Framing nail gun recommendation?

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I need to put new siding on my storage shed. Planning on using LP Smartside panels. Any suggestions on brands/models? Just had a guy offer to loan me a new Harbor Freight nail gun but I hate borrowing stuff like that.

 

[cgrutt]

Siding as in plywood/osb or vinyl/ ship lap? Don't really need a framing gun for any of that. I have a Bostich coil gun for siding. I think it's a N66C but not 100% sure on model number. Very similar to roofing gun but nails are long and thin.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

Siding as in plywood/osb or vinyl/ ship lap? Don't really need a framing gun for any of that. I have a Bostich coil gun for siding. I think it's a N66C but not 100% sure on model number. Very similar to roofing gun but nails are long and thin.

LP Smartside panels. It's a wood composite. I was thinking a framing nail gun could serve two purposes but I'm defintely open to suggestions. Thanks.

 

[mike93lx]

I have two, a harbor freight that has shot thousands of nails pretty reliably and a newer ridgid. The HF really doesn't like to shoot smaller sheathing nails and the depth control is terrible. The ridgid is a lot better in both regards

 

[cgrutt]

Not familiar with Smart Side but it sounds like composite siding. If that's the case you definitely don't want a framing gun it would probably blow right through it. Read the TDS it should tell you nailing specifications. If you're going into plywood or osb you really shouldn't be using framing nails.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

After 30 years, my Hitatchi framer needed $17 of parts, so i probably wont need another one of those.

 

[nadogail]

I chose the Harbor Freight framing nailer because it is adjustable to accommodate three common angles of collated nails.

 

[mike93lx]

I chose the Harbor Freight framing nailer because it is adjustable to accommodate three common angles of collated nails.

Not all are. Mine is a fixed 21 degree

 

[Firebrick43]

LP Smartside panels. It's a wood composite. I was thinking a framing nail gun could serve two purposes but I'm defintely open to suggestions. Thanks.

I have some smart side shingle siding and my eaves are smart side. My framing nailer will blow right right through it.

You have to set the nail very carefully in smart siding, it has to have the head up against the material but if you set it a 1/32 deeper it will tear the material.

I have a n66c Bostich and it works well and has very good depth control.

 

[nadogail]

Not all are. Mine is a fixed 21 degree

I chose the Adjustable because I want the option of using any nail available. Yes it cost a few dollars more, but fewer than the cost of a second Nailer.

 

[PoorUB]

I need to put new siding on my storage shed. Planning on using LP Smartside panels. Any suggestions on brands/models? Just had a guy offer to loan me a new Harbor Freight nail gun but I hate borrowing stuff like that.

I resided my house a couple years ago and ran 2,000 nails through my HF framing nailer. It never missed a beat. I would give it a couple drops of oil in the morning. LP Smartside lap siding. I used DeWalt 2-1/2" ring shank nails.

 

[PoorUB]

Not familiar with Smart Side but it sounds like composite siding. If that's the case you definitely don't want a framing gun it would probably blow right through it. Read the TDS it should tell you nailing specifications. If you're going into plywood or osb you really shouldn't be using framing nails.

LP Smartside is chip board soaked in resin then compressed. Very dense material. A nail gun works well with it.

 

[PoorUB]

I have some smart side shingle siding and my eaves are smart side. My framing nailer will blow right right through it.

You have to set the nail very carefully in smart siding, it has to have the head up against the material but if you set it a 1/32 deeper it will tear the material.

I have a n66c Bostich and it works well and has very good depth control.

No issues using my framing nailer with LP Smartside. You might have to adjust the air pressure!

 

[acer66]

Very happy with the Hitachi coil nailer I got for sheet goods like that and I use galvanized ring shank nails.

 

[wandrur]

I'm in the middle of installing LP Smartside on a shed build. But I opted for a hammer. I would think controlling the depth on any given nailer would give you the result you are looking.

 

[tarmy]

I bought the Bostitch siding nailer and used it once…it works great. Paid about 280 for it…will make you a great CG deal on it…as it was a one time use and I wasn’t going to drive nails by hand. They make a model just for doing siding jobs like yours OP… I put about 4 coils of nails thru it and got done what I needed to. Recommend it even if you don’t buy mine!

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I bought the Bostitch siding nailer and used it once…it works great. Paid about 280 for it…will make you a great CG deal on it…as it was a one time use and I wasn’t going to drive nails by hand. They make a model just for doing siding jobs like yours OP… I put about 4 coils of nails thru it and got done what I needed to. Recommend it even if you don’t buy mine!

Send me a message if you don't mind. Shipping may make this too expensive??

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I'm in the middle of installing LP Smartside on a shed build. But I opted for a hammer. I would think controlling the depth on any given nailer would give you the result you are looking.

I wish I could do the hammer thing too. But, I'm having heart issues, shortness of breath, shoulder pain, neck pain... I'm really not whining, just stating the facts. Takes me a lot longer to do small jobs these days. I agree on controlling nail depth though. Thanks.

 

[wandrur]

Oh, go with the nail gun, for sure.

I was a hot second away from buying the Metabo HPT at $159 from Lowe's. That one got fantastic reviews, and it was the most affordable of the top ranked ones from the reviews I read. That would be my top choice, though I (obviously) have no real world use experience.

 

[nadogail]

I adjust penetration with the regulator on my compressor.

 

[jack stand]

READ LP's FASTENING GUIDE!
It was mentioned above, but there's a driven depth that must be followed for their warranty and proper performance and life.
Don't screw around with a ******** tool and do not use a "framing" gun.
You want a coil siding gun. I'm partial to Hitachi, Makita but there's plenty of others. A pawn shop might have something and the name brand tools are generally repairable for $40 or less. I have found some Bostich tools that are not. It seems that some of the big box models are not.

