Framing gun

[abunaitoo]

I going to make a shed roof.
Looking for a air framing gun.
Probable be used for two or three projects.
Don't want to spend lots on it.
Couple of questions....
1) 21 or 30 degree????
2) Clip or whole head nails????
3) Good brands????
4) do they all use the same nails, or do you need to use the same brand?????
I was looking at Hitachi, but see much cheaper one's at Home Depot.

[skeettx]

1) 21 Degrees but is a regional thing
2) Whole head
3) For you Harbor Freight and get the warrantee
4) Get the nails for your HF nailer.

You are not a professional and this should last as long as you do :)

[David2011]

For that small project you might want to rent one. A 30 degree nailer will get into tighter corners than the 21 degree nailer. Some building codes require whole nail heads if building codes matter to you. I'm in a high wind area and full nail heads are required. I bought a set of four nailers from framing to brad size on sale at Lowe's about 5 years ago; seems like they ran about $150 for the set on sale. They have worked well for me in framing up 3 rooms in my shop. I'll post the brand name next time I go to the shop.

Prior to purchasing the Lowe's set I bought a HF trim nailer and ended up throwing it away. It wouldn't feed any brand of nails but then it wasn't a full size framing nailer.

[gpidaho]

abunaitoo; I'm retired now but spent my whole working life in construction. Framing guns are like rifles and handguns. All sorts of prices and different qualities are available. If you want something you can use for a life time or resale when you're finished go for the better quality of tools. The Hatachi guns are top notch, I have a couple that are twenty or thirty years old and still use them around my place on occasion. That said, for small home projects most of the major brands work just fine. In general, I prefer the full round head nailers over the clipped head ones. Just stay away from the Harbor Freight junk and for around your place you'll be fine. Gp

[abunaitoo]

OK, Thanks
Decided on a full head nail.
I'll see if I can find some money in the couch, to get the Hitachi.
Might as well get a good one.
Friends will be happy with a name brand nail gun.
Does the Hitachi use common nails or do I need to get Hitachi nails???
What are the advantages/disadvantages between 21 and 30 degrees

[Jake McCracken]

Yep, Harbor Freight. They sell a combination angle nailer. I've used it for many projects. Shoots 12d for framing and 8d for plywood. Havent had an issue with it yet. Probably wouldnt hold up to contractor duty, but it has enclosed my front porch and built 2 10x20 sheds complete without issue.

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[gpidaho]

Hatchi nailers use the most common of generic strip nails. Gp

[osteodoc08]

Make sure you have an air compressor that can keep up. Nothing like getting in a groove and running out of air and having to wait. If all you have is a pancake compressor, consider upgrading or you’ll likely be frustrated.

[Sweetpea]

Check pawn shops, if that is an option nearby.

You can usually find one half price, with a 30 day guarantee.

[gpidaho]

What Sweetpea said. Then, take it back when your done. Or not. Gp

[MyFlatline]

Ditto on the Pawn shops, just make sure the let you test them before buying. I have a Porter Cable strip framer and a Bostich coil framing nailer. Both have done well. The coil nail shoots longer but is dang heavy after a short spell.

Oh and full head for sure..

[RogerDat]

Home Depot used to carry Porter Cable. The difference between angles is how tight of a corner or between studs/rafters it can go and still line up. I used my framer for a full basement remodel and a 12 x 14 shed and it seems to still be going strong.

Look at the end of the nailer box. It will tell the style, size and angle of nails it will take. Look around at that store and a couple of other stores for the nails. Stinks to get locked into an "odd" angle that isn't carried most places. I tend to buy nails where they are at the best price. Manard's has been a good source for the last couple of boxes.

Harbor Freight makes sense for tools you need for a single job and may use a few times more since you have them. If you find you use that tool a lot once you have one available then when the HF one dies buy a higher priced one. I bought a pancake compressor and brad, finish, and framing nail guns when I had a need from Home Depot, all Porter Cable. Doubt they are likely to wear out and I would be hard pressed if one broke down to justify buying a premium one. I have some good drill motors, but my last one was for pilot drill and to pack for camping trips. Harbor Freight. I just don't need another Makita or Skil so a small $20 single battery drill is fine. Look at use.

[MaryB]

I bought a cheap kit with twin tube compressor, framing and finish nailer 25 years ago... Masterforce Chinese built... has held up well through a LOT of use... cuple drops of oil before and after use and they last a lot longer...

[bangerjim]

For hobby work HF is perfect 30 degree. I have one and I have built 4 10x12 and 8x12 sheds with it.....no problems!

