Framing Nailer Advice

[dave1949]

I have a Porter Cable that uses 22* plastic collated nails in a stick. It has worked well for me, but hasn't had the amount of use described by others. I have used it with 8d, 12d and 16d size ~equivalent nails.

The plastic collate residue can be sharp and can bounce into your eyes, so absolutely wear safety glasses if you go that way. It can be annoying.

Compared to a coil nailer it needs reloading more frequently.

If you don't go with a Paslode, it's worth a little extra to get the light and flexible air hoses. They aren't as prone to kinking and catching on stuff and remain more flexible in cold air.
Dave.

 

[JJT]

Go to harborfreight and pick up one of their 30 deg. ( i think, they have all diff angles) gun it shoots 10 gauge and can be had on sale for $59.99. I do not own one cause i borrow a coworkers he built his whole deck and i redid a rough in on a porch where i reframed it and put in a new header. I also borrowed it to build my wood shed, it has held up and will shoot 3.5's. A box of galvanize coated nails from HF is only $34. I would buy one if i did not have th e option to borrow his whenever i need it. I have 3 HF nailers 18, 16, 15 gauge nailers and think they all are worth the money and are decent quality.

Oh it has the roundheads with the flat side on one side of the heads.

If you need a part time nail gun, go the harbor freight route. I bought 2 figuring I'd wear them both out building my 1200+ sq ft garage. They are both going strong with no issues. They were on sale, money well spent.

 

[studor]

The framing crews that I know around here have been switching to Paslode cordless machines since framing in winter with compressed air can be a PITA due to condensation in lines etc. I have a chinese knockoff nailer that has worked just fine for six years now -- If I were to buy now I would probably buy the kit (three nailers) as someone else mentioned

 

[MikePA]

Put me down for Paslode cordless. I have their framing and finish nailers and stapler. No more compressor and hoses.

 

[KeithT]

I did not have time to read through all the replies..... But, I HIGHLY reccomend you look at the campbell hausfield (sp?) 4 piece set from Lowes. You get a framing nailer, finish nailer, brad nailer, and a stapler for $229. I bought this set before building my 24x36 shop. The framing nailer never jammed once going through 2 boxes (5,000 each) of framing nails. I used the stapler to insulate my ceiling in the shop, used the brad nailer to install hardwoods in my home office storage closet (6x13), and used the finish nailer to install the hardi board on my shop. I have also loaned these out several times with no problems. The carpenters who built 80% of my shop were amazed how well the framer and finish nailer worked. They had Hitachi air tools but used mine because i had already bought nails. Their only complaint was the low capacity the framing nailer held.

For the guy who builds for a living I'm sure it is not the right tool. But for me it was the best money I have spent on tools in a long time. I still get the framing nailer out even to drive just a couple nails.

-Keith

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have Porter Cable and Harbor Freight. They both are fine. The PC is probably more durable but it cost more as well. If you want an Hitachi, check "Reconditioned Sales" They are the major surplus seller for Hitachi.

 

[nickel plate]

My big Hitachi is still going strong. Be sure to price compare the nails before you buy. When I bought mine, Paslode nails were extremly high in price. Stay away from any gun that only shoots clipped heads as they are might not allowed in your area for shear wall conditions due to the engineer's calcs which are generally based on full head nails of a given diameter and length.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

bostich has done me well.

 

[magicheater]

Been abusing my paslode 350 framer for years, all I have done to it is reseal the top gasket when a small leak showed up, no wonder as hard as I have used it, used to build houses for a few years. I have paslode finish and roofing nailers also. picked some ridgid brand finish nailers up but have not used them yet. Comparing Paslode and Hitachi may be like comparing Kubota and John Deere! Had to bring this back to tractors somehow!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I own a variety. My Finish nailer and brad nailers are Bostitch. My framing one is Campbell Hausfeld, and my stapler is Porter.

Only product I have ever had a problem with was my first framing nailer and it it was a Bostitch. Took it back twice and both were junk that leaked. Got the CH and have had no issues in 10 years plus.

Chris