Let's talk nail guns

[Cougar]

Making some boxes, 7/16 OSB with 2x4 frame.
I've been using a hammer and 4d coated sinkers.

Want to get a nail gun to speed things up.
Plus I just want a nail gun.

What would work best for this application.

Thanks

 

[hifi_hokie]

I have a Porter Cable finish nailer, but if I'd do it again it would be between Paslode or Bostitch - whatever's easier to get nails for locally.

 

[cheechi]

Personally I like 15ga (30-34*) over 16ga. I don't think 18ga is a good choice for anything more than decorations (molding, etc). Keeping in mind you can find 16ga in both straight and angled, it's just simpler for me to go with 15ga.

Hitachi, DeWalt & PC all use the same 15ga angled nails as the HF 34* and you can go into the store and try out, and you can get nails from both big boxes. Hitachi nails in Lowe's, PC nails in HD. I have personally used both the PC & Hitachi and they're good nailers, few misfires if any, and I own the HF (copy of the older PC) which is also just as good.

Keep in mind even though the Stanley Bostitch is 15ga, the nails are 25* instead. I also don't mess with the Paslode myself (30* i think) because it's an expensive system to get into, and more expensive than air in the long term. My dad had one and liked it, but I think he just liked having a nail gun since he likes my HF guns just as much.

What you're doing is too small to go with any kind of framing nailer, so as an additional suggestion, the HF 3 in 1 will give you a better idea of what you're going to get out of those different types.

 

[RKA]

I'll second a 15 ga angled nailer. I have a dewalt and love it...only time it's jammed on me is because the nail hit something I couldn't see. In all but one case, 2 secs to remove the jammed nail and continue, the last case it jammed real good, but 5 mins on the workbench and I worked it out. I don't blame the tool, it happens.

I would pair the 15 ga with an 18 ga for finer work, but if you want one gun, maybe just get a 16 ga angled gun and be done with it.

 

[raddksn]

Letts talk nail guns, dun this with a pasload pnumatic.the lady @ hospital asked if i was using one of those automatik nail guns,i told her if i was using a hammer i would have stoped befor i got it all the way thru! BE CAREFUL WHATEVER YOU GET!!!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

What kind of boxes? You got a pic?
I'd probably use a framing nailer for the 2x4 work, and a Construction stapler for the sheathing. I know you said only one....LOL

Problem with nail guns vs hammers...while one hammer does all kinds of nails, a nailer is usually more specific... I've got 4 nailers I own, my dad owns the rest...between the two of us we have every nailer style made except a flooring nailer...and my bro is eyeing them now..LOL
Just to build my garage thus far...28 Degree Framer, Roofing Nailer, 15ga Angled Finish, 7/16 Crown Stapler...and to tell you the truth, had I been smart I woulda/shoulda bought a joist hanger nailer before starting.

 

[Cougar]

Letts talk nail guns, dun this with a pasload pnumatic.the lady @ hospital asked if i was using one of those automatik nail guns,i told her if i was using a hammer i would have stoped befor i got it all the way thru! BE CAREFUL WHATEVER YOU GET!!!

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know a guy worked in a skid shop.
Nailed his foot to a pallet, through the heel.

 

[Cougar]

The box is to protect parts in transit.
Parts are fastened to a pallet, then we build a box around the parts.
Four sides of OSB with a 2x4 in each corner, OSB top.
Nothing fancy.

 

[5lima30]

I've got a 15ga PC angled finish nailer. I really like it! Once you use an angled finish nailer you will never want a straight finish nailer!

 

[IndyGarage]

I've got about a 15 year old Bostich angle finish nailer, a Senco 18 gauge pin nailer, a PC framing nailer and I just got a Bostich narrow crown stapler.

The most useful are the stapler and the finish nailer. The 18 gauge is OK, for trim work. The Framer is a little low on power for framing and too big for anything else.

For nailing 7/16 onto 2x4, I'd probably get the stapler - it's fast and more secure than finish nails.

I'd also consider building it with Kreg jigs and no frame.

 

[never enuf time]

The 15 gauge could loosen over time, a dab of construction adhesive would help a lot.
A staple gun would hold best, theres 2 basic types of 1/4" crown staple guns. The cheaper ones only go up to 1", the bigger 1 1/2". The staples are cheap & strong.

 

[MrMark]

You could use the Hitachi NV65A, which I just picked up for siding, and that would probably be the most appropriate gun for what you are doing as it goes down to 1.75 inch nails.

