AIR NAILERS

[buckeyefarmer]

Bostich has been great.

 

[EddieWalker]

If you look at what professional framers use, it is almost always Hitachi. And there is a good reason. if their nailer quits working in the middle of the day, they may lose half a day's pay. For a DIY guy, the situation is worse. You will lose one of the few weekend days you have for the project.

A good Hitachi nail gun is ~ $250-290. For a framer, it will last many years, for a DIY guy, it will last a lifetime. Buy quality and you will not be disappointed. The other issue is that a quality nailer has better adjustments, and is easier to use. If I frame something once a year and want to get the same quality as a pro who does it every week, I need an easy to use tool, not one that I am constantly fiddling with, especially if I am not really confident that I know all the nuances of the job.

If you haven't bought it yet, the standard is full round head, and just buy a nailer that takes those nails. There is no reason to fool around with anything else, especially when you could get shut down by a new inspector if you do. Standard nails are available, they are reasonably priced, and they work great. Don't start off by deliberately choosing a potential headache when the right tool is on the shelf next to the wrong one.

I have Hitachi framing and finish nailers, and a Hitachi Teco nailer. I do have a Ridgid 1/4" crown stapler and it works OK, but if I had it to do over, I would have gone for higher quality.

Let me add one thing to what Dave said. I've owned several brands of framing guns and currently have a Hitachi full head gun that is by far the best I've ever used. Not only is it reliable, but it's light and well ballanced. After thousands of nails, light really means a lot!!!!

Of the other brands listed, I would classify them as OK to pure junk. What will get you buy, isn't going to be something that you want to use on a regular basis or for very long. My dad likes to buy cheap and is all about what he can save. Now that he is living here and using my tools, he has started to replace his more affordble tools with higher end tools. It's not that a better framing gun will drive a nail in any better, but you will have more control and at the end of the day, less fatigue. I also feel that the better quality tools will last so much longer that you get your money back on just buying the one good tool instead of replacing it all the time.

Eddie

 

[lutt]

Let me add one thing to what Dave said. I've owned several brands of framing guns and currently have a Hitachi full head gun that is by far the best I've ever used. Not only is it reliable, but it's light and well ballanced. After thousands of nails, light really means a lot!!!!

Of the other brands listed, I would classify them as OK to pure junk. What will get you buy, isn't going to be something that you want to use on a regular basis or for very long. My dad likes to buy cheap and is all about what he can save. Now that he is living here and using my tools, he has started to replace his more affordble tools with higher end tools. It's not that a better framing gun will drive a nail in any better, but you will have more control and at the end of the day, less fatigue. I also feel that the better quality tools will last so much longer that you get your money back on just buying the one good tool instead of replacing it all the time.

Eddie

Thanks for chiming in Eddie, I was hoping you would. I know that you probly use one at work 90% of the time. I think you guys have changed my mind. I would not skimp on mechanics tools,so why should I on a air nailer. I still will be out at work for 2-3 wks. When I get in, and buy one, I will let yall know what I got. :thumbsup:Thanks for everyones replys. LUTT

 

[jwstewar]

Sounds like you've pretty much decided, but I'll chime in anyway. I have the PorterCable FC350. That is one that takes the Clipped Head. It has been a very good nailer. I've built a 12x16 shed, my 30x48 pole barn (OSB walls & roof), framed and finished 1800 sq ft. of basement along with who knows what else. Has worked great, no problems. I also have an 18 ga DeWalt Brad Nailer that I got free when I bought my DeWalt miter saw. It has also peformed great. Then I needed a stapler to staple some chicken wire on the fence around my wife's garden. I bought a Harbor Freight. It has always worked OK, but the way the foot was made it wouldn't stay on the wire. I ground it down flat and it works fine. I also have a Tradesman (that is all that I could find at that time locally) palm nailer. I love that little thing. It drove those pole barn spikes like there was no tomorrow vs. the 22 oz. framing hammer bouncing off them. For $59 bucks or something like that, that thing was (well still is, haven't used it since) it was tool well worth the price for one time use.

 

[lutt]

Sounds like you've pretty much decided, but I'll chime in anyway. I have the PorterCable FC350. That is one that takes the Clipped Head. It has been a very good nailer. I've built a 12x16 shed, my 30x48 pole barn (OSB walls & roof), framed and finished 1800 sq ft. of basement along with who knows what else. Has worked great, no problems. I also have an 18 ga DeWalt Brad Nailer that I got free when I bought my DeWalt miter saw. It has also peformed great. Then I needed a stapler to staple some chicken wire on the fence around my wife's garden. I bought a Harbor Freight. It has always worked OK, but the way the foot was made it wouldn't stay on the wire. I ground it down flat and it works fine. I also have a Tradesman (that is all that I could find at that time locally) palm nailer. I love that little thing. It drove those pole barn spikes like there was no tomorrow vs. the 22 oz. framing hammer bouncing off them. For $59 bucks or something like that, that thing was (well still is, haven't used it since) it was tool well worth the price for one time use.

THANKS! I will still take input from you guys. Your projects were similar to what the wife and I are about to start. I have to put some fence around our garden this year also. The deer was eating things up,that was okay till it came to the wifes tomatoes,that didnt go over very well:laughing: Thanks again LUTT

 

[flusher]

Hey guys/gales, need some advice on a framing nailer and finish nailer,not junk,but not over the top either. Something a homeowner could use from time to time and not break the bank.:shocked: I have several projects starting this year,finishing a basement which will require several studded walls,a fairly large deck to build,and dividing my shop into a heated cooled workshop in the back of it.My shoulder dont like hammer swinging much anymore for any length of time. I figure the projects section would be about as good as any place to start this thread. There is always some great building going on here:thumbsup: I do also realize you get what you pay for. THANKS LUTT

I've used the Harbor Freight 6-in-1 framing nailer on a half dozen projects. Probably drove more than 10,000 nails with that unit without a miss. Cost: $89

 

[tnmike]

I have the HF 3 in 1 framer and a staple/brad nailer. Both have been flawless. I oil them before every use.

 

[deerseeker001]

i also have a paslode framing nail gun and also brad nail gun.i like them both,did a lot of work with them.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Can I ask a couple questions without derailing the thread? I've been researching nailers as well for an upcoming project.

Is one angle better than another for framing, say 21 vs 33 degree? or 28?

Does anyone have one of the newer positive placement guns that shoots strong-tie nails? Are they worth it? I hate driving those things by hand and an leaning towards something like a bostitch f21 that will handle both types of nails.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can I ask a couple questions without derailing the thread? I've been researching nailers as well for an upcoming project.

Is one angle better than another for framing, say 21 vs 33 degree? or 28?

Does anyone have one of the newer positive placement guns that shoots strong-tie nails? Are they worth it? I hate driving those things by hand and an leaning towards something like a bostitch f21 that will handle both types of nails.

See what nails are common in your area. All sizes and types such as coated and ring shank deck naiks. Mine is 28 deg and I never have trouble finding nails.

Chris