Starting the workshop-need advice on a nailgun

[MFL]

Evening guys,

I'm finally ready to start building my workshop on the out-of-square pad I had poured this summer (long story I'd rather forget /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif). The building will be 20x30 and stick built. Roof and skin will be in metal. In preparation, I went to the Carrollton (GA.) TSC yesterday and purchased a 6.5 hp, 22 gallon compressor to use with a nail gun. My problem is that all of the other projects I've finished like this have all been done the old fashioned way. I need some advice on what to look for in a nail gun before I make my purchase.

This project is pretty small, but I will be starting the horse barn and the hay/tractor shed this summer, and I want something that I won't out-grow. Price isn't a factor in the sense that most name-brand framing nailers seem to be in the $200-350 range, and I have the CFO convinced on the purchase /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. My questions are more toward which brand might be more dependable, what options I should look for, etc. Also, as the weather is getting colder and my bones are getting older, I'm interested in finding something that isn't going to make my arm numb. I'm sure anything will be better than swinging the Estwing, but if anybody has an opinion on the ergonomic viability of one model over another, I'd appreciate it!!

As always, thanks to all. Pictures will be posted as soon as they're available.

 

[johnday]

MFL; Thats a pretty hefty compressor for a nail gun. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Thinking ahead? I use both a Senco ProXL700 stick nailer [I think thats the right numbers], and a Stanley/Bostich coil framer. I like Senco because I can get places I can't with the Bostich, but I like the Bostich because it holds around 250 8D ringshanks for sheathing. Either one can use many different nails tho, and if I could have only one, it would be the coilframer. Both of them can get REAL heavy towards the end of a day /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MFL]

Thanks John! I was looking at a Porter Cable coil gun at Lowes but wasn't sure of the pros and cons of going with that style. As to the size of the compressor, when we were at TSC, I was looking at a 6 gallon pancake when the boss commented that she thought it looked a little rinky-dink, and that, "hey, this one looks nice and it's not too much more".

I feel it's every husbands duty to agree with their wife whenever possible! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As you said though, always good to plan for the future!

 

[johnday]

MFL; My partner has a PorterCable coil roofer. I like it. Almost anything from PorterCable is real quality, I just prefer the guns I own. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
p

 

[Henro]

First and most important advice on a framing nailer: BUY ONE!

When I built my shed (after years of building my own house by myself mostly) I got a fraiming nailer, then a finish nailer, and a roofing nailer and a brad nailer, and a stapler...that is the way it goes...

I still cannot believe how much faster and easier things go together with the pheumatic nailers. There is no turning back once you start down that path. Like the difference between a hand saw and a circular saw.

Anyway you already know that.

I have had good luck with PorterCable, but did a little more research on the roofing nailer and bought a Hitachi. Except for the roofing nailer, my nailers drive sticks of nails.

There are two kinds of nails used in framing nailers (or more?), round head and clipped head. The round head nailer is the kid I bought, as I thought that would be better, and give the nail head more holding power. The clipped head nails have a V cut into them, which I think, but are not sure, makes them fit closer together so you can get more nails per same lenght of stick. Some localities do not approve the use of clipped head nails.

Along with what members here can tell you, you can also dig up a lot of info on framing nailers with a web search.

Like I said, I am happy with what I bought, but I don't use it five days a week, 50 weeks a year...

I guess all I can really contribute is that while I also like to buy top shelf, it may turn out that less than best will work well for your needs if you are not using them on a daily basis.

One air nailer causes one to need another, and another...spending a little less on each makes buying more possible...

 

[MFL]

Henro,

Why the Hitachi if you were a Porter Cable guy? I'm curious because the HD's in my area carry Hitachi power tools at a typically lower price, but I've never owned anything made by them. Like you, I'm not going to be using the nailer on a regular basis, but have never liked saving money at the expense of quality. My three biggies are Porter Cable, DeWalt and Milwalkee, but I'm open to other brands if the quality is there. After all, I was raised in Moline, Ill., and I still bought Orange over Green. Nothing wrong with going with the "off" brand if it's a good product!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[mathey]

There was a nail gun thread on TBN a while back that you may want to check out.

I have a Porter Cable FR350 framing gun (full head) that I've been very happy with for the past 5 years. Just this past week I borrowed my neighbors Hitachi coil roof gun, and was very happy with that too. As for the compressor, I have a Campbell Hausfield 4hp/12 gal that works well in the shop, but kept tripping the breaker on my 5000w generator. So I'm actually looking for a much smaller compressor that will run the nailers, and be a bit more portable than the one I have.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue">Why the Hitachi if you were a Porter Cable guy? </font>

Oh no! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I thought I was a Kubota guy! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The porter cable just happened...then I decided I wanted the best roofing nailer (for reasons I don't remember) and did a lot of digging on the net, reading reports of actual users and so on, and decided to go with the hitachi coil roofing nailer. It just had very good reviews. It could just be that I fell back in to the "top shelf" mode that time... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Actually the brad nailer and staple driver might be a lesser brand that I don't remember the name of. I bought them at Sam's club I think, and they were my first nailers and what made me realize I needed more.

Bottom line is that for my use, which is not production, and not daily (except when doing something where I need them for a few days), all my nailers have performed essentially flawlessly. I do oil them regularly though. That is probably the most important thing one can do.

 

[MikePA]

Let's see, I have a Porter Cable coil framing nailer, a PC finish nailer and a PC brad nailer. Yep, I like PC nailers. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The coiler nailer I have is the COIL250. If I had to do it over again, I'd go for the COIL350. Oh, I also have a PC horizontal compressor.

BTW, don't forget to use stainless steel nails if you are using PT lumber.

 

[GATC35]

I have 4 nailers 3 Stanley Bostich and 1 Porter Cable. All seem to work well. For a barn project I would use my SB framing nailer. I think the model number is 80 ?? SN FN or something like that. I went with the SB because in my area a large selection ( ring shank, galvanized, etc. ) of nails seems to be easier to find for it than some of the other brands.

Notice you are a stones throw from me. I live in Fayetteville. I own some rental property just South of you off hwy 29 and Cedar Creek road.

Good luck on the barn project !!!