Looking for a framing nailer, any suggestions?

[djcslice]

I am planning on diy-ing a new garage next spring and I am looking at getting a framing nailer. The two I have my eyes on are the husky and porter cable. The husky is $88 and the porter cable is on sale at Home Depot for $128. They both seem to be good for the price from what little opinions I can find on them. Has anyone used either or have any suggestions in a similar price range?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-P...-Head-Strip-Framing-Nailer-DPFR2190/204087184

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-...in-Full-Round-Framing-Nailer-FR350B/203555586

 

[Wamsutta]

Senco and Hitachi are the two brand names that immediately come to mind for professional nailers.

 

[MoonRise]

FR350 is/was a 'decent' nailer. Not necessarily the 'best' but pretty good.

Some Reviews:

http://www.nailguncenter.com/best-framing-nailer-reviews/

https://www.protoolreviews.com/tool...umatic-full-head-framing-nailer-roundup/9878/

https://healthyhandyman.com/best-framing-nailer-guide/

https://www.thesawguy.com/best-framing-nailer/

Hitachi NR90xxx (whatever is the latest iteration) is usually considered one of the 'best' pneumatic framing nailers.

 

[dutchgray]

We have a Fasco at work, its very nice but expensive, not a lot of options available here in the UK, there are cheap ones but not a lot of good ones, Hitachi dont sell theirs here.
I think availability of pneumatic framing nailers fell of a cliff when the health and safety lot banned air hoses from being used on scaffolds or ladders, meaning you have to have a gas or cordless one anyway.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I already had two old school framing nailers, but both were heavy to use as I get older. I bought a Hitachi for around $160 and was really impressed with the ease of use, weight, and the balance of the tool. It toenails much better than what I had before. I highly recommend one.

 

[GrantCee]

Ten years ago I was looking for a framing nailer for a similar project and ended up with a Bostitch F21PL. A big reason was its versatility — it has a positive placement nose for doing metal fasteners, which are used in many framing projects these days. I decided its flexibility would make it usable over a wider range of projects.

As it happens, I was right. I've given it a lot of use over the last decade and it's been flawless. I'm glad I spent the extra money.

 

[850xpeps]

Buy yourself a hitachi and never look back. Quality pneumatic nailer. I don’t like the junk $80 nailers. But with your question I don’t think you care so buy the cheapest pos you can. Or buy a good quality one. I hate bostich because of the nails are different angles.

 

[GrantCee]

I hate bostich because of the nails are different angles.

Huh? The F21PL uses 21-degree strip nails, which are among the most common available. In fact, of the 6 strip framing nailers Hitachi makes, 4 of them are 21-degree like the Bostitch.

 

[850xpeps]

Huh? The F21PL uses 21-degree strip nails, which are among the most common available. In fact, of the 6 strip framing nailers Hitachi makes, 4 of them are 21-degree like the Bostitch.

Their better bailers were always 28 degree wire collated iirc. They are also heavy.

 

[GrantCee]

Their better bailers were always 28 degree wire collated iirc. They are also heavy.

That hasn't been true for a long time. Most 28-degree nails are clipped head, which most codes don't allow for framing. They're also uncommon in anything heavier than 0.120, which is light for real framing (0.131 is usually what's required.)

28-degree is great for interior work where the angle of magazine makes working in tight spaces easier, and clipped heads aren't an issue, but for structural work 21-degree rules the roost.

 

[850xpeps]

That hasn't been true for a long time. Most 28-degree nails are clipped head, which most codes don't allow for framing. They're also uncommon in anything heavier than 0.120, which is light for real framing (0.131 is usually what's required.)



28-degree is great for interior work where the angle of magazine makes working in tight spaces easier, and clipped heads aren't an issue, but for structural work 21-degree rules the roost.

Which code says clipped head nails are not acceptable?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have the earlier version of that Porter-Cable and I'm happy with it.

