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Another framing nail gun question

A_A_Ron | Posted in Tools for Home Building on May 13, 2019 12:39am

Hello all,

I am new to nail guns and am trying to figure out a nailing strategy to build an addition and remodel my home.  I searched the forum and got over 3,900 results for nail guns and many of them are old posts so I figured I’d go ahead and ask a few questions.

I’m in California and my engineer called out 16d common (3.5″ x 0.162″), 10d common (3″ X 0.148″), and 8d common (2.5″ x 0.131″) nails in the shear wall schedule.  It seems that framing nailers that go up to 3.5″ x 0.165″ are rare.

So here are my questions:
1. What nails are people using in their guns?
2. Should I be using the 10d commons for most of my framing?  This seems to be an acceptable size for most needs according to the IRC.
3. Am I then best off hand nailing the 3.5″ x 0.165″ nails?
4. Is there a recommended current model gun?  According to Pro Tool Reviews, Milwaukee’s 7200-20 was a top pick with the Hitachi NR90AE(S1) right behind it.  Makita’s AN923 does shoot the 16d, but it’s also one of the heavier guns (not sure how big of a problem that is).

Please let me know what you pros have found to work best in the field.  Thanks!

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Mike_Mahan | May 13, 2019 01:36am | #1

    In California for what seems like forever Hitachi has been the go to framing nailer. (I've had one for 35 years. I have no idea about model numbers.) I've never used 3 1/2" nails 16d shorts (3 1/4" have always been acceptable.) I've never used 10d nails. We use what is known as a 10d short for plywood diaphragms when 10d are called for. It has the shank of a 10d but is shorter. You can use these for 8d if you don't feel like switching nails.

    1. A_A_Ron | May 13, 2019 01:02pm | #2

      Thank you for the reply!

      I was reading the notes on my shear wall schedule and it says that the 10d nail must have a minimum embedment of 1-1/2" in the framing member. This nail is only required for my floor sheathing, which is 3/4". So does that mean I can use 2-1/4" 10d shorts instead of the standard 3"?

      My wall sheathing is 3/8" and 8d nails are called for. Can I switch those out for the 10d shorts as well? I suppose I would need galvanized nails for exterior wall sheathing though.

      On my shear wall plan, there are large underlined words that say "Use Common Nails On Job", with diagrams of the standard common nails with their standard lengths, just above. Would it be best to verify with the engineer first?

      1. User avater
        Mike_Mahan | May 13, 2019 03:47pm | #3

        To be perfectly honest, in over 40 years building in California, never once have those questions come up. Before nail guns were common we used cc (cement coated) sinkers and then vinyl coated. I'll ask my son. He worked on a lot of engineered projects in the LA area, I'm in San Diego. I've never seen an inspector pay much attention to nails except for shiners, although they're color coded now.

        Your sheathing will be covered with two layers of paper for stucco or tyvek or something for siding so you don't need galvis

        1. User avater
          Carolina1Smith | May 23, 2019 06:28am | #12

          My dad constantly grumbles and complains that repair was easier before. Works in the decoration of the premises as I remember myself. Now such a variety that getting confused is much easier than finding the right one.

          It is good that there are such forums where you can discuss these issues.

  2. rww0002 | May 13, 2019 05:13pm | #4

    Technically the shank diameter and length of nails does matter in shear wall nailing and spacing should be adjusted to account for the smaller diameter fasteners (usually sinkers) that nailers typically use. The "use common nails on job" comment likely is a disclaimer that the shear wall nailing schedule is based on common nail diameters and lengths and that spacing should be adjusted if other nail types are used. I would contact your engineer about possible adjustments to the schedule based on typical nailer nails. You can provide ICC-ES ESR 1539 (https://icc-es.org/report-listing/esr-1539/) for code acceptance and capacity adjustment data for various nail diameters and lengths.

    All that being said, I agree that the inspectors are likely not looking for this, but it depends on your location.

  3. Brown6 | May 14, 2019 05:04am | #5

    what is the estimated cost? and do you mean Makita’s mean makita routertable?

  4. User avater
    tfarwell | May 17, 2019 11:20pm | #6

    Hitachi makes a great framing nailer - it's bullet proof. Use 3.25" for 16d's. Call the inspector first to avoid any trouble.

  5. kd22 | May 18, 2019 10:24am | #7

    My engineer uses typical gun nail sizes in his specs. and this means more nails required. Also, in our area, inspection requires three .131 gun nails for end nailing stud to plate, but only two if you use sinkers.

    1. User avater
      Mike_Mahan | May 19, 2019 01:52am | #8

      Good luck inspecting plate to stud nailing. FHA code used to call for toe-nailing so it could be inspected. Standard practice was 1 face nail and toe-nails after wall was stood up.

  6. A_A_Ron | May 20, 2019 03:06pm | #9

    Thank you all for the responses! I'll check with my engineer about nail sizes then. I ended up buying a Hitachi gun that shoots just about everything I need from 8d to 16d common. It took a bit of research to figure it out, but I think this gun will take care of my framing needs, no matter what size nails I end up using. I'm sure it'll feel really heavy by the end of the day too...

  7. gfretwell | May 20, 2019 06:52pm | #10

    I have that Hitachi "90" gun but I have never found 3.5" nails for it anywhere. Nobody has said anything about the 3.25 ones.

  8. Deleted | Oct 16, 2019 11:00am | #14

    “[Deleted]”

  9. User avater
    Mike_Mahan | May 21, 2019 08:24am | #11

    Thanks for the spam. Working in San Diego I need to know what vendors and subs to avoid. Consider yourself on that list.

  10. bellemac | May 23, 2019 07:27pm | #13

    Poor form

  11. calvin | Oct 16, 2019 11:41am | #15

    Sorry for missing it earlier, spam post deleted.

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