Nail gun recommendations?

[Innovate1]

My exterior walls are up but still need to do some interior walls and small mezzanine and some sheeting. Looking at getting a framing nail gun. Have used the battery/butane which are really sweet but for my limited use an air one will be fine. 30 degree seems to be pretty common. Will be getting a smaller one (or maybe two) for various trim and other jobs. Personal use only - not doing this for others so use is limited. Looking at the Metabo (Hitachi) NR90ADS1M. Not that familiar with nail guns so what should I be looking for in features/capability? Good brands?

 

[ddurrett896]

Buy the NR90ADS1M. There's one on every job site.

 

[tambamkam]

I bought this last spring, probably run a couple of thousand nails thru it with zero problems.

NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21 Degree 3-1/2" Full Round Head Framing Nailer

about 80 bucks on Amazon...

 

[bob15]

Have both a coil and stick Bostich nail guns. I prefer the stick gun.

 

[Bretny]

I have a bostich 28* it's remodeled 3 houses, we put a $10 trigger rebuild in it a few years ago.

For your uses any name brand one will prob due. Look up the cost of nails as that s prob your biggest expense.

 

[jg4660]

I have the $169 Dewalt from HD. It worked great for a finished basement. Put about 1000 nails through it with no issues.

 

[Parrothead]

Check code to know if you can use clipped heads vs round heads. Some guns will do both, some won’t.

I went with this to fulfill most of my nail gun needs, though I bought it for $200 at the time. I’m happy with the two Ridgid’s I have as well.

Pneumatic Framing and Finishing Nailers and Staplers Combo Kit with Canvas Bag and Fasteners (5-Piece) https://www.homedepot.com/p/205674761

Are you planning on keeping it, or reselling it when you’re done? If you’re going to sell it, pick a brand with some following.

 

[ThePostman]

I have senco frame, roofing, and finish nailers, they are 20 years old and work like a champ whenever I need them. They used to be gray, not red.

 

[TLGriff]

I picked up one of the low profile Bostitch® 21° nailers a while back (LPF21PL) and have put nearly 4000 nails through it without a hitch. I like it because it will fit into tight spaces, is very light weight and has plenty of power, driving 3 1/2" nails into engineered lumber with ease.

Tom

 

[Innovate1]

Have been reading a bit on full head, clipped head, and offset head nails. It looks like I would need to go to a nailer with plastic or wire nail holders to space the nails to go to true full head. Paslode seems to have the corner on offset heads, which is what has been used to this point by others. I will check with the local AHJ but wonder what changes may happen down the road. What's the general thinking on head style?

I thought I would keep it although my need for a framing nailer will be minimal after this construction. Rental will be about half of the cost I think and will require me to work around rental schedule. Smaller nailer will get more use long term.

 

[bob15]

To me, if you stick with full head nails, you will never have to worry about if they meet code or not.

I like using Maze hot dipped galvanized, full head, ring & spiral shank 20° stick nails.

https://www.mazenails.com/nails/4/27/CT44*A/decking/wood-decking/ring-shank-ptl-nails

https://www.mazenails.com/nails/4/27/CT44*S/decking/wood-decking/spiral-shank-ptl-nails

 

[Innovate1]

Since I don't expect to use it much I am tempted to go with this:

https://www.harborfreight.com/21-angle-full-head-framing-air-nailer-69927.html

Probably will get grief here for that and I am always a bit leary of their stuff but $75 is only a few days rental. If it makes it through the 90 day warranty I will be done with the current project.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought a Porter-Cable FC350 and it's paid for itself.

 

[Minnesota Steve]

About 10 years back I bought framing gun... and in my research found the issue of full or clipped head. I went with a 21 degree Bostitch full round head. It worked well. Used it for building a shed and finished basement then gave it to a friend.

At the time I bought it the full head nails were not easy to find, like Home Depot only had maybe 4 sizes/types in the store, but last time I was in there that's pretty much what all the new framing guns used and they had plenty of selection of nails. All the various lengths, smooth, galvanized, ring shank, you name it.

So yeah check code and such, but around here it seems like things moved to the 21 degree guns.

 

[Den69rs96]

I bought a Porter-Cable FC350 and it's paid for itself.

I have one of these too. Mine is the 21 degree round head nailer. Its built two sheds, a few decks, and a finished basement. I liked it so much, I ended up buying a PC 15 degree angled finish nailer and their smaller brad nailer as well. No issues with any of them.

 

[Innovate1]

I made a quick look at the nails available at the local Menards for framing nailers. 4 shelves high. About 3' of shelf space for 21 degree, about 11' of shelves for 30 degree. Seems like 30 degree is most popular around here.