Apparatus and method for installing fasteners to secure framing components

A method of securing a top plate having a height h to a roof support member having a thickness t, utilizing a fastener installation guide having a grip assembly, a fastener retention assembly having a fastener alignment surface and oriented transverse to the grip assembly, and a roof support member alignment wall disposed at a lateral end of said grip assembly, the method comprising:

• placing a fastener in a fastener retention channel of the fastener retention assembly oriented at an angle θ with respect to the fastener alignment surface and communicating with a second plane defined by a fastener alignment wall of said fastener retention assembly;
• orienting first and second perpendicularly oriented top plate alignment members of the grip assembly against a top plate upper surface and a top plate side surface such that said first and second top plate alignment walls engage against the upper and side surfaces;
• positioning the fastener alignment surface against one of the side surface of the top plate, a vertical surface of a framing stud, or both;
• aligning the roof support member alignment wall flush with a side surface of the roof support member;
• driving said fastener partially through said fastener alignment channel such that a threaded portion of said fastener engages and securely retains said fastener within said top plate;
• and
• sliding said fastener installation guide laterally along said top plate such that said fastener is completely removed from said fastener retention channel, and driving said fastener through said top plate such that a head of said fastener is flush with the top plate and said threaded portion of said fastener secures the roof support member to the top plate.