Which type, then brand of framing nailer?

newbury · Apr 6, 2015

Well, so far it's 6 to Hitachi and half a dozen to Porter cable.

Thanks for the advice on different nails.

Now I have to determine what fires full round-head nails for PT wood for a price that suits me.

/edit does anyone know which Hitachi or PC meets those specs?

LD1 · Apr 6, 2015

I cannot speak to the PC or hitachi, but bostitch nails are available at all the box stores around here. 2"-3" nails are ~$30 for 2000 count boxes. 3-1/2" nails are more. For galvanized, they are about triple that.

roadhunter · Apr 6, 2015

When I needed a framing nailer I decided to go on amazon and see what had the best reviews. I had never herd of freeman but the price was right and the reviews were great. So far it has worked fantastic. I'm not usually one to buy no name tools but people seem to like these nailers.

newbury · Apr 6, 2015

Well I'll still probably keep an eye out for a Hitachi nailer but the shed plans are now locating it about 50 yards further from power so we will probably go with screws and cordless screwdrivers.

Thanks for all the responses.

Rustyiron · Apr 6, 2015

You also have a stick/coil decision to make! :laughing:
Hitachi makes a fine nailer, as does Senco, Pasload, DuoFast. A couple of things to also consider is (local) availability of generic nails for a big cost saving and the eventual need for service. Usually an o ring kit or maybe part of the external (safety) mech. I have a 30+ year old Duo Fast that can still be rebuilt @ around $70 at a local guy.
I like a "stick" gun. Gotta weigh out your needs, a DIY'er might only shoot a box of nails in 2 years while a framer might use a couple of box's a day (more than one gun).

PILOON · Apr 6, 2015

I also should have added that I did a lot of pneumatic tool repairs for a friend that had a used tool business as a sideline.
I also know a few tool rental shops and the better ones will swear by Hitachi as they are the lowest of maintenance.
So when I suggest Hitachi consider that as a professional recommendation.
With Hitachi ALL parts are available and not as a costly "kit" either.
There are some brands that will only sell a complete kit while all you need is a driver pin.(kit being 60% of new tool at retail)
As to 'no brand' tools, forget any part at all.

CurlyDave · Apr 7, 2015

newbury said:
...Now I have to determine what fires full round-head nails for PT wood for a price that suits me.

The minimum requirement for PT wood is hot dip galvanized, although I have seen and used double hot dip galvanized nails. I don't know if you can buy stainless framing nails, but I can tell you from experience that modern PT wood will corrode poorly galvanized nails to nothing in 7 or 8 years.

newbury · Apr 7, 2015

newbury said:
Well I'll still probably keep an eye out for a Hitachi nailer but the shed plans are now locating it about 50 yards further from power so we will probably go with screws and cordless screwdrivers.

Thanks for all the responses.

I should have written Dewalt 20Vmax cordless drill/hammer drill/impact drivers. I've bought several kits and we have about 8 batteries, mostly 4 and 5 amp. It's a lot easier with those, not having to string electrical, carry compressors, etc.

EddieWalker · Apr 7, 2015

newbury said:
Well, so far it's 6 to Hitachi and half a dozen to Porter cable.

Thanks for the advice on different nails.

Now I have to determine what fires full round-head nails for PT wood for a price that suits me.

/edit does anyone know which Hitachi or PC meets those specs?

Porter Cable used to have a fair reputation. Kind of like DeWalt. OK tool for the home handyman grade tools. Then they where bought out and went to China. There the company split it into two companies, Porter Cable and Rockler. Rockler being the low end version of what Porter Cable used to be, and then they cheapened Porter Cable with different parts. Another good example is looking back on Black and Decker to what it is today.

Hitachi is the up and coming tool company that doesn't make everything yet. What they do make, they do well. Some things they do extremely well. Framing guns is probably what they are most famous for in the tool world, and what they do Very Well!!!!

Stick with full head nails and pay what it costs. I've never regretting paying more for quality or the best I could find, but I always regretted paying less when there was something better available.

Eddie