Best nail guns?
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
Best nail guns?
I'm planning to build my own house in the next couple years, and I'm going to have to add to the tools I already own. Top on the list will be some air nailers- probably 3, framing, finish, and roofing. Anyone have anything good (or bad) to say about the different brands? What size compressor will I need? What about the nails themselves- any preferences? Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
I've used nail guns for about 30 yrs. The best I've ever owned were Hitachi. I used Porter Cable alot due to the lower price but they give lots more trouble than my Hitachi guns. I also like the fact the Hitachi framing guns shoot full head nails. Most other brands shoot clipped head nails whick don't hold as well. I've heard some states are requiring the full head nails. I've shut down my company & sold most of my guns. I kept a set of Paslode Impulse guns for my home projects. They are gas fired & work great for the small jobs I do. I have a framing gun & a 16 guage trim gun & a 18 guage pin gun. I used generic nails when I was subcontracting. They were about 30% cheaper than the name brand nails & worked just as good. If you are using only one gun you can get by with a good 2 hp compressor with a 4 gal tank. I used a hitachi & a emglo 2 hp hi output compressors when I was trimming houses. They would run 3 or 4 trim guns ok.They can't run a framing gun fast but I have framed many jobs with mine. You could get a 2 hp with bigger tanks & run 2 framing guns.
Last edited by lariat97; Dec 5, 2006 at 04:42 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
i worked for a contractor for a few months, I used the Hitatchi, Porter Cable and the a hose-less one that used cartridges, i don't know if it was the Paslode Impulse mentioned by lariat97, but the gun was orange. never had a problem with any of them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 2
I have all of the Senco products; however I am not a professional and don't use them as a professional. I am totally satisfied.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 14
From: cape may county NJ
I know alot of builders and used to repair nail guns but have turned that over to my partner that repairs power tools and has a sharpening shop.Paslode is a very good gun and is nice that you dont need a air compressor.Senco also has nice guns and are simple to repair or have repaired just keep them clean.Hitachi I dont know alot about there framing or trim guns but there roofing guns are one of the best built guns on the market and are rental duty.Porter cable,the old guns are built good but some of there newer guns like there cordless are heavy and we get alot of them in for repair.I think black & decker own them along with Dewalt.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I have a Senco framer and it's great. But I have seen guys using others that appear much smaller and lighter and do the same work. Consider size and weight when you choose.
I have a 16ga and an 18ga Porter Cable finish guns which are great. (I have not used all the others for comparison.)
I have a 16ga and an 18ga Porter Cable finish guns which are great. (I have not used all the others for comparison.)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
The Bostich guns are are ok guns too. I forgot about Senco. They build great guns.I quit using them because their nails for the trim guns cost so much. I could buy 3 times as many for the Porter Cable & Hitachi guns for the same price. If you are just planning on using your guns for home use any name brand gun will do the job. Get whatever is available in your area & has a service shop local. I worked my guns full time in a subcontracting business. I used mine more in a wk than you would use yours in a yr. I had 15 trim guns when I quit subbing plus several framing 18 guage & staple guns.
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,086
Likes: 2,440
From: NY and VA
You are better off getting a nailer that will drive full headed nails. Haven't seen DeWalt mentioned yet, I have a stick framing nailer that works real well. The only problem with the stick is that you have to stop and reload more often. Which does give you a break. I also have a Bostich coil nailer that wont drive 16d nails (back to auth. repair center several times) 6, 8, and 10's work fine so I use it for decking and sheathing. Have had my Porter Cable roof nailer for about 10 years with no problems. Finish nailer is a Senco again with no problems. The Hitachi roof nailer seems to handle generic nails better than others I have used. If it is just you nailing, a pancake comp will be ok, esp. for inside the house for trim work. Most of the time I use my 4 HP 20 gal tank, or hook up to my 5hp 80 gal tank.
!["Beemer Nut"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23bc5285' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)