 

[dfiler2]

I have had a couple Paslode framing nailers for 20 years, they are one of the handiest tools around for framing and siding,

Paslode 30 deg Framing Nailer - Ace Hardware

The Paslode Pneumatic 30 deg. Compact Framing Nailer is designed specifically with remodelers in mind. Get the access and maneuverability you need in tight spaces with this lightweight, yet powerful, pneumatic nailing system. When used with Paslode nails, this nailer experiences fewer jams and...

www.acehardware.com

 

[mike93lx]

READ LP's FASTENING GUIDE!
It was mentioned above, but there's a driven depth that must be followed for their warranty and proper performance and life.
Don't screw around with a ******** tool and do not use a "framing" gun.
You want a coil siding gun. I'm partial to Hitachi, Makita but there's plenty of others. A pawn shop might have something and the name brand tools are generally repairable for $40 or less. I have found some Bostich tools that are not. It seems that some of the big box models are not.

A siding gun is absolutely the proper answer. But they are expensive and will sit unused nearly all the time. For a shed, I'd use a framing gun. Doing an entire house? I'd get a siding gun

 

[bb29510]

for a shed, 16 oz hammer

 

[nadogail]

Because I have invested in both a compressor and a few nail guns I keep finding uses for them.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I'm looking at Dewalt 21* 20v framing nail gun for the next purchase. This summer I framed in a couple of carport walls and applied Zip sheathing, using a hammer and nails. They allowed hammer n nail or framing gun, the important thing is the depth of the driven nail. You can screw it up with either method I suppose. I think you'd be fine with a nail gun, given you test the depth on scrap that is layered as your actual project, and you are consistent with the trigger and timing when you shoot the nail. IF you can remain consistent for proper depth, you should get a fine result. I like watching this guy's videos, he has a good one on LP Smartside

 

[jack stand]

A siding gun is absolutely the proper answer. But they are expensive and will sit unused nearly all the time. For a shed, I'd use a framing gun. Doing an entire house? I'd get a siding gun

I missed the "shed" part.
Just don't get a "clipped head" framer if you can't hand nail it.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, information. I ended up ordering a Makita from Amazon. I have several Makita tools that have been good to me over the years. I will let you know how it works out.

 

[eegger]

I went with a Dewalt DW66C and added the gauge below, along with Gecko's made siding easy.

Gauge and Gecko Gauge

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I went with a Dewalt DW66C and added the gauge below, along with Gecko's made siding easy.

Gauge and Gecko Gauge

Thanks. I'm using LP Smartside 4x8 panels so I don't think these tools apply. Agree?

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks. I'm using LP Smartside 4x8 panels so I don't think these tools apply. Agree?

Correct. No need for gauge on panels, that's just for lap siding

 

[Jeff C]

Nail gun threads are about as productive as the old Milwaukee vs makita vs dewalt cordless tool thread. Buy a quality name brand and move on with it.

Especially given how little use it’s going to see. Most nail guns used in construction will drive more nails in one day than most of us will in five years.

 

[Uncle murph]

No issues using my framing nailer with LP Smartside. You might have to adjust the air pressure!

Exactly,they are adjustable as is the air pressure.

 

[Mainiac Mat]

Weight matters.... a lot!
Nail guns aren't exactly rocket science, so get the lightest one you can afford.

 

[Captain_Slow]

I need to put new siding on my storage shed. Planning on using LP Smartside panels. Any suggestions on brands/models? Just had a guy offer to loan me a new Harbor Freight nail gun but I hate borrowing stuff like that.

For a framing gun, I picked up a hitachi 30 degree for a shed I'm building. Was ~$150, absolute lifesaver.
A poster below mentioned the LP fastening specs say to not overdrive things. Home depot and other home improvement places should rent you a siding/coil nailer for a pretty reasonable price. Might be the route to go there

 

[NUTTSGT]

I had a P-C framing nailer until age caught up with it. I replaced it with a Metabo HPT gun.... but you may not want it for your LP Smart side.

I think Kyle from RR Buildings has installed what you are using. I'd scroll through his YouTube channel for the episode about LP where he filmed it with them.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

For a framing gun, I picked up a hitachi 30 degree for a shed I'm building. Was ~$150, absolute lifesaver.
A poster below mentioned the LP fastening specs say to not overdrive things. Home depot and other home improvement places should rent you a siding/coil nailer for a pretty reasonable price. Might be the route to go there

I thought of renting. My problem is we live about 1 1/2 hours away from the nearest place to rent. My other problem is, I'm really slow at doing things like this due to lack of experience and age, etc. But it is a good suggestion for some. Thanks.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I bought an Hitachi siding nailer for my project, I did Cement siding. It worked very well.

A framing nailer has aggressive teeth on it, a siding nailer will have a flat easily adjustable foot.

 

[mike93lx]

I bought an Hitachi siding nailer for my project, I did Cement siding. It worked very well.

A framing nailer has aggressive teeth on it, a siding nailer will have a flat easily adjustable foot.

Most framing nailers will have a shoe/cover to cover up the teeth

 

[ShuhornGarage]

I need to put new siding on my storage shed. Planning on using LP Smartside panels. Any suggestions on brands/models? Just had a guy offer to loan me a new Harbor Freight nail gun but I hate borrowing stuff like that.

If you haven't purchased a nail gun yet &/or not completed your task, you might consider a 7/16' air crown stapler. The Porter Cable MS200 is an awesome tool & will drive up to 2" staples.....just keep your fingers clear of the business end of the stapler or you may encounter red dripping on the ground

Staples you say?? You bet, hold extremely well & far better than brad nails for many jobs as long as the crown can be covered or sunken into the material, I used them on cedar siding & no more noticable than nails & hold WAY better

Have fun

Cheers