 

[WWheeler]

Hitachi NR90 plastic collated is all any of the crews around here use. My neighbor has 5-6 of the things. Super dependable. Keep your face behind the gun and fire away all day.

My brother has a Dewalt cordless that I really liked the day I used it, but Hitachi has a cordless out now that's even better.

 

[Ohmthis]

I’ll add my 2 cents because I own the husky nail gun in question. It’s not bad, meaning it puts nails into wood and I’ve shot a 1000 or so nails through it. It is heavy compared to a more professional level gun, but I suspect you won’t be using it all day every day. It uses the 21* that’s been talked about and I’ve not had a problem with it misfire. My one complaint is it uses more air (psi) than a sensco (sp) my brother has. I’d buy it again knowing how much I use it. Hope this helps.

 

[djcslice]

I’ll add my 2 cents because I own the husky nail gun in question. It’s not bad, meaning it puts nails into wood and I’ve shot a 1000 or so nails through it. It is heavy compared to a more professional level gun, but I suspect you won’t be using it all day every day. It uses the 21* that’s been talked about and I’ve not had a problem with it misfire. My one complaint is it uses more air (psi) than a sensco (sp) my brother has. I’d buy it again knowing how much I use it. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the feedback!

I put both in my hands today and you can tell the porter cable has a better fit and finish than the husky. The husky has a really crappy trigger.

The one thing I noticed about the husky that is better than the porter cable is it has some brass intervals. I’ve seen a few posts about the porter cable plastic intervals failing over time (maybe related to degradation from tool oil?). Though I only plan on using it for the one job, I’d rather it last if I am going to invest in it.

 

[MushCreek]

I was specifically told that clipped head nails don't meet code here in SC, and they're not fussy about most things.

I found a used Hitachi on CL for $80, and I swear the guy never fired it. Other than a little surface rust on the tip, it looked brand new. It's never jammed or misfired building my barn and my house. I have 6 nailers, some good, some cheap, and never had a problem other than a Freeman siding nailer which jams a lot. Even the HF flooring nailer worked flawlessly. I'm just one guy, building one house, though. I'm sure a pro would have different results.

 

[cheechi]

I'd buy the HF before the Husky.

 

[dr_clyde]

Clipped head doesn't fly in areas with hurricanes and earthquakes.

My old man built houses for decades, he had Senco and Hitachi for air, and Paslode for cordless.

 

[johndeereman]

I have 2 of the old trusted Hitachi's as a contractor i think they are the only way to go. I have used the porter cable in question and was not impressed, the rigid from home depot seems ok.

 

[djcslice]

I'd buy the HF before the Husky.

Why? Which one from HF? They have 5x framing nailers and only one is less expensive than the husky one.

I have 2 of the old trusted Hitachi's as a contractor i think they are the only way to go. I have used the porter cable in question and was not impressed, the rigid from home depot seems ok.

What makes the ridgid "ok" compared to the The ridgid is nearly 2x what the porter cable costs, it costs even more than a low end hitachi framing nailer.

 

[DFB]

I have a older PC 350 and works just fine...keep it oiled


Just to note here I bought a Numax brand gun, the 16ga finish nailer and its been flawless. I run over 2000 2 inch nails without a hiccup. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase the brand again. I see you can get both for $121.80 HD online.

Subsequent discussion here on TGJ showed that Freeman and Numax are made at same company. The Freeman name does carries a stronger commercial use warranty and uses a different material for the o rings. Check them out on the web

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Depends on how much you will think you will use it in the future as well. I've used mine way more than I thought I would have. I've also let my brother and friends barrow mine more than a few times. I recommend one of the better brands if you think you'll use it more down the road. Bostitch, Hitachi, Max, Paslode, & and Senco all make quality nailers. I've use a framer from the 5 above and all of them performed great. I have a Senco FramePro with the inline magazine. Makes getting in tight spots much easier. They need to be fed more often though.

