AIR NAILERS

[CurlyDave]

...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.

In my neck of the woods they are called Teco nailers. (I think Teco was the first company to come out with one.) I have a Hitachi brand one and it works very well.

I strongly suspect that the "jack of all trades, master of none" description is going to apply here.

This nailer will handle 0.131" to 0.162" diameter nails. Do not be tempted to shoot 0.131" nails into any kind of metal bracket. 0.162 nails are the only ones that have sufficient shear strength.

 

[bearcreek paul]

I went with the harbor freight framing 3 in one. It's done 2 pole barns 1 24 x 36 the other 40x60 no problems. I have the light weight roofing nailer it's done 6 roofs no problems so far.

 

[PILOON]

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.

I think you are referring to a PALM NAILER--
Great invention, not only for nailing strong ties but very handy for hard to get at tight corners.

 

[SSdoxie]

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.

The sharper degree usually allows for getting into tighter spots, but do check availabilty and price of nails before deciding which might be best for your use. I have an Bostich that I've had for 25 years that hasn't failed me yet, first 10 years was full time construction. I use this for general framing because the nose piece is serrated circle so it graps good for toe nailing. I also picked up a 3 piece set of Campbell Hausfeld that work OK for the limited use I have. I like the full nail for doing siding and plywood. One thing I have found between the 2 framing nailers is the CH requires higher pressure to set the nail, my little compressor has more trouble keeping up with it than the Bostich.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

In my neck of the woods they are called Teco nailers. (I think Teco was the first company to come out with one.) I have a Hitachi brand one and it works very well.

I strongly suspect that the "jack of all trades, master of none" description is going to apply here.

This nailer will handle 0.131" to 0.162" diameter nails. Do not be tempted to shoot 0.131" nails into any kind of metal bracket. 0.162 nails are the only ones that have sufficient shear strength.

Thanks for all the replies. Even the Bostitch website is confusing about whether their F21PL guns will handle the 1-1/2" Simpson style nails. Some users claim they won't, others say no problem, one Bostitch spec sheet says capacity is 1-1/2-3-1/2", another say 2"-3-1/2". That doesn't inspire confidence, so I'll probably avoid that gun.

Maybe this is why Bostitch now makes the strapshot nailer that only fires 10d nails. Bostitch Strapshot Metal Connector Nailer MCN150 at The Home Depot

$219 for a metal connector nail gun that won't fire both sizes of MC nails...Makes my head hurt.

Regarding nail size - Simpson's spec sheet requires 10d .148 nails, which Bostitch sells as "Strapshot" nails, and Paslode calls a metal hanger nail. The 16d nails used for double shear nailing are .162x2-1/2 as CurlyDave says.

Simpson allows "common" nails to be used, with a reduction factor. Here's the table

http://www.strongtie.com/ftp/catalogs/c-2011/C-2011-p024-p025.pdf

I think I'll just keep on swinging the hammer...Its good exercise.

 

[Deere Dude]

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.

Just an observation about angle, and it may be wrong. I think nails are held together in a different angle for starters.

The feeder is also on a different angle to accept the angled nails. While using the gun 90 deg. perpendicular to the work surface, a 21 degree nail gun has the feeder 21 degree from the work surface. A 34 deg. feeder is 34 deg from the work surface. A 0 deg. gun like finish nailers are almost parallel to the work surface while using.


The advantage of a 34 deg. over a 21 deg nailer would be the nailer could get into smaller tighter areas with the magazine being in the way. There isn't a huge difference but if you look at Harbor Freight pictures on the internet, that seems to be the case. I use a 28 deg. nailer and a couple time with the magazine was tucked back a little farther, but not often enough to worry about it.

Hopefully someone else has a better answer.

 

[mikehaugen]

Just an observation about angle, and it may be wrong. I think nails are held together in a different angle for starters.

The feeder is also on a different angle to accept the angled nails. While using the gun 90 deg. perpendicular to the work surface, a 21 degree nail gun has the feeder 21 degree from the work surface. A 34 deg. feeder is 34 deg from the work surface. A 0 deg. gun like finish nailers are almost parallel to the work surface while using.


The advantage of a 34 deg. over a 21 deg nailer would be the nailer could get into smaller tighter areas with the magazine being in the way. There isn't a huge difference but if you look at Harbor Freight pictures on the internet, that seems to be the case. I use a 28 deg. nailer and a couple time with the magazine was tucked back a little farther, but not often enough to worry about it.

Hopefully someone else has a better answer.

I think you are correct, the downside I would think is that when collating the nails at that steep of an angle would make for more wasted space

 

[ustmd]

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.

A cheaper and easier solution for nailing the Strongtie contectors is a palm nailer. Will cost you $80-$100 bucks and uses the standard strongtie nails out of the plastic container. I bought the Rigid one from HD for the in-laws deck and it made a world of difference--my wife even used it. You have to feed the nails by hand (a magnet holds them in place), but it beats doing them with a hammer.

 

[DFB]

I believe you will find most 34 degree nailers made to use clipped head fasteners (which were originally designed to hold more nails in the magazine than FRH and are usually paper tape collated as opposed to plastic collation on the lesser degree guns. Second that steeper angle design can help for better gun placement in tight spaces. Obviously wet weather can be factor with using paper collated nails on an outdoor job. Most guns can operate with a few different types within their range like 30- 35 degrees. My PC FR350 is 22 degree but can also use 21 and 20 degree designated nails too. Cant be said enough here to check your local nail source and see whats popular unless you plan on mail ordering your nails.

 

[lutt]

Thanks for all this information guys,keep it coming. Learning a lot about air nailers LUTT