How to attach Blackbutt screening battens to a steel frame?

[nos]

Hi all - I would like to box in the side of this deck by using 40x19 blackbutt wooden slats. How would I go about fixing them to the side of the platform - it is galvanised steel. Thanks Nikki. 

[MitchellMc · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @nos. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about mounting battens to steel.

The easiest way to fix your blackbutt screening battens to the steel frame is to start by mounting a couple of horizontal lengths of timber, such as H3-treated 70 x 35 mm pine, directly to the face of the galvanised steel beams using self-drilling metal screws. Once these horizontal timbers are in place, they provide a secure surface to which your vertical battens can be screwed to with timber screws.

I assume your battens will be vertical. The horizontal treated timber will give you a solid mounting point for the top of the battens. For the bottom, near the rock, it’s best to provide a mounting location there as well. This could be done by attaching another length of treated pine to the rock using brackets, fixed with Dynabolts or a threaded rod set in Chemset. This will give your battens stability at both top and bottom, creating a neat and secure screening feature.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[nos]

Hello Mitchell - thank you for the warm welcome. This is an amazing response thank you - one question - for the self drilling screws will I need a certain spec drill ? I have the most basic model and want to make sure it will have the power to get the self drilling screws through the steel thanks again ! 

[EricL]

Hello @nos 

Would it be possible for you to tell us the make and model of the drill or post a photo of it? Once we see what kind of drill you have we'll be able to tell you if it is powerful enough to accomplish your project. Generally speaking, the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hammer Drill 2Ah Kit With Cooler Bag Gift Set and the Ozito PXC 18V Cordless Drill Driver Kit PXDDK-250C will be sufficient for the job.

Eric

[nos]

Hi Eric - its a cheapo - Anko brand 12 v 1300ah. What do you think ? thanks. 

[EricL]

Hello @nos 

Thank you for that update, I'm sorry but a 12V drill will struggle to drill into the steel. I propose looking at the drill sets I suggested earlier in my post.

Eric