School me on framing nailers

[eightlitermopar]

For years I have only used screws for my wood projects. I am looking to simplify my life with a framing nailer. I have built things such as chicken coops, decks, patio covers with roofing, kid's playhouses, a pergola, etc.

I would eventually use it to frame my garage (which is only on paper currently).

I was looking at the nailers from harbor freight, but I am open to any suggestions or experience.

For reference, I was looking at this nailer: http://www.harborfreight.com/10-gauge-3-in-1-air-framing-nailer-98751.html

Currently, this is the compressor I have: http://www.harborfreight.com/13-horsepower-3-gallon-100-psi-psi-oilless-air-compressor-69269.html

Will this compressor work for my small projects? If not, what do I need?

Remember, this is my starting point. I have used roofing nailers in the past, but I know very little about any type of nailer.
Thanks!!

eightlitermopar

 

[eightlitermopar]

I was also looking at this one.....http://www.harborfreight.com/21-angle-framing-nailer-69927.html

 

[mobiledynamics]

That compressor might be okay for a trim nailer...but IMO you want a bigger one for framing/and or real framing. Otherwise, it will be cycling much more.

If you don't have a compressor and plan to use it somewhat infrequently, I highly give a nod to a Paslode as well.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have heard some local building codes no longer allow "clipped head" nails, so you should check that !

So can buy a factory reconditioned Bostitch for only a few bucks more ! I would bet that it would be a lot more reliable !!

 

[cheechi]

a 6 gal or more is what you want if you will be doing lots of framing nails. If you're only doing a few here and there, that would probably be fine. I've used that same 3 in 1 on a very similar compressor and for just a few nails, it's fine.

That's a good nailer though. I have a few from HF and that is by far the best framing nailer they make.

 

[eightlitermopar]

Thanks guys....I do like the idea of a cordless nailer. I do have a bigger compressor I can borrow for the time being.

I don't want to use clipped headed nails though, so a 21 degree nailer looks better for me. This points me in a better direction, thanks!

I will keep looking and posting questions as they come up! Thanks again.

eightlitermopar

 

[eightlitermopar]

a 6 gal or more is what you want if you will be doing lots of framing nails. If you're only doing a few here and there, that would probably be fine. I've used that same 3 in 1 on a very similar compressor and for just a few nails, it's fine.

That's a good nailer though. I have a few from HF and that is by far the best framing nailer they make.

Are you referring to the 21 degree angle framing nailer?

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-angle-framing-nailer-69927.html

or the 3 in 1 nailer?

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-gauge-3-in-1-air-framing-nailer-98751.html

 

[metaldad]

I bought the HF 3 in 1 nailer. Why, I dunno. Probably it was the only one on the shelf, with nails in stock. Redid my carage. Midway thru the job, gun blew apart.
Would have thrown it out, except there is a HF store 5 minutes away. Exchanged, no problem.
Be sure to buy their extended warranty

 

[The Boss]

Spend the extra money and get the Bostitch. I've had the one on the floor in the picture since 1993 and it's shot hundreds of thousands of nails. Will take 6p nails for sheathing, 8p for subfloor and 12D for framing. The only think I've done to it is have a new trigger kit put in it for free at one of my lumber yards open houses.

It is the standard others are measured by and for a few dollars you shouldn't skimp. Buy tools right & you buy them once.

 

[mobiledynamics]

FWIW, for indoor framing. I still prefer screws. Don't get the contractors started on screws vs. nails ;-)

 

[bob15]

Skip the HF nailers. I had couple different co-workers buy them with iffy results at best. Stick with a 'real" company for the nailer, be it a Bostich or a Plasode or similar. I've had good luck with the Bostich coil and stick-style gun.

Not saying the below link is the cheapest, but is the same as what i own. It has the pwer to shoot 3.5" nails through a a full 2" board without issues. Prices on recondition are typically cheaper (which is what mine is).

http://www.nailzone.com/bostitchn88rh21degreeheavydutyframingnailer.aspx

I also have a coil shooter:

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Bostitch-N89C-1-Framing-Nailer/dp/B000KDZLAQ

Is one better than the other? I'm not sure. I like the stick because I can buy Maze brand hot dipped galvanized nails. I like the coil gun because it holds more nails. Buy them both and you can see which one is better.


bob

 

[mobiledynamics]

While others are recommending nailers, I'd recommed a Hitachi..or a old school Max

 

[rjwilliams]

Like mobiledynamics said I would stick with screwing vs. nailing. When extended my living room into my garage I had to build the floor box and frame a wall along with other things but I didn't drive a single nail. If I was making a living framing I would use a nailer but if you have the time I would invest in a good impact driver, some batteries, and screw and glue everything. By the way I own a Hitachi framing nailer and compressor but I still choose screwing.

