Alright guys, before I start, I know this has been discussed here before.
Second, I also know that a lot of the decision is based upon what is allowed by local code.
So my question is this: Round-head stick framers or clipped head?
I’m located in central Massachusetts and to the farthest strectch of my imagination there really isn’t much limitation upon head types for gun-driven framing nails – correct me if I’m wrong. My reasoning behind this is simple, I picked up a round-head framer a while back – Porter Cable FR350 and yes I hate it. Now that I’m – finally – working pretty much full-time banging nails I’m seriously thinking about upgrading to a new framing nailer. I have my eyes on the Makita and Hitachi guns and right now am leaning more towards the Makita. That said, the Makita clipped-head deal on Amazon is really tempting, but is it really worth running a clipped-head gun? My boss runs both clipped-head and round-head guns – all Bostitch, hate ’em – and right now we’re pushing for the round heads to keep things a bit simpler. I hate to lay down the money on a clipped-head gun for my own work and have it come up short in the long run.
So, what do you all think?
Replies
I'll nip this in the bud for ya....
All the guys who use round head nailers are going to tell you to buy a round head nailer.
And all the guys who use clipped head nailers are going to tell you to buy a clipped head nailer.
And it's gonna be pretty much 50/50 I think. Me? I like round head strip nailers for spikes, and I like coil nailers for 8's.
I'm not trying to be a wise guy Squash, but you might as well ask which saw is better, wormdrive or sidewinder?
Good point Brian. I honestly prefer the round-head guns for a few different reasons but can see the bonuses of having clipped heads - few as they may be. Just the same reason that we both use both worm-drive saws and sidewinders I guess. I think I'm going to stick with the round-heads. In my neck of the state I can always get them without trying too hard and most of the guys that I know use them anyways. Thanks again.
Oh yeah, how's the demo saw working out? I had a few ideas for you but couldn't get my computer to agree with posting anything until yesterday, Heath and a few others nailed everything on the head though.
Thanks again,
Nick
Nick,
The demo saw just arrived today but my azz is too cooked to even want to play with it right now. Today was a smoker, huh? I spent most of it on the losing end of a jackhammer getting some footings in over in Lexington.
I agree about both nailers and saws. Whatever you can get serviced, find parts or nails for, and feels good.... that's the one we all should be using. I, myself prefer wormdrives, but we also have a few sidewinders and I could care less which saws my guys use... if they're comfortable then they're probably working relatively safe, so I'm happy.
As far as which round head nailer to get, I love the Hitachi's. We've got a bunch of them and they've been just great. They're the HD77 of framing guns if you ask me. Their one weak point is the magazine though. When I get a new NR-83, the first thing I do is remove the magazine and install a Supco magazine. If you don't want to go that route, I suggest you shop for a nailer whose magazine is of the box construction style like a Supco magazine or the magazine on those Bostich nailers you don't like. The Hitachi factory magazine is basically made up of two 'halfs', like a clam shell. Or a "U" With the open part of the "U" being where you install the nails. What happens is they either get stepped on and pinched, just a hair, or they somehow get spread..... either way, the end result is nails not tracking properly and you get mis-fires and jams.
So you want a magazine that has four sides.... for at least some of it. It doesn't necessary have to be a rear loader (which I don't like either) but as long as part of the top of the magazine is boxed you should be good to go.
Happy framing to ya.View Image
Brian, my name is Brian O'Shaughnessy and I live in Norton,MA. I am starting a job in Lexington,MA on monday 07/31. I don't write often, but read a lot of posts and try to absorb as much info as possible. I find your input to be very informative and helpful. Anyway my point is if you'd be willing, I would like to stop by your job and meet you. It would be cool to put a face to a name. Thanks for your time and hopefully we can hook up.
Good luck with the new saw tomm!!
Take care Brian O'
Well nice to meet you Brian! I'm actually all wrapped up in Lexington and will be moving on to a job in Watertown tommorow. But that doesn't mean we can't cross paths sometime. Speak up more often around here Brian.... we all get sick of reading my posts all the time... need some new blood and all that. What do you do? Sub, GC, OSHA investigator? ;)View Image
Just because you're not paranoid, doesn't mean everyone's not out to get you...
Atta boy!
wormdrive.
Atta boy.View Image
View Image
zak
"so it goes"
Atta boy.View Image
.
View ImageView Image
Atta boy. :)View Image
Now you're talking.
Worm drive? Sidewinder? fuhggetaboudit.zak
"so it goes"
"Yeeee-HAW.... cut it with a chain-SAW!"
That's my battle cry when that puppy comes out of the trailer. :) Sometimes we yell, "Yee-HAW, stick it in your grand MA"... but we gotta be careful with that stuff.View Image
dangit, you're makin me get all teary eyed and nostalgic for my chainsaw days. I used to carry an 046 magnum on my shoulder every day for work. Back when people trusted me around sharp things.zak
"so it goes"
Yeah... there's just something about chainsaws.....View Image
are you a boss or a pee-on ?
the boss buy what you want.
pee-on you buy what the boss has, that way you don't have wonder if you got nails for your gun.
one thing about a round head nailer you don't have to worry about some local building code saying that you can only use round head nailer.
I believe you can buy full round head nails for the clipped head guns now too. The head is off-set to one side, but it's still a full round head. I'm not sure how that plays out in areas where clipped heads are restricted, but I'd be curious to know.View Image
find them under the Paslode brand....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!!!
We cant use clipped head with the coastal code restrictions. The offset full heads like paslode makes for clipped head nailers are accepted though so either gun works fine.
My construction partner uses a Senco 702 full head nailer and I use the clipped head 701 while working side by side. We'll sometimes use the other's gun and they are both good, although the slight size advantage of the clipped head is what keeps me on that side of the fence.
The balance is better on the clipped head and it feels much more compact than it really is.
Some full head nailers don't feed worth a hoot, but with a decent gun either will work reliably.
A huge advantage of the round head is when the nail heads won't be filled or otherwise hidden. While a galvanized clipped head doesn't look bad, it's not as pretty as a nice round one.
A huge disadvantage of the round head is the amount of shrapnel thrown around from the breakup of the plastic strip connecting the nails. It's dangerous!
Where we're at, clipped head aren't approved for roof sheathing.
NER-72 syas clipped head and round head nails perform identically.Use what you can buy.
That doesn't mean that all local codes accept clipped heads...
It sounds like you only want to have one gun. I could only justify the money for one, so I started by looking at availability of nails. I got the Hitachi 90, because it works with both the Swan stainless nails and the ones the big boxes have plenty of.
-- J.S.