Why buy a pro brand when you will use it mabe 3X a year OR less.

And I bought their little pancake compressor also. Perfect macth-up. My dual cylinder 80 gallon “big boy” stays in the BIG shop!

Bangerjim

[jsizemore]

I've framed many houses. Used about every brand of framing nailer. Most were bought to accommodate the easiest to acquire and cheapest nails. Lowe's in my area quit carrying Grip Rite nails which produces generics for all brand nailers. The least expensive and most available is Hitachi. I only buy dichromate coated nails cuz they work for every situation. Rolair Bull compressor. Since I work on various things now, I carry Paslode Impulse framer and finish nailers in the truck toolbox for small jobs. I carry 12's and 8's with a couple fuel cells. Bought both Impulse nailers for $150 each at the pawnshop. They are good for small jobs but they can't keep up for day in day out work. Mine use the same battery so I can always keep a charge. Galvinized dipped nails only. Full round head so no fussing from an inspector. Never used Harbor Freight nailers.

[abunaitoo]

I think the best thing for me to do, is go to Lowe's and HD see what they have.
How much the different nails are, and what I like.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[RogerDat]

My manual said 3 drops of oil into air fitting of gun before each use, and repeat 1 or 2 times during day under heavy use. Only thing I had "fail" was the rubber foot cover wore through. Called and had a replacement a few days later.

I used a pancake compressor and it worked fine but then I'm not running more than one gun, and I'm not going as fast as production home construction speeds. I'm slower than the guys doing it for a living, especially those getting paid by the square ft. I am pretty sure the pancake would have a hard time keeping up with two people drawing off of it, especially for something such as roofing shingles where each shingle gets hit bam, bam, bam, bam. Then next shingle and repeat. I use a hammer when roofing so it wasn't an issue for me but I think it would be with air tools and two guys using a single pancake compressor.

[Hamish]

Hand bang Em and save the money. If it's just a shed you can nail it off by hand faster than jacking around setting up and dragging the gun around.

[Moleman-]

I bought a $80 refurbished stanley bostitch and use the whole head nails. Mine didn't look used as it had never had a fitting ever screwed in or any wear marks on the ram or safety guide. Figured it was a closed store buyout or basically they replaced everything on it. Only reason for the wholehead is if you ever have to remove them the clipped heads always seem to break off. I used it to frame frame a complete basement, one shed, two bedrooms, two baths and a big room, framed walls in a 30x40 pole barn, various projects and loaned it out to friends and family who have used it more than me. Buy the big boxes of nails, and I get the whole head galvanized glue ones when available. That glue seems cheesy until you go to pull one of those nails out. Still works like new

[shooter93]

I switched to Paslode framing nailers many years ago and not dealing with a compressor or a hose to drag around or trip over makes them well worth it to me. They have worked well through many many houses and remodling jobs. You could always rent one if you only anticipate the one job.

[FLINTNFIRE]

Post number 2 , 21 degree full head have porter cable and other brands for what you are doing harbor frieght and yes I have 2 of there brand , roofing nailer runs without a hitch hitachi , milwaukee ,bostich and rigid , all had issues , funny I like name brand to but when the cheapo chinese oh wait they are all made there now .
And to the hammer and nail , well I was a holdout to for a long time but when the air tools make a job so much faster and easier and do so much for a one man show ,.

[Lloyd Smale]

When I was building my barn I bought a paslode. No air line to drag around. I use it all the time. Its handy to have when you want to build something out in the woods too. Beats the heck out of dragging a generator and air compressor along. I can take out my battery skill saw and drill and my paslode and build a deer blind 30 miles from town. Just building something at home is a lot easier then trying to hold two boards together and using a hammer and a nail. One of the best tools I ever invested in. A month doesn't go by that I don't use it. Real handy to put together target boards at the range too. Just used to to put a roof over my shooting bench and build some target boards last week. To me going with a hosed nail gun would be about like trading in my progressive presses on a single stage.

[Randy C]

I have all the trim guns, my Hilti is to old to buy nails for, My next gun will be airless it just makes sense. I have generator and air compressor but i don't want to lug them around.

[jimlj]

I have a Paslode 350 air framing nailer. I bought it used at a auction about 25 years ago, I've used it a lot since, and it still works great. It's a clipped head nailer, but you can buy round head nails that the head is offset and they run without a hitch. I still use a hammer once in a while, but if I'm driving more than a few nails, out come the air tools.