Advice on a Framing nail gun

[saryon7]

I normally use screws for everything since I like their holding power, but I am building a big shed and would like to speed things up a bit. I want to get a pneumatic framing nail gun to build it. After researching on this site I am pretty sure I want a Hitachi gun, but I am not sure which model I should get. I would prefer if it could shoot 3-1/4" nails, but also nails as short as 1.75" long. Which model do I need? And if anyone knows where to buy them for a good deal, I would appreciate that info too.

thanks,

 

[dogdog]

I have the porta cable FR350 very nice shoots full head nails....... so are others Hitachi , senaco , Paslode , dewalt are all good brands. You have to find out is if your local code allow full head or clipped head and also your local supply HD/Lowes/local hardware to find out what supplies available to you, shipping gets expensive when you ship a box of 2000 framing nails over mail order, then buy your gun accordingly. Just go read your their specs....

They are normal nails 8d 10d etc in a strip of plastic or paper.... not normal nails in a bag / box you buy and used with hammer.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have a Bostich coil nailer (3 1/4 capacity) and a Hitachi coil ( 2-1/2 capacity). the Hitachi is a nicer gun than the bostich , but maybe it's unfair as the Hitachi is lighter ( but smaller nails and I have a bias to favour Hitachi
also have a Craftsman strip nailer that I don't really care for but the price was right .

 

[Ross]

I think that the only Hitachi framing guns that will shoot 1.75" nails are the coil ones. Though for framing that is a pretty short nail. Most stick nailers seem to have a 2" minimum. If you are mainly going to be building one shed you might not want to spend as much as a Hitachi coil nailer will cost. I personally prefer full round head nailers (and they are required by code in some places) and there are alot of companies that make a decent framing nailer. I have Bostitch, Porter Cable, and Bosch models and all have worked well. If you are going to be using alot of metal connectors a palm nailer can be a great time saver. So you might want a less expensive framing nailer and a palm nailer instead of a very expensive coil nailer.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I bought a Bostitch at a pawn shop. I chose that one as parts are available for them. That's not the case for all brands, but it is a worthwhile factor to consider.

 

[75CrewDeutz]

I framed houses for about 10 years. Hitachi nr83a.

 

[LB-1911]

Hitachi NR83A3 Round Head Framing Nailer, 2" to 3-1/4" #NR83A3

Spec's @
http://www.nailgundepot.com/Framing-Nailers-4070-Products.html

 

[TomB19]

I have a 10 year old generic blue 28* clipped head nailer from Princess Auto. Princess is like Harbor Freight in the US.

The first copy I had was terrible. It double fired all the time and wouldn't sink nails all the way into softwood lumber.

I returned it, got a slightly different model as they discontinued the first, and it has been an excellent gun for 10 years. I picked up a Hitachi a couple of years ago (also 28* clipped head) and really like it but should have just stuck with the Power Fist brand unit.

I'm not saying the cheap, crappy, nailer is as good as the Hitachi but it has driven a lot of nails and done a reasonable job. If I was shooting into old growth fir all day, I'd throw out the old nailer and just use the more powerful Hitachi but for regular spruce lumber, the generic nailer is more than sufficient. It was used to build two houses, a garage, several sheds, and numerous projects. For the price, the value is unbeatable. Don't consider it if you're a tool snob, though.

 

[saryon7]

I framed houses for about 10 years. Hitachi nr83a.

Hitachi NR83A3 Round Head Framing Nailer, 2" to 3-1/4" #NR83A3

Spec's @
http://www.nailgundepot.com/Framing-Nailers-4070-Products.html

For those of you guys that like the nr83a3 what is the difference between that and this one http://www.lowes.com/pd_20385-67702-NR90AE_0__?productId=3020227

 

[Steevo]

Hitachi NR83A3 Round Head Framing Nailer, 2" to 3-1/4" #NR83A3

Spec's @
http://www.nailgundepot.com/Framing-Nailers-4070-Products.html

+1 for this model ^^

I bought one when my shop was under construction, used it to finish that project, then to finish my basement, then sold it for nearly what I paid for it.

 

[DRhodes]

Paslode. Made in the USA, and takes a beating.

 

[JimD1]

My wife had a Rigid when we got married. I've used it a little. Works fine.

I have finish nailers and staplers of a variety of brands, Bostitch, Porter Cable, and Harbor Freight. One of the HF is not so great. The others work well. I put down about 800 square feet of prefinished Hickory flooring, for instance, with a HF flooring nailer. Only jambs were when I hit a screw in the sub floor. Easily worth the $100 or so it cost. My favorite finish nailer is a Ryobi cordless. Kind of touchy on the angle but very nice to not have to run the compressor.

 

[spanny749]

paslode, charge fired. no air hose to drag around. bought used for $200; awesome

 

[Notgrownup]

I went cheap *** harbor freight 21 degree and it worked fine...with the coupon I paid $55, I was gonna get a Hitachi but I am glad I got the HF ,,,

 

[JohnKal]

My wife had a Rigid when we got married.

That's funny right there.

 

[speed bump]

I am a big fan of Hitachi tools but have Porter Cable nail guns because I picked them up cheap.

As far as nailers I visually can't tell a difference between my PC and my dads Bostitch. Considering Dewalt, PC, and Bostitch are all Black and Decker brands I wouldn't put it past them being all being the same gun internals. That leaves you with something Black and Decker, Hitachi, and Senco as the big dogs in the nail gun market. For as little as you are planning on using it any of them will work just fine.

 

[gtae07]

I bought the HF 3-in-1 unit because I only needed it for one project. It's worked just fine so far, and if it craps out on me at the end of my build it will have been worth the money.

 

[nfk]

I have a bostich full-head framing nailer, and brad nailer, and a hitachi coil siding nailer. They have all worked great. The bostich framer is heavy but it will drive nails where I have seen others leave the head stand proud. The hitachi siding nailer is nice, but I have no experience with their framing guns.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Coworker and I bought some Bosch SN350 nailers cheap at Menards on clearance. IIRC his is the 34C and mine's the 20F. He used his to build his shed and really liked it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have the porta cable FR350 very nice shoots full head nails....... so are others Hitachi , senaco , Paslode , dewalt are all good brands. You have to find out is if your local code allow full head or clipped head and also your local supply HD/Lowes/local hardware to find out what supplies available to you, shipping gets expensive when you ship a box of 2000 framing nails over mail order, then buy your gun accordingly. Just go read your their specs....

They are normal nails 8d 10d etc in a strip of plastic or paper.... not normal nails in a bag / box you buy and used with hammer.

I have the same PC nailer and am quite happy with it. AS for which model to buy, I'd find something available local. You don't want to wait a week when you order nails for them to come in.

 

[75CrewDeutz]

For those of you guys that like the nr83a3 what is the difference between that and this one http://www.lowes.com/pd_20385-67702-NR90AE_0__?productId=3020227

I think the internals are the same but not entirely sure. The one in the lowes site you shared will feel a bit more bulky and clumsy. I have used this one for short periods and it takes some getting used to. Still good quality.

 

[Jonboy1974]

If you have one of these nearby, they have a good selection and have used and refurbs if you dont want to pay full price on a small project.
http://www.southernfastening.com/