Framing Nail Gun

RamTruckMan · Mar 10, 2004

I bought 28 degree farming nailer from Harbor Freight and just finished up a job with it. I am very pleased with it. It never gave me a one bit of a problem. I was dubious about it myself. The day I started the project I went to Lowes and bought a Senco Nailer just in cases I got disqusted with the nailer. (never unwrapped the Senco). Lowes sure has a good return policy. I didn't want guys standing around if the nailer was a piece of junk. I was so impressed with the framing nailer I order a roofing nailer for $99.00. It seems very durable and was great for my project.

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JDgreen227 · Mar 11, 2004

I don't know if HF has different suppliers but am pleased to know you are happy with your purchase. That was a smart move on your part, having a backup nailer just in case.

Onthelake · Mar 11, 2004

Thanks for all the info. I went to HF the other day and took a look at one of their guns. It was OK but not the quality of the major brands. I kind of thought that. Since then I have found several places to get refurbished units from factory with 90 day warranty and about 60% to 75% cost of new. At that price I can use it and then sell on ebay for what I paid for it since it will be in good condition and look and act new. I know it seems like overkill to use a gun on a small building but I will be working alone and I also will be using 8 inch lap Hardi-plank siding so that will be a lot of nailing. Also, in the next couple of years I will be adding on to my house and will be doing some of the work myself. I think it will pay for itself.
Rod

_RaT_ · Mar 11, 2004

Hardi planks will require a nailer capable of good if not very good depth adjsutment. This seems to be where the coil nailers shine. I would suggest you go to Tools of the Trade magazine and do a search there for reviews on nailers and which ones set the nails best. Fine Homebuilding does reviews now and then as well as Journal of Light Construction. For work like you mention where depth is important, it's going to vey important you get the better or best gun for that job. Coil nailers are very handy for that and depth adjustment typically works very well. I agree that nailing cement boards are very advantageous with a pneumatic nailer.

Henro · Mar 11, 2004

Nothing is worse than a tool that does not work very well. I would hate to have a nailer that jammed up every dozen nails, or even every 50.

I bought a Porter-cable round head framing nailer last summer and it was the best thing I ever did...besides buying the first tractor...and the second...and finding a good wife...and...and...

You don't have to buy top of the line to get a good product, but be careful saving a few buck and then getting frustration as your reward.

That being said, I would myself try a cheaper product if I was sure I could get my money back if it did not perform well. Getting the money back would be key in my decision though.

MikePA · Apr 20, 2004

I revived this old thread to ask a question /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. I am in the market for a framing nailer as well and am leaning towards a coil nailer like the Porter-Cable COIL350 or the COIL250 . Why? The coil nailers look a lot easier to handle than the stick nailers. However, not having used either, I do not know if this is true. Is it? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

JimR · Apr 20, 2004

I have a Porter-Cable straight framing gun. I have had no problems with it so far.

OkeeDon · Apr 20, 2004

I have a Porter Cable stick framing gun and a used, battered Senco stick gun. They're pretty big, but you get adept at twisting around to get them in most tight places. One advantage over the coil gun is that they're narrower. I also have a used, battered coil roofing nail gun, can't remember the brand, it's yellow. One advantage is that the coils hold more nails, so you don't have to reload as often.

I like my Porter Cable framing gun more than my Senco, but the PC is a lot newer and has some features not on the old Senco. I haven't seen a new Senco. I bought the PC because the Senco was temporarily disabled, so I ran out to Home Depot and grabbed the Porter Cable off the shelf. They use different nails, but there are several suppliers of bulk nails in my area -- not unusual in an area where 6,000 homes were built last year.

MikePA · Apr 22, 2004

Where's a good place to buy the nails for these guns? Online? Box store?

I found a place online called DoItYourself.com . Are these prices any good? A box of 2 3/8 X .099 Coated Smooth Pack Of 3000 by National Nail is $42 with $21 for shipping. 3,000 nails will last me quite a while. I figured that 2 3/8" smooth shank would be a good all around nail, just the right length for connecting two 2 x boards. Thoughts?

BTW, I ended up buying the Porter Cable COIL250.

bebster · Apr 22, 2004

Why not go with a ring shank galvanized nail instead as your all-around nail? It will hold better, and can be used on pressure treated wood or outside projects. 2 3/8" x 0.113" diameter is the modern equivalent of a 8d box nail. 0.099" diameter seems like a thin diameter if you want some shear strenght in the nail. But it's not going to hold 2x4's together as well as a 3" nail.