Getting stuck on the roof amid an anxiety attack or making nervous mistakes near the edge simply isn't worth risking your life over. It's no wonder why—every year in the U.S., over 500,000 people get treated for ladder-related injuries, and around 300 people tragically lose their lives as a result.
So, the big question is, how much are you willing to spend for your comfort and safety? Here's how you can save time and ensure safety while installing rafters and trusses.
What is the best way to install rafters and trusses?
The best way to install rafters and trusses is the safest one. The Simpson Strong-Tie Quik Stik™ Rafter and Truss Fastening System is made to speed up the process, keep it safe, and make it more efficient.
Here’s how to install your rafters and trusses with the Quik Stik system:
Step 1: Choose the right screws
The Quik Stik system uses fully threaded, code-listed, and rated screws. For connecting rafters to the top plate, use the 6-inch screws, and for connecting studs to the top plate and bottom plate, use the 4.5-inch screws.
Step 2: Attach the Quik Stik to your drill driver
The Quik Stik is made to easily attach to a drill driver, making it quicker than using an impact driver.
Put the hex drive shaft into the chuck of the drill or driver motor. Next, press down on the top of the Quik Stik to reveal the bit holder, then slide in a T30 bit until you hear a click. Cycle the tool in an installation motion. Then, Slide the drive shaft through the guide sleeve while the driver motor is running to make sure everything installs correctly.
Step 3: Adjust the Quik Stik for accurate installation
Find the bubble level and rotate it for an ideal viewing position. It slides up and down easily and locks in at the head or handle. Next, load a 6-inch Strong-Drive SDWC Truss screw into the holder between the positioning prongs at the head.
Step 4: Drive the screws at the proper angle
Use the guides and bubble level on the Quik Stik to help you get that perfect angle for a fully developed load rating.
When you're working on stud-to-plate connections, you’ll want to begin the screw roughly 3 inches from the bottom and angle it down at around 22 degrees.
For detailed information, check Simpson Strong-Tie's guide for truss/rafter-to-plate and stud-to-plate connections.
Step 5: Install screws in different positions
The Quik Stik system lets you put screws in different spots, like straight up through the plate or at an angle when the top plates are even with the header.
Here are five different ways to attach a truss using the Quik Stik:
1. Straight Up Top Plate: When the studs and trusses are not lined up, hold the drill and extension arm steady. Make sure the head is in the middle of the top plate, lined up with the center of the rafter or truss, and then drive the truss screw gently.
2. Top Plate Edge: Place the head so that the prongs are on either side of the bottom edge of the top plate, and make sure the inner angle guide is straight up and down with the top plate. You can also use the bubble to find a 22-degree angle for installation.
3. Wide Face: Position the prongs at the point where the stud and top plate connect. Use the rocker arms to adjust the head and align the centerline with the center of the truss. Then, drive the screw through the top plate and into the rafter or truss until it is flush.
4. Narrow face: In tricky spots like a window header, start by adjusting the bubble level next to the centerline guide. Then, place the tip of the screw where the stud meets the top plate at about a 45-degree angle. Push the first two threads into the top plate, tilt the tool down until the bubble shows level in the window, and then drive the screw in.
5. Stud Corner: Place the head so the prongs are on either side of the bottom edge of the top plate. Use the stud for support, then roll the prongs until the inner angle guide is straight up and down with the top plate. Look along the centerline guide and drive the screw through the top plate and into the rafter or truss until it is even with the surface.
Check the catalog for detailed information on the angles that are allowed:
Strong-Drive® SDWC Truss Screw:
- 4x2/3x2 parallel-chord truss-to-wall connections
- Truss/rafter-to-plate and stud-to-plate connections
SWD Double-Threaded™ Screw:
Step 6: Use the right technique
When driving screws through the rafter or truss into the top plate, start by positioning the screw at a slight angle, then turn it down using the guides on the Quik Stik. This stops the screw from popping out the side of the rafter or truss.
Tip: Make sure to check the catalog, talk to your local representative, and join online webinars from Simpson Strong-Tie to guarantee you're using the system the right way for your specific needs.
Why install rafters and trusses using screws with the Simpson Strong-Tie Quik Stik System?
The Simpson Strong-Tie Quik Stik system transforms the way builders install rafters and trusses with several key features and advantages:
Work Faster: The Quik Stik speeds things up by getting rid of the hassle of moving ladders from one rafter to another or from truss to truss. This means you save a lot of time while working on the job site.
Work Safer: The Quik Stik lets users work from the ground, which means no more ladders are needed. This greatly lowers the chances of slips, falls, and other accidents that can happen with ladders.
Accuracy: The orange markers and built-in bevel on the Quik Stik help you get the right position every time, keeping things accurate and consistent during the installation process.
Compatibility: The Quik Stik is made to work perfectly with Simpson Strong-Tie's Strong-Drive SDWC screws, which can hold more weight than regular triple grips.
Easy to use: Even team members with little or no experience, like first- or second-year apprentices, can quickly learn how to use the Quik Stik system correctly. This makes sure that everyone on the crew can work quickly and safely.
Time savings: The Quik Stik system speeds up work so that tasks that normally take days can be finished in just a few hours. This cuts down on labor costs and boosts productivity.
With these features, Simpson Strong-Tie simplified the process with their innovative Quik Stik system, helping to prevent these all-too-common accidents and fatalities.
Install Rafters and Trusses Safer, Faster, and Easier
The Quik Stik is a great alternative to the usual Simpson 2.5 hurricane clips. It meets all the necessary codes, making it a smart choice that saves time and effort while also improving safety at work. The bright orange screws make it easy for building inspectors to spot them quickly, helping to make sure everything complies with the regulations.
This tool makes step ladders unnecessary, allowing you to work from inside the building. You don’t have to pull hoses, get a compressor ready, or use a nail gun or hammer. The Quik Stik is a lot smaller and lighter than all of that other stuff, and it streamlines the process of putting up rafters and trusses.
The Quik Stik is the most efficient tool on the market for rafter and truss installation. A screw is easy to put in and only takes five to six seconds, but a connection takes thirty seconds. That's a big difference!
Also, Simpson Strong-Tie supports their product with a lifetime limited warranty, which gives customers confidence and shows their dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.
Get your Quik Stik™ Rafter and Truss Fastening System in 4 interest-free installments and ZERO shipping fees with ATC Construction Fasteners today!
