Palm nailer recommendations

[carcajou]

I'm about to start on a couple of large farm buildings and don't look forward to driving all those 4"-6" Ardox (spiral) nails. Is there a palm nailer out there that will make this job easier? I have never used one so the pro's and con's of these nailers would be appreciated. Are they hard on the hands? Vibration? Who makes one robust enough to handle a 6" spike? Any experiences good or bad? Thanks

 

[2mJps]

We had 1 when we were build houses. I think it was a cheapy. It worked good but i think it would be hard on your hand after alot of use.I never drove a 6" spike with it. If i was you i would by one i know you would find a use for it.

 

[PBCampbell]

I'd purchase locally and have some nails on hand to do a quick test. I have doubts that a palm nailer is going to hit hard enough to drive nails that large effectively if at all. A 2 or 3lb drilling hammer may be a better option.

 

[carcajou]

I'd purchase locally and have some nails on hand to do a quick test. I have doubts that a palm nailer is going to hit hard enough to drive nails that large effectively if at all. A 2 or 3lb drilling hammer may be a better option.

That's a good idea, maybe i can try one or more out at the local building supply store. I have been driving nails since i was a kid, a heavy framing hammer and i get along fine. My helpers though, no so much. If it will work for them it will pay for itself right away.

Checked on Ebay and the porter cable pn 650 has good reviews. I think i'll try one of those out 1st.

 

[RivennHewn]

Contact Danair, the ones who made the original.

http://danairinc.com

Ask for specs/ recommendations.

spec sheet:
http://danairinc.com/palmnailer.html

 

[carcajou]

Contact Danair, the ones who made the original.

http://danairinc.com

Ask for specs/ recommendations.

spec sheet:
http://danairinc.com/palmnailer.html

Thanks I'll give them a call

 

[justme-]

I have a Senco - had it over 10 years. It lives in my carpenter box (steel 28" long carry type" and only comes out when the application suits it... very infrequently.
It has it's place - used it to drive some 16 penny nails into deck framing that was obstructed too much to swing a hammer last summer. I don't think the heads on 6" spikes would fit in the driving end - it's recessed (as every other I have seen). Pressure on the center from the nail head opens the valve allowing the hammer to, well, hammer the nail and when the nail is flush the outer rim allows pressure to come off the inner from the nail head... the rim also keeps the nail head on the driver. I'd be using a waffle head framing hammer, 24-32oz for those spikes unless you're really good with a hammer in which case the suggested 2-3lb drilling/engineer hammer would be my suggestion... FWIW I would probably use the waffle framer myself - plenty of leverage and force and the waffle gives grip on the nail head giving more control. I've done a fair bit of construction and remodeling - my 24oz waffle framer and 16oz finnish (regular claw) live in the aforementioned tool box. My 2, 3, and 4lb drilling and engineers hammers live in the mechanics box... gives you an idea of the usefulness of them on average construction work.

 

[skruft]

I have used only the Senco, very rarely.

 

[22george]

I used the hf cheapo to build a 32x64 pole barn using # 10 nails. .had it for years. Worked great. Still does