expert knowledge and advice With products to the job done right every time
When working with Exotic Hardwood Decking species like Ipe, Tigerwood, and Batu you come to understand that they require special treatment when being installed. Some of our best customers are highly skilled Woodworkers, who understand the true nature of these incredibly dense Hardwoods – and how to maximise their appearance and performance. With the help of these skilled Carpenters, who are working with these woods on a regular basis – we’ve honed a list of Hardwood Decking Essentials – that we believe are the best available to achieve stunning results – every time. 
ANCHORSEAL WAX END SEALER
helps prevent end-checking on hardwood decking
Anchorseal 2® (AS2®) is a hybrid of plant-based polymers and petroleum wax that protects the ends of green logs and lumber from checking (or splitting). AS2® is formulated mainly for North American hardwoods but is also recommended and approved for use with exotic Hardwoods such as Ipe, Tigerwood and Batu – which are widely used for decking application in the Pacific Northwest (and beyond). To prevent end-checking, we recommend using Anchorseal 2® to treat all cut ends when working with Hardwoods. All of our Hardwood Decking is supplied with ends pre-sealed with this product.
- Cost-saving, environmentally friendly technology
- High Performance
- Great Stability
- Minimized dripping during application
- Prevents up to 90% or more of end checking (drying splits)
- Reduces loss: Conserves resources and improves yield
- Can help reduce blue stain in logs
- Water-based – No Solvents
- IN-STOCK in both Quart and 1 Gallon Sizes (5 Gal Special Order)
STARBORN PRO-PLUG HIDDEN FASTENER
finish like a pro with the WOODWORKERS FINISH
PRO PLUG® SYSTEM for Wood combines the strength of top-down fastening with the high-end finish of face grain wood plugs. This comprehensive system allows deck builders to drill, screw, glue and plug all types of hardwoods in a fraction of the time required for traditional plug fastening methods. All of the Pro Plug System components have been carefully and precisely engineered to maximize performance and provide the best-finished result. The system features face grain wood plugs, stainless fasteners, a pre-drilling and counter-boring tool and a glue nozzle that applies glue to the sidewalls of the counter-bored hole. See opposite for available wood types.
IN-STOCK: 100pc, 350pc and 1050pc Screw & Plug Kits for Ipe, Tigerwood & Batu – along with the Smart-Bit Pre-drilling & Countersink Tool, bits and other Starborn® Products.
features & benefits
1. FREE SPINNING STOP COLLAR WITH O-RING The stop collar spins free of the drill and counterbore assembly and is fitted with a rubber o-ring that prevents damage to the board surface. The hole is complete when the stop collar stops spinning. 2. COUNTERBORE The case hardened counterbore portion of the tool is designed to perfectly match the geometry of the System’s specially designed fasteners and plugs. 3. DRILL BIT Drill bits feature Powerbolic fluting, which cuts through decking and flooring more than twice as fast as standard wood bits, even dense hardwoods. The Tool also comes packaged with a spare stub bit, designed for plug-only installations (with no fasteners). 4. FASTENERS Decking kits come with Grade 305 stainless steel, star drive, 8 x 2-1/2in plug fasteners. Flooring kits come with zinc plated, #2 square drive, 8 x 1-5/8in plug fasteners. 5. PRO PLUG GLUE NOZZLE The patented Pro Plug Glue Nozzle is designed to apply standard wood glue to the sidewalls of the hole created by the Pro Plug Tool for Wood, in order to achieve maximum holding power. The Nozzle attaches to any interior or exterior 4 or 8-ounce bottle of Titebond® wood glue and any 4, 8 or 16-ounce bottle of Elmer’s® wood glue. 6. WOOD PLUGS Face grain wood plugs are available in many species. A unique chamfer and reduced flare angle offer easy insertion and an extremely tight fit with minimal to zero push-ups from weathering. Plugs are inserted completely, with no need for sawing or chiselling.
HOW-TO INSTALLATION VIDEO
IPE CLIP EXTREME HIDDEN FASTENER SYSTEM
Do It Once, Do It Right, Do It Out Of Sight!
