Chilly807
Elite Member
I've got an Estwing 20 oz. framing hammer and I find it about right for hand nailing. The heavier ones are ok for gorillas and youngsters.
You're going to want at least 3-4 cfm at 90 psi for the nailer, in my experience. I've got an Eagle 4.5 cfm twin stack compressor (with oil). That runs my framing gun quite nicely and is fairly quiet. You'll need a good sized generator if you go that way, 3000-4000 watts to handle the starting current of the compressor.
If it were me, I'd consider hiring at least part of the job out, particularly if you're in a hurry. You're going to need some help anyway with rafters and walls... see if you can find a small contractor and work out a deal where you give them some help (and keep an eye on things) while they build it in exchange for a little bit of a break on the cost. They bring the air tools to the game, you buy a decent hammer and white hat. Even if all you're doing is cutting studs and passing them, it saves a lot of time that is better spent by paid pros doing what they do best.
We did that with our barn this summer, I used 9 weeks of vacation, the first two were helping the two framers we hired, the rest was doing the finish work myself with the wife helping on evenings and weekends. I don't have carpal tunnel, and it's tiring work if you're not used to it.
Use the right nails for the joist hangers, Simpson makes them the right size and length for that specific purpose. We used them on our hurricane ties for the roof, I still have half a box I think. They ARE a pig to drive, large diameter and short length, real finger smasher specials. If you're going to be doing it, buy a palm nailer from HD, the Ridgid is a good one for the money and can be used for other nails besides, very good for driving spikes in awkward spots. You'll need a compressor for that, though.
Sean
You're going to want at least 3-4 cfm at 90 psi for the nailer, in my experience. I've got an Eagle 4.5 cfm twin stack compressor (with oil). That runs my framing gun quite nicely and is fairly quiet. You'll need a good sized generator if you go that way, 3000-4000 watts to handle the starting current of the compressor.
If it were me, I'd consider hiring at least part of the job out, particularly if you're in a hurry. You're going to need some help anyway with rafters and walls... see if you can find a small contractor and work out a deal where you give them some help (and keep an eye on things) while they build it in exchange for a little bit of a break on the cost. They bring the air tools to the game, you buy a decent hammer and white hat. Even if all you're doing is cutting studs and passing them, it saves a lot of time that is better spent by paid pros doing what they do best.
We did that with our barn this summer, I used 9 weeks of vacation, the first two were helping the two framers we hired, the rest was doing the finish work myself with the wife helping on evenings and weekends. I don't have carpal tunnel, and it's tiring work if you're not used to it.
Use the right nails for the joist hangers, Simpson makes them the right size and length for that specific purpose. We used them on our hurricane ties for the roof, I still have half a box I think. They ARE a pig to drive, large diameter and short length, real finger smasher specials. If you're going to be doing it, buy a palm nailer from HD, the Ridgid is a good one for the money and can be used for other nails besides, very good for driving spikes in awkward spots. You'll need a compressor for that, though.
Sean
