AIR NAILERS

[lutt]

In general, coil nails are more expensive, but the nail is cleaner. The magazine-fed nails frequently have little pieces of the plastic strip that holds them together in the nail gun embedded under the nail head after being placed.

If you drop a coil it is usually ruined, and rough handling can ruin it also. Strip nails can still be used if the strip breaks.

Usually, we use strip nails for framing, and coil nails for roofing and siding.

Thanks Dave, I better stick with strip nails,sometimes I have a tendacy to drop stuff, comes in spells. I would hate to be picking up nails all the time.LUTT

 

[lutt]

My father-in-law bought a harbor freight framing nailer for about $70-80. We have built a 16x32shed and did a 24x40 addition with it and its a good nailer for the money. Jams a nail here and there, but overall pretty good, especially for occasional use. A buddy has a paslode that I've used many times, it's lighter and overall I prefer it, but they are pretty expensive. I recently decided to get one of my own, and opted for the paslode lithium ion cordless unit. It was expensive, but I like not having to carry an air hose around and can use it in areas that don't have electricity. Haven't used it a lot yet, but I like how compact it is, and it easily fits between 16" studs. It cost 400 in the store, but I got mine for 290 shipped and brand new on eBay. I also really like the quality of Hitachi tools, I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything Hitachi. I doubt you could go wrong with any of the major brands or even the HF for around the farm use.

Thanks for the advice. I will stay with air power,dragging a hose dont bother me much, I have a small craftsman ac that would be ideal for running a nailer. You guys have got me leaning toward a Hitachi or Bostich. I bet one of those Lith powered rigs would be handy. LUTT

 

[3v0]

My only gripe with harbor freight air nailers is that I screwed on up and could not get the parts. They had replaced it with another model finish nailer.

 

[mikehaugen]

I have a senco finish nailer that is pretty good for the amount I use it. I bought it as a 4 piece combo set with a stapler, brad nailer, and pinner that all came in a wheeled bag. I paid $200 from HD a couple years ago. I still can't figure out what the "pinner" is used for. When I can justify a framing nailer I will go for a Hitachi. Like stated here, it is what I hear pretty consistently from "pros" that it is the best out there.

 

[teejk]

In general, coil nails are more expensive, but the nail is cleaner. The magazine-fed nails frequently have little pieces of the plastic strip that holds them together in the nail gun embedded under the nail head after being placed.

If you drop a coil it is usually ruined, and rough handling can ruin it also. Strip nails can still be used if the strip breaks.

Usually, we use strip nails for framing, and coil nails for roofing and siding.

I know a framer that prefers the coil because of size. My stick feeder is pretty long. But I don't have to fight it everyday like he does.

 

[lutt]

Good advice,think I will rule those types out. Thanks. LUTT

 

[Tig]

I bought a Princess auto (Harbour Freight quality) framing nailer three years ago and built a house without a hiccup. I also have a floor nailer and small staple/brad nailer. All working fine. Not pro quality and probably on the heavy side but I got my money's worth out of them.

 

[KubotainNH]

Couple things I'd like to add. Dave is right, the strip ones are usually held together by plastic so those pieces fly around or stay attached to the nail. Not a big deal usually, the benefits outweigh this issue to me. The last nail sometimes doesn't leave the gun too. One of my guns is a refurb Porter Cable, still works great. Get a decent flexible air hose seeing that's the way you are leaning, a thick hose is hard to deal with. Probably the last thing I can think of that may be the most important is fit and weight. You want it comfortable to hold and light. I bought mine back in 03 and had a bunch of overhead stuff to do. I started with a hammer, that got old quick so I bought the gun. I spent the extra to have the lighter weight gun which in my opinion was the right choice.

 

[PILOON]

Senco, Hitachi and Bostitch parts are usually available for repairs or maintenance, however the same cannot be said for the majority of other brands, especially the Chicom types and box store units.
One thing I discovered over time is Hitachi and Senco fabricate their own tools while Bostich (and many others) actually purchase from offshore factories.
In their favor, Bostitch parts are reasonably available.
While not very common, Makita air tools have given me good service.
Delta, which sounds good, is B & D and parts costly. Driver pins are sold only as a complete OH assy and exceed 50% of new tool. (I have 3 in the trash bin)

While in certain circumstances it may not be of concern, the better or PRO tool will be aluminum while the consumer grades are white metal which is much cheaper to build but much less rugged.
Also the driver pins in the PRO tool will be case hardened high quality and others will bend driving a brad into hard wood.

