Framing nails source?

[yuri]

I am starting to build a shed and stocking up on some supplies. Just ordered Hitachi NR90AEPR 3-1/2" Plastic Collated Framing Nailer NR90AEPR. Now I need framing nails for it. I want 16D (3-1/2") collated 21 degree round head nails with ring shank. After brief search I could not find them easily. Could you advise on good source for them?

 

[ratdoggy]

I would contact who I ordered the nailer from...They should stock the right nails for it

 

[yuri]

I ordered from BigSkyTool and they do not sell framing nails.

 

[jkwilson]

Rule 1 when ordering a nailer is to make sure you can get the nails easily at a local store.

Lowe's carries those nails, so unless you are really out in the sticks you should be good. http://www.lowes.com/pd_126174-67702-20302S_1z0yk4s__?productId=3247834&pl=1

 

[yuri]

Lowe's carries those nails, so unless you are really out in the sticks you should be good. http://www.lowes.com/pd_126174-67702-20302S_1z0yk4s__?productId=3247834&pl=1

Those nails are 3" not 3-1/2".

 

[Fyrme]

Have you checked Amazon? I ordered my Bostich nails from them for about ten bucks less than Lowes plus I saved on tax. They were free shipping too.

 

[yuri]

Fyrme, though I like to order from amazon (prime member), but they do not have what I want. It seems that most suppliers stop at 3-1/4".
Just found www.fastenerusa.com. They have pretty everything I need, though ring or spiral nails come only galvanized or SS. Hence the price is not that attractive. On plus side, they have free shipping on everything.

 

[readhead]

Just curious. Why 3 1/2" and why ring shank. Houses are framed every day with 3" gun nails. There is a reason you are not finding them to be very common.

 

[yuri]

Redhead,
building things, I am inclined to overbuild (prefer stronger, not weaker). I know that may be considered as illness by someone, or just love for good lasting things.
I read that framing should be built with 3-1/2" nails, that is why I chose it and prefer not to compromise. I do the shed for myself. As for shank type, I hate to see everywhere nails come out with time (floor sheating, decks, fences, you name it), so I though to use screws instead, but it may be very time consuming, so I learned that ring and spiral shank have good holding power and do not come out.

 

[readhead]

I looked back through some plans and the longest nail speced was 3 1/4". Do you know that framing nails have a cement coating that provides more holding power than normal common or box nails?

I have a side business here selling portable buildings. They are framed using normal 3" gun nails and they are transported over the road. There is a reason they sell what they sell at the store.

Of course there is nothing wrong with your plan but I think you are going to spend more for the same results as using the common supplies.

 

[mobiledynamics]

16D is not a common length when framing. Assuming you are using 2X stock

 

[readhead]

Nail sizes have been bastardized over the last 40 years. Your right , most framing nails are really 12d box nails. It seems like we are now buying nails by length and diameter. in the old days a 16d common is 3 1/2", a 16d sinker is 3 1/4", a Simpson 16d hanger nail is 2 1/2" and on it goes. Clearly you can't frame with 16d commons because they would split everything in sight. Seems like gun nails have become 3"-3 1/4". Whatever penny size that is. Natural evolution of the industry I guess.

 

[Fyrme]

Fyrme, though I like to order from amazon (prime member), but they do not have what I want. It seems that most suppliers stop at 3-1/4".
Just found www.fastenerusa.com. They have pretty everything I need, though ring or spiral nails come only galvanized or SS. Hence the price is not that attractive. On plus side, they have free shipping on everything.

16D is not a common length when framing. Assuming you are using 2X stock

Yeah, you will have a hard time finding 3 1/2" ers. I built my entire pole barn with 3" and 3 1/4" ring shank galvanized nails. Let me tell you, when I made a mistake and had to pull a board nailed with 3 1/4's, I usually destroyed the board trying to separate them from my posts.

 

[finn]

Don't get caught up re-inventing the wheel.

 

[Kevin54]

I just bought a Paslode framing nailer 30 degree nails, and I can get 3 1/2" nails all day long. As a matter of fact, the 30degree 3 1/2" is what the local lumber company sells the most of other than the 8's

 

[Fyrme]

I just bought a Paslode framing nailer 30 degree nails, and I can get 3 1/2" nails all day long. As a matter of fact, the 30degree 3 1/2" is what the local lumber company sells the most of other than the 8's

When buying my nails for my 28˚ Bostich, I had a hard time finding 3 1/2" ring shanks. So I settled for 3 1/4" which were plenty long enough.

