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Discussion Forum

Clipped Head or Full Head Nails

Taylorsdad | Posted in General Discussion on June 8, 2003 04:30am

I’m buying my first framing nailer (I do 90% finish carpentry so I use a Bostitch 18 ga. 59FN) and I don’t know the advantages/disadvantages of full-head vs. clipped head.  Any insight would be appreciated.

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Replies

  1. clampman2 | Jun 08, 2003 04:45am | #1

    The only disadvantage to clipped heads that I can think of is that in some locations building inspectors will not allow the use of them. I think they are better myself because more nails fit into less space.

    Clampman

    1. FastEddie1 | Jun 08, 2003 04:59am | #2

      Ditto.  Check with the local inspection office and see if they allow clipped head nails.  I think the clipped heads come collated with paper, whereas my round head uses plastic, and I hate see all those plastic chips lying around.

      Do it right, or do it twice.

      1. CAGIV | Jun 08, 2003 06:02am | #3

        forget the plastic laying around, I hate it when it shoots out and hits in the forehead.Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.

        1. User avater
          IMERC | Jun 08, 2003 06:05am | #4

          The nail or the plastic?

          1. CAGIV | Jun 08, 2003 06:33am | #5

            the plastic, never shot myself or been shot by a nail as of yet..Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.

          2. Wet_Head | Jun 08, 2003 06:45am | #7

            i did.  2" from the jewels.  10 seconds after Inmoved to avoid an unsafe line of shooting.  ugh!

          3. CAGIV | Jun 08, 2003 07:01am | #8

            hey at least it wasn't IN the jewels, if you did I'm betting that wouldn't be DIY on the site surgery, and can you imagine the laughs you would get in the ER?Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.

          4. Wet_Head | Jun 08, 2003 07:09am | #9

            I know.  I had on long johns, 2 pairs of pants, and a pair of Carhart insulated bibbs and it still penetrated my skin at least 1/2"

            It was on a steel building and I was nailing 2x4's  around a window on the outside from the inside of the window.  I was standing to the left of the opening , nailing from my left to my right and realized if I missed the nail would hit me.  So I, being safety concious, moved to the right and bam, bam, bam... the third nail was now where I was standing and I did miss.

            Here is what bugs me.  Why did I so promptly forget the safety issue I had thought of seconds before?  I can tell you this made a HUGE impression on me.  I have been injured on job sites before.  But never 10 seconds after modifying my behaviour due to safety concerns.

          5. User avater
            IMERC | Jun 08, 2003 08:15am | #10

            Oh let me count the ways.

            A 2.5" wide crown from a M3 will fasten the jewels to your leg something fierce. 

          6. Taylorsdad | Jun 08, 2003 04:37pm | #11

            So - getting back to the question - is it better for me to shoot myself with a clipped head or full head nail?

          7. 4Lorn1 | Jun 08, 2003 05:24pm | #12

            I think a full head nail has the lead in this category, shooting yourself. Fewer overpenetrations, a sure sign of a hack job in pneumatically assisted body decoration, and the generally better aesthetics of a bold circle when compared to the more effete half moon decorative aspect of the clipped head nails. Should you desire to remove the nail/s, the truly committed body modifier would never think of removing them so anybody contemplating this prospect is obviously both a wimp and a dilettante to construction level body decoration who should concentrate his efforts in other areas - Building things comes to mind. -, the full head also gives you a bit more for the Vice-grips to grab.

          8. User avater
            IMERC | Jun 08, 2003 06:23pm | #15

            4LORN1 says it so well and FRHs give you a larger woking area for painting on the smiley faces.

            Now to get back to the suject at hand. If code says you have to have FRH nails, so be it.

            Scab two boards together. Use FRH and CHN. Pull the two scabs apart. You'll find that the CHNs pull thru more often than out. FRHs pull out more often than they pull thru. This is just the basics to an article I read in a trade rag. There's a zillion maybes, variables and what ifs so lets not go there.

            If you can get away with CHNs, go for it. Better more reliable guns, safer, cleaner, faster and cheaper.

            If the "man" says use the FRH just say yes sir - EOS.

          9. AlanRoberson | Jun 09, 2003 09:39am | #16

            For tyhe record Paslode makes a round headed nail that fits into any 30 degree clipped head nailer - called "Roundrive". The boxes say things like "Approved by the city of L.A." and "CABO 3.22 approved" (well I don't know what the actual CABO number is but you get the picture) and there is a info sheet from paslode taped to the wall above the boxes of nails in the store, which says they are legal for any application req. round head nails.

            My point is, if they sell these nails in your area, go cliphead.

          10. Taylorsdad | Jun 09, 2003 02:29pm | #17

            Now THATS the kind of information I look for when I come to the forum.  Thank you.  I will look into that.  Thanks to everyone else as well for the insight on code and nail head type.

          11. Taylorsdad | Jun 10, 2003 06:05am | #18

            Can't find the "Roundrive" anywhere on the web.  Even doesn't come up in a search at the Paslode site.  Are you sure its Paslode?

          12. Framer | Jun 10, 2003 06:13am | #19

            It is Paslode. The builder bought 3 boxes by mistake for me that are full round head nails 10 penny. I'll get the number off the box for you tomorrow. He bought them at the local lumber yard.

            Joe Carola

          13. Framer | Jun 10, 2003 06:26am | #20

            This link might help.

            Joe Carola

            http://www.gothamstaple.com/pdffiles/framingsystems.pdf

          14. Taylorsdad | Jun 10, 2003 01:07pm | #21

            I misread you the first time.  I was searching for a nailer called "roundrive" not nails of that name.  Thanks for the follow-up link.  No doubt I'll be buying the F350S as it seems to get pretty strong reviews as well as enabling me to shoot both nails.  Great suggestion.  Thanks again. 

          15. Framer | Jun 10, 2003 01:35pm | #22

            My fault. I wasn't reading carefully but you'll love the gun anyway.

            Good Luck.

            Joe Carola

          16. Taylorsdad | Jun 10, 2003 01:45pm | #23

            I'm surprised Paslode doesn't tout this feature (ability to shoot both types of nails) more.  What I've gotten from the forum seems to be that most prefer to shoot clipped head but shoot the full round due to code.  Provided all other features are on par with other quality guns, why would anyone buy another brand?  I see some reconditioned ones on the web for $189 and free shipping.  Wish it came with a case. 

          17. CAGIV | Jun 08, 2003 06:34am | #6

            correction, shot myself once with a bradNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.

  2. GHR | Jun 08, 2003 05:51pm | #13

    All of the National Building codes allow clipped head nails.

    1. CAGIV | Jun 08, 2003 06:09pm | #14

      Just because the national building codes allow for clipped head nails not all local municipalities allow them, and even though most do allow them that doesn't mean there are not inspectors within those building departments who do not frown upon them.

      A person should call their local building department and ask exactly what their policy is and for any variance that department may have beyond what the national codes call for.Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.

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