Nail Guns
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Nail Guns
Completed remodeling and reroofing shop last fall and ended up pounding alot of nail, bottom line, these old bones have not recooped yet. Hopefully next project will be the garage. Looking into easing the pain and purchase a nail gun. It is necessary to buy a gun for framing, another for roofing, and another for floor and siding? Are there certain features I should look for..; for example, 'coil' vs 'strip' feeders, and 'straight' vs 'angle' gun, etc.? I have a portable shop compressor is pnematic preferred over electric? Finally, as far as nail guns are concerned, are some brands better than others. Any suggestions, rec's would be appreciated.
dave
dave
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
I'm not a carpenter, but I imagine a roofing nailer would be the same as a siding nailer. I think a framing nailer would be good for flooring, as long as it's a subfloor you're thinking of. Tongue and groove floors have a specific nailer again. Then, there is some flooring you can put down with a brad nailer. I've got 2, an electric 1" and an air 2".
I don't have any construction experience, so take what I wrote with a grain of salt. I'm sure a real carpenter will be along shortly.
I don't have any construction experience, so take what I wrote with a grain of salt. I'm sure a real carpenter will be along shortly.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
Your right about needing different guns for roofing.framing & trim work. They shoot specific types of nails. You can use the framing gun to shoot nails from a 6 to a 16 size nails. You could use a framing gun to nail siding in some cases. Pnematic guns are the most common. Paslode makes a line of gas guns that use propane & a spark to drive nails. I have a set of three that shoot 18 guage nails,16 guage nails & a framing gun.With these 3 I can do most of my projects. The type of feed like coil & stick & angled & straight depends on personal preference & type of use. Angled guns get into corners better than straight ones. Coil guns hold lots more nails than stick feed guns. You might be better off to rent the guns you need for your project. Unless you plan to use them a lot they are expencive & you will need about 4 to 5 different ones to do your garage
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
Get a good angled framing nailer, can be used on framing, hanging cement board siding (hardiplank), and can nail down 3/4 Plywood subfloors. Some use nails attached with paper, which usually allows for a few more nails, but have clipped heads, which is not up to code in some states. Others use nails tied together with plastic and use a full headed nail. I use 7/16 by 1/2 stapler for all decking and sheathing, i.e. osb or plywood for walls and roof. You will need a pneumatic compressor, doesn't really matter what size for these guns. Alot of people use the smaller pancake style for nail guns as they are not difficult to move around and inexpensive. BTW, for the roof, it is a coil nail gun, but you may just want to hire somebody to hang your shingles, as that gun is pretty much dedicated for roofing. The stapler and framing gun can be used all the time. Once you buy one, you will not want to swing a hammer again.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Rome, GA
I dont know if you already have a place to get on but check out www.grizzlyindustrial.com they have just about any type nail gun you could want. I know several people that have there equipment and it has held up well. The local trade school has one of their big planers and the instructors told me that it was a great investment and a lot cheaper than some of the other brands.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Each task has a specific gun that is why there are so many guns out there.
For framing I prefer the Hitachi 3-1/4 full head strip nailer.
For finishing I use the Hitachi 16g straight nail nailer.
I also use a Paslode angled nailer
these two shoot up to a 2-1/2 inch nail
For roofing I use the Bostich ridge runner (this gun is bulletproof)
For siding I use the bostich coilnailer
I DO NOT use any framing gun to nail siding or sub floors
Framing guns usually leave the plastic nail strip in the wall with the nail and this is a pain for paint prep.
Use a coilnailer for siding OR hand nail the siding
Nailing with a gun on the sub floor is tough because you can not feel the nails that miss. These are the nails that squeak after the house is done and the finished floor is installed- I prefer using a screw gun for sub floors.
these are my preferences and it took years to pick up all the nailers so buy good tools and they will last along time- name brands are easier to get part for too.
For framing I prefer the Hitachi 3-1/4 full head strip nailer.
For finishing I use the Hitachi 16g straight nail nailer.
