If you cut boards for projects, you probably found yourself at one time or another wishing for that mythical tool: The board stretcher. Once a hasty or miscalculated cut is made, we all know there’s no going back. But wouldn’t that be great…?
No, of course we don’t have a board stretcher to offer. C’mon, get serious.
What we do have is a secret weapon that you’ll find even more useful on the jobsite when installing grooved decking. And bonus: It’s real. Which is an important quality in a tool.
If you’re working row-by-row or lightly screwing in fasteners for initial placement, then revisiting them all on a second pass for the final screw down, get ready for something that’s going to shake up your process in the best possible way.
Ready? You’re sure? OK, here it is:
The CAMO LEVER
In combination with CAMO EDGE Clips, the CAMO LEVER is serious decking magic.
This dynamic duo lets you lay your whole deck—6, 8, 10 rows at a time—lock your grooved boards and clips in place, and screw them all down at once.
CAMO LEVERs lock in deck boards and clips
CAMO LEVER and EDGE Clips work together so you can batch tasks and stop jumping around between laying boards and securing fasteners—which means more efficient deck installs with better focus and fewer errors. (And EDGE Clips won’t fall out of place before they’re secured. That’s a time- and frustration-saver in itself.)
You’ll also get more done with fewer crew members with the CAMO LEVER—you can even build a deck on your own. Think of the productivity you’ll gain when a two-person job becomes a one-person job and frees up someone’s time to tackle other tasks.
Time is money. And so is manpower. If you’re a deck installer, this CAMO combination will save you both on the daily.
TIP: Add the CAMO ClipDRIVE or CAMO DRIVE tool for an epic triple threat and fasten your boards 5x faster while standing.
No doubt you can already see how the CAMO LEVER + EDGE Clips dream team will help you build better. But just to lock it down, here’s a look at the top features of each:
CAMO LEVER
The one-turn tool you'll use on every deck job.
We’ve already talked about CAMO LEVER as the tool to lock your boards and clips in place, making it quicker and easier for anyone to accurately install decking—even your newest crew member. But that’s only half of the power of the LEVER. We haven’t even mentioned that it’s also a powerful board bender. This tool really pulls its weight at the job site.
- Strong enough to straighten any warped board
- Adjusts to single, double, and steel joists for job site versatility
- Multi-directional lever locks in one turn
- Keeps spacing between boards even and consistent
- Works with pressure-treated lumber, hardwood, composite, PVC, and grooved decking
TIP: Check out our special CAMO LEVER Pro Pack of three tools for your best installation experience and our CAMO Clip System Starter Pack with everything you need to hit the deck running. If you’re not already a DIY Pro, what are you waiting for? Apply today to save on these pro packs—and every other product—here at DIY Home Center.
CAMO Clip System Starter PackSee the CAMO LEVER action as it streamlines grooved installations with clips and makes short work of warped deck boards, then imagine the impact it's going to have on your next deck installation:
CAMO EDGE Deck Clips
Your drill only touches these clips once.
CAMO EDGE Clips hug the joists so no partial installation is required. So go ahead: Set multiple boards before driving your screws: These clips aren't going anywhere.
- Pre-assembled, one-pass fasteners stay in place until you’re ready to fasten
- Up to 88% stronger than competitors’ clips in lateral movement, and up to 50% stronger in uplift holding power
- Creates a 3/16-inch spacing
- Designed for grooved wood, composite, and PVC deck board installations
- Warranted for use with the leading grooved deck boards, including Trex, TimberTech, AZEK, Fiberon, Deckorators, Veranda, TROPICS, and ChoiceDek
- Includes a T-15 driver bit
TIP: Grab EDGE Clips for 90° patterns or EDGEX Clips for any deck pattern on wood joists; pick up EDGEXMETAL Clips for metal joists.
Add It to Your Arsenal
CAMO LEVER is your new secret weapon for saving time, labor, and money on every deck job. Add it to your tool arsenal and get the strategic advantage on your grooved deck installs with:
- No pre-screwing fasteners
- No switching back and forth between tasks
- No need for a second pair of hands
Just lay your boards and clips, set the LEVER on the joist, and lock them in. Then fasten away. And remember: The LEVER benefits don't stop with grooved decks. Use it to lock in and straighten all your pressure treated, hardwood, composite, and PVC decking boards.
Conquer the job site. Declare victory over every project. Get CAMO LEVER.
(It's the real deal. Seriously.)
Be sure to check your local building codes before starting your deck project and follow all rules, regulations, and requirements.