Screws vs. Nails - Prepping to build a Shed/Garage for my Harleys

[MossflowerWoods]

Buy a Hitachi full head framing nailer. It pops nails in just like you would drive with a hammer. Very nice tool. Trust me... I'm extremely picky!

Framing with screws is an overkill IMHO and slower. Plus it's more expensive I believe. And will hurt your wrists more than a nail gun.

PapaPerk,

Lowes in my neighbor hood has a 7lb, 7.5lb, and a 7.9 lb at 3 different prices. the 7.5 is highly rated on lowes.com as is the 7lb.

Which one do you use?

Right now I'm thinking get a small generator, maybe upgrade the air compressor, and run an air nailer (get a framing nailer and a finish nailer and I should be good to go, right?)

I like the round head nailer idea. BUt how do they make clips of round head nails?

Thanks,
David

 

[tcreeley]

Use a nailing gun. I like Porter Cable. Hit the nails at different angles- hold great. Screws are a harder steel- sometimes snap under flex pressure. (rails on fenceposts and heaving ground, pushing snow). Nail gun is faster to use.

 

[boxygen]

My brother borrowed my small oilless hot dog compressor and nailgun. He helped his friend work on his camp and ran the compressor off a generator. THe compressor ran for a while but then crapped the bed. He did take it to an electrical repair shop to get it fixed. Fried a capacitor or something in the motor. Just my experience.

 

[CurlyDave]

A standard nail gun (any brand, including Hitachi) is not going to set nails in joist hangers. You need a special nail gun which allows the tip of the nail to protrude slightly so you can feel the hole in the joist hanger and get the nail into the hole properly.

The nail gun you want for joist hangers is called a "Teco Nailer" pronounced Tea-Co. You can get ones made by all the standard manufacturers, Hitachi, Bostich, etc. They are pricey.

The other way you can handle this situation is to use a palm nailer and loose joist hanger nails. Home Depot has a Rigid palm nailer for $90-100, which will do the job for a shed. For a whole house, you want a real Teco nailer. The short magazine Hitachi is very nice. The short magazine lets you get into tighter spots, and reloading is not that big of a deal.

If you have carpal tunnel, spend the $$ on a Stiletto TiBone 15 oz framing hammer. Drives nails just a hard as a 22-24 oz. standard framing hammer, but is much lighter and easier to handle.

In general nails have higher shear capability, which is what you want for framing.

I have never seen anyone who used a framing nailer who didn't also have a hammer in his tool belt. There will be plenty of hammer work no matter what framing nailer you use.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

A standard nail gun (any brand, including Hitachi) is not going to set nails in joist hangers. You need a special nail gun which allows the tip of the nail to protrude slightly so you can feel the hole in the joist hanger and get the nail into the hole properly.

The nail gun you want for joist hangers is called a "Teco Nailer" pronounced Tea-Co. You can get ones made by all the standard manufacturers, Hitachi, Bostich, etc. They are pricey.

The other way you can handle this situation is to use a palm nailer and loose joist hanger nails. Home Depot has a Rigid palm nailer for $90-100, which will do the job for a shed. For a whole house, you want a real Teco nailer. The short magazine Hitachi is very nice. The short magazine lets you get into tighter spots, and reloading is not that big of a deal.

If you have carpal tunnel, spend the $$ on a Stiletto TiBone 15 oz framing hammer. Drives nails just a hard as a 22-24 oz. standard framing hammer, but is much lighter and easier to handle.

In general nails have higher shear capability, which is what you want for framing.

I have never seen anyone who used a framing nailer who didn't also have a hammer in his tool belt. There will be plenty of hammer work no matter what framing nailer you use.

CurlyDave,

AWESOME Post! Very informative.

My orthopedic surgeon says it is the vibrations that tear my wrists up, not the weight. He says the #1 group with carpal tunnel issues are JackHammer operators. Chainsaws are up there too. He said it is the impact vibration of the hammering and not the weight of the hammer. BUt I'm going to go look for one of these regardless!

Thanks again!
David

PS - Of course you know this already, but David's are all smarter and better looking than all other guys. Good to know you Dave!

 

[DAY]

Didn't this tale start with TWO motorcycles? Have the orthopedic surgeon check out the other rider's wrists, and if they pass muster, make a deal. You'll learn how to work the stove/washing machine/vacuum cleaner, and this "other rider" will learn how to work a nail gun. . .:thumbsup::laughing:

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Didn't this tale start with TWO motorcycles? Have the orthopedic surgeon check out the other rider's wrists, and if they pass muster, make a deal. You'll learn how to work the stove/washing machine/vacuum cleaner, and this "other rider" will learn how to work a nail gun. . .:thumbsup::laughing:

Day,

ACTUALLY... I have 4 Harley's (3 are mine, one is hers) and I know how to work the stove/vac/washer already so she will NEVER go for this... But she did own an MG once, and she wrenched it more than she ever got to drive it... She could do it, she helped me build a big old cedar fence years back, she'd just tell me to "Charge It"...



Besides, working with my hands and building stuff is therapy for my mind (if not my wrists).

David

 

[DAY]

she did own an MG once, and she wrenched it more than she ever got to drive it...

Sounds like mine (1962 MGA)

 

[tcreeley]

My porter cable 3 1/2 nailer will drive nails through the joist hanger even when I miss the hole. Messy sometimes.

 

[LD1]

My porter cable 3 1/2 nailer will drive nails through the joist hanger even when I miss the hole. Messy sometimes.

Very dangerous though. If you are on just a tad too much angle, the nail can glance off and ricochet around the shop:confused2: Dont ask me how I know. I will never use a nail gun on ANYHTING but wood from now on.