Nail Plates

Nail plates protect pipe, cable and tubing where it passes through a stud or joist, keeping a drywall screw or a trim nail out of a line nobody will see again. Widths run 1-1/2 in. to 5-1/2 in. and lengths 5 in. to 18 in., in 12, 16 and 18 GA.

16 GA covers most of the range and 12 GA is the heavier option. Most are plain or carbon steel; one is galvanized. The 18 in. lengths are the ones to keep on the truck — they cover a full stud bay in one piece instead of butting two plates and leaving a gap at the seam. Brands include M&M, Miami Tech, Dottie, Basset Products, L C Metal, Dundee, Proflo, Peco and Metal Products Company.