Or, you could use a stapler: there are THREE sizes, narrow, 9/16, and 1 inch (called a construction stapler). This is the width of the staple. 1 inch stapler is $$$ and used for lathing applications and the roof as an alternative to roof nails. I would think the 9/16 stapler is best for pallets and boxes.

The 15 gauge angled finish nailer is probably the best tool I own (Hitachi japan) but it is inappropriate for your job.

 

[RivennHewn]

Finish nails will just work loose, and your boxes will fall apart.

You need something with a head on it.

Look into a siding coil nailer.

 

[helterskelter]

You should check local pawn shops for a senco or something similar. I don't think
I've ever been to a pawn shop that didn't have nail guns. New nail guns are for contractors, no need to buy new for personal use.

I will say that when I worked as a carpenters hand in college the paslodes were VERY sweet. If you've got money to burn or see yourself using it away from your garage it's a very nice gun.

 

[RCStocker]

Synco makes the best all around nail guns. I must have 40 of them left in the shop. We did a lot of work at one time and we used them for finish work in construction. Hitachi makes the best framing nail gun and it is a no brainer that Synco makes the best staple and nail guns. I have been using them for over 40 years. I buy all the brand to try them out because some are so cheap. Most jam over time and Synco has replacement kits when they ware out. I would never buy anything else.
My porter cables double fire and they make a part to keep that form happening on the frame gun. After you have used the best you will understand until they have a happy day with jammed guns.

 

[srmofo]

Ive got a dewalt framing gun that hasnt given me any problems, 2 bostiche finish nailers that also have been problem free, and finally a couple of cheap husky finish nailers, that get the occasional jam(plus they beat the **** out of whatever finished wood I use them on, so I end up with twice as many repairs).

I bought my dewalt framing gun on ebay for $50 and it looked damn near brand new. Every pawn shop I looked in wanted almost new prices for used, worn out beat up guns,

 

[Toolfool]

If you only want to purchase one gun, the Hitachi NV65A would be the best for your needs, IMO. Crating and protecting your merchandise should be done with nails with heads. The Hitachi handles a wide range of nails and nail lengths (siding,galvanized,ring-shank). It can also be adjusted for setting the depth of the nail head from raised to countersunk. And not an excessively heavy gun.

 

[theknurl]

Cougar;
for your OSB boxes you want a stapler 7/16" crown 16ga, i like Sencos

http://www.senco.com/ToolDetails.aspx?k=3B0101N

holds 160 staples, will fire up to 15 a second, that fast enough?

 

[cheechi]

based on the length of your nails, I recommended finish nailers to you. If you're crating things up, you could go for a framing nailer but be careful, your 7/16 + 1-3/4 is going to be shorter than most framing nails are. If them going through isn't an issue, go for it. If you want to play it safe with 2" nails though, you can get framing nails as short as 2" in either 21* or 34*

take what I said about the 34* 15ga finish nails & nailers, and apply that same general logic to 21* framing nails. The only differences; is I think the framing nails at HD are a different brand than PC, and I'm not 100% sure DeWalt makes a 21* nailer.

For 34* framing nails, get a PC FC350, pretty much the standard for 34* framing nailers. I think it will take Paslode nails too. (this is the model that the HF version is based on). If you're going to do more general framing, the 21* is going to probably be more popular, but I liked the clipped 34* nails.

Senco is a great nailer, but not everybody agrees with them being worth the price so I'll let you decide.

 

[nehog]

Construction stapler for the ply, and a nailer for the frame, if needed.

 

[RKA]

If you're not interested in a nailer just for this purpose I think you can get by without a specialty nailer for roofing and siding. Just drop two nails at 45 degree angles opposite one another and that should be sufficient to hold for the trip. You'll use twice as many nails, but you'll probably do that anyway...just because its fun (unless you're raddksn - ouch!!!).

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I have been using Porter Cable's framing, brad and finish nailers and PC stapler for years. They work great and rarely jam.

 

[Cougar]

Thanks for all the replies.
Lots of good info here.

Friend has a stapler, think I'll try it out.

 

[nev]

Paslode all the way

 

[camarotoolman]

like Hilti guns, they seem to hold up, having a Hilti guy around helps too.

 

[bullnerd]

Hitachi-research them,history of not jamming.
Second would be Senco-I have a few,no problems.

 

[KesterHouse]

Hi ho,

Like a few others here, I've ended up with a load of PC nail guns over the last few years as I work through a complete home renovation. I think the only one I'm missing is the medium crown stapler, and it'll likely come soon based on upcoming projects.