Might also add that the type of O rings and seals used also make a big difference in the quality of an air tool.

Believe me for roofing the driver pin and many other parts better be top notch or some parts will be worn away after 2-3 roofing jobs. The tars and grit will let you know what quality your nailer is.

 

[teejk]

Couple things I'd like to add. Dave is right, the strip ones are usually held together by plastic so those pieces fly around or stay attached to the nail. Not a big deal usually, the benefits outweigh this issue to me. The last nail sometimes doesn't leave the gun too. One of my guns is a refurb Porter Cable, still works great. Get a decent flexible air hose seeing that's the way you are leaning, a thick hose is hard to deal with. Probably the last thing I can think of that may be the most important is fit and weight. You want it comfortable to hold and light. I bought mine back in 03 and had a bunch of overhead stuff to do. I started with a hammer, that got old quick so I bought the gun. I spent the extra to have the lighter weight gun which in my opinion was the right choice.

Dunno about that...Menards sells a big variety of "wire" and "paper" fastened strips. I have plastic and the options were pretty limited.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Bostich has been great.

 

[EddieWalker]

If you look at what professional framers use, it is almost always Hitachi. And there is a good reason. if their nailer quits working in the middle of the day, they may lose half a day's pay. For a DIY guy, the situation is worse. You will lose one of the few weekend days you have for the project.

A good Hitachi nail gun is ~ $250-290. For a framer, it will last many years, for a DIY guy, it will last a lifetime. Buy quality and you will not be disappointed. The other issue is that a quality nailer has better adjustments, and is easier to use. If I frame something once a year and want to get the same quality as a pro who does it every week, I need an easy to use tool, not one that I am constantly fiddling with, especially if I am not really confident that I know all the nuances of the job.

If you haven't bought it yet, the standard is full round head, and just buy a nailer that takes those nails. There is no reason to fool around with anything else, especially when you could get shut down by a new inspector if you do. Standard nails are available, they are reasonably priced, and they work great. Don't start off by deliberately choosing a potential headache when the right tool is on the shelf next to the wrong one.

I have Hitachi framing and finish nailers, and a Hitachi Teco nailer. I do have a Ridgid 1/4" crown stapler and it works OK, but if I had it to do over, I would have gone for higher quality.

Let me add one thing to what Dave said. I've owned several brands of framing guns and currently have a Hitachi full head gun that is by far the best I've ever used. Not only is it reliable, but it's light and well ballanced. After thousands of nails, light really means a lot!!!!

Of the other brands listed, I would classify them as OK to pure junk. What will get you buy, isn't going to be something that you want to use on a regular basis or for very long. My dad likes to buy cheap and is all about what he can save. Now that he is living here and using my tools, he has started to replace his more affordble tools with higher end tools. It's not that a better framing gun will drive a nail in any better, but you will have more control and at the end of the day, less fatigue. I also feel that the better quality tools will last so much longer that you get your money back on just buying the one good tool instead of replacing it all the time.

Eddie

 

[lutt]

Let me add one thing to what Dave said. I've owned several brands of framing guns and currently have a Hitachi full head gun that is by far the best I've ever used. Not only is it reliable, but it's light and well ballanced. After thousands of nails, light really means a lot!!!!

Of the other brands listed, I would classify them as OK to pure junk. What will get you buy, isn't going to be something that you want to use on a regular basis or for very long. My dad likes to buy cheap and is all about what he can save. Now that he is living here and using my tools, he has started to replace his more affordble tools with higher end tools. It's not that a better framing gun will drive a nail in any better, but you will have more control and at the end of the day, less fatigue. I also feel that the better quality tools will last so much longer that you get your money back on just buying the one good tool instead of replacing it all the time.

