I am sure this topic has been discussed before. So feel free to repond to it directly here or refer me to the archives. However, if referring me to a search of the site, please provide insturctions as to where that can be found. I am likely blind, but can not for the life of me find a search option.
As for the questions about nailers: Favorite brands, clip vs round heads, pros and cons? Suggestions?
I am looking for one gun for rough framing dimensional lumber, sheathing, subfloor. I realize a separate nailer is required for roofing. I am a DIY planning a one off house build.
Thanks everybody.
Replies
Ok, I am blind
I see the search. I was sure I saw it before.
Since you anwsered Senco. What about round heads vs clipped? And curious, a 16d common or box is 3 1/2 ' long, why do nail guns seem to only go up to 3 1/4 nails?
unless I'm wrong
I think they do have nailers that go to 16...............
Just never had one, may have used them in the late 70's when we were production framing and were "introduced" to a gun by the Senco guy.............
But, you'll find the nail gun buries the damn thing so it's for all intents and purposes, the length of a 16.
Mine is round-some local jurisdictions I've heard do lean towards full round over clipped.
round head..
I'm really fond of the bostitch round head nailers. Simple effectve depth of drive adjustment, makes it easy to avoid over driving in sheathing and easily adapts to metal connector fastening mode with a push button nose change.
My old N88 RH models will shoot a full 16.
If I were only going to build one house with one I would look for a used one at a bargain.
Used?
I would love to find a used gun. However, it is one thing to buy a used hammer or crowbar and another to buy a used mechanical device. Any suggestions as to how to determine how worn a used gun is other than outward appearance?
I've bought a number of used guns on ebay. These sellers always represent their tools fairly.
http://stores.ebay.com/1TO4-TOOLS-and-MORE?_trksid=p4340.l2563
http://stores.ebay.com/dlee611-Fasteners-Nailers-Staplers?_trksid=p4340.l2563
use your instincts, it'll be fine.....
Outward appearance is a good yardstick for nailguns, better yet if you can air it up and touch off a couple rounds. Magnesium body tools can fool you in appearance as they don't hold paint well over time so they may not be as worn out as they look. Maybe.
I have also bought several used nailers off Ebay with good results. If they promise it to work you'll probably be o.k. I always limit my bid price low enough to allow room for the occasional surprise. Being a bostitch fan I keep up some with values on those tools and see plenty of good deals on Ebay. Sometimes it takes a few auctions to buy right but all in all it has been a good nailer source for me.
Worst case senario is that there isn't much that can't be repaired on a nailgun. I have some really rough looking nailers that work about like new, though they may not impress chicks.
I have owned a handfull of framing nailers over the years - all clipped head stick nailers.
A couple of years ago I boughta Senco coil framing nailer. I wanted the capacity of a coil gun for sheathing - a single coil contains many times more nails then a stick - real nice when nailing off sheathing.
It is heavier then its comparable stick nail version but as I purchased it primarily for sheathing, the vast majority of the time it is pointing down.
The downside is that coil nails are not as widely available as stick, but I usually keep a few boxes on hand.
Terry
nail forever
NR83 Hitachi is the goods forframming in washington rainy weather. Strip nailers are lighter than coil nailers. 3" nails are plenty long enought to go thru two sistered joists. 31/4 will go thru and give you a shinner. You might like to buy a bostich coil nailer for sheathing and and decking.