So, got me a nail gun, and a box of 3 inch sinkers and have been happy as a clam nailing together headers and putting together some walls, saw a bunch of nails that made sense, like galvinized, ss, screw, and then found 2 inch 8d coolers. they look like the same as sinkers, but thinner shafts and shorter.
I was wondering what the difference in the nails where other than the obvious measurements on the box.
The Big Beautiful Bill could do away with much of the Inflation Reduction Act, including the 25C, 25D and 45L tax credits.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
id like to know this as well. also what is the stuff they put on the tips of the nails? i've heard some say glue and some say lubricant.
The tag, "cooler" refers to the diameter of the nail. With gun nails, a 2 3/8" x .113 nail is an 8D cooler. While a 2 3/8" x .131 nail is an 8D common.
Not all "sinkers" are coated with the same substance. Vinyl coated sinkers slip in nice and easy. I've also seen cement coated sinkers, but I don't really know what that's about.
Commons, sinkers, coolers, box... all describe the diameter with commons being the thickest. It's a good idea to know the diameter of some widely used common nails like 8D, 10D, 12D, and 16D. Reason is that hardware and hangers almost always specifies that common nails be used. Most nail gun boxes only list the diameter, and not the "name" of the nail so if you're using gun nails to nail off hardware, make sure you're using the proper diameter nail.
Edited 11/18/2005 6:12 pm ET by dieselpig
Cement coated nails are coated with a resin that heats up under the friction of being driven home. They are effective, just try pulling one out.
Hmmmm good to know, thanks. I