Framing Nail Gun

[Onthelake]

I'm going to build a 12' X 16' storage shed and I am thinking it would be much easier with a Framing nail gun. I'm having a hard time justifying a new Senco, Max, Bostich, etc. so I've looked on ebay. Seems like they are still going for around $100 to $150 for one that looks like it has been well used. I went to Harbor Freight Web site and there are guns there for $99 on sale, reg. $199 and some for $129-$159 on sale. OK, now for the question.... has anyone used the HF nail guns made by Central Pneumatic? Will they hold up for home use? or am I better going for a used, well known, major brand?

 

[shvl73]

The one Central Pneumatic framer I've seen had a problem with shooting 2 nails at a time. I couldn't find a nail brand or angle that it seemed to like. It looked to be made well, so it could be just a matter of using incorrect nails. Check their return policy, if it can't use locally available nails, it won't help you. I have one of their 18ga. brad guns & it works quite well.
The repair kits for Senco & Bostitch are can be fairly expensive, eliminating any cost savings on a used tool if it doesn't work up to par.

 

[mathey]

there was a pretty extensive thread about this a while back...

framing nailer thread

 

[KubotaSteve]

I built a 12X16 barn style shed last spring and using my dad's Bostitch nailers it went together pretty fast. We have used his framing nailer quite extensively and never had to make any repairs. The key is to keep a good filter on it to keep moisture out. His roofing nailer we had to replace the trigger assembly as the O rings wore out. Another option is to get a good screw gun. Screws generally hold better than nails anyway. I screwed the wooden floor down and on some parts of the siding as well as the trim boards.

 

[Richard]

Do what I did or something similar...

I bought a refurbished floor nailer to install a 3/4" oak floor. Though refurbished, it looked absolutely factory new.

None the less, it retails for roughly $480 at Home Depot, I bought it for $340, I then sold it on EBAY (along with 1/2 box of staples) for $500!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Point being... don't be afraid to buy a new one...use it, then sell it.

Wifey wanted me to rent a nailer and (forgetting that we MADE money) had I sold it for what I had, or even lost $200, I'd had a GREAT deal on the fact of buying it and having it to use for a time period (relative to having had rented it)

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[_RaT_]

On such a little building, the real advantage of an air nailer will be in any of the sheathing. For plywood or OSB, 8's are typically called for. The stud walls can be nailed together by hammer in less then a day so your time savings would be almost insignificant. If you have some physical issue, the framing nailers can be a huge bonus, especially for overhead nailing. I generally prefer to hand nail 2X's on small stuff as I've always got the hammer out anyway knocking wood around getting it aligned.

I was given 2 Central Machinery electric tools that my father-in-law had purchased and never used. An impact wrench and a drill press. I gave the impact wrench away and gave the drill press back to my mother-in-law to give to another son-in-law. They looked fine bbut in my opinion, performed very poorly.

 

[newaukum]

I would stay away from the Harbor Freight tools. They are not worth the added hassle that the come with. If you want to find a good deal, try a pawn shop. I my area we even have shops that specialize in tools. Most will let you try it out before you buy it so you know what you are getting.

 

[jpr62902]

I bought a Porter Cable clipped head framer at Costco for, I believe, $199.00 four years ago. The things still goin' strong (and without a hitch) after quite a bit of use. Its also pretty easy to find nails since it will take Paslodes as well.

 

[JDgreen227]

Welcome to TBN, most new members post tractor related questions but you came to the right place for answers. I can vouch the HF nail guns are a clear case of "you get what you pay for". For a building the size of what you propose, nailing the framing together by hand would be better unless you have trouble swinging a hammer. HF guns are not well made and resale value is poor, I would not buy one myself. Unless you are planning to do more framing work down the road, I suggest you rent or borrow a quality nail gun for this project.

If you will use a nail gun frequently, buy something decently made. My dad liked to say: "Buy the best you can afford, you will be glad you did".

 

[CTyler]

I got a couple good deals off of Ebay on framing nailers. Bought a Max and a Bostich last year that looked virtually new for $150 and $160.

One has the bang fire the other does not, its just a trigger setup/change. The bang(contact) fire is really nice for sheathing, flooring, siding etc...

Sometimes you have to look a little but there are a number of peeps that buy these nailers for a small job then sell them.