Framing nail gun questions

[DaveNJ]

The angle only affects how the nail feeds into the gun, it has nothing to do with how the nail holds. All the nails fire in straight.

What he said. Use the angle nail specified by the manufacturer to fit correctly into that manufacturer's feed mechanism. Sometimes you can get away with "close", ie 30* for 28*. I've used lots of different types and that harbor freight one should be ok for occasional use.

 

[3Ts]

and while you are at it, be sure to get one of those soft, kink free air hoses. They will make life with a nail gun so much better!!!!

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Flexzilla-3...ose/1000746772

Harbor Freight has those air hoses as well and they are worth every penny! I have air hoses in rubber, PVC, and whatever these flex hoses are made of. These are so nice I've bought several and am replacing all my other hoses with them.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Hmm, one more thing. It’s more about the nails than the nail gun. Many building codes require full head nails. No nails with crescent shaped bits missing on the nail head.

 

[3Ts]

And I think the building codes require the .131" diameter nails. Most commonly available are thinner than that.

 

[ray66v]

I rarely use a framing nailer any more. On smaller jobs I'd rather grab my 1/4" impact, and use construction screws.

If you want to buy a nailer, HD has an option to register their models for a lifetime guarantee. Having had to throw away more than one nail gun because parts were no longer available, (thanks Bostich), knowing I'm not paying for a repair, or another gun, is a no brainer for me.

And, I like the way all the HD guns work, and feel.

 

[Diggin It]

I rarely use a framing nailer any more. On smaller jobs I'd rather grab my 1/4" impact, and use construction screws.

1,000 3" nails is priced at $24.99 (less with coupons)

3deg 3 in. Galvanized Framing Nails 1, Pc

What would 1,000 3" screws cost? A one pound box of 3" drywall screws is usually over $10 and might contain 50-75.

 

[EddieWalker]

1,000 3" nails is priced at $24.99 (less with coupons)

3deg 3 in. Galvanized Framing Nails 1, Pc

What would 1,000 3" screws cost? A one pound box of 3" drywall screws is usually over $10 and might contain 50-75.

When considering fasteners, and deciding between screws or nails, their cost should not be part of that process. These are what holds the building together and for each application, one is better then the other. For some projects, like a deck or wood fence, I will not use a single nail anywhere. For framing a the studs of a house, 3 1/4 inch or 3 1/2 inch nails are better, but most of the time I use 3 inch deck screws for the remodels that I do for clients and only bring out the framing gun when I'm doing a really big job.

 

[3Ts]

What would 1,000 3" screws cost? A one pound box of 3" drywall screws is usually over $10 and might contain 50-75.

Don't use drywall screws as a general purpose fastener - because it's crossectional area is small meaning it's shear strength is low and it's head is designed to snap off if to much force is applied to it. I've seen projects collapse because the head snapped off. Use structural screws instead. There are structural screws in the 1/4" range that are easy to drive, require no pilot hole and are stronger than a 1/2" lag screw.

The reason nails are used in framing instead of screws is because the cross sectional area is typically greater than screws, and they can be installed faster. However, with the new engineered screws, this is no longer the case for strength.

 

[Diggin It]

I use the term 'drywall' screws to mean whatever the larger black ones are. I have some 2 and 3" of those I use for certain framing things when boards need to be pulled together (warped or whatever), but I can't see paying the price for them by the thousand lot.


Looks like HF has abandoned the 28 degree nail item number I posted above as well as all other 28 degree nails and even my 28 degree gun, so I guess I'll have to try the 30s.

 

[ray66v]

1,000 3" nails is priced at $24.99 (less with coupons)

3deg 3 in. Galvanized Framing Nails 1, Pc

What would 1,000 3" screws cost? A one pound box of 3" drywall screws is usually over $10 and might contain 50-75.

Yes, if you are only interested in price, by all means use nails. In fact, if you want cheap, hand nail.

Yes, construction screws are not inexpensive. However, they do a far superior job of pulling and holding things together. And, jobs where accuracy is important, can be done better with screws.

Plus, if you decide in the middle of the process, to go in a completely different direction, you can easily, and quickly take things apart.

As a bonus, installing screws is far safer.

They are worth the cost to me.

 

[Budweiser John]

Yes, if you are only interested in price, by all means use nails. In fact, if you want cheap, hand nail.

Yes,
As a bonus, installing screws is far safer.

They are worth the cost to me.[/QUOTE
I certinally agree. The evolution from slotted to Phillips to square drive and on to star (forex) heads makes them a no brainier.

B. John

 

[searcyfarms]

yea next thing you know they will be putting on 55 squares of asphalt shingles on my roof with a screw gun - NOT!!!

I cant imaging using screws to put an entire house together that would be ridiculous - for a small project yes but an entire house NO, maybe a mini house ;-)

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have a Hitachi framing nailer which is easy to use and reliable, but those nails are not being given away either. I am using it right now for framing and sheathing the new generator shed. But, for a lot of things these days I also use screws instead. The high quality square drive and torx drive screws now available are amazing, such a change from even a few years ago. For a recent deck I got 3 1/2" square drive stainless steel screws in 1000 screw buckets from McFeeleys, that was about $200 a bucket. The only Phillips drive screws I have are real drywall screws, 1 5/8", for drywall. For all other uses the square drive and torx drive screws, as well as the heavy duty Spax and GRK type screws, are the way to go in many applications where used to be a nail was your only choice. For finish work I use Senco nailers and staplers, but even there you can get trim head #6 screws that out perform nails for some purposes.

 

[Redlands Okie]

When framing a house screws will NOT pass inspection in central Oklahoma. Due to shear and bending issues I assume. A buddy of mine learned that the hard way a while back. Had to lay all the walls down and nail them. Since the inspector was in a mood over having to deal with such things the walls were not allowed to be stood back up until they were inspected top and bottom plates. Then they were allowed to be stood up and fastened and call for the normal inspection.

 

[ray66v]

There are screws that meet the requirements for fasteners under the IRC and IBC building codes.

Strong-Drive(R) SDWS FRAMING Screw | Simpson Strong-Tie

They also don't generally list a fastener requirement for interior non-load bearing walls.

Again, I use screws on smaller projects. You can go pretty fast when you get a rhythm going. But, not as fast as a nailer, of course. If it was a whole house, it's more important to get dried in, so a nailer is going to be a better choice.

 

[RPW]

Although HF has changed brands and no longer carries the 28 deg nails they are available online or at HD and Lowe's.

 

[Barnbuilder]

I do wish I could find 3.5 ring shank hot dipped galvanized nails for it.[/QUOTE]

I use Maze Nails. Go online but order by phone due to shipping. CT4491 I think is part #. Largest you will find.

 

[caver]

Old Thread.....Old Thread

I need round head collated 21* framing nails. My Milwaukee gun can handle up to 3.5" long and .148 diameter. The stores always carry 3" or 3.25" and usually .131 dia. No building codes where I am building in the near future. This is for framing. I found a place online that has 3.5" .148 but out of stock. For those that build in area with codes is the .131 ok? My kit company just said 3.5."

 

[scootr]

Sorry I missed this Screw v Nail debate. That inspector must have been already mad at somebody to pull that stunt. I'm a retired carpenter and commercial superintendent. I would have gotten shear & pull load specs on those screws and made the case that the inspectors job is public safety not personal preferences. What a dick.

 

[EddieWalker]

No help on the nails, but I'm curious what the reason for 3 1/2 inch nails is? Do you need to use them for the entire kit? or just in certain areas? I have a box of 3 1/2 inch galvanized nails that I use for sill pressure treated sill plates and framing studs that I hammer in one at a time.