In the early '80s, new codes
in California began calling for
a variety of metal brackets
and straps to help resist earthquake
damage to woodframed
houses. These metal
connectors work together
with plywood shear walls to
hold the framework of a house
together at the weakest points
of the structure (see "Shear
Wall Basics," 1/93).
Though very much needed,
metal connectors can be a
nightmare for framers.
Depending on the type of
connector used, special nails,
machine bolts, washers, and
threaded rods may be needed.
When nailing together and
lifting walls, the last thing a
framer wants to do is break
the rhythm of the job to drill
bolt holes and ratchet down a
lot of nuts. Instead, many carpenters
choose to ignore
these connectors until