CUPPED HEAD DRYWALL NAILSPhosphate-coated cupped-head drywall nails for fastening 5/8" gypsum wallboard or doubled 3/8" panels to wood studs and ceiling joists. The cupped (concave) head crushes slightly into the drywall paper so the nail sits cleanly below the surface without tearing - giving you a flat fastener seat for joint compound. Phosphate coating roughs the shank for better friction hold and gives the head a key surface that mud bonds to.
- Style: Cupped-head drywall nail
- Length: 1-3/8"
- Gauge: 12-1/2
- Head: 19/64" cupped (slightly countersunk)
- Finish: Phosphate coated
- Point: Long sharp diamond point
- Pack: 5 Lb box (covers a small bedroom or single-room hang)
- MPN: 149506138
Length selection: 1-3/8" suits 5/8" drywall on wood framing, or doubled 3/8" panels. A common pick when 1-1/4" feels too short for thicker board.
Cupped vs ring shank: Cupped heads form a clean dish that takes joint compound flush and resists popping back through the mud over time. Ring shank holds the framing better but the flat head can show through thin mud coats. Many drywallers reach for cupped on visible walls and ring shank on ceilings.
Tip: Drive the head until the cup sits just below the paper surface - the dimpled cup will hold the compound. Don't over-drive: punching through the paper destroys the holding strength. Standard pattern is one nail every 7" along studs in the field and 6"-8" perimeter spacing.
Phosphate finish note: Phosphate provides modest rust resistance and a mud-friendly key. Still intended for interior dry locations - use galvanized or hot-dipped fasteners for bathrooms, garages exposed to humidity, or any outdoor application.