to screws and plugs. What am I missing?

I've done a number of composite decks with hidden fasteners. I have a few gripes. To me they are overpriced. The cost for a bucket of plastic clips makes me sick. Not saying the screw and plug method is cheaper just hate spending that kind of money on plastic junk. Another reason is they don't add any rigidity to the deck. I always have to put diagonal bracing I when using them. And as far as being "hidden" I'm not so sure. I don't know maybe I'm wrong but I want to try the plug method.

[ThingOfBeauty]

That makes sense. I was shocked at the Trex edge clips, they are huge, the gaps are huge, the screws are visible, and they squeak as the boards move around.
Ipe Clip brand connectors are much smaller and the deck looks a lot better. They hold tighter too.
Your call of course. Might be worth a look though. And might be worth trying a couple of boards with the face screws. Burning up a million drill bits and marking 1000 screw holes then trying to get the plugs in was what made me sick, not the price of the edge thingies.

[MNrosewood]

Try CAMO hidden fasteners. Jig holds torx head trim screw @ an angle and spaces boards. Head of screw disappears into side of board. Best part if you can find the screw heads, they can be removed and individual boards replaced. All work done from above and boards secured to the framing.

[mdbarb]

I finished about 1,000 sq ft of ipe last summer.
Client was a perfectionist. I took that as a challenge.
We countersunk and plugged everything. As far as quality, appearance, strength and longevity there is no better way. Everything else is a compromise. It does take longer, you go through bits, you go through knees. If there was a bit of a plug standing proud it was an easy tap with the chisel, light sanding could work for the fuzzies.
BTW we made the mistake of buying the ipe "presealed". It looked beautiful. For about a week. When exposed to direct sun we got black mold on the board under the stain! The deck turned 80% black. The perfectionist client was not pleased. I ended up taking the supplier to court and won replacement costs. Then did it all again. Like most things when I get a second chance it looks even better.
And the perfectionist client has no complaints other than the paw prints on her clean deck