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where to find 8d nail gun

tungle | Posted in Tools for Home Building on August 7, 2005 10:02am

Hi everyone, did any of you buy an 8d nail gun recently,and where? My next job would be build an interior wall. To connect studs to top and sole plates I need to toe nail 4 8d nail, I don’t want to do it by hand, I’m not a lazy guy but nail stud to top plate is really painful to me.
Did any of you use Hilti drywall screw gun and adapter with non Hilti screw,is that ok? I believe the Hilti screw would be much more expensive the the other brand.
Any input would be great appreciated
Tung

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  1. J_Carver | Aug 07, 2005 10:10pm | #1

    normally larger nails would be used for installing studs.  10p (3") would be more typical.  8d are more for attaching sheathing.  That said, most framing guns shoot a range of sizes from 2" up to about 3.5".  Not sure if it would make sense to buy a $230 - $350 (or more) nail gun to "build a wall".  If you really want to do this, look into a Paslode framing nailer if you don't have a compressor, or a whole range of brands of pneumatic framing nailers if you do have a compressor. 
     

    1. tungle | Aug 07, 2005 10:27pm | #2

      J_Carver, thanks for the respond, I have the new Bostitch N88RH-2MCN , but that is use for 16d, can I use it with 10d?
      Tung

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | Aug 07, 2005 10:40pm | #3

        "With the metal connecting trip installed the nailer can accommodate 1½” to 2½” by .131 to .162 metal connecting nails and when set up with the framing trip the nailer is capable of driving 2” to 3½” by .113 to .162 framing nails. The Bostitch¯ N88RH-2MCN has a suggested retail price of $329 and is available wherever Stanley-Bostitch fastening products are sold."http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp?TYPE=STATICLEFT&PAGE=PR_mcnconnect.htm&LEFT=left_news.htmAnd from the owner's manual."N88RH-2MCN (with standard framing contact arm installed)
        Uses a 21░ plastic collated full round head stick nails, in lengths of 2" to 3-1/2" (50-90mm) and shank diameters of .113" to
        .162" (2.8 - 4.1mm)N88RH-2MCN (with metal connector attachment installed)
        Uses a 21░ plastic collated full round head metal connector nails, in lengths of 1 1/2" and 2-1/2" (38 - 64mm) and shank
        diameters of .131", .148" and .162"."

      2. buildingbill | Aug 08, 2005 01:42am | #4

         Lowes has this gun for $229.00 with a palm nailer included. One of the nicest guns I have used in a while.It shoots plastic collated full head nails like the Hitachi. I don't do enough framing to buy a Hitachi framer and a seperate gun for hangers but this gun can do both and I installed 60 hangers yesterday with the nose adapter.

        Sewwt tool for the $.

        1. calvin | Aug 08, 2005 04:13am | #5

          It sounds as you may not have very much experience with framing guns.  Make sure you have it set for single fire only and have the dealer show you how it can hurt you.  Too many stories pop up here about nails in heads and things of that sort. 

          Be carefull, nailing at a severe angle required in toe nailing is an accident waiting to happen.  A bump fire trigger on that is not good.  Best of luck.

          Didn't know they had an 8's gun only.  Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

          Quittin' Time

          1. BenA | Aug 08, 2005 09:59pm | #8

            Calvin: FYI, All large body pneumatic tools( framing guns ) have to be shipped with a sequential trigger valve from the manufacture.There was an OSHA ruling about 2 years ago when this came into effect. Most manufactures give you contact trip trigger if you want to change it yourself. This takes the responsibility of hurting one self on the end user instead of the distributor or the manufacture.

          2. calvin | Aug 09, 2005 12:04am | #9

            Thank you, on our first gun, bump fire only.......70's maybe.  A newer (90's) gun came bump fire, but could be switched over.  That gun, you couldn't toenail if your life depended on it w/o double firing from recoil I guess.  No matter how hard you tried to keep if from shooting two.  Sumbits was an accident waiting to happen.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

  2. bruceb | Aug 08, 2005 06:43am | #6

     Ifin ya don't already have a nail gun, go to HD or Lowes and pick up one of the cheap Bostich of Porter Cable framing nailers.

     Most framing nailers will shoot 8's. Make sure of a few things.

     1. the nose piece is serated not smooth

     2. It comes with a sequntial trigger

     3. File the teeth on the nose piece just a little sharper.

     You can toe nail with almost any framing nailer. I've never had trouble hand nailing or Toe nailing wioth a gun.

  3. Framer | Aug 08, 2005 07:40pm | #7

    Why don't you just rent a Paslode Gas gun. That has the saftey fire already in it. All you need is 8d nails for toenailing but do as Calvin said and be careful. I would ask the guy if you decide to rent it from to show you how to use it.

    Joe Carola
  4. User avater
    hammer1 | Aug 09, 2005 03:33am | #10

    Many framing nailers handle a variety of nails including 8d. In the olden days, it was common to use four to six toe nails on a stud after the top and bottom plates were placed. This primarily resulted in splitting the 2x with the opposing nails, not to mention hitting them with drywall screws and baseboard finish nails. If you can't build the wall laying down, why don't you just toe nail the studs with three spikes. Two on one side, one on the other, in the middle. There is less chance of splitting the work, and you can get a better bite with the spikes. You can keep the nails higher and the angle a bit flatter. This will reduce the chance of the nail ricocheting off the steep angle you need to toe nail smaller 8's.

    Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

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