Framing nailer question

[handirifle]

I figure you guys would know this as well as anyone.

Been considering a framing nailer for some time. Don't have a lot of uses for it, but occasionally one would be handy. I see there are 21* and 30* models but have no clue which I should get or which is better.

I the steeper 30* just for easier access to tighter ares, or is there another purpose? Which is most common?

 

[Deere Dude]

I got a 28 degree nailer I believe and is okay for tight spots. I would make sure any nailer you get is rated for at least 125 deg. I got a HF nailer rated for 90 I believe, but at that pressure a 3-1/2 nail wouldn't seat. I crank the pressure up enough and then the head seal blows gaskets. They are getting better now, but watch for that.

 

[WranglerX]

Just a heads up...

Check local building supplies stores, see what collated nails they normally have in stock.... 21° or 28° ... Locally (small burg) there is only one real source for collated nails, and they only carry 21°... Also decide if you want full round head or clipped head, degree of collation may make difference....

Though I got a good deal on 28° nailer only to discover nobody locally carried 28° nails, nearest 28° nail's are 38 miles away...

Dale

 

[handirifle]

I ask because Harbor Freight just started a new line called Banks, supposedly higher end products. They have a 21 and 30*, kinda odd since you guys talk about 28*, so the 21 might be the ticket.

Will investigate the pressure concern. Their write up says working pressure 70-120 PSI. Their normal price is $99 but sale is $79, so a pretty good price, if the quality is there. I don't need one for everyday use. I have one of their 18ga finish nailers and a 15ga Hitachi finish nailer. Both have lasted me years so far with no problems.

Will look a little closer.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I have the older HF nailers. My framing gun is adjustable so it can take 21, 28 and 34 nails. So I can buy whatever nails are on sale. Never had a problem with any of my HF nail guns, and I have 8 of them. My only advice is buy good nails at Home Depot or Lowes. The HF nails can cause issues.

 

[handirifle]

Yea I have had issues with their welding wire, so no surprise on the nails. Good to know about the nailers too.

 

[gsganzer]

I've had this Milwaukee for quite a while and it's been flawless. Milwaukee framing nailer The nails are available at any big box store. Drives the 3 1/2" no problem and the selectable trigger, rotating exhaust and simple depth control are all nice features.

 

[DJ54]

I've had this Milwaukee for quite a while and it's been flawless. Milwaukee framing nailer The nails are available at any big box store. Drives the 3 1/2" no problem and the selectable trigger, rotating exhaust and simple depth control are all nice features.

I've been drooling over one of these for several months now. Looked it over at Home Depot again, just yesterday. I've got a tack/feed room in the horse barn to build, and a firewood/coal crib to build in the new storage building this Fall when it cools off. Sure would save a lot of wear & tear on the ole' right arm driving 16 penny nails.

 

[/pine]

Hitachi makes a very light weight nailer that has been flawless...many building codes will not accept clipped headed nails for many applications...

 

[TractorNH]

Hitachi makes a very light weight nailer that has been flawless...many building codes will not accept clipped headed nails for many applications...

I have a Hitachi as well, and older clipped head version but I haven't had a need to upgrade since I don't use it very much anymore.

Important to point out though is the full head nails are plastic collated whereas the clipped head are paper collated. You really need to be careful of the plastic bits that fly out when driving full head nails, really easy to get them in your eye.

 

[PILOON]

Hitachi makes a very light weight nailer that has been flawless...many building codes will not accept clipped headed nails for many applications...

Re clipped head nails---true here also. (clipped head only available in stick form)

Check out Hitachi Nailers, around here all the pro's use them.

My Hitachi framing nailer was bought some 17 years ago, used, at a flea market and has burned up pallet loads of 2 and 3 1/2" nails never missing a beat.
I do give it a drop or 2 of oil every now and then however. (often a WD40 injection)

They make a coil version as well as the stick style.
Coils are 100 nails per while sticks carry 60 nails.
Coil gun is more compact but when you drop a coil it will start jamming while sticks don't jamb.
Sticks can easily be carried in a nail pouch and coils can't.
Coils get damaged mainly when a helper tosses U a spare coil (and U miss the catch), also the case of coils is fairly voluminous vs the stick is much more compact to store.

I for one much prefer the full head stick nailer, and as to brand anything Hitachi.

As to maintenance, I like to sort of flush or wash them down with an occasional spraying of WD40. It removes any crud, dissolves tars on the roofing nailers and leaves a fine rust prevention coating, plus it does not harm any seals.