 

[readhead]

I bet some of the nail sizes are probably regional. People get used to doing certain things in certain areas.

 

[bob15]

American Made Maze nails....have what you want, but are 20°. I am not sure if 20-22° nail will all work or not.....

http://www.mazenails.com/resources/maze-catalog

http://www.mazenails.com/assets/pdf/maze-nails-price-list-catalog.pdf

plastic collated:
Ring shank: C-S2091-A
Screw nail: C-S2091-S

 

[premierplayer]

you want holding power, hand nail it, 12d cc sinkers
16's blow appart todays **** lumber

 

[bob15]

you want holding power, hand nail it, 12d cc sinkers
16's blow appart todays **** lumber

Funny, the Maze nails that I have on strips (both ring shank and screw-type) are the same size (diameter and length) as a "regular" hand nail.....so why not let the gun do the work?

 

[Todd.Brock]

I used 3.5 nails to frame the basement b/c that's what came with the old early 90's Senco nailer someone lent me. It was a special California model nailer that had enough *** to put in a 3.5 for earthquake requirements or some thing. Anyway, I think I had to go to a specialty to store to replace the box of 3.5 s that I used. I think they were paper collated.

Anyway those things are a pain in the **** to use. I would be good to go with the three inches. I
An

 

[Falcon67]

I used 3" in my build - that's 1/2 isn't going to make a lot of difference in holding power I think.

 

[yuri]

Guys, thank you for the comments and thoughts, very useful.
I am going to use PT 2x6 for the floor + 3/4 PT plywood or Advantec OSB. For walls 2x4 + 1/2 OSB + Vinyl siding. For roof, 2x4, 5/8" OSB + shingles.
I was concerned with nail's holding power, but ring shank will do for me fine. As 3-1/2", as I read it should be 16d, that 's why I was looking for mentioned size, but I feel that 3-1/4" ring will be fine for framing.
readhead mentioned that smooth shank with some coating will be better than plain nails. Is it just little bit better holding power or it is plenty enough to prevent nail to come out with time?

EDIT: Oh, forgot. IT was mentioned that 3-1/2" nails tend to split 2" lumber a lot. Could you elaborate? What to do/use to minimize the splitting?

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 that 3 1/4" ring shank is all you'll EVER need, except for original rough frame construction of house itself!! Hand driven 16 penny smooth nails looked like original construction in 1970's house I was working on recently.

Those 3 1/4" ring shank nearly do NOT come back out. If I encountered some old 2x6's in roof that caused my Hitachi nail gun to not drive them in fully through 1/2" plywood, those nails could NOT be pulled out easily or hammered in further. End up beating them over sideways or cutting them off.

GripRight is common brand that smaller lumber yards carry which is what I bought. I overlooked that I didn't buy 3" (instead got 3 1/4") and they were really overkill for 1/2" plywood sheeting on roof. Heck 2 1/2" would have been plenty for the sheeting, but cripple studs I added were really solid with the 3 1/4" small diameter nails (ie either 2x4 or 2x6 cripple stud between 2x6 rafters).

 

[Falcon67]

If you use any PT wood, you MUST USE hot dipped galvanized nails in it.

 

[yuri]

If you use any PT wood, you MUST USE hot dipped galvanized nails in it.

Or stainless steel.

 

[boobag]

i've framed hundreds of units, and use the paper colated nails. the plastic collated nails are an oddball now.
and usually used 3x.120 if using cordless guns, or 3x.131
3.5 nails are not common, and really not necesary, and they are too long in some scenarios like doubling up studs, they stick out the other side, etc.

 

[MagKarl]

It's the diameter that is going to kill you. 0.148" is hard to find and splits boards pretty easily. My plans/engineering were based on this size so I am using it, but much prefer the readily available 0.131" diameter box nails that every lumber yard carries. Only brand I can get in 0.148 is Fanaco.

 

[wssix99]

I just purchased the same nailer from Lowes but their 21 degree nail assortment *****. The Orange Satan next door has a full assortment in a generic brand that are reasonably priced and work perfectly in the nailer. They may not have ring shank on the shelf, but you may be able to get them online and have them delivers to the store in a few days.