My house that's 5 miles from Lake Michigan was done with clipped heads. Walls are at least 50" long in every direction and have a low point of 9' up to 14'6". We get a lot of straight line winds here.

 

[cheechi]

Why? Which one from HF? They have 5x framing nailers and only one is less expensive than the husky one.

the 3 in 1 and the 21* both have a decent reputation. Before this thread I didn't know Husky made a framing nailer.

 

[speed bump]

My family has an earlier version of the Porter Cable (framing guns aren't something you use everyday so it gets passed around) and we have probably put a few hundred pounds worth of nails through it. Not sure if the new guns are as good but I would play with one before I went directly to a Hitachi, Bostich, or Senco. Unless you are on a framing crew a framing nailer is a rarely used tool, spend a week framing, don't touch for a year, shoot half a stick of nails, don't touch for a year, remodel a room, don't touch for a year, loan it to a buddy, he keeps it and you buy another one 5 years later for the garage expansion.

 

[Notgrownup]

I paid like $45 bucks for my HF nailer, worked fine for building my shop, it didn’t fail... I’m sure better brands are actually better but I got my shop done and I didn’t spend a bunch.

 

[JJ99SS]

Going to throw in a question about Makita. How are those compared to Hitachi and others mentioned? I was looking for a 18 ga brad nailer and maybe a 23 ga pin nailer for some smaller repairs and projects.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

Going to throw in a question about Makita. How are those compared to Hitachi and others mentioned? I was looking for a 18 ga brad nailer and maybe a 23 ga pin nailer for some smaller repairs and projects.

Ridgid has a decent set. I haven't been disappointed. Sold d purchase and has worked for thousands of nails. The micropins are the Kitty's tittie's

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Bretny]

We have put many boxes through our bostitch. We did have to replace the trigger once but the parts are easy to find and there easy to work on.

 

[johndeereman]

I have to say i'm a bit of a Hitachi fan boy framing nailers, coil siding gun, coil roofing nailer, wide crown stapler ,18 gauge brad nailer,16 gauge trim gun,15 gauge trim gun,micro pin gun all have been flawless.I also have a wide crown senco stapler which has worked great as well I have used and still use the rigid trim gun's (2 brad nailers and a narrow crown stapler) I do have some time with the rigid framing gun it seem's fine well balanced and it takes the same nails as the Hitachi it would be interesting to see how it holds up in the long haul.

 

[Robinson1]

Going to throw in a question about Makita. How are those compared to Hitachi and others mentioned? I was looking for a 18 ga brad nailer and maybe a 23 ga pin nailer for some smaller repairs and projects.

By far the best brad gun I've ever owned. I bet I've done 30 kitchens and 20 baths plus 4 or 5 whole house trim outs and can count the number of misfires or jams.on one hand.

 

[toplessHO]

I have an older Bostich framing nailer(yes it uses clipped nails)as well as a 2"staple gun(no longer can use for roof decking) and a senco 2.5 in finish nailer.
all 3 have served me well ,I did have the Bostich gone thru when I first got it for a sticky trigger.

 

[DFB]

Didn't seem to me the OP was willing to spend several hundred considering the HD options that were listed

Waiting to know what is ended up purchased

Shoot the HF 21 degree framing nailer was just $59 bucks with a coupon this week.. buy it, beat it, and bring it back!

 

[dusterdude]

I bought a harbor freight nailer for my shed project.under 100 bucks,works great

Sent from my R1 HD using Tapatalk

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I picked up a Hitachi NR90 last year and have been super happy with it. Have shot a few thousand nails and it just works every time. Haven't used much else to compare with but can't imagine anything being much better. $149 at Lowes right now.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Hitachi NR90 is the way to go, probably the best framing gun you can get for the money.

 

[lukedwag]

I bought a Freeman which is very similar to the Bostich mentioned and it's only about a hundred bucks. It shoots full heads which is all I ever use and so far I have about 2500 naims through it with no issues. I have numerous Freeman guns and like them all.