Fastener, installation tool and related method of use

A method of installing a fastener comprising:

• providing an installation tool including an elongated shaft defining a shaft bore configured to receive a drive element being rotated by a drive tool, a guide joined with the elongated shaft, the guide defining an angled bore configured to receive a fastener, the guide having an exit opening from which the fastener exits the angled bore, the guide including an alignment projection extending downwardly from the guide a preselected distance, the alignment projection including an inner engagement surface oppositely disposed from an outer engagement surface, the inner and outer engagement surfaces merging together at a terminal end to generally form a wedge, the tool including a bottom surface adjacent the alignment projection and extending forwardly of the inner engagement surface,
• the inner engagement surface contoured to engage at least one of a board side surface and an upper board corner, so as to align the angled bore with at least one of a board side surface and an upper board corner, at a preselected angle, the exit opening being defined by the inner engagement surface;
• providing a first board having a first board side surface and an first board upper corner, the first board upper corner transitioning between the first board side surface and a first board uppermost surface,
• providing a second board having a second board side surface and a second board upper corner, the second board upper corner transitioning between the second board side surface and a second board uppermost surface,
• placing the first board side surface adjacent the second board side surface so that a crevice is formed between the first board upper corner and the second board upper corner;
• placing the tool so that the wedge fits at least partially within the crevice between the first board upper corner and the second board upper corner, with the outer engagement surface contacting the second board upper corner so as to set a depth from the first board uppermost surface at which the fastener is advanced, and with the bottom surface of the tool engaging the first board uppermost surface;
• and
• advancing the fastener through the angled bore the through the first board upper corner.

A fastener installation tool comprising:

• a primary housing, including an exterior surface adapted and contoured for manual gripping by a user's hand,
• a secondary housing moveable relative to the primary housing during a fastener installation operation,
• a drive element,
• an elongated shaft defining a shaft bore, the elongated shaft joined with at least one of the primary housing and the secondary housing, the shaft bore configured to receive the drive element when the drive element is rotated by a drive tool, the shaft bore bounded by a wall;
• and
• a guide joined with the elongated shaft, the guide defining an angled bore configured to receive a fastener, the guide having an exit opening from which the fastener exits the angled bore, the guide including an alignment projection extending downwardly from the guide a preselected distance,
• wherein the guide includes a bottom surface configured to engage an uppermost surface of a board to assist in aligning the angled bore with a board side surface at a preselected angle,
• wherein the angled bore is aligned with the shaft bore so that the drive element can be reciprocally extended through the shaft bore and through the angled bore while rotating the fastener.