How safe is nail guns?

JohnBoy45 · Apr 21, 2006

Hi, Here is a news article talking about someone trying to kill themselfs with a nail gun.

Oregon Man Survives 12 Nails to the Head

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MikePA · Apr 22, 2006

Nail guns are very safe...as long as you don't get high on meth and try and commit suicide with one.

Farmwithjunk · Apr 22, 2006

They're every bit as safe as the hand that has a grip on them. (Just like anything else mechanical)

BAck in the early 70's, the contractor I worked for wouldn't allow one on his jobs. "Too slow setting up compressors and hoses...." Too expensive (for the nails)".... Too unsafe....

I sub-contracted a couple jobs from him. I rented nailers, brought my own compressor to the job, and did 10 days worth of work (hanging doors and crown mold in a medical office building) in 5. With-in a month, we had a full regalia of nailers, compressors, nails, ect...

They're faster, and do better work. (NO hammer marks on the wood, no "setting" nails after driving them, tendency to "over-nail" because it's so easy, as opposed to not enough nails all the time when hand-nailing)

I've used them on a regular basis for 30+ years with ONE accident. I was nailing part of a 5-member crown mould in place. I was stretched out, reaching as high as I could to hold the piece and nail it too. I shot a 2" 15-gauge finish nail through my left index finger, about the last knuckle. I was nailed to the wall. Had to reach down in my nail belt to find the pair of linemans pliers I always carried (to pull out bent "air-nails) Then had to snip off the head of the nail that was barely sticking out through my finger, allowing my finger to slip off the nail.

And yes, it was EXTREMELY painfull.

I'm a fanatic about caring for and protecting my tools. I left EVERYTHING sitting where it was, walked out to my truck and drove home, leaving everything sitting in an empty house. It was all still there the next day fortunately.

Air nailers will bite you if they get the opportunity. BE CAREFULL.

(Because of what I was doing, and the fact that I couldn't get the proper amount of down-pressure on the nailer, I had the saftey wired open. Gun went off before I was ready. )

ALL my fault......

EddieWalker · Apr 22, 2006

So far, so good with nail guns.

Not so good with brad nailers. The longer the brad, the more dangerous they are!!

I've had them change direction in a piece of wood and make a 90 degree turn and go right into my thumb. Hurts pretty good too, but each time it happens, I feel more stupid for doing it again than than the pain.

Eddie

Birdhunter1 · Apr 22, 2006

( Not so good with brad nailers. The longer the brad, the more dangerous they are!!

I've had them change direction in a piece of wood and make a 90 degree turn )

I've had them turn to and split right through the side of molding I've been putting up. Kinda makes you say a few words that you only use when kids aren't around!
Nail guns are as safe as the operator, just like shotguns, rifles, tractors, etc!

Richard · Apr 22, 2006

Framing Nailer: I give mine the utmost respect...as though I were handling a ticked off rattler. I always make sure I'm aware of where it's pointed, NEVER allow the tip of it to cross the path of someone else, nor my own body parts and always disconnect it when I'm done with that specific board (and go to cut another one).

I feel the same way about my finish nailer but it doesn't seem quite as scary since it's carrying smaller nails and seems to carry a smaller 'wallop'. (still treat it like a ticked off rattler though)

ejtaylor822 · Apr 22, 2006

I am fairly new to nail guns. Have been using crown, brad and finish nailers for about 6 months doing some cabinets and other work for the Mrs. Totally agree with statement made that they are as safe as the people operating them. I treat mine like a loaded gun - which BTW it is.

Bit of advice on new - used equipment...

Need to build a shed, cover and want to build outdoor swing and play area for my little girl. So I started looking around for a framing nailer. My compressor would just barely make the grade for a framing nailer. Not wanting to buy a new bigger compressor and thinking about the air lines and all, I started looking at the gas Paslode framing nailers. Picked one up on eBay for a real good price.

Having never used a framing nailer before I wanted to get some practice in. So I got a couple of 2x4s and laid them across saw horses to practice on. The first drive sent the nail all the way through the stud and about 2" away from my foot. After changing my drawers, and thinking it was maybe a fluke, I tried another and the same thing happened - this time I made sure my feet were away. Evidently the previous owner had this thing set a MAX depth. I backed it off and it works great! Put it to work over the last week. I am really enjoying this toy, er, uh, I mean tool. You can get so much more done, and cleaner, with a nail gun.

My lesson and advice to pass on, always test these things in a safe area. Especially if bought used. I do not like thinking what might have happened if I started working on my project in the garage on the concrete floor or if others were around.

Thanks,
Eddie

_RaT_ · Apr 22, 2006

How safe "are" nail guns?

I'm curious, why use a brad nailer over a finish nailer? I have an old Senco SN1 finish nailer that is one of my all time favorites, small, light and easy to get in tight quarters. Shoots 3/4" to 1.5" finish nails that are not much larger then brads.

Have you ever looked at the safety precautions that come with nailers. I love the one with the universal circle and slash through it indicating that you should not put the nailer to your hard hat and pull the trigger. When I see that, I think anyone that would do such a thing probably should just go ahead and do it. I call it chlorine in the gene pool.

ejtaylor822 · Apr 23, 2006

Hey _RaT_,
( why use a brad nailer over a finish nailer )

I've tried to figure that one out myself. I bought one of those Porter-Cable sets that had all three guns. The best I can figure from the specs on my guns is that the finish nailer can drive about a 3/4" longer "nail" over the brad nailer, but, the brad nailer leaves a much smaller hole to cover up. Most of what I have been doing is finish work, and, I use lots of glue so I have been using the brad nailer 80% of the time.

I'm with you on the safety symbols. Hadn't looked at the manuals in a while but reviewed the Paslode when I got it. I like the one with the gun pointed at the hand as well. Good thing they have the little line running through them or someone might consider them an instruction instead of a warning.

EddieWalker · Apr 23, 2006

Rat,

It's been quite a few years since I looked into brad nailers and finish nailers, so I may be a bit off here.

I chose a brad nailer over a finish nailer because of the ability to use a variety of lengths and the price of the brads was extremly cheaper than a nailer.

For strength, the finish nailer would be stronger, but in both applications, the glue is what holds the wood together anyway.

For trim work, finish nails woud be stronger, but brads a great job and well above what is needed for strength. Nothing is coming off with 3 inch brads.

That said, my air stapler is my favorite for holding small material that requires strength. One staple is allot stronger than several brads or finish nails.

Eddie