A nitpicking little question, but I am now putting up the 24"deep by 8’ sheets of masonite for the photo-backdrops I have ordered.
The masonite went up nicely. I used some small-headed drywall type screws I found in the hardware and countersunk them all nicely. The edge seams are all very nice and tight.
My question: should I use lots of screws or go lightly?.. considering my drywall filling and sanding skills are poor? What I mean is, I have the option of using three screws vertically every 16" or so into the studs, but I have done that only every 2nd to 3rd stud instead and put only a center screw in the panel in between…and skipped a few where the stud is not flush behind the panel.
My thnking is that the less filling over screw heads the better for me. But those of you who have used masonite this way…is there a chance of it bowing with humiditiy or anything even in spans of 36" or so?
Why am I nitpicking? …I don’t want to mess up $600 worth of backdrops and hours of work.
(I’ve put 5 screws vertically on the end seams, though).
I don’t really want to use drywall tape over the end seams, either. Not after looking at my drywall tape efforts in the past. I think I will just use fill compound alone.
When you say “small headed” are you referring to so-called “finishing” screws? These are designed to be used in wood where you might normally use a finishing nail and I would worry that they may not hold well enough in the masonite. That is they may pull through in time. I would recommend that you tape the seams since if left untaped, over time they may separate and telegraph the seams through your expensive backdrops. I wish you luck with your project and be sure to post some pictures.
I ascertain from your post that this Masonite is being tacked up behind a shelf and into the wall studding. With that in mind it is not going to have to be exposed to the pressures it would if it were being used, for instance, as a backdrop in front of an access pit. Masonite is not, unfortunately, the most durable of materials and is going to need a lot of support to keep from tearing loose under pressure. If you do not have any cross bracing but are only using the vertical studding I would use at least four screws securing your panels TO EACH STUD.
I have a pegboard (masonite with holes in it) for my tools. For a 2’x4’ sheet I use 9 screws, three at each stud on 2’ centers. Holds the weight just fine. If your board rests on your benchwork (my pegboard hangs) you have very little down pressure and are only holding it from tipping forward. Shouldn’t need too many screws to keep it upright.
If it were me and I was attaching it to the walls directly I would use those brackets they use to attach mirrors to the wall with. I think screws or nails would pull through the masonite. Using brackets means less damage to the Masonite and walls.[:)]