Joist Hanger Nailer / Nailing

rdln · Mar 3, 2005

I am not in the biz and am gonna look to see what a palm nailer is but my first thought was needle nose pliers also.

TC, BTW the last time I showed up to help do framing everybody laughed at my estwing, said they will mess up your elbow due to the one piece design. Anybody know the truth to that?

tc35dforme · Mar 3, 2005

I've heard the same thing about Estwing or any other 'solid' hammer. I don't really do much hammering with the hammer...It's more of a weighted positioning tool with leverage /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. The hammering is mostly done by compressed air !!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

bugstruck · Mar 3, 2005

That rumor on the Estwings was around in the late 70's when I was framing. I didn't care for them but plenty of others did. Some of those old birds still use them. They may have health issues including some elbow problems but I don't think it's an Estwing issue. Most hammers in my framing days were 28 oz. and a few used 30 oz. + clubs. I used a 20 oz. Craftsman long handle with corrugated head. Sears still sells them and they still can't keep them on the shelf. I if could put a theory on the two I'd call the lighter head hammers a fast swing hammer and the heavier hammers a slow swing hammer. Depends on how you nail as to which one you prefer. I was a club head speed guy. They both do the same job at the same speed in capable hands. At risk of offending a few, nobody under about say 38, nah 45, years old can actually nail. I'm talking Carpenters here. Fun to watch the trying though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Don't be offended, when I was 20ish the older 50ish guys said we couldn't saw (handsaw). They were dead right on that one. Most wouldn't pull a circular saw out until you had maybe 20 or more 2 x 4 crosscuts stairing at them. They hated cords like I hate hoses. They were fun to watch.

But I can't argue with technology. Nearly 30 years later I think I'm finally going to admit to wanting to buy a framing nailer. Not so much for speed cause aside from nailing headers and sheathing there's not much to be gained speed wise. Don't jump in and contest this or I'll have to tell another story. But they are maybe a little better than twice as fast on sheathing as an old arm. As the years roll up, I think I'll like taking it a little easier on the bones. Only doing my own work currently and I think it's time to come into the modern world.

Matter of fact, I might even spring for one of those palm nailers. I would have had one of them in my day if they were around. We did allot of contorted nailing. Regarding the note above about turning your palm up to hold the nails. You mean there is another way?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

texbaylea · Mar 3, 2005

Before you condemn screws totally out of hand go to www.mcfeelys.com . their selection of square drive screws far surpasses any other I have found. I use 3"-#10 screws for all 2" lumber and my joints stay put.

For joist brackets I use a palm nailer with appriate sized nails. It much faster to do and easier.

Vernon

MikePA · Mar 4, 2005

<font color="blue"> Before you condemn screws totally out of hand... </font>

MarkV was not condemning screws. He was talking about using screws on hangers.

He said, "I’d be careful about using screws on hangers for important structural members. Most screws are not going to have the same shear strength that the joist hanger nails are engineered to meet. "

johnday · Mar 5, 2005

Derek; I emailed Simpson and they even replied! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif They told me that they have some hangers that use SDS screws, but they are more for larger beams and trusses, not for common joists. They also stated that screws, because of their smaller shaft diameter "usually" have less shear strength than common nails. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Looks like we're both right to a point.
I DO NOT use screws anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I go by the instalation instructions Simpson provides in their literature, like use all holes, and the proper size nails.
I tried to scan and post what Simpson sent me, but computers and I get along like oil and water.

I'm going to get into some of my back issues of the trade mags I get and find those structurally rated screws. It seems they were pretty expensive though, and I doubt Simpson or Kantsag would reccommend them, but they are there. I think they may have been out of Canada. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif