CAMO Pro Series Edge Deck Fastening System Instruction Manual
- October 30, 2023
- CAMO
Table of Contents
CAMO Pro Series Edge Deck Fastening System
Edge Deck Fastening System Introduction
The CAMO Edge Deck Fastening System is designed to create a beautiful,
fastener-free deck surface with treated wood, hardwood, cedar, composite, or
PVC deck boards. The system includes CAMO Edge Deck Screws, CAMO Pro Series
Guides, and CAMO Driver Bits, all of which are engineered to work exclusively
within the system. Using tools, guides, fasteners, or bits from other brands
will impair performance and won’t produce the desired results.
Use the CAMO Edge Deck Fastening System to create a beautiful, fastener-free
deck surface with treated wood, hardwood, cedar, composite, or PVC deck
boards. Note: CAMO Edge Deck Screws, CAMO Pro Series Guides, and CAMO Driver
Bits are all a part of the CAMO Edge Deck Fastening System, and each product
was engineered to work exclusively within the system. Using tools, guides,
fasteners, or bits from other brands will impair performance and won’t produce
the desired results.
You will need the following products to install your deck:
- CAMO Edge Deck Screws
- CAMO Driver Bit (included with CAMO Edge Deck Screws)
- Driver Bits automatically set the depth of drive making it impossible to overdrive the screw
- When installing grooved decking, use the CAMO Driver Bit for Grooved Boards (item #0345089) sold separately
- CAMO Pro Series Guide: Pro, Pro-X1, or Pro-NB
- Drill—for the best performance, set the drill speed to the highest drill setting
- Pre-Drill Bit—we recommend pre-drilling Capped Composite and Hardwood deck boards
- Optional: galvanized L brackets or CAMO Exterior
Screws for fastening the board next to the structure
General Information
The CAMO Pro Series Guide includes a Tool Handle, Trigger Handle, Screw
Guides, Spacer Teeth, Tool Feet, and Thumb Dial. To adjust the guide, loosen
the Thumb Dial to adjust the Spacer Teeth to fit the width of the deck boards
you are using. Once you have achieved a snug fit on the board, tighten the
Thumb Dial to hold the position.
For more information and installation videos, visit
camofasteners.com or contact us at (800) 968-6245.
CAMO Pro Series Guide Schematic:
The CAMO Pro Series Guides direct CAMO Edge Deck Screws into the side of the
deck board and down into the joist. Use Pro Series Guides on any 3-1/4”–5-3/4”
(83mm–146mm) wide solid or grooved deck board with no pre-drilling necessary*.
The Pro Series Guides provide automatic spacing between deck boards
Adjusting the Guide:
Loosen the Thumb Dial to adjust the Spacer Teeth to fit the width of the deck
boards you are using. Once you have achieved a snug fit on the board, tighten
the Thumb Dial to hold the position.
To view Edge Deck Fastening System installation videos, go to
bit.ly/CAMO_EdgeFasteningVideos. Watch videos about the Pro Series Guides at:
bit.ly/CAMO_ProductVideos. For more information, visit
camofasteners.com or contact us at (800) 968-6245.
Fastening Requirements
When fastening your deck boards, always maintain a minimum distance of 1″ from the board ends. For butt joints, add a piece of 2×4 or 2×6 joist member at all butt joint locations to allow for the 1″ setback requirement at the board ends. Position the Pro Series Guide over the edge of the high side of the joist so the screw is fastened completely into the joist when fully driven. For precise positioning, draw a line where the board intersects with the joist. Position the Guide so the middle of the Screw Guide rests over the line, then drive the screw. Repeat this process down the length of the deck board on both edges.
End Boards:
Always maintain a minimum distance of 1” from the board ends when fastening
your deck boards. Butt Joints:
Always add a piece of 2×4 or 2×6 joist member at all butt joint locations to
allow for the 1” setback requirement at the board ends. 45° Angled
Installations:
Position the Pro Series Guide over the edge of the high side of the joist
so the screw is fastened completely into the joist when fully driven. For
precise positioning, draw a line where the board intersects with the joist.
Position the Guide so the middle of the Screw Guide rests over the line, then
drive the screw. Repeat this process down the length of the deck board on both
edges.
Pre-Drilling Instructions
The CAMO EDGE Deck Fastening System does not require pre-drilling; however, when using CAMO Edge Deck Screws with capped composite decking or hardwood decking such as IPE, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Ironwood, or similar deck products, we recommend pre-drilling. Please use the CAMO Pre-Drill Bit (item# 0345035) or set up your own pre-drill bit using the following instructions:
- Use a 3/16 drill bit chucked at 2-3/8 from the tip of the bit to the drill chuck as shown below:
- Place the Pro Series Guide in the correct fastening position on the deck board over the joist.
- Insert the pre-drill bit into the Screw Guide and drill both sides of the deck board.
- Leaving the Pro Series Guide in place, insert CAMO Edge Deck Screws in the Screw Guides and fasten.
ATTENTION:
To ensure proper performance of the CAMO Pro Series Guides, regularly check
the Screw Guides for deck material build-up. If any material is present, use
the Driver Bit to clear the Screw Guides. If you’re installing Ipe or other
dense deck product, you will want to perform this action more frequently.
Installing Deck Boards with Pro Series Guides
For the first deck board next to a structure, it may be necessary to face- fasten the inside edge of that board. To do this:
- Place the board snug to the structure and mark where you’ll drive the Edge Deck Screws into the joist
- Move the board away from the structure, position the Guide over the mark, and drive the screw half an inch (12.7mm) into the board. Repeat at every mark.
- Push the board up to the structure and drive the Edge Deck Screw the rest of the way. Face fasten the inside edge.
Other fastening options include using a galvanized L bracket below the deck
surface when possible.
Once you’ve fastened the board next to the structure, installing the rest of
the boards is as easy as
SET:
Beginning on one end of the deck board, squeeze the Trigger Handle of the Pro
Series Guide and set the Guide over the deck board centered over the joist.
With the Tool Feet flat on the surface of the board, release the Trigger
Handle, allowing the Spacer Teeth to grip the deck board—a properly adjusted
Guide clamps securely to the board. With the Pro Series Guide in place on the
deck board, push the deck board snugly against the previous board. The Spacer
Teeth create an automatic and uniform gap between the boards.
LOAD:
With the Pro Series Guide set on the board, place a CAMO Edge Deck Screw into
each of the Screw Guides. DRIVE:
Hold the Tool Handle (which is not intended to be weight-bearing) and start
driving the Edge Deck Screw on the outside edge of the board running the drill
at full speed throughout. Let the screw do the work—forcing the screw can
result in mushrooming or splitting. The CAMO Edge Deck Screw is designed to
spin and auger out material for approximately 1/4” to prevent splitting. Once
you’ve started the screw, gently increase pressure and the screw will bite and
drive home quickly. When the shoulder of the CAMO Driver Bit reaches the Screw
Guide, you are finished driving the screw. Follow the same steps to fasten the
inside edge of the board. Continue this process down the length of the board
until you’ve installed the entire board. Do not skip any joists.