OSB Sheathing - Coil or Framing Nailer?

[cotjocky]

I consider myself more of a mechanical kinda guy than a carpenter although I have done a lot of carpentry work.

I'm going to be residing the garage in OSB and vinyl siding this spring/summer. I wanted to find out some opinions on the best type of gun to use to install the OSB.

Nail cost and availability also matters. I have a old Bostitch coil nailer that the nails have gotten hard to find and the gun has run it's life span.

Not sure on code here in Northern Alabama, but seems most regions/states frown upon clipped head nails. I figure going with a full round head would be best. 8d seems to be the size most people mention/use for sheathing.

So let's here it. Best type of gun? Best brand? Where to buy at the best price? Nail price comparison?

Maybe a gun that doubles for framing 2x4's and fastening sheathing?

 

[geologist]

My Hitatchi nail guns work pretty friggin well. I've picked them up via Big Sky Tool as refurb units. Never had any problems.

 

[ChrisF250]

Hitachi and bostitch are industry standards but I'm sure others are fine for occasional use. I'd use 2 1/2 ring shanks on the sheathing.

 

[trboxman]

My framing gun is a coil unit...as is my roofing gun...the magazine style doesn't dictate the use, the nail type does. I'd get a gun that can fire 8d ring shank nails or 10d framing nails and use either for your sheathing.

 

[monster1]

My framing gun is a coil unit...as is my roofing gun...the magazine style doesn't dictate the use, the nail type does. I'd get a gun that can fire 8d ring shank nails or 10d framing nails and use either for your sheathing.

X's 2

 

[Mr Ratchet]

For OSB sheathing I like heavy wire crown staplers. I use a Senco 7/16" 16 gauge stapler with 1 1/2" staples for all of my sheathing. One thing about using staplers, is that you need to make sure you don't staple the OSB down if you want to remove it. Once it's stapled down it's not coming off without recking the sheet. The inline magazine holds around 160 staples before needing a reload (two rows). Staples are also cheper and lighter than nails and hold sheathing better. Bostitch and Hitachi are both good brands but hardly the standard. They might be in some areas, but not every where.

I would look at Bostich, Hitachi, Paslode, and Senco models. They can come in 1/2" or 7/16" in 15 or 16 gauge and up to 1 1/2" or 2" lengths.

 

[scott37300]

For OSB sheathing I like heavy wire crown staplers. I use a Senco 7/16" 16 gauge stapler with 1 1/2" staples for all of my sheathing. One thing about using staplers, is that you need to make sure you don't staple the OSB down if you want to remove it. Once it's stapled down it's not coming off without recking the sheet. The inline magazine holds around 160 staples before needing a reload (two rows). Staples are also cheper and lighter than nails and hold sheathing better. Bostitch and Hitachi are both good brands but hardly the standard. They might be in some areas, but not every where.

I would look at Bostich, Hitachi, Paslode, and Senco models. They can come in 1/2" or 7/16" in 15 or 16 gauge and up to 1 1/2" or 2" lengths.

Agree

 

[zoso]

For OSB sheathing I like heavy wire crown staplers. I use a Senco 7/16" 16 gauge stapler with 1 1/2" staples for all of my sheathing. One thing about using staplers, is that you need to make sure you don't staple the OSB down if you want to remove it. Once it's stapled down it's not coming off without recking the sheet. The inline magazine holds around 160 staples before needing a reload (two rows). Staples are also cheper and lighter than nails and hold sheathing better. Bostitch and Hitachi are both good brands but hardly the standard. They might be in some areas, but not every where.

I would look at Bostich, Hitachi, Paslode, and Senco models. They can come in 1/2" or 7/16" in 15 or 16 gauge and up to 1 1/2" or 2" lengths.

I agree about using a stapler. Both of the contractors I've worked for tacked the sheets in place with 8d hand drives and then nailed everything off with a stapler.

 

[fury9]

hitachi nr90ae (anodized green one) mainly a framer but you can shoot 2 3/8 ringshank or smooth for that matter (smooth=cheaper)if you REALLY want it to hold. Good luck pulling these out if you f up, the head will break off.you can get the gun off flea bay for a descent price and it will take whatever abuse you can throw at it all while framing your 1 1/2 lumber.Coil nailers are nice because they hold more nails which when you shoot thousands of them it makes a difference. But for what you want to do I would just use the framer. I would NOT use a wide crown stapler.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Wide crown staplers are for the likes of insulation and shingles.

 

[fury9]

Wide crown staplers are for the likes of insulation and shingles.

or tyvek but my duo fast slap tacker seems to work great for that

 

[Panz]

I bought a Paslode framer that accepts paper tape nails between 2-3/8" and 3-1/4 or 3-1/2 (packaging says 3.5, manual says 3.25). I've shot about 7500 nails putting up my 20x24' garage and a basement framing job. So far no issues with the nailer even during 30 degree weather this November in WI. This was one of the few nailers I could find that was assembled in the US and I've been impressed by the reliability, so far not a single jammed nail. The previous poster was correct, shooting ring-shank nails into #1 SYP -- you will not be able to pull the nail from the wood without mangling the sheet and may pull the head from the nail.

 

[fury9]

Paslode has that signature "POP" to it but I've shot hundreds of thousands of nails through my nr90ae and it hasn't been in the shop yet can't say the same for the paslode

 

[KnurledNut]

Alabama goes by the International Building Code and my book calls for 6d or 8d common nails. No staples unless your using fiberboard or gypsum sheathing.

