Nail Gun Education

[Moparfanforever 844]

Hey Guys , May be looking to buy a finish and framing nailer and hoping someone out there can help me out.
 

I will be using them for small projects around the house so i will not need anything a contractor would use. Maybe a small shed , lean - to , door frames , trim lumber , etc ...
 

I would really like to know this .. I see you can buy nailers and nails in different " degrees " , 21,28,34 , what does the degree part mean ??
 

Clipped head and full head nails ?? All i have ever hammered in the big gauge nails is full head , what is the advantage of clipped head nails ?? Just a big finish nail ??
 

I have been thinking about buying these , they have good reviews ..

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-gaug...ler-98751.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/16-gaug...ler-68023.html

 

And how big of a compressor would i need to run framing nailer ?? I would like a compressor that you can carry around if possible.

 

Anything else anyone can add would help !!

[stevasaurus 22,700]

As far as a compressor, the round yellow ones (I think from Home Depot) (Dewalt???) are plenty for the finish nail gun, and will work for the framing nail gun also.  You may have to wait for the pressure to build if you are doing rapid nailing with 20 penny nails (3 1/2)...but will handle home projects with ease.  I think full head is better, especially with plywood, chipboard, etc.  One thing to watch is the gauge of the nails with the finish nail guns.  I have an 18 ga. Botsch which I like very much...but I would buy a larger gauge if I had to do it over...the difference between shooting a wire and a nail with substance.

 

Nail guns are the way to go with trim, especially Oak...no need to pre-drill and no hammer marks.  I do not know what the degrees you are talking about mean.  One other thing...check to make sure that it will shoot different makers of nails.  It is no good if you have to drive to only one outlet to get nails...and they stopped carrying them.    Buy a good name.

[Lars 526]

Degrees is just how nails are bound together, less degrees the flatter magazine normaly it is 17-21-34..  and if u buy a gun that is 21 degrees you need to use 21 degrees nails in it etc..

[Iggy68 28]

Here is some info for you.

Frame gun

1. Buy one that shoots .131 diameter nails. There is a smaller gauge nail that will work but the .131 will do everything.

2. There are numerous brands the use the same degree of nails. Paslode and hitachi for example. By one that nails interchange like stevasaurus said.

Finish gun

There are actually two types of finish nailers. One is called a pin nailer. It shoots lighter gauge nails. I can't remember the gauge off the top of my head. This gun is used for light duty nailing and leaves very small holes. This gun isn't used to nail baseboard to the wall. It is more for nailing casing to the door jamb, screen molding, corners together on trim. It will nail small pieces of trim together without splitting it.

The second style is for the bigger work and has a much heavier gauge nail. It will drive a nail through 3/4" oak no problem. It can also be used for the molding to molding nail and will do fine. There is a limitation of how small of wood you can nail together and not split it.

The degree of the nail is helpful for getting into tight areas. If it is a 90 degree nail gun it is harder to get into corners.

I have both a pinner(brad nailer) and a finish gun. Most people do not need both. I only have them because I did carpentry work years ago to make a living.

All of these guns can be run off of a fairly small compressor easily.

I am out of town right now but I will be home tomorrow and would be glad to take some pics of my guns and the nails so you can see what I am talking about.

Hope this helps.

[DOC in Kentucky 178]

I have a couple of small nail guns with a "pancake" type compressor and the gun determines the degree of brad/nail it uses. As said above,"its the only way to install moldings"  and I use them for all types of home projects. I also have a gas cylinder/battery powered framing nailer that I use for 16 penny nails on larger projects. Once you use these types of tools you will vever need a hammer except to hang pictures!!! Just my 2 cents!

[Jeremy Watson 22]

I have 7 nailers/staplers all together. As stated above a small air compressor can run them all. It's all about how fast you pull the trigger. If you pull it faster then the air compressor can keep up it just won't drive the nails in all the way. Finish nailers are more about what your nailing. There 16ga, 18ga, 23ga (pin nailer). I use all 3 during trim work. 16 for baseboards. 18 for casing. 23 for detail molding. If I was to buy just one it be the 18.

Good luck

[groundhog47 347]

There's a place that sells new and refurbished tools, (CPOoutlet.com) . They had a bargain deal on a kit that Lowes also has that was refurbished, compressor, hose, tote bag, some brads, nails, staples, finish nailer, brad nailer, and stapler for just under 200. It easily drives 16p 3 1/2 " nail  approx 8-10 before rebuild pressure. Its all Bostitch but they have some other refurbs. Like Jeremy said if you go faster than pressure builds back up, incomplete /non flush drive. On Docs report that's a definite yes, the only draw back, cost of havin fun while doin' work....and they have some in RED also. 

