Nail gun

[tearapin]

I searched here and the threads are quite old. I am looking to get a general purpose nail gun. No heavy framing. Just a good general usage one. I do not know anything about them and would appreciate some help.

No jams
Last more than a few nails

I figure someone here would know ....

 

[greenlizard]

Paslode.

 

[see pictures]

Hitachi cordless reconditioned at bigsky for $179. They use battery only unlike paslode that take a fuel cell.

 

[Trock03]

Are you already married to a certain brand of cordless tools? If so I would strongly suggest getting a cordless nailer to run off of whatever batteries you already have.
I suppose a 16 gauge nailer might fall in the general purpose category. It's definitely not going to be a one size fits all kind of thing though.
Would really help to know how it might be used.

TC

 

[tearapin]

Are you already married to a certain brand of cordless tools? If so I would strongly suggest getting a cordless nailer to run off of whatever batteries you already have.
I suppose a 16 gauge nailer might fall in the general purpose category. It's definitely not going to be a one size fits all kind of thing though.
Would really help to know how it might be used.

TC

I have a Hitachi 18v drill and impact gun. I am not married to the brand though.

 

[The Cobbler]

what type of work are you doing, trim? plywood/sub floor etc?
theirs basically 2 gauges for trim , sheeting/pallet, fence board nailer, framing nailers,

need to identify what type of work you'll be doing

 

[tearapin]

what type of work are you doing, trim? plywood/sub floor etc?
theirs basically 2 gauges for trim , sheeting/pallet, fence board nailer, framing nailers,

need to identify what type of work you'll be doing

I guess one or two guns to cover all that?

 

[The Cobbler]

for trim I would get a 18 gauge ,2" brad gun, add to that a coil siding nailer for plywood, etc, usually they would go to 2-1/2" or so. framing, you need to go to 3-1/4

 

[so2315]

Check out the Pierce nail guns at Harbor freight. I just bought the coil roofing nailer and it is an exact duplicate of the Hitachi. Used it today and it worked great, no misfires, jams and depth was set up perfectly out of the box.
It is $100 cheaper than the Hitachi, and is a great buy!

 

[tearapin]

Check out the Pierce nail guns at Harbor freight. I just bought the coil roofing nailer and it is an exact duplicate of the Hitachi. Used it today and it worked great, no misfires, jams and depth was set up perfectly out of the box.
It is $100 cheaper than the Hitachi, and is a great buy!

One thing I do not like about Harbor is that they quit stocking parts quickly. I am not sure how complex a nail gun is or what may break but.....

 

[The Cobbler]

o rings , drivers , pistons are prone to fail , but usually just with heavy use .

 

[tearapin]

o rings , drivers , pistons are prone to fail , but usually just with heavy use .

Ok I will not be using it daily. Likely once a month.

 

[The Cobbler]

at once per month I think most guns will last several years. never know if you get a lemon tho!

 

[Bretny]

Ok I will not be using it daily. Likely once a month.

You most likely will never need parts.

I have a bostitch frame gun and a porter cable angled 15ga teim gun that both have re modeled 2 houses and never needed a part.

Now that i have a m18 trim gun though i dont see that air operated gun getting much use.

 

[ovilla]

Just make sure you get an angle fed nailer. These are much more versatile and allow you to get into tight spots. Also as others have said it really depends on the type of work you’re doing but you’ll most likely want a trim and framing nailer too - if you want to nail into 2X4’s. Anyway Paslode and Bostitch are the most common on the market and can always be picked up second hand on Craigslist or at Pawn shops, and are easy to get parts for them too. Another reason to get a nailer from these two companies is because you can pick up nails pretty much at any big box store.

 

[Handyandy23]

I have a Bostitch framing nailer and a Ridgid brad nailer (both pneumatic), which have both been excellent. I purchased my Bostitch nailer on Amazon and made sure to get a 30 degree angle design because my local stores only carry 30 degrees. However there are other areas where I believe it's 21 degrees that is the common size, so I would check your local stores before you pick one. Bostitch (and most major brands) make them in both angles so you can get the one that gives you more local options.

Bostitch also makes "their own" angled nails and guns, which I think is 28 degrees. My local HD carries this 28 degree gun and nails, but no other brand nails fit into it. Which is why I bought the 30 degree gun online. I think they want to get people into the 28 degree nailer so they're stuck buying Bostitch branded nails forever too. Wouldn't be the worst thing because HD does have them in stock locally, but I didn't want to commit to something that might be difficult to find in 10 or 20 years.

The Ridgid brad nailer I picked up after reading reviews of lots of contractors preferring them over the more name brand nailers. I find these smaller nail guns are more finicky. With the framing nailers as long as you go with a good brand they all seem to perform. With the smaller brad and finishing nails the lower quality guns seem to jam up a lot. I have had zero issues with the Ridgid, but it replaced a cheapo Mastercraft one that was junk and always jamming and misfiring.

At the brad nailer size it seems like there are more "consumer" grade options, aka junk. A buddy bought a Bostitch branded pancake compressor that came with a 'free' Bostitch brad nail gun, and it seems pretty cheaply made and he says it jams a lot. But then Bostitch makes a more "professional" grade brad nailer too that looks very similar, but is a different part number and obviously better internals.

Those are the two nail gun sizes I use for DIY work and haven't found myself needing anything in between. Trim and smaller, more fine work get the brad nails, and framing or plywood sheeting gets the framing gun.

