Replies

1. 
   GregWerner | Jan 05, 2003 07:01pm | #1

   I personally couldn't go without either the guns or the hammer. I use the guns mainly but you always have to nudge something into place with a hammer.(& god forbid you ever have to pull a nail out!)

   Greg

2. 
   sdr25 | Jan 05, 2003 07:12pm | #2

   I'm with you, There are just some things a nail gun can't accomplish that driving a nail home will.

   Recently I assisted a crew on a large framing job. The only time I saw them take their hammers out were to either pull nails or drive the bottom plate into position. These two operations are better accomplished with a pry bar or sledge respectively. These guys might as well throw their framing hammers away.

   Scott R.
3. 
   FrankB89 | Jan 05, 2003 09:04pm | #3

   I've always got a hammer with me when using a gun.  Nail hits a knot and stands proud, you've got to finish driving it home or yank it out and I haven't come up with a way to put claws on my Sencos.

   When toenailing, it's pretty common to have to tap the nailed end over or square to the line...need a hammer. 

   When nailing with a gun when on a step ladder, I sometimes set my hammer on top of the ladder.  That way, when I climb down and move the ladder, my hammer reminds me where I left it.  (everybody needs a good bump on the head occasionally).

   Sheathing is really where I appreciate a gun (as do my elbows), but Mr. Hammer still comes along just in case...

   Jules Quaver for President   2004

4. 
   pwalshe | Jan 05, 2003 11:41pm | #4

   We find the guns invaluable and frustrating at times ,.....have traded in our senco air guns & paslode powermaster plus guns for the impulse guns by Paslode.....less hassle allround.....no time messin with compressors re routing hose etc.....guns are great for stud to plate, sheathing and decking....always hand nail rafters & joists.....have been using the impulse guns for 3 months and would not go back to air.

   Hammers are the mainstay of carpentry....we see lottsa young guys who have never learnt to use one....sometimes a bag of nails & a hammer will get ya there just as handy as using a gun.....

1. 
   andybuildz | Jan 06, 2003 01:30pm | #5

   troll

      The Paslode airless guns have gotten a lot of critique here. Seems most responses reguarding  them speak about only using them every here and there such as at times when a lot of nailing isnt required or in places they dont want to have to RE-drag a hose. Doesnt it get expensive for the gas cannisters if you use it all the time? Whats your take on this. You seem to be the first person that I've heard that uses it as their main nailgun. So whats the scoop?

   Be nailed

             Namaste

                        Andy"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

5. 
   DavidBarDov | Jan 06, 2003 02:40pm | #6

   The nail guns have saved my elbow and I no longer smash my poor fingers.  They can be dangerous, but most properly trained workers can master them within a few minutes.  I never go anywhere on a job site without a hammer in my tool belt.  Drive the claws into the top plate to get a hand at raising the wall.  Smack that nail that was driven just before the compressor kicked in.  Its obvious that we see all kinds of professionals using new-age tools with no firm grounding in basic skills.  I see architects who can't pick up a pencil and draw a detail.  Plumbers who don't know how to thread pipe.  And yes, carpenters who can't drive a toe-nail.

   Guertin once claimed that no job was really too small to break out the hoses and guns - IF you've got the compressor on the site.  I agree.  It doesn't make sense to slog away if you don't have to.  I admit that the investment in equipment can be a bit heavy if you don't have the work-flow, but once you get outfitted, there's no turning back.  By the way, I was cleaning out the tool room last week and found my old friend, the hand saw.  Haven't used it in years, and I don't really miss it...