 

[Tompet]

I figure you guys would know this as well as anyone.

Been considering a framing nailer for some time. Don't have a lot of uses for it, but occasionally one would be handy. I see there are 21* and 30* models but have no clue which I should get or which is better.

I the steeper 30* just for easier access to tighter ares, or is there another purpose? Which is most common?

I had similar need as you several years ago for occasional use, and am currently finishing off a pole barn. I read reviews and limited my search to 21 degree full head model regardless of brand.

Wound up with a Numax (also considered the Freeman brand at the time) which was delivered to the house for just under $80 from Home Depot. It works very well, easy to adjust depth and no misfires. Easy place/way to compare various brands is Amazon.

 

[EddieWalker]

There are lots of little things to consider when buying a framing gun. Most importantly is how reliable it is. Hitachi has developed a very good reputation, and after owning quite a few other brands, it's well earned. Mine might sit on the shelf for a year without being used, and then it's used non stop, every day for weeks at a time. I've gone through dozens and dozens of boxes of nails without a single issue. The fit and balance to it is extremely noticeable when you pick up another brand on the same job. Another huge issue that you don't think about until you need it are the teeth at the end when toe nailing.

Shop Hitachi 3.5-in 21-Degree Framing Nailer at Lowes.com

For framing, you want to use 3 1/2 inch nails. The tip of the nail doesn't do anything, so for maximum hold on 2x lumber, you want the tip to go all the way through to get maximum hold. In a lot of places, code required the nails to have a full head. Code is always the minimum standard to build anything, so using nails that have a clipped head are not something I would ever take a chance with.

21 degrees has been the standard for a very long time. If you are on a job, everyone is going to have a 21 degree gun, and nails to feed them. You might also find some other types and angles out there, but that is gonna be a specialty, second nail gun that is only used for certain things.

I've never regretted spending a little more for the better quality tool. I've always regretted spending a little less for an "affordable" tool.

 

[Inspector507]

In my area, clipped head nails are not approved for structural framing.

 

[Snobdds]

My dad owned a contracting business and his best framer always said nailers made really efficient sissy carpenters. He used to ***** about how carpenters don't know how to swing a hammer anymore. Well one summer when I was 16 or 17, my dad made me work for him on a large apartment complex build. The first day he told me if he saw me with a power nailer, he would send me home. All summer I hand drove nails. I was awful at it for about 4 weeks. Holding guys up and looking like an idiot. Then one day everything just clicked. Then it was one hit to set the nail and one hit to drive it home. It was the best lesson I never saw coming.

It took about another 15 years before I framed again I wanted to see if I could still do it. Well, this time it took about an hour to get it back. It felt good, nothing like the rhythmic motion of setting and driving a nail.

I have air guns and use them; mostly pneumatic staplers, palm nailers, finish nailers, and siding nailers. But for framing, I prefer hand nailing.

 

[downsizingnow48]

My old Senco framing nailer was stolen a few years ago. I replaced it with the Hitachi. Made me glad the Senco got taken. Light and balanced and powerful. Full head nails.

As a framer in much younger days, yes, we used to set the nail with one whack and drive it in with one or maybe two. Being able to do that nonstop, sorting and feeding nails with your left hand while hammering. It was a good skill to have, right up until the day we got out first air nailers. Then it was irrelevant.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Very much the same in my experience.... you're holding everyone up and slow at it then BAM.. it clicked and two swings you're done. I had used nail guns but never owned one till last year when I was building my horse barn and I sided it with Cedar boards from 4"-12" butted up tight to each other. I didn't have the money in chiropractor bills nor the time involved to do that all by hand... though I did entirely frame it with a 20 oz Estwing and 16 penny nails (some 4" pole barn nails).

 

[handirifle]

Well I for sure, at 65, won't be doing any production construction, but still have a few personal projects in mind. So best to keep with codes for less hassle later on. Although my pump house shed is framed with pallets :laughing: and sided with T-111.

So it will be a 21 deg and stick fed.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Wonder why code changed regarding clipped nail heads? Don't see where it would make a difference. My old bostich is clipped, built my house and garage with it.

 

[Snobdds]

Wonder why code changed regarding clipped nail heads? Don't see where it would make a difference. My old bostich is clipped, built my house and garage with it.

Yea it makes no sense. It's not like nails are used to hold in compression.