As to which gun, this review seemed very condensed and helpful. They tested 15 models. This link will drop you to the last page with the specs.

http://www.toolsofthetrade.org/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1491&articleID=501037&artnum=4

Note that "framing nailers" are designed to handle all aspects (both lumber and sheathing), so you only need one tool, especially for your project.

Ive always used Paslode cordless for its convienence.

And remember to run your OSB horizontally. Its designed with a strength axis to go perpendicular to the studs.

Hope this helps.

 

[awdblazer]

i like to screw mine

 

[5lima30]

I guess I'll be the odd one out here. When I built my garage I hand nailed the OSB sheathing because you can "feel" if you are hitting the studs. I did use my PC framing gun for nailing the exterior siding to the sheathing. I guess I'm a little OC about stuff like that.

 

[cotjocky]

After doing a lot of research of reviews online and taking the suggestions on here into serious consideration, I've decided to go with the Hitachi NR90AE.

Being the gun won't get used much after this project and that my framing nailer is aging too, this gun should fill the bill on both nicely. The majority of comments I've found on this gun has given it glowing reviews. By occasional users and from those that use it on a daily basis.

I looked into the coil framing nailers, but they are around double the cost of a regular framing nailer such as the NR90AE. The convenience of loading 300 nails at a time as opposed to 64 would be nice if I did this on a daily basis, but being that I don't, I can't justify the cost nor would it serve the purpose of two guns as with the NR90AE.

I want to thank everyone who bothered to chime in and help me to pick out a good gun for a project that I already know is not going to be fun. Last thing I need is a piece of **** gun to make it worse.

 

[805gregg]

Framing nailer, coil nailers are for roofing. Go with 8d coolers.

 

[blue dog]

By code, i do not think staples will pass anywhere. as stated before, coils are for roofing. Sheeting should be put up with 6d, 8d or 10 d commons.

 

[ChrisF250]

I guess I'll be the odd one out here. When I built my garage I hand nailed the OSB sheathing because you can "feel" if you are hitting the studs. I did use my PC framing gun for nailing the exterior siding to the sheathing. I guess I'm a little OC about stuff like that.

You can hear when you hit with a gun

 

[trboxman]

By code, i do not think staples will pass anywhere. as stated before, coils are for roofing. Sheeting should be put up with 6d, 8d or 10 d commons.

There are coil guns for framing and there are coil guns for siding, neither of them are suitable for roofing. The magazine does not dictate the use of the gun, the nails do.

 

[cotjocky]

Framing nailer, coil nailers are for roofing. Go with 8d coolers.

By code, i do not think staples will pass anywhere. as stated before, coils are for roofing. Sheeting should be put up with 6d, 8d or 10 d commons.

Yes, there are roofing coil nailers, but there are also siding (cement) coil nailers and framing coil nailers.

Example:

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

I own a Bostitch N55, but it is old and worn out. Was that way when I got it.

It is designed to shoot 1 1/4 - 2 1/2 metal collated nails. It's a small and light gun. Great for 7/16 OSB.

A video of a Bostitch N55 in comparison to some newer Bostitch framing coil nailers.

 

[blue dog]

There are coil guns for framing and there are coil guns for siding, neither of them are suitable for roofing. The magazine does not dictate the use of the gun, the nails do.

Ok, your right

But, there is not a single coil framing nailer worth a ****. Been in the construction business for over 25 years, and here on the west coast, NO ONE uses a coil framing nailer. And a roofing coil nailer can be used for siding, even hardi siding.

 

[RivennHewn]

Forget the staple idea.

It really doesn't matter what gun you use, as long as it has depth control on the nose.

It needs to set the nail head flush. Not to deep or left sticking out of the wood.

Hitachi if you're serious, Bostich if you're a johnny home owner.

 

[cotjocky]

Ok, your right

But, there is not a single coil framing nailer worth a ****. Been in the construction business for over 25 years, and here on the west coast, NO ONE uses a coil framing nailer. And a roofing coil nailer can be used for siding, even hardi siding.

I've personally never owned a coil framing nailer, but the Bostitch N55 was a good gun for sheathing. Light, quick and flawless when it was in good shape. Being that max length is 2 1/2, I wouldn't really consider it a "framer".

Forget the staple idea.

It really doesn't matter what gun you use, as long as it has depth control on the nose.

It needs to set the nail head flush. Not to deep or left sticking out of the wood.

Hitachi if you're serious, Bostich if you're a johnny home owner.

I worked for a mobile home factory around 15 years ago. All three plants used Bostitch guns for years. Those guns saw tons of abuse daily. I can't speak for Bostitch these days, but I wouldn't classify it as a home owner gun. At least not back then.

The place I'm gonna be siding is at least 60 years old. The wood is gonna be hard as hell. Probably have to turn up the pressure and still have to hammer some in.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

By code, i do not think staples will pass anywhere. as stated before, coils are for roofing. Sheeting should be put up with 6d, 8d or 10 d commons.

Must be OK in my area, because all the builders that I know use crown staplers for OSB or the rare plywood. They are the same staples that a company I worked at made crates for air shippments. All the OSB on my house is stapled as are my neigbors and brothers. I used them on my shed and don't plan on using anything but in the future for sheathing. Staples are far cheaper and hold better than nails on OSB.