Abstract: A fastener installation tool is provided with a first fastener guide that guides a fastener into a side of a workpiece at an angle, and includes a pusher block that can be used to urge the workpiece toward an adjacent workpiece. The tool can include a second fastener guide having a spacer with a spacer width that establishes a consistent, predetermined gap between the adjacent workpieces. The pusher block can be strengthened via a pusher block width that is greater than the spacer width to withstand forces when the pusher block urges one workpiece toward another. The guide can be selectively moveable in a guide tube and able to be clamped in a selected location therein to set the spacer a predetermined distance from the pusher block to accommodate a variety of board sizes. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements extending from the spacer block. The one or more resilient compression elements can be a joist leg configured to engage a joist, or it can be vertically compressible toward a first plane that is transverse to a vertical axis of the spacer block so that portions of it can compress from an open mode to a compressed mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. A related method of use also is provided.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements. The board engagement elements can engage the groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements. The board engagement elements can engage the groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: An installation tool and related methods are provided. The tool can pull a strip of collated fasteners along a collated fastener path to a guide, where individual fasteners are sequentially separated from the strip and advanced into a workpiece. The tool can include a tension feeder located downstream of the guide. The tension feeder is configured to apply tension to the strip between the guide and a leading end of the strip. The tool can include a driveshaft configured to attach to a conventional drive tool chuck or a drive tool having hexagonal type drive components. The guide can be one piece and replaceable, with a guide body and a guide head. A strip slot can be defined in the same to align a fastener head with a backstop and facilitate entry of a fastener shank in a feed slot. Related methods of use are provided.

Abstract: A fastener guide is provided including a base plate that engages a first board, a guide member that maintains an advancing fastener at a preselected offset angle relative to the first board, and a retainer clip that engages a second board that is transverse to the first board. The retainer clip includes first and second prongs that resiliently hold the guide in place as the fastener is advanced at the offset angle, optionally without manual input so that a user can manipulate the fastener and a driving tool instead of holding the guide to align the fastener. A related method of use is provided.

Abstract: A fastener cap system can include a rigid cap and a sealing member which forms a liquid barrier so moisture is impaired from entering a space under the rigid cap and/or around a fastener installed through it. The sealing member can include a central seal disposed on an upper surface of the cap, the seal extending beyond a head of a fastener, which extends through the cap and sealing member, so that moisture is impaired from entering the cap under the head. The sealing member can be above and below respective lowermost and uppermost cap surfaces so the cap system can be fed cleanly and efficiently through a cap feeder during installation via a tool. The sealing member, which can have a higher coefficient of friction than the rigid cap, thereby does not drag along a cap feeder and cause feeding issues. Related methods of manufacture and use are provided.

Abstract: A construction tool and method for use for administering a fastener and an associated cap to secure fabrics, paper, sheets, and/or panels to a substrate is provided. The tool can be a hybrid tool that utilizes a) energy stored in a spring, the energy harvested upon engagement of the tool with a surface, to move a cap and/or a fastener to an advancement station, and b) energy stored in a power source, such as a battery, to advance the fastener through the cap and apply the fastener/cap combination to a substrate. The hybrid tool can utilize both energy harvested from mechanical motion and energy stored in an onboard power source to function. A related method of using the tool is provided.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: An installation tool and related methods are provided. The tool can pull a strip of collated fasteners along a collated fastener path to a guide, where individual fasteners are sequentially separated from the strip and advanced into a workpiece. The tool can include a tension feeder located downstream of the guide. The tension feeder is configured to apply tension to the strip between the guide and a leading end of the strip. The tool can include a driveshaft configured to attach to a conventional drive tool chuck or a drive tool having hexagonal type drive components. The guide can be one piece and replaceable, with a guide body and a guide head. A strip slot can be defined in the same to align a fastener head with a backstop and facilitate entry of a fastener shank in a feed slot. Related methods of use are provided.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements extending from the spacer block. The one or more resilient compression elements can be a joist leg configured to engage a joist, or it can be vertically compressible toward a first plane that is transverse to a vertical axis of the spacer block so that portions of it can compress from an open mode to a compressed mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. A related method of use also is provided.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements joined with the spacer block. The resilient compression elements can be vertically compressible so at least a portion of it can move from an open mode to a compression mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within, the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: A bracket and related method to construct stairways is provided. The bracket includes a top horizontal leg having a first width and a first spacer of a first dimension and a second spacer of a smaller second dimension, and a vertical leg joined with the top leg, the vertical leg having a first height, with a ratio of the first width to the first height being at least 1:2. The method can include placing the top leg adjacent an underside of stair boards, selectively altering or not altering the first spacer based on a preselected gap between the boards, fastening the top leg to the underside of the boards with fasteners while the first spacer and/or the second spacer maintains the preselected gap, placing the bracket vertical leg adjacent a stringer, and fastening the vertical leg to the stringer, optionally while the installer remains above the stairway and stringer.

Abstract: A fastener guide defines a downward opening funnel having an upper end that transitions to an elongated barrel in which a drive feature is movably disposed. The funnel can fit over an upright fastener so that a head is guided into and enters the barrel a distance so the drive feature can align and register with the head in the barrel before the drive feature advances the fastener through the funnel. The guide can include a guide sleeve and a biasing element interposed between the sleeve and the barrel to urge the barrel from a retracted mode to an extended mode. The barrel can telescope relative to the sleeve in transitioning from the extended mode to the retracted mode, for example, when the funnel engages a board and the drive feature advances the fastener. The biasing element can compress during this telescoping. Related methods of using the guide are provided.