Having used these things almost daily, and with the description of what you're trying to accomplish in mind, I'd suggest you don't get an actual nail "gun" at all and instead go for a palm nailer. This surprisingly useful little gem allows you to drive any reasonably sized nail, and you don't need to buy any kind of special nails to use it. It's sort of like a miniature jack hammer - when the head presses on a nail, it drives it in very quickly - and stops when it's flush so no blowthrough on anything. It'll do 16ds all day on the 2x4s, and you could use ring-shank flooring nails to hold the rest of the OSB in place. All with the same lightweight tool.

It's a Porter Cable PN650 Palm Nailer. I don't have a photo handy, but here's a link to the PDF owner's manual to give you an idea of how it works and how big it is:

http://kesterhouse.com/specs/docs/porter-cable_pn650.pdf

Hope that helps,
-JeffK

 

[eriksalo]

I think I have a nail gun of each size from pin nailer to full round head framing nailer. Here's my personal take on each of them:

Framing Nailer: 8-10 gage

Totally cool thing to use. Dangerous and makes a loud noise, what's not to like? I use it only for framing. For small jobs, I use screws. Also, my friends want to use it and I'm worried they will hurt themselves (this already happened).

Finish Nailer: 15-16 gage

I like this unit. It has enough punch to do some real work but sinks a nail into the wood so you can't see it. This is the nailer I would recommend for the OP's original question. A very verstatile nailer.

Brad Nailer: 18 gage

I haven't found this all that useful. The nails are pretty small so they don't hold much on their own but are often to big for gluing (e.g. they show). Of course, this all depends on the type of work you do.

Brad Stapler

This is similar to the brad nailer (18 gage) above but shoots staples instead of nails. Some of these will shoot both nails and staples (though they always leave a ~1/4" mark, not a 18 gage diameter hole). I like the staples better than the 18 gage nails, they hold much better.

Pin Nailer: 23 gage

I love this delicate little nailer. Holes are functionally invisible and they are good for holding fine wood working pieces while the glue dries. This is a specific/specialized tool.

Palm Nailer:

Also a specialized tool. I have only used this for installing nails into metal hangers while framing but it is good for any application where you don't have much room. It works at almost any angle. Nailers and hammers don't usually fit for putting these nails in place and you can pound almost any kind of big nail.

Floor Nailer / Stapler

Not much to say. If you are putting in a hard wood floor you need one. I've never found a use for one besides putting in a floor.

There are a number of other specialized nailers like cap nailers and staplers, specialized staplers for engineered wood floors, etc. I don't know of any case where one of these specialized units has a wide application outside of its intended use.

Hope this helps.

Erik

 

[eriksalo]

I should add about the finish nailer, it's relatively hard to install a finish nail with a hammer. It can be done of course and was done by many in the days before pneumatic tools. However, it takes some skill to avoid punching a hammer dent in your work while driving the nail in. Once the nail is close, there is a small round depression in the head of the finish nail so you can put a second nail or punch on top of it and pound it below the level of the wood. It's easy to let the punch slip off the nail and make a second hole in the wood.

For the above reason, pneumatic finish nailers give you a capability that's difficult to achieve reliably with a hammer. Of course, brad and pin nails are all but impossible to install without a pneumatic nailer.

The Framing nailer does a great job but it's mostly a time saver, you can pound in a big nail with a broad head just fine with a hammer.

The above is another reason I favor the finish nailer as a first pneumatic nailer.

 

[signcrafter]

He's building crates, OSB to 2x4s. Finish nails won't hold.

How easy do these have to come apart? A staple is going to provide a lot of holding power, it will come apart but most likely damage the plywood pretty good. If it's alright to damage the wood when opening them then I would go with a staple.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I agree with the others to use TWO guns. Use a framing nailer on the 2x4's and a stapler on the OSB/Ply.

If you were using 1x4's for the frame and OSB/Ply, you could get away with a 7/16" crown stapler for all of it. I used to make shipping crates many years ago this way and it worked great.

The staples are less expensive than nails and will hold the OSB/Ply much better. A 15 gauge finish nail is not going to hold a 2x4 frame together the best and their heads are too small to hold the OSB/Ply well.

I like Senco the best, but I also like Bostich, Hitachi, and Paslode

 

[Southern]

Senco and Paslode are made in the USA (except the paslode brad nailer.)

Get one of them. Everything else and you're wasting your money.

 

[Cougar]

I used a crown stapler, it worked great.
Gonna have to get one of those.

Next question: Are there any staples Made in USA.

Thanks for all the info.