Smallest Palm Nailer

[Tool_Freek]

I’m considering purchasing my first palm nailer. I have a 6” gap between two studs in which to place a Simpson AR-35 tie bracket. The nails are 1-1/2” long which leaves 4-1/2” for the nailer (tip to palm grip). I’ve seen offerings on the internet with length x width x height dimensions in text but you don’t know how they’re oriented on the nailer itself. My cursory research finds the Bostitch 50N mini impact nailer. So my questions are:
1) What brand has the smallest nailer?
2) Is the Bostitch 50N a quality product?
3) Is there an impact nail driving tool who’s handle is oriented at a right angle to the axis of the impact head/nail that would fit in this stud gap?

 

[KnurledNut]

6" space? One bracket? I'd just use the side of my hammer.
On that small a connector, you'll be fighting to drive them in straight with a palm nailer.
Could use Simpson structural screws and a ratchet or right angle attachment instead.

 

[Tool_Freek]

KnurledNut,
There are two locations that need this bracket. There’s no overhead access to swing a hammer in order to use the side of the head. I had wondered if a palm nailer would be able to drive the nail straight. I was unaware of Simpson’s structural screws. I think they would be my best option. I’ll check into them. Thank you for the reference!

For future reference, and since we’re here on palm nailers, are they all the same size? Is one brand better than the others? They all seem to top out at 16d; do they all have the same strength? I usually find a way around using one because I don’t have one. However situations arise that make me think it would be the ideal tool. Perhaps it’s time to just spring for one.

 

[JoeMcGov]

My 20+ year old Craftsman battery operated "hammer" tool sounds like it could be a candidate. Or a modern version if there's one out there in your case.

Internet photo of said Craftsman "hammer" tool:

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

My small one is a Senco PC1195

 

[larry4406]

I have a small Porter Cable that worked great for driving in Teco nails in hangers in tight spaces.

Magnetic tip that holds the nail.

 

[RTM]

Could use Simpson structural screws and a ratchet or right angle attachment instead.

I just bought a box of those screws for a small project because I **** at swinging a hammer these days.

 

[Tool_Freek]

Thank you for photos of the palm driver and the “hammer tool.” Going a step further, I would definitely like to drill pilot holes for the screws. My right angle drill attachment is ancient, huge, and warped. Right angle drills are tool big when you put the bit into them. Can anyone recommend a particular right angle attachment that they prefer and why?

 

[larry4406]

Thank you for photos of the palm driver and the “hammer tool.” Going a step further, I would definitely like to drill pilot holes for the screws. My right angle drill attachment is ancient, huge, and warped. Right angle drills are tool big when you put the bit into them. Can anyone recommend a particular right angle attachment that they prefer and why?

I have this Dewalt that I like a lot.

It’s compact and convertible.

 

[RTM]

This is my tight spaces tool for driving screws



Or a small ratchet w 1/4 inch socket, either use naked or holding a bit. My SD screws shown above have a quarter inch head.

Guess you could use one of those drill bits with a hex head in a socket as well

 

[Tundra1]

Buy a palm nailer no matter what you do in this application. They are low cost and awesome for any time you can't or don't want to swing a hammer. Amazingly useful for their purposes. I think mine is an older bostich and not great quality but not terrible. It gets into a mode where it leaks air and needs a thwap to reset the oscillating mechanism.

 

[Tool_Freek]

My thanks to all for your contributions and great information!