Edited May 5, 2013 by groundhog47

[Don1977 604]

Some building codes won't accept the clipped head nails.

[Moparfanforever 844]

Thanks for all the info on the nailers. I do need to get a good nailer that shoots finish nails and i am on the fence about getting a framing nailer , but i would get one if i find one on sale. I do understand what the " degree " thing is about on the guns now.

 

Groundhog47, thanks for the website , i will look it over today.

 

I did find this set online at lowes .. http://www.lowes.com/pd_325598-43657-CHN90598DI_0__?productId=3152213&Ntt=campbell+hausfeld&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dcampbell%2Bhausfeld&facetInfo= all the reviews are good , but the information on the framing gun is vague. I may go to lowes and see what i can find about it. It is just for the occasional weekend warrior , but that is probably all i need.

[groundhog47 347]

Some building codes won't accept the clipped head nails.

Owe Don, that's good to know, guess can understand why though,  down here they are gettin' more strict on hurricane/wind guidlines even 350 mis from coast. thanks,

[CasualObserver 3,408]

Sounds like most of the bases have been covered.  The only thing I would add is encouragement to check out resellers of quality nail guns rather than buying the cheap import from Harbor Freight.  You can usually find them around the same price point and get a much nicer gun.  Two years ago I was shopping for my framing nailer to build a garden shed.  I was considering the Harbor Freight one as well, but found a reconditioned Porter Cable for the same price. Haven't regretted that one bit.  The reconditioned gun didn't even look like it have ever been used.  You may also consider watching craigslist.  It's the time of year for builders to get back underway, so sometimes you can find a good deal from someone who is upgrading and getting rid of their old stuff.

 

That all being said, I haven't used the Harbor Freight ones, so I can't speak to how they would perform.

 

You'll find that they are extremely handy to have around the house.  You probably won't find as much use for the framer as you will for a lighter gauge.  I also have a 16ga finish nailer and an 18ga brad nailer/stapler.  I use them quite a bit.  Probably the 16 more than the 18.  I also intend to add a 15 ga at some point, just to get the little bit heavier nail with a more maneuverable gun.  The framer would do it, but it's kind of clunky and awkward sometimes.

[redidbull 54]

I have a couple harbor freight guns and a compressor my Wife bought me years ago from Target. We built a deck using the framing gun, 21 degree. We were not firing away so it was rare to have a nail not sink. When they did a quick whack with the hammer set it. The guns are good from HF for the average home owner. Jim

[can whlvr 993]

take a look at the battery powered nailers,they are very handy,the dewalt 18 volt finish nailer is great,it shoots 18 gauge nails,passlode nails which are available every where,and no compressor or hoses,the passlode framer that uses gas cartridges and battery are also very handy,also uses a 31 degree nail which is the most common strip nail,which is what is clipped head,thats how they fire when they are in a strip,the round head  are coil nails,the  only thing about the battery powered they are more money to buy but no compressor needed

[wh500special 2,160]

When I started my basement fininshing project I bought a cheapo Husky framing nailer from Home Depot.  It had two features I liked: 

1.  It took full headed nails which my building inspector told me I needed.

2.  Replacement nails were available from many different manufacturers at both Depot and Lowes and were cheap.  I wasn't concerned about what the angle was, I was more concerned that I could easily procure nails in my neighborhood that would fit the gun.  I've forgotten the angle it drives at.

I think it was this one:  http://reviews.homedepot.com/1999/202188286/frame-nailer-and-stack-tank-compressor-kit-reviews/reviews.htm

 

 

 

The nailer was cheap and it drove everything I asked of it without fail.  These are simple devices internally, so even the cheap ones ought to be pretty reliable.

 

We have Bostich framing nailers at work we use regularly for building crates.  The nails they require are wire-collated and seem to be harder to find and pricey compared to the plastic collated nails my Rigid uses.

 

Take that for what it's worth.

 

I also have a handful of brad nailers and pinners at home.  All of them are Bostich.  But they will accept nails, pins, and staples from other manufacturers.  i don't own a finish nailer...yet.

 

I don't like cordless (battery) tools for anything I don't use regularly.  Battery lifetime becomes a problem for things that sit around a lot.

