framing nailer

[goldie lox]

looking to pick up a framing nail gun to do some house mods, have narrowed it down to senco and milwaukee, i like the senco for always seeing it on jobs i'm on however i am a milwaukee fan boy. anyone use either or both, thoughts

 

[Handyandy23]

I just bought a new framing nailer and did tons of research, and one thing I'll warn is do your homework on the most common style of nail in your area. For some reason framing nails come in 21 degree and 30 degree configurations (and coiled), and it seems very regional as to what is more common around you.

I was about to pull the trigger on the Milwaukee when I found that they only make a 21 degree gun. Unfortunately in my area there are no 21 degree nails to be found, so I would have been signing myself up to buy nails online for forever.

Many companies make both types, so you have to be sure you know what you're getting when you buy (and what your local stores carry).

Between those choices, assuming 21 degree is good, I'd definitely go Milwaukee. By my research it was second to none. Although I have no experience with Senco, most of the info I found on them was that their nailer is just a little more out dated, heavier, fewer features, etc. Although I'm sure it would still be reliable.

Not one of your options but I ended up going with a Bostitch. Got a very good deal on Amazon, and another quality name in the industry. So far I've used it a couple weekends and I couldn't be happier. Zero jams, zero misfires, no issues at all. Tons of power, grips well for toe nailing. Very happy with the purchase. And you can get their gun in 21 degree or 30 degree as well.

 

[PittsburghTim]

You may want to check with your local code enforcement office as some localities will not pass framing done with clipped-head nails, instead requiring nails to have a full round head.

 

[toplessHO]

You may want to check with your local code enforcement office as some localities will not pass framing done with clipped-head nails, instead requiring nails to have a full round head.

that was true of the 3/4 nail heads,then the used the V notch ones.
I want to see the test results on how the can pull out either.
For roof sheeting maybe,but 12s or 16s on a frame,dont think so
I have a clipped Stanely Bostich and have used ring type #8s and the nail
breaks before the head fails

 

[goldie lox]

and from what i know, which is very little, you cant use clipped heads in earthquake/ hurricane zones, not to say other locals dont allow them but where i live and what i will be doing, we dont have a code officer and even if we did and what i will be doing i wouldnt be calling him anyway

 

[ddawg16]

I have the Campbell Hausfeld kit....included Framing Nailer (round head), trim nailer and brad nailer.... I think I paid $350 for it AND the upright air compressor (oil-less...loud as ****)

Since it's just for occasional work, no need to spend big bucks. I've used the dog **** out of mine...it built a 2-story garage and my 2-story addition.

And....you might want to add a palm nailer to it as well....once you need one....you will understand why

 

[Kaizen]

I just bought a new framing nailer and did tons of research, and one thing I'll warn is do your homework on the most common style of nail in your area. For some reason framing nails come in 21 degree and 30 degree configurations (and coiled), and it seems very regional as to what is more common around you.

I was about to pull the trigger on the Milwaukee when I found that they only make a 21 degree gun. Unfortunately in my area there are no 21 degree nails to be found, so I would have been signing myself up to buy nails online for forever.

Many companies make both types, so you have to be sure you know what you're getting when you buy (and what your local stores carry).

Between those choices, assuming 21 degree is good, I'd definitely go Milwaukee. By my research it was second to none. Although I have no experience with Senco, most of the info I found on them was that their nailer is just a little more out dated, heavier, fewer features, etc. Although I'm sure it would still be reliable.

Not one of your options but I ended up going with a Bostitch. Got a very good deal on Amazon, and another quality name in the industry. So far I've used it a couple weekends and I couldn't be happier. Zero jams, zero misfires, no issues at all. Tons of power, grips well for toe nailing. Very happy with the purchase. And you can get their gun in 21 degree or 30 degree as well.

This is so true. I have a bostich which I love and awesome functioning gun but takes a special degree that only is found from them. I spent an extra 250+ on nails for my garage over the big boxes that hd sells. Actually considered buying a new gun just to get the cheaper nails


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[Handyandy23]

This is so true. I have a bostich which I love and awesome functioning gun but takes a special degree that only is found from them. I spent an extra 250+ on nails for my garage over the big boxes that hd sells. Actually considered buying a new gun just to get the cheaper nails


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, for some reason the big box stores around me still carry the 28 degree Bostitch, which is kind of an oddball. They do carry the special nails,, but as you said you're roped into buying those specific Bostitch ones forever.

The one I bought on Amazon was the LPF33 model, which takes 30-33 degree nails, which are common in my area. And I think there's an LPF21 which takes the 21 degree.

Something you don't really think about if you're not familiar with them but can really cause some headaches.

 

[goldie lox]

21 and 30 are easy to find here

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I like Milwaukee and Senco tools a lot and have quite a few of each. For nailers I'd go with the Senco. I have an older version of this one. https://www.senco.com/tools/details-page/framepro701xp I like it as it's more compact and the inline magazine allows me to get into places most other framing nailers can't. I've run a ton of nails through mine and it still works great even on laminated products. the shorter magazine does mean a little more loading though.
I've used framers from Bostich, Hitachi, Max, and Paslode. Any of these brands are very good as well and performed well when using them. Get out and hold as many side by side to see which one you like the best.

 

[225]

I have a lightweight Hitachi I'll sell you. Like this one: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-3-5-in-21-Degree-Framing-Nailer/3020227

 

[theoldwizard1]

Bostich is a good brand. You can get remanufactured ones online for a reasonable price.

 

[850xpeps]

Hitachi is the way to go. And they are nice looking too.

 

[goldie lox]

hitachi sold out and doesnt have a dry fire

 

[850xpeps]

hitachi sold out and doesnt have a dry fire

No dryfire prevention hasn’t been an issue for me. It happens occasionally but usually on the ball with putting nails in. No I’ll effects to the gun that I can tell. Had hitachi for 10 or so years now.