Unlike most all-metal hidden deck fasteners, which can react with wood causing staining, the Ipe Clip® is moulded of a malleable plastic polymer resin coating (further adding UV & chemical resistant qualities), allowing for the natural expansion/contraction of wood decking. This rigid, hardened plastic coated, stainless steel insert firmly holds decking to joists (up to 3x more hold-down strength than other edge-mount deck fasteners), eliminating decking screws from pulling through as the deck material expands. Designed for exotic hardwoods, the colour of the plastic resin also works to further camouflage & conceal our fasteners between the board gaps for a more sleek, upscale surface. A deck, patio or terrace that is installed with DeckWise® Hidden Deck Fasteners will make your new build safer, longer-lasting, more durable, and better look with a flawless, smooth surface finish.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Attachment of deck clip to material at a 45° angle into joists for maximum hold-down
- Integrated gap spacer legs in 3/32in (Extreme), 5/32in (Extreme4) or 1/4in (ExtremeKD)
- Stainless steel reinforcement for extreme hardness
- Use with lengthwise pre-grooved slots, job site biscuit joiner or router
- A Symmetrical wood edge profile allows for reversible boards
- Standard edge profile of 5/32in (4.0mm) by 1/2in (13.0mm)
HOW-TO INSTALLATION VIDEO
DECKWISE DRILL & DRIVE
THE 3-in-1 time-saving tool
The Drill & Drive™ is a 3-in-1 tool you can use to pre-drill, countersink, then flip the insert and drive screws into decking. The ease of use makes pre-drilling hardwoods and installing deck screws 3 times faster than standard drilling & driving – particularly when used in conjunction with Deckwise® Ipe Clip Extreme Hidden Fasteners (see above) Deck builders, once you start using the Drill & Drive™ toolkit, you’ll quickly realize how much faster and more productive every single deck install will be in the future. For homeowners, the Drill & Drive™ system can be used for more than deck building. Its utility makes it the perfect solution for home touch-up, or home renovation project.
how it works…
step 1
DRILL
step 2
FLIP
step 3
DRIVE
FEATURES
Adjustable pilot hole and counter-sink drill bit system. Use to countersink screws for drilling plug holes with pilot holes all in one step. Every Kit Includes:
- Quick Change Locking Collar
- 1/8in (3,2mm) high-speed drill bit & 3/8in (9,5mm) Countersink Tool w/ T15 Star Drive Tip
- 1/8in drill bit & 3/8in countersink
- 1/8in drill bit & 3/8in countersink
- 1/8in drill bit & 3/8in countersink
- On-Board Hex Key
- T15 Star Drive Tip
- T15 Star Drive Tip
- T15 Star Drive Tip
- T15 Star Drive Tip
4-WING SLOT CUTTER BITS
THE BEST WAY TO CUT grooves in hardwood decking Whilst we always have the option to supply you with pre-grooved Hardwood Decking, it is more expensive and there are advantages to cutting your own grooves beyond cost-saving. Pre-grooved planks have approximately 14in of un-used groove on each side between the joists where they are fastened. These channels collect moisture and dirt, which at best can be difficult to clean and at worst can compromise the structural integrity of the deck planks. DeckWise® Router Bits have been specifically designed to create a perfectly symmetrical groove to accept Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fasteners. The 4-wing design provides a smooth cut for creating slots and grooves in decking material including exotic hardwoods, thermally treated softwoods, and composites. Two sizes available (1/2in and 1/4in Arbour) fit most router devices.
how it works…
Step 1
Insert Router Bit
ALWAYS unplug the power cord before removing or installing router bit. Insert the bit until the arbour (shank) hits the bottom of the collet chuck; then ease it out about 1/8” to 1/4” before tightening the collet.
Step 2
Set Router Depth
Adjust the bit to the correct depth following the deck groove profile above.
Step 3
Cut Slots in Deck Board
Place the baseplate on the edge of the board so the router bit is in position. Turn on router and grasp the router with both hands. Do not allow the bit to come in contact with the wood until the router is up to full speed. Moving from left to right, plunge the cutting bit in the side of the deck board above each joist and cut.
Step 4
Fit Ipe Clip® in Deck Board Slot
The DeckWise® Ipe Clip® should slide into the slot above the joist with the legs flush against the side of the deck board. Make sure the top of the clip is level in the slot above the joist.
PENOFIN HARDWOOD FORMULA
advanced UV protection for dense hardwoods
Penofin® Hardwood Formula is designed to penetrate dense hardwoods. This unique formula absorbs beyond the surface, nourishing and stabilizing the wood and most importantly – it does not create a surface film. Using sustainably harvested Brazilian Rosewood Oil, Penofin® Hardwood Formula is the choice of wood experts who know that penetration is key to longevity and beauty when applying to hardwoods. Penofin’s advanced formula is designed to allow the wood to breathe, an essential factor when working with exotic hardwoods such as Mahogany, Teak, Ipe, Brazillian Redwood, Tigerwood and Batu.
PERFORMANCE FEATURES
- Penetrating Oil finish specially formulated for dense hardwoods
- Advanced UV protection from Brazilian Rosewood Oil
- 3 complimentary Tones allow the beauty of wood to shine through (Transparent Natural-tone, Ipe and Tigerwood)
- Advanced mildew protection
- Applied correctly will not crack, bubble, or peel – ever.
PRO TIP
As with most solvent derived oil-based stains, Penofin Hardwood Formula is prone to spontaneous combustion in certain circumstances. Care should be taken to dispose of brushes, rags and any other material that comes into contact with the oil. Always read the instructions, follow safe application and clean-up procedures and for best results follow manufacturers guidelines to the letter.
how-to video
Penofin® 1st step Prep For Hardwood
ensures maximum penetration of hardwood oil finish
Penofin First Step Prep for Exterior Hardwood is formulated to open the pores of the wood’s surface. It is the ideal way to ensure deep penetration of Penofin’s amazing natural oil finish formulated for hardwood. First Step Prep cleans, brightens and reduces the hard mill glaze found on most hardwoods. This allows Penofin to penetrate deeply into dense wood species for ultimate protection and beauty.
Features & Benefits:
- Removes mill glaze
- Formulated for hardwoods
- Easy to apply
- Fast clean up
- Opens the wood’s fibres to allow maximum penetration
DECKWISE HARDWOOD WRENCH™
THE ULTIMATE DECK BOARD STRAIGHTENING TOOL
Bending slightly warped/crooked deck boards into place using a chisel has been the primary method in the deck-building industry for decades. It’s a practice that gets handed down from builder to builder and generation to generation. It’s not wrong per se, just more of an old-school method. Now there’s a tool to help you work smarter, not harder. When patio and deck installers think about how backbreaking it is to battle unwieldy deck boards – especially hardwood deck boards – they then notice the ease of use Deckwise® Hardwood Wrench™ offers them, of course, they get psyched. Besides, anytime contractors see our wrench includes a locking cam which permits them to let go of the wrench handle while they are fastening, they immediately know they will definitely not need a knee propped up in order to hold it in place. They understand the wrench will not pop off the deck board such as other wrenches often do.
HOW IT WORKS…
STEP 1
POSITION
Position the Hardwood Wrench™ tool on the joist.
STEP 2
LOCK
Rotate and lock the handle in place to straighten the deck board.
STEP 3
FASTEN
Leaving both your hands-free to fasten the board in place.
features & benefits
EXPANDABLE & REVERSIBLE Works with single or double joists up to 3.5in (8.9cm) wide and all types of decking, including pre-grooved or standard lumber, composites, and PVC. The reversible handle accommodates multi-directional use for areas with limited space. The Hardwood Wrench™ is ready for any job right out of the box. With no extra tools required, the Hardwood Wrench™ was built to work as hard as you do VERSATILE DESIGN The changes we’ve made to our new Hardwood Wrench™ give you the ability to straighten even the most difficult and bowed boards from virtually any angle. The handle and the joist pins can now be flipped, reversed, and expanded giving you an option for any crooked board you come across. Our new knurled knobs can even be used to grip framing where there may not be enough clearance for standard joist pins
how-to video
CEPCO-TOOL BOWRENCH
THE ONE MAN TIME SAVING TOOL
Cepco’s flagship Tool is made especially for easily bending deck boards, eliminating crown and creating a flush space between boards. Just slip the Bowrench® Gripper over the joist and slide the handle until it locks in place! The Bowrench® frees up your hands while holding the board on its own! The Bowrench® is an essential tool for anyone who installs Decking material – regardless of what species. Use Bowrench® to straighten a crooked deck plank (see video for instructions) and get fantastic results every time, without wasting perfectly good lumber. You can even use it to straighten Composite or PVC Decking such as Trex, TimberTech and Azek.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Basic tool binds itself to any 2x (1-1/2in) joist.
- Frees up hands and legs
- Seconds to operate
- Gripper swivels for angled decking
- Interchangeable parts for pushing or pulling
- Bends multiple boards
- Closes gaps up to 2-1/4in +
- Left or right-handed
- Simple to operate
- Powerful mechanical advantage
- All heavy coated steel construction
- Bends 3/4in, 1x, 2×6, etc.