 

[Farmall450]

I bought the HF 3 in 1 nailer. Why, I dunno. Probably it was the only one on the shelf, with nails in stock. Redid my carage. Midway thru the job, gun blew apart.
Would have thrown it out, except there is a HF store 5 minutes away. Exchanged, no problem.
Be sure to buy their extended warranty

I had that happen once...don't remember the brand but it was a shocker when the whole thing just blew up.. Glad I had a Carhartt coat on!

 

[eightlitermopar]

Thanks for the heads up. I don't want my nailer to take my head off in the process.

I really don't mind using screws, but when it comes to framing a garage I would like to try something else. That could take me a really long time with a single drill and a box of screws! Do people actually do that?

eightlitermopar

 

[cheechi]

Are you referring to the 21 degree angle framing nailer?

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-angle-framing-nailer-69927.html

or the 3 in 1 nailer?

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-gauge-3-in-1-air-framing-nailer-98751.html

I have both but as OP linked the 3 in 1, I was talking about the 3 in 1.

My 21* nailer has probably run a few 5k boxes without blowing up. the 3 in 1 is a more recent purchase for me. Not denying that it could happen, but I don't get the impression from either of these or my several staplers, finish, or brad nailers that they will. In fact, my 3 in 1 hasn't even jammed yet.

I do like the Bostitch compressor, but never really thought of their nailers as anything special. If I were buying high end I would go with Senco or Hitachi.

 

[bullnerd]

Hitachi

 

[Jose G]

i have a dewalt and i love it, i also have a cheap campbell hausfeld, its bigger than the dewalt and dont fit between 16", sometime it throws 2-3 nails at the same time and consume more air than the dewalt but for the price it was, i find it more than enough for the average person.

i just finished building a house (28x52) and a garage (30x40), build my own trust.

the compressor you list will be ok to build framing where you only throw 2-3 nails and wait to place the next thing to nail. when i made the trust, i was shooting nails like a machine gun and needed a 20 gallon compressor to keep up for 2 framing nailer at the same time, i also have a little 3 gallons compressor and use it only with finish nailer.

if i had to buy a framing gun again, i would maybe have a look into the coil framing nailer that can do 3 1/2" nail since you always have to refill the stripped nail (enough to get sick of it), coil nail are cheaper too.

i dont see any reason to get a really nice nailer if you only do some small build, keep the money for something else... there's no need to always have the best tool in everything... and if you're not really using them, its a waste in my book.

Jose G.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

For pneumatic Stanley Bostitch is the only way to go. If you absolutely must have cordless, then it's Paslode. The Paslode guns are temperamental and somewhat expensive to run, so they are best avoided if possible. SB owns the market.

 

[zer0cell]

I could be wrong but hand nailing framing nails has the potential to create a more durable structure. One of the reasons being you can use bigger, thicker and stronger nails, including those with a spiral or ring shank. I personally use galvanized nails all the time, even for interior projects and in some cases stainless nails.

 

[jrsulo]

Thanks guys....I do like the idea of a cordless nailer. I do have a bigger compressor I can borrow for the time being.

I don't want to use clipped headed nails though, so a 21 degree nailer looks better for me. This points me in a better direction, thanks!

I will keep looking and posting questions as they come up! Thanks again.

eightlitermopar

Paslode does make round head nails for the cordless guns.....they are offset !

 

[eightlitermopar]

Thanks for the info guys, this has helped me a lot. I am looking for ways to help my projects go faster.

I must have been living under a rock for my lifetime, because today I learned more about collated screw guns. This seems like a pretty slick little tool also. For as much as I have been using screws, this is what I should have bought years ago.

To change the subject a little, who has used these for framing? Are they as easy to use as a nailer?

eightlitemopar

 

[mobiledynamics]

If you're considering buying a collated screwgun, look into the nailer....Better for overall framing, and more to code..

 

[Jose G]

I could be wrong but hand nailing framing nails has the potential to create a more durable structure. One of the reasons being you can use bigger, thicker and stronger nails, including those with a spiral or ring shank. I personally use galvanized nails all the time, even for interior projects and in some cases stainless nails.

using air tools doesnt mean to not use ever the manual tool again. i always keep bigger manual nails and even the spiral you mentioned to some area where it is needed. keep in mind wood is always a little bent and the 4x8 arent square.

 

[eightlitermopar]

If you're considering buying a collated screwgun, look into the nailer....Better for overall framing, and more to code..

I have learned this since I posted my own response. The screw gun would be sweet for decks, subflooring, or drywall, but for framing I would definately go with an air nailer.

Thanks!

eightlitermopar

 

[The Boss]

For pneumatic Stanley Bostitch is the only way to go. If you absolutely must have cordless, then it's Paslode. The Paslode guns are temperamental and somewhat expensive to run, so they are best avoided if possible. SB owns the market.

Pasloads are best used for small, quick projects where you don't want to pull out a compressor, hose & set things up or where you don't have power. They cannot maintain the kind of production pace of framing that a pneumatic will. They are also very temperamental if you don't clean them properly or if the fuel cel gets cold.