Edited May 6, 2013 by wh500special

[decksetter 50]

Did you ever make the purchase?  I'm a little late on the thread...

 

When buying an air compressor, make sure you get one with a decently high max psi.  I say that because you're going to want to run a pretty high pressure to shoot framing nails in, and if your compressor doesn't kick on until the tank drops below 100 that won't cut it.  I wouldn't buy a compressor with a max psi less than 150psi, and that rules out most of the harbor freight compressors.

 

I'm a carpenter by trade, and I've got to say, I'm impressed by the Bostitch TrimAir compressor.  It's about 2.6cfm at 90psi if I'm remembering right, but the tank is TINY.  Doesn't take any time at all to pump back up, and it will keep up with one gun doing anything you want to do unless you're a fast framer.  I use one at work all the time, it's crazy light weight, and it has held up really well.

 

As far as nail guns, the problem with most of the homeowner grade guns is they're really bulky.  A Senco framing gun is a lot better balanced than any Bostitch framer I've ever used, which may still be way ahead of a Harbor Freight gun.  You will want something you're comfortable with, keep in mind that your safety is a big issue.  If you shoot a 3 1/4" nail at 120psi, it WILL penetrate any body part it heads toward.  If it's a finger, it will probably go in one side and poke out the other.

 

Because of the safety issue, I would buy one that uses paper tape nails instead of wire weld.  If a nail DOES go through your finger it will come out a lot easier if there's not a wire attached to it.  Generally the wire weld nailers have less angle than paper tape nails.

 

 

For trim guns, I've always really liked the Bostitch stuff.  If you buy the TrimAir compressor I mentioned they usually have a package that comes with a couple of trim guns.  You will want a 16ga nailer to install base and casing.  I only use an 18ga to nail the thin side of the casing to the door jamb.  I don't care for 18ga nailers that shoot 2" nails, they just bend over and don't hold trim well.  I like a brad nailer (18ga) that will not fit a nail longer than 1 1/4", because they tend to be a lot more accurate.

 

I run a Senco 15ga trim gun instead of a 16ga, and it takes angled nails instead of straight ones.  It's nice for getting in corners and such, but I don't know if I've ever run into something I couldn't do with a straight nailer instead.  I mainly like it because it has the capability of 2 1/2" nails, which you will not need unless you're planning on putting 2 layers of drywall over something (commercial work).

[Moparfanforever 844]

I want to thank everyone for the info on this subject , i did learn what i needed to know !!

 

I did make a purchase , thanks to Groundhog47 i bought these thru CPOoutlets ..

 

http://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-reconditioned-bostitch-u-cpack2a-2-tool-finish-and-brad-compressor-combo-kit/bstrcpack2a-r,default,pd.html?start=3&cgid=bostitch-combo-kits

 

http://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-reconditioned-bostitch-u-f28ww-28-degree-3-1-2-in-industrial-framing-nailer-system/bstrf28ww-r,default,pd.html?start=5&cgid=bostitch-nailers-and-staplers

 

I was dissapointed when the trim kit arrived , the trim guns are made in China. I couldn't find any markings on the framing nailer or the compressor. The nailer doesn't have the "bump" nailing feature , but i don't plan on ever using that way , so i wasn't worried about that. I am just a casual DIY guy , so i think they will work great.

 

For the most part , i use screws with a battery powered impact driver , but you can't always use screws on things. And , i was tired of paying people to do things i knew i could do myself. And i grew tired of the guys i hired not showing up on time , being hungover , sloppy work they did and i had to argue with them that wasn't up to my standards. I am paying for it , so i want it done my way. If they had ideas , i would most certainly listen , but if i wanted it done my way and it was wrong , it was on me.

 

I see Menards has these on sale ..

 

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools/compressors-and-pneumatic-tools/nailers-staplers/surebonder-offset-round-clipped-head-3-1-2-framing-nailer/p-1796004-c-12912.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools/compressors-and-pneumatic-tools/compressors/6-gallon-air-compressor/p-1442768-c-12910.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools/compressors-and-pneumatic-tools/compressors/bostitch-2-peak-hp-oil-free-contractor-compressor/p-1479187-c-12910.htm

 

The Bostitch compressor is on sale for $119 , sounds like a good deal. I do worry about it being oilless , but i see alot them being used. The Toolshop compressor is oil lubed and is a good price , i may have to get one.