Replies

1. 
   webby | Jan 23, 2009 05:24am | #1

   To me a roofing nailer is a coil nailer. Coil is a description given to a tool based on the way the tool holds the fasteners. Ie. coil versus stick nailers.

   You can have coil framing guns and stick type framing guns or what I call stick type because of the straight magazine.

   Coil nails only fit coil nailers. Stick nails only fit stick nailers. Mostly it is a matter of preference as to what nailer you choose.

   Some people like coil nailers because they are more compact and hold more nails. For example a framing gun requires less reloding because they generally hold more fasteners. Coil nailers often fit into tighter spaces versus a stick nailer.

   These monacres are ususlly not carried to finish and brad nailers even though they have straight stick type magazines.

   Roofing nailers are only offered in coil form I think because of the rapid use and large quantity of nails being steadily delivered from the gun when shingling. It would be to time consuming to try to reload a straight magazine roofing nailer if they made one.

   Also the smaller nail length of roofing nails lends itself to a coil system.

   To further answer your question, this seems to be a confusing point for people about nailguns. Nailguns  of any type only shoot the fasteners designed for it in a range of lengths. A 15 gauge finish nailer wont shoot a 2 inch framing nail. a Roofing nailer is incapable of shooting a nail suitable for sheathing. A framing gun can't shoot a roofing nail or a finish nail.

   Some makers have designed attachments for roofing guns to allow the gun to fasten vinyl siding but to my knowledge it is not widely used.

   Common coil guns as you mentioned are siding nailers, roofing nailers, framing nailers, drywall nailers (not widely used)  button cap nailers, etc.

   Common straight magazine guns are framing nailers, positive placement nailers, brad nailers, finish nailers, etc.

   You can use the roofing gun to shingle your shed and your garage, and a coil or straight magazine framing gun to shoot seven pennys to attach your sheathing.

   Hope this helps.

    

    

   Webby 

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/22/2009 9:28 pm ET by webby

1. 
   emaxxman00 | Jan 23, 2009 06:05am | #3

   OK, so I've got the framing nailer already. It's a Bostitch that I bought used from my neighbor when he sold his house ($10 for nailer and more nails than I know what to do with...yee-ha!)I didn't realize I could use it to hang sheathing...I was worried that it would blow thru the sheathing.So I'll get a roofing nailer and be good to go.Thanks guys!

1. 
   webby | Jan 23, 2009 06:33am | #5

   That is a common problem overnailing the sheathing. Try to use care and adjust your pressure to just set the nail head flush.

   Yes you will be good to go. Framer to frame and sheath, and deck the floor, roofer to shingle the shed.

   Webby 

    

   Edited 1/22/2009 10:34 pm ET by webby

2. 
   Waters | Jan 23, 2009 05:28am | #2

   I would say coil nailer is any nailer where you have your nails collated in a coil.  There are coil framing, siding, roofing, nailers--all different.

   Then you have 'stick' nailers, where your nails are collated in strips--held together with paper or plastic, full head or clipped head.  Stick nailers are more common.

   If you want an all around nailer--which would be the one you can use with a variety of nails, get a framing nailer, which can shoot framing, siding or sheathing varieties.

   You're sol on the roofing nailer then tho.

   Pat

    

3. 
   Marson | Jan 23, 2009 06:07am | #4

   In simple terms, a roofing nailer and a siding nailer are both coil nailers, but the nails aren't interchangeable, any more than you can put brads in a framing gun.

   You COULD install sheathing with a roofing nailer. Don't think it would pass inspection in hurricane country, but for a shed... Also, when you put up your siding, you'd be surprised how many times you would hit an underlying nail head.

4. 
   rasconc | Jan 23, 2009 07:03am | #6

   I have the old Bostitch coil framer.  It is a different beast from siding or roofing nailers mainly because of the ammunition it fires.  If you look at most roofing nails the heads are not as substantially attached ( either welded or whatever rather than part of an extrusion).

   It does not have the holding power, certainly will not pull through but may detach from the nail.  The channel in the framer will not pass the roofers. 

   You can certainly sheath with the framer, just adjust the air pressure if there is no true depth adj.  The siding nailers vary somewhat I believe but I have never looked closely at them.  The nail diameter and length should be compatible but they may vary the angle or something to screw you up.

   For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
5. 
   IMERC | Jan 23, 2009 07:59am | #7

   the nail....

   and you could but the nails are too short and don't hold as well...

   nail the sheathing on with yur framer...

    

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    

   "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

6. 
   oldbeachbum | Jan 23, 2009 11:11am | #8

   If you're a weekend warrior/DIYer and are looking to save a few bucks check out some of the combo paks at Costco.  They usually offer 3 guns, etc. but I'm not sure the mix/type.

   Also, pawn shops are a good source if you know what to look for.  Provided you are not looking to use it more than a few times.  Even something like Harbor Freight can get you a tool for a few $ that may get a job done.

    

   ...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it.  -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!