 

[The Boss]

Thanks for the info guys, this has helped me a lot. I am looking for ways to help my projects go faster.

I must have been living under a rock for my lifetime, because today I learned more about collated screw guns. This seems like a pretty slick little tool also. For as much as I have been using screws, this is what I should have bought years ago.

To change the subject a little, who has used these for framing? Are they as easy to use as a nailer?

eightlitemopar

The only time we've used a collated screw gun was for subfloor - and that was only if the architect specifically stated the decks must be glued & screwed. They are too large and awkward to use for framing.

Something else to consider - driving thousands of screws with one of the impact guns places stresses on your wrist that nail guns do not - ask me how I know!

 

[Rockuf8]

Spend the extra money and get the Bostitch

+1

I love all my Bostitch nailers.

Framing nailer worked great when I framed out my shed.

 

[shoot summ]

Several years ago when I was looking for a framing nailer I stopped by the local Contractor store. They sold all sorts of Pro grade tools, and serviced them as well. I asked the guy running the store what he would recommend and he said Hitachi. He said at the time it was the standard in my area. I told him I wanted one but struggled with the $300+ price tag at the time. He told me that he took them in on trade all of the time, rebuilt them, and sold them for about 1/2 price. They weren't pretty, but 100% functional. That's been over 10 years ago and it is still going strong, no issues. I don't use it everyday, or every week, it's probably shot 3000-4000 nails since I have had it. Most of the nails were shot with air from a 2.5 gallon compressor.

I recently acquired a Paslode cordless finish nailer, have to say I really like it...

 

[dirtydogintex]

Stick framers?
Hitachi if you're really serious otherwise Bostitch unless 'spikes' are required - some Bostitch models will drive 'em.

Reconditioned guns are the way to go unless $$$$ are truly not an issue....

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I bought the $180 Hitachi framing nailer from Lowes and I'm impressed. Framed out a storage shed with it. In my eyes its already paid for itself and I believe it is a quality tool that will last for years.

 

[Den69rs96]

I have a Porter Cable round head framer, a PC 15 degree angle finish nailer, and a PC 1 1/4 brad nailer for smaller work. Never had a single problem with any of them. My framing gun built two sheds and a finished basement. The finish nailer has attached a ton of trim around my house and the brad is great for smaller projects like picture frames or very thin moldings. Never had a single jam and I basically use a 4.6 gallon cheapo PST air compressor that I got from Pep boys about 7 years ago.

 

[dirttracker18]

I could be wrong but hand nailing framing nails has the potential to create a more durable structure. One of the reasons being you can use bigger, thicker and stronger nails, including those with a spiral or ring shank. I personally use galvanized nails all the time, even for interior projects and in some cases stainless nails.

You are talking about ardox nails, those are the ones with the spiral.

Most nailers will fire ardox and in Canada ardox is minimum code for structure.

 

[Toolfool]

Hitachi.

 

[stoveboltgunnut]

I have a hitachi that I LOVE. It's a clipped head nailer. I've done a lot of projects with it, built my pole frame garage with it entirely with 3.25 inch galvi nails. Built 175 feet of privacy fence, some decks, etc. I think I paid 189 at a local tool store. It's never missed a beat.

I would imagine it would not be the best for contractor grade use, but I just can't justify contractor grade prices.

 

[Steevo]

I have a Hitachi NR83 framing nailer that I purchased lightly used via eBay.
I have used it on several projects, from framing to sheeting, and it performs flawlessly.
It does require adequate pressure and volume to work properly. low pressure will result in un-seated nails.
The only regret is that I did not get the model with adjustable depth, which would be handy at times.

 

[eightlitermopar]

hmm...this is good stuff to think about.

What about nails? For example, could a hitachi drive hurriquake nails or do I need specific nails for a specific nailer? The garage I want to build will be in Florida, this is why I ask about those nails specifically.
eight

 

[fury9]

I have a Hitachi NR83 framing nailer that I purchased lightly used via eBay.
I have used it on several projects, from framing to sheeting, and it performs flawlessly.
It does require adequate pressure and volume to work properly. low pressure will result in un-seated nails.
The only regret is that I did not get the model with adjustable depth, which would be handy at times.

Those things are notorious for double firing, ask my thumb how I know.I use a Paslode everyday and couldn't be happier, I also have a Hitachi nr90ad and really like that one too, nice and light weight. Only draw back to the Paslode that I've came across is if it gets dropped hard the head gasket will leak.

 

[MrMark]

hmm...this is good stuff to think about.

What about nails? For example, could a hitachi drive hurriquake nails or do I need specific nails for a specific nailer? The garage I want to build will be in Florida, this is why I ask about those nails specifically.
eight

I've used the Hurriquakes with my Senco. Those nails are the best. Check out the research on those nails.

When tools of the trade did a fairly recent test on nail guns I recall the Senco and the Max were the best.