Other experiences I have are with paslode, bostich, rigid and master craft. Others were heavy and didn’t seem to have the hit. To each his own though.

Haven’t seen or used a Milwaukee one though.

 

[MushCreek]

I have a Hitachi I found on CL for $80. I built my entire house with no problems. I buy all of my nails and hardware online. They're about half the price of the big box stores. Hardware like lags and carriage bolts are even cheaper. I needed 500 galvanized lag screws for my build. $1.47 at HD; $.27 from McMaster Carr. That one purchase saved me $600.

 

[Notgrownup]

I built my whole shop with a cheap Harbor Freight 21%.. got 2 cases of Hitachi nails at Lowe’s..Beat the **** out of that thing and for $39 it was one on the best investment I did...Sure I was thinking of a Laslode and Hitachi but I figured I would try it and I bought it the day before I started framing so if something happened I could return it which I thought I would, hey it still works fine 4 years later....
If I was to pick between Senco and Milwaukee it would be Milwaukee...if had the funds just to have a good gun I would get a Gas cartridge Paslode.

 

[speed bump]

Between a Senco and a Milwaukee I would always pick a Senco. They have a reputation of building tough as nails air nailers for as long as air nailers have existed. Milwaukee? Well your gun may not have parts available next month.

 

[dusterdude]

I built my whole shop with a cheap Harbor Freight 21%.. got 2 cases of Hitachi nails at Lowe’s..Beat the **** out of that thing and for $39 it was one on the best investment I did...Sure I was thinking of a Laslode and Hitachi but I figured I would try it and I bought it the day before I started framing so if something happened I could return it which I thought I would, hey it still works fine 4 years later....
If I was to pick between Senco and Milwaukee it would be Milwaukee...if had the funds just to have a good gun I would get a Gas cartridge Paslode.

Me too,bad *** nailer

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[joey1320]

I built my whole shop with a cheap Harbor Freight 21%.. got 2 cases of Hitachi nails at Lowe’s..Beat the **** out of that thing and for $39 it was one on the best investment I did...Sure I was thinking of a Laslode and Hitachi but I figured I would try it and I bought it the day before I started framing so if something happened I could return it which I thought I would, hey it still works fine 4 years later....
If I was to pick between Senco and Milwaukee it would be Milwaukee...if had the funds just to have a good gun I would get a Gas cartridge Paslode.

I bought a HF nailer 7 years ago and have built two sheds, two decks and a wheelchair ramp with it. I absolutely love that thing.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-t...angle-full-head-framing-air-nailer-69927.html

 

[Vt_k9]

I have one senco which is about 20 years old and going strong. I am a homeowner who enjoys projects. It has built 6 sheds, one lean too addition, a garage, and a sugarhouse. We bought a paslode gun to use when we did not want to fire up the compressor or it was a quick project. The paslode is convenient and decent, but slower than a traditional air guns. We bought a second air gun when working on the sugarhouse (28x60), but due to the temps it kept freezing. We just stayed with our 20 year old gun (Framepro 601 I think). We did not pick up the cold weather oil for the new Senco. We use 31 to 34 degree nails and most often ring shank.

Mike

 

[mike93lx]

Another HF user here. Hard to beat for the money. No issue finding 21 degree nails around me

 

[Handyandy23]

I previously had a cheap Mastercraft nailer and there is definitely a big difference between the Bostitch and it. I framed a basement with the Mastercraft and got the job done, but it was a small basement and I had several jams and a lot of misfires. And I always oiled it.

Then it sat for a few years, like a lot of DIY tools, and when I went to use it again recently it had really degraded. Wouldn't even sink a nail more than an inch into a 2x4 at first, and then after pouring an obscene amount of oil into it, I got maybe a 75% success rate on firing a good nail. That's when I got the Bostitch.

I'm not saying you can't get a bargain nailer that works well, I just think it's probably more hit and miss. QC isn't there, and they really aren't as consistent. My philosophy now is to try to buy something that will last and will work down the road when I want it.

 

[ddawg16]

The HF is not a bad way to go.

Key to long life and good operation....dry air and regular oil. I keep a bottle of ATF with a pointed nozzle on it. A drop or two before I use it....and then a drop or two when I'm done for the day. You know it's about right when you have just a slight oil residue on the exhaust port. If you are having to wipe it off? Too much. Wiping it maybe every few days is ok. But it shouldn't be dripping.

 

[jgromada]

I researched this quite a bit, there are some really good comparisons out there on YouTube (like from Concord Carpentar) .

There are some basic decisions you need to make like how is it powered (pneumatic, Battery (like DeWalt) or Gas Cartridges ). There is also full head or clipped head (probably not a real choice ) go with Full Head nails. Weight and other features are worth considering too (ie dry fire, ease of loading). type of nails it shoots may be important to you as well (wire collation, paper collation or plastic collation --how nails are held together)

After all that I came up with the Ridgid. Good quality and excellent price, light weight and easy to load.

For Framers most of the pros around here use Hitachi (now called Metabo HPT) or Bostitch. Their same basic models have been around for years.

 

[dogdog]

I like porta cable, I have the FR350 21 deg full head framing nailer...... the Hitachi is not bad...either... I guess for the OP... find out what is code requirement in your area, full head/ clipped head and what nails available in your supply house/hardware stores...

 

[Handyfarmer]

I have gone with bostitch, 21 degree nailer, a number of places carry them local and I can get parts and that if needed,

the first nailer (43 years ago) I had was a Berry fast , and excellent nailer but they went out of business,

I would say that all of your old name brand nailers would do one good, the newcomers are probably OK,
but many of the newcomers are foreign made and the parts availability last about as long that model is sold,