The CAMO Hidden Deck Fastening System is easy to use on
treated wood, hardwood, cedar, composite, or PVC deckboards.
The following instructions will share the simple installation
process to create a beautiful, fastener-free deck surface using
the CAMO Marksman Pro.
It is important to note that this is a
system - CAMO Hidden Fasteners, CAMO Marksman™ Tools and
CAMO Driver Bits are engineered to work exclusively together.
Using other branded tools or guides, fasteners or bits will impair
performance and not produce the desired results.
Before beginning installation of your deck, you will need the
following:
– CAMO Hidden Fasteners
– CAMO Driver Bit (included with CAMO Hidden
Fasteners; Grooved Board Driver Bits are available
separately)
– CAMO Marksman Pro tool
– Drill (set drill speed to highest setting for maximum
driving efficiency)
– Optional: L brackets or 2 ½” x #7 CAMO trim head
deck screws (for the board that abuts the
structure)
Adjust the CAMO Marksman Pro to fit
the boards you are using. Loosen the
Thumb Dial at the rear of the tool to
adjust the Spacer Teeth to fit the width
of your deckboards. The middle setting
fits most standard 5-1/4” - 5-3/4” solid or
grooved deckboards.
To begin deck installation, lay the first board that abuts the
structure into position. If the abutting board runs parallel to the
house or other structure, it may be necessary to face fasten (see
options below). If so, we recommend using 2 ½” x #7 CAMO trim
head deck screws.
You can secure the board abutting the structure in several ways:
(1) When using CAMO Hidden Fasteners, lay the board abutting
the structure in place; at each joist, mark the location for the
CAMO fasteners that will be driven toward the structure on the
outside edge of the deckboard; pull the board away from the
structure and position the Marksman Pro on the desired mark at
one end of the board and load one CAMO deck screw into the
Screw Guide on the outside edge of the deckboard. Steady the
tool and pre-start the screw about ½” into the board. Now back
out the screw and squeeze the Trigger Handle to remove the
Marksman Pro. Continue this process the entire length of the
deckboard. Once you have reached the end of the board,
reposition the deckboard with the pre-started holes on the
OUTSIDE edge with the board snug to the structure. Now, re-drive
the CAMO deck screws into the board. Finish the deckboard by
face fastening the inside edge. We recommend using 2 ½” x #7
CAMO trim head deck screws.
(2) face fasten the first board or board and a half
(3) avoid face fastening by using L brackets to fasten the abutted
board from below the deck to the joists.
Once you have secured the abutted board, proceed with installing
the remainder of the deckboards using the CAMO System. It is as
easy as Set, Load and Drive!
Beginning on one end of the
deckboard, squeeze the Trigger
Handle of the Marksman Pro and set
the tool over the deckboard. Release
the Trigger Handle allowing the
Spacer Teeth to contract and grip the
deckboard. A properly adjusted tool
clamps securely to the board. The
Tool Feet must be flat on the surface of the board and the tool
centered over the joist.
With the CAMO Marksman Pro tool in place on the deckboard,
push the deckboard snugly against the previous board. The
Spacer Teeth automatically create a 3/16” gap between the
boards.
With the tool set on the board, place
one CAMO Hidden Fastener into the
Screw Guides on both ends of the
Marksman Pro tool. Note: if the tool is
not set on the deckboard, the screws
will slide out of the Screw Guides.
Set drill to highest speed. A high RPM
drill is recommended.
Begin on the outside edge at the end of
the unfastened deckboard (the edge
furthest away from the installed
deckboard or abutted board).
No pre-drilling is required.
The handle of the Marksman Pro is not intended to be
weight-bearing.
Just steady the Marksman Pro and start drilling,
running the drill at full speed throughout. The CAMO screw is
designed to spin and auger out material for approximately ½ inch
to prevent splitting. Once the screw is started, you may gently
increase pressure and the screw will bite and drive home quickly.
Let the screw do the work. Forcing the screw can result in
mushrooming or splitting.
When the shoulder of the CAMO Driver Bit reaches the Screw
Guide, you are finished driving the screw. The depth of drive is
automatically set and you cannot over drive it.
Once you have fastened the first screw on the outside edge,
repeat the same drive instructions on the inside edge of the board.
Continue this process down the length of the board until the entire
plank is installed. Do not skip any joists.
To ensure proper performance of the
CAMO Marksman Pro, it is important to
regularly check the Screw Guides for
deck material build-up. If material is
present, use the Clearing Tool to clear
the Screw Guides. If you are installing
IPE or other dense deck product, you
will want to perform this action more
frequently.
Butt Joints:
Follow deckboard manufacturers’ suggested spacing
and fastening installation methods. It may be necessary to block
joist at the butt joint depending on the type of decking you are
installing.
45° Angle Installations:
Position the Marksman Pro over the
edge of the high side of the joist so that the fastener remains
completely in joist when fully driven. You may find marking the
deckboard where it intersects the joist useful. To do this, draw a
line where they intersect and position your Marksman tool so the
middle of the Screw Guide rests over the line. Proceed to drive
the screw in per above instructions. Repeat this process down
the length of the deckboard on both edges.
CAMO MARKSMAN PRO SCHEMATIC:
Adjusting the tool:
The board abutting the structure:
SET
Load
drive
ATTENTION:
To view an installation video or for more information visit
www.camofasteners.com or contact us at (800) 968-6245.
CAMO
TM
Hidden Deck Fastening System Installation Instructions – CAMO Marksman Pro™
It is important to be familiar with the Marksman Pro. This
tool is used to guide CAMO deck screws into the side of
the deckboard and down into the joist. It can be used on
any 5-1/4”- 5-3/4“ wide solid or grooved deckboard. No
pre-drilling is necessary, and the Marksman Pro provides
automatic 3/16” spacing between deckboards.
CAMO
TM
Marksman pro
1
Tool Handle
2
Trigger Handle
3
Screw Guides
4
Spacer Teeth
5
Tool Feet
6
7
Thumb Dial
CAMO Driver Bit
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