I also use a Paslode angled nailer
these two shoot up to a 2-1/2 inch nail
For roofing I use the Bostich ridge runner (this gun is bulletproof)
For siding I use the bostich coilnailer
I DO NOT use any framing gun to nail siding or sub floors
Framing guns usually leave the plastic nail strip in the wall with the nail and this is a pain for paint prep.
Use a coilnailer for siding OR hand nail the siding
Nailing with a gun on the sub floor is tough because you can not feel the nails that miss. These are the nails that squeak after the house is done and the finished floor is installed- I prefer using a screw gun for sub floors.
these are my preferences and it took years to pick up all the nailers so buy good tools and they will last along time- name brands are easier to get part for too.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Really appreciate all the info., hope to start project within next 2-3 weeks. I have seen referrence to 70-120 psi to operate various nail guns, does amount of cfm compressor puts out critical. Have a small shop compressor that puts out about 6.5 cfm @ 90 psi, with max output of 150 psi. Appears barely meets min. requirements and could be working overtime. Considered purchasing used brand name but hesitant since am not that familiar with the equipment. Intend to start searching web and compare prices, appears at the top of the list would be the framing gun. Again, appreciate info.
dave
dave
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
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From: Edmonton, AB.
I've got a couple of brad nailers for smaller work that I use quite a bit. I rented a framing nailer for around 25 bucks for a day once. If your only going to use it once or twice maybe that's a way to go. The 3 1/2" framers and roofing nailers are fairly pricey.
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Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Thought about renting, intend calling and getting price on cost of renting vs purchasing and likely make decision for me. Kinda difficult to determine how long it would take to complete a particular phase of the project, couple helpers but none of us are what I would describe as experienced carpenters, as a result, what should take few days to complete could take several. Also find tend to work self to a frenzy trying to get as much out of self and equipment in as short as time as possible. Again appreciate the suggestions.
dave
dave
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
A framing gun is a great start. The newer bostich framing nailer has an attatchment that allows you to shoot joist hanger nails and it is usefull to install other types of metal connectors too.
Dewalt has Emglo based compressors. Emglo has been around for a long time as far as jobsite compressors go. I have an older 1.5 hp twin tank Makita that has worked for the last 10 years or so.
Have fun with the project.
Dewalt has Emglo based compressors. Emglo has been around for a long time as far as jobsite compressors go. I have an older 1.5 hp twin tank Makita that has worked for the last 10 years or so.
Have fun with the project.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels TX
I bought a framing nailer from harbor frieght on sale for about $70. I've put my 6' fence up so far. Should be starting the framing on my garage in the next week or so. Once I have the garage up I can throw it in the trash and still feel it paid for it self. Couldn't see paying several hundred for some thing I'm gonna never use again. It seems to be a half way decent gun but if I was making a living with it I'd get better qaulity.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Have time to shop the internet, not sure if ready for Central Pneumatic power tools, although, for the price certainly could save some money. Not familiar with the Grizzly but see on Amazon they have favorable reviews. Leaning towards saving money on the framing gun and putting the money into name brands for the others. As noted, don't see framing in my long term plans. Again appreciate the information.
dave
dave
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
CFM really does not matter that much on nail guns. And I agree with Khadma on most points. I use an Hitachi angle Framing nailer, and it does cement siding fine, as it is clipped head with paper tape. I also have had no problems with shooting down subflooring as I can tell when it hits or does not hit. You wouldn't be shooting down plywood subflooring on a garage anyway, would you? I noticed a typo on my above post, the staple size I shoot is 7/16 by 1-1/2 for decking and wall sheathing. My framing gun will shoot anything from 2-1/4" to 3-1/4" nails so it is versatile. If you are just trying to get by low budget, buy a versatile angle framing nailer and stapler (mine is a Marson), and you can get most of the work you need on a garage done with these two guns. Next in line, I would buy an angled finish nailer, but not needed unless you have alot of trim work.
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