The jig was made from scrap 1x and 2x material. We stapled 2x blocks roughly 2 9/16″ apart on a 1×6 scrap. The blocks positioning allow the jig to quickly and precisely saddle the strapping, while the 1×6 will hug the face of the siding piece to be nailed. Having chosen our nailing pattern, we marked the nailing location on the 1×6 and drilled a hole just big enough to accept the nose of our siding gun. As the strapping is straight and plumb so will our nails be, as the jig always saddles the strapping while hooking the top edge of the siding piece to be nailed. Furthermore, as cedar is so soft, we backed off on our nail depth adjustment, which left the ring shank nail just proud of the surface. A couple taps of the hammer finished it off.
Tom and Casey Cronin (Shelburne, MA)