Eddie

Thanks for chiming in Eddie, I was hoping you would. I know that you probly use one at work 90% of the time. I think you guys have changed my mind. I would not skimp on mechanics tools,so why should I on a air nailer. I still will be out at work for 2-3 wks. When I get in, and buy one, I will let yall know what I got. :thumbsup:Thanks for everyones replys. LUTT

 

[jwstewar]

Sounds like you've pretty much decided, but I'll chime in anyway. I have the PorterCable FC350. That is one that takes the Clipped Head. It has been a very good nailer. I've built a 12x16 shed, my 30x48 pole barn (OSB walls & roof), framed and finished 1800 sq ft. of basement along with who knows what else. Has worked great, no problems. I also have an 18 ga DeWalt Brad Nailer that I got free when I bought my DeWalt miter saw. It has also peformed great. Then I needed a stapler to staple some chicken wire on the fence around my wife's garden. I bought a Harbor Freight. It has always worked OK, but the way the foot was made it wouldn't stay on the wire. I ground it down flat and it works fine. I also have a Tradesman (that is all that I could find at that time locally) palm nailer. I love that little thing. It drove those pole barn spikes like there was no tomorrow vs. the 22 oz. framing hammer bouncing off them. For $59 bucks or something like that, that thing was (well still is, haven't used it since) it was tool well worth the price for one time use.

 

[lutt]

Sounds like you've pretty much decided, but I'll chime in anyway. I have the PorterCable FC350. That is one that takes the Clipped Head. It has been a very good nailer. I've built a 12x16 shed, my 30x48 pole barn (OSB walls & roof), framed and finished 1800 sq ft. of basement along with who knows what else. Has worked great, no problems. I also have an 18 ga DeWalt Brad Nailer that I got free when I bought my DeWalt miter saw. It has also peformed great. Then I needed a stapler to staple some chicken wire on the fence around my wife's garden. I bought a Harbor Freight. It has always worked OK, but the way the foot was made it wouldn't stay on the wire. I ground it down flat and it works fine. I also have a Tradesman (that is all that I could find at that time locally) palm nailer. I love that little thing. It drove those pole barn spikes like there was no tomorrow vs. the 22 oz. framing hammer bouncing off them. For $59 bucks or something like that, that thing was (well still is, haven't used it since) it was tool well worth the price for one time use.

THANKS! I will still take input from you guys. Your projects were similar to what the wife and I are about to start. I have to put some fence around our garden this year also. The deer was eating things up,that was okay till it came to the wifes tomatoes,that didnt go over very well:laughing: Thanks again LUTT

 

[flusher]

Hey guys/gales, need some advice on a framing nailer and finish nailer,not junk,but not over the top either. Something a homeowner could use from time to time and not break the bank.:shocked: I have several projects starting this year,finishing a basement which will require several studded walls,a fairly large deck to build,and dividing my shop into a heated cooled workshop in the back of it.My shoulder dont like hammer swinging much anymore for any length of time. I figure the projects section would be about as good as any place to start this thread. There is always some great building going on here:thumbsup: I do also realize you get what you pay for. THANKS LUTT

I've used the Harbor Freight 6-in-1 framing nailer on a half dozen projects. Probably drove more than 10,000 nails with that unit without a miss. Cost: $89

 

[tnmike]

I have the HF 3 in 1 framer and a staple/brad nailer. Both have been flawless. I oil them before every use.

 

[deerseeker001]

i also have a paslode framing nail gun and also brad nail gun.i like them both,did a lot of work with them.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Can I ask a couple questions without derailing the thread? I've been researching nailers as well for an upcoming project.

Is one angle better than another for framing, say 21 vs 33 degree? or 28?

Does anyone have one of the newer positive placement guns that shoots strong-tie nails? Are they worth it? I hate driving those things by hand and an leaning towards something like a bostitch f21 that will handle both types of nails.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can I ask a couple questions without derailing the thread? I've been researching nailers as well for an upcoming project.

Is one angle better than another for framing, say 21 vs 33 degree? or 28?

Does anyone have one of the newer positive placement guns that shoots strong-tie nails? Are they worth it? I hate driving those things by hand and an leaning towards something like a bostitch f21 that will handle both types of nails.

See what nails are common in your area. All sizes and types such as coated and ring shank deck naiks. Mine is 28 deg and I never have trouble finding nails.

Chris