Replies

1. 
   Greg | Mar 20, 2007 02:37pm | #1

   For sheathing and decking roofs, a coil nailer is good because of its capacity. My Bostich holds around 300 nails so it saves a lot of time for my crew.

   Doesn't get used much other than that though... Because of the can for the coil, it doesn't work as well in tight spots, and with a full coil in it, it is heavier than a stick nailer.

   The older I get, the better I was....
2. 
   Piffin | Mar 20, 2007 02:47pm | #2

   Same thinking here as Greg. The coil holds more so for roofing or sheathing it is a good thing, but does take longer to reload.

   Also, the nails are more expensive for the coil nailer and unless you have good shelf storage, they are easier to mess up and ruin so they won't feed.

   Overall, I prefer stick nails.

    

    

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3. 
   JDRHI | Mar 20, 2007 04:28pm | #3

   Keep with the stick.

   "Holds more nails" is the only benefit....which is marginalized by the fact that you can't keep the coils in your pouch for reloading....takes longer to reload, even if there's someone following you around carrying the spares.....not to mention general storage. When framing, spare clips are always in my belt.....the gatemouth bag that holds my nailer has plenty of spare clips....the small box their sold in takes up little room in my truck or on a shelf. Coil boxes are large and need to be protected, so as not to damage the rather delicate alignment of the coils.

   That haircut, and a time out. All in the same week.
   Sucks to be you.

    

    

   
   

4. 
   Timuhler | Mar 20, 2007 04:52pm | #4

   I'm not sure if the other posters frame that often, but until the last 6 months that's all we did.

   We switched over to coil from stick about 2 years ago now I think.  There are pros and cons.

   Pros to coil

   Holds up to 5 times more nails than stick

        Less time reloading

   No plastic peices flying around the site

       I was shooting SheatherPlus nails last week and my face hurt from all the plastic

   No nails in your bags, you run around lighter

       When framing, you aren't holding the gun all day, so you lose all the weight of nails in your bags.  I used to load up on them so I didn't have to go over to the box.

   They aren't that much heavier and get lighter as you use nails.

   Cons:

   Heavier

   Nails can bend if you aren't careful

    

   There is no question in my mind after framing for a long time with stick and switching to coil that it is a better way to frame.  No question.  If you buy the Hitachi NV83A2 and get a Dead On hanger the gun is much easier to use. 

   If you really want to go coil nailer and save the weight buy the Max high pressure system.  :-)

   http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL293/2163851/15410460/239316059.jpg

1. 
   OBrienConstruction | Mar 20, 2007 05:44pm | #5

   Tim is 100% percent right. If your framing on a regular basis the coil nailer is the way to go. I use the Hitachi NV83's as well. Yeah they are heavier, but like Tim said its not in your hand all day and when your doing floor or roof sheathing the weight seams insignificant. Wall sheathing if your doing after walls are stood the guns get heavy, but all get heavy doing this. As far as cost of nails, I think that might be a matter of location. I get the nails for the same price as stick nails roughly for the same amount of nails. It is awfully nice to not have that plastic flying or left behind all over your site. Especially when sheathing roofs. Yeah the boxes of nails take up more room and you have to be marginally more carefull in throwing them around. Overall for a framing crew, I don't think you can beat them, for the occasional framer or homeowner I'd go with a stick gun, the nails are more readily available at the big box stores.

5. 
   timberline69 | Mar 20, 2007 06:07pm | #6

   My crews prefer the stick guns. We use all hitachis, Im not sure what model. For sheathing though a coil is the only way to go. We have bostich coil guns that never switch from 2 1/4" nails. I like sticks for framing because I feel there better balanced. The thing is its all a preference thing. Asking us is a bad idea because everyone is going to have a different opion. Best bet go to the supplier and pick up every gun there. Pretend that your firing them. Try them at every different angle. The one that feels the best, buy it.