When I was researching I decided against the cordless and went pneumatic. From the reviews I read and watched the cordless nailers are less effective and a lot more money. I'm sure there are good ones too and quality will improve, but the way I see it the pneumatic versions should last me forever with occasional use. I'm not a pro or a fast worker by any means, so having a flexible 1/4" air hose to drag around isn't a huge hindrance for me. But everyone puts a different value on cordless-ness.

 

[mike93lx]

I rock a harbor freight framing gun, a ridgid 18g,a hitachi 16g and a ridgid palm.

All work great. The hitachi has an annoyance of not having a dry fire lockout. That is something i would want.

If i was buying a feaming gun today, i would get something with a short magazine. The full size just gets in the way for someone that is remodeling and not building houses.

For trim and assembly, 18 gauge is by far the most versatile and i really like my ridgid.

A palm nailer is immensely helpful for remodel work

 

[mike93lx]

Don't get a clipped head framer, only go full head

 

[ddawg16]

Go on CL and buy a used one.....especially if it's from someone who is tired of having it around.

Truth is, if you are only going to use it occasionally, I wouldn't spend the money on a framing nailer. Trim and Brad? Yes....but, unless you have a LOT of framing to do....just use a hammer.

If you really want one and don't want used....look for kits.

I got the Cambell Hausfield kit...Framing nailer, Trim and Brd along with the compressor for about $350. The compressor died years ago. The nailers built my 2-story garage and 2-story addition....and still work fine.

 

[MoonRise]

There is no one-size-fits-all nail gun.

Literally.

From smallest to largest nails/fasteners, there are :

- pin nailers

- brad nailers

- finish nailers

- coil roofing/siding nailers

- framing nailers

A palm nailer is a slightly different beast. It is more of a pneumatic hammer that is held in the palm of your hand (hence 'palm nailer' ) and taps a loose nail in via repeated hammer blows than a nailer that shoots the fastener in with one single shot/blow.

Define your wants/needs better and someone here will help you spend your money.

And +2 on using full head nails, not clipped head. Not all locales 'accept' clipped head nails, but all 'allow' full head nails as meeting building codes.

Putting up trim? Trim nailer.

Building 'little' stuff? Maybe a brad nailer.

Doing framing? Framing nailer. One of, if not 'the' 'best' is the top-line Hitachi. Whatever the current model number is. Cordless would usually be a Paslode, but they are a bit more expensive to use but don't need a compressor and air hose.

Finish nailer I prefer the 15 gauge instead of the 16 gauge and want an angle mag, not a straight one.

https://www.nailgundepot.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-nail-gun-for-your-project-blog.html

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

 

[ddawg16]

There is no one-size-fits-all nail gun.

Literally.

From smallest to largest nails/fasteners, there are :

- pin nailers

- brad nailers

- finish nailers

- coil roofing/siding nailers

- framing nailers

A palm nailer is a slightly different beast. It is more of a pneumatic hammer that is held in the palm of your hand (hence 'palm nailer' ) and taps a loose nail in via repeated hammer blows than a nailer that shoots the fastener in with one single shot/blow.

Define your wants/needs better and someone here will help you spend your money.

And +2 on using full head nails, not clipped head. Not all locales 'accept' clipped head nails, but all 'allow' full head nails as meeting building codes.

Putting up trim? Trim nailer.

Building 'little' stuff? Maybe a brad nailer.

Doing framing? Framing nailer. One of, if not 'the' 'best' is the top-line Hitachi. Whatever the current model number is. Cordless would usually be a Paslode, but they are a bit more expensive to use but don't need a compressor and air hose.

Finish nailer I prefer the 15 gauge instead of the 16 gauge and want an angle mag, not a straight one.

https://www.nailgundepot.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-nail-gun-for-your-project-blog.html

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

Palm nailers.....don't need them very often....but when you do, you wonder how you got by without one.

Kinda like the Multi-tool.....

 

[mike93lx]

Palm nailers.....don't need them very often....but when you do, you wonder how you got by without one.

Kinda like the Multi-tool.....

Agreed. I've used a few and found ridgid's to be great. Way quieter than hitachi's and it hits pretty hard.

Immensely useful when doing anything with joist hangers

 

[ddawg16]

Agreed. I've used a few and found ridgid's to be great. Way quieter than hitachi's and it hits pretty hard.

Immensely useful when doing anything with joist hangers

Yea....especially when they are 12" OC or less

 

[finn]

There is no one-size-fits-all nail gun.

Literally.

From smallest to largest nails/fasteners, there are :

- pin nailers

- brad nailers

- finish nailers

- coil roofing/siding nailers

- framing nailers

A palm nailer is a slightly different beast. It is more of a pneumatic hammer that is held in the palm of your hand (hence 'palm nailer' ) and taps a loose nail in via repeated hammer blows than a nailer that shoots the fastener in with one single shot/blow.

Define your wants/needs better and someone here will help you spend your money.

And +2 on using full head nails, not clipped head. Not all locales 'accept' clipped head nails, but all 'allow' full head nails as meeting building codes.

Putting up trim? Trim nailer.

Building 'little' stuff? Maybe a brad nailer.

Doing framing? Framing nailer. One of, if not 'the' 'best' is the top-line Hitachi. Whatever the current model number is. Cordless would usually be a Paslode, but they are a bit more expensive to use but don't need a compressor and air hose.

Finish nailer I prefer the 15 gauge instead of the 16 gauge and want an angle mag, not a straight one.

https://www.nailgundepot.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-nail-gun-for-your-project-blog.html

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

You forgot staplers. There are at least three of them, too.