How do I use Framing Nailer?

**tkarlmann** · 10-07-2007, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by cabinetman

This may be of some assistance in planning your shed.

Thank you for this compreshensive article! It will take me awhile to digest everything there!

Wholehearted thanks!

**JimD** · 10-07-2007, 12:10 PM

My very limited experience with HF nailers - I have a 18 gauge narrow crown stapler - is that they need very high pressure to drive the longest nails (staples) they are rated for. My Bostitch and Porter Cable do not.

I am missing what the 21 degree angle is for. Framing walls I have always nailed through the bottom and top plates into the wall studs. I have always just used a hammer and would do so for a shed. Okay, maybe I would use the shed as an excuse to get a nailer but a hammer would really do it pretty quickly. Mark your plates for the stud position and nail straight through them into the studs. A double top plate helps hold the corners together and also supports the roof framing.

Concrete is not much fun but is a better foundation and cheaper floor for a shed than wood.

Jim

**Andrew Benedetto** · 10-07-2007, 02:22 PM

If PC. I like the Mag best B/C it shoots a true common nail which is actually the code for frame and has a different/better design.
"
Uses standard 22� plastic collated full-round-head stick nails from 2 3/8" to 3 1/2" x .113" to .162" dia. (Uses Senco� 3 1/2" x .162" style nail)
Light-weight Magnesium housing (7.4 lbs.)"
Costs more but a lifetime tool for a DIY. I think those guns have so much power and I would not buy an off brand frame nailer. Adjusting air pressure is NOT a good way to change depth on a frame nailer, it will jam if the pressure is too low or be damaged if too high. HFT do not have depth adj. at all.
Best to check the codes in your area.
I have a Hitachi NR90AC2 which also will shoot code nails, .162 x 3 1/2".[.131 is NOT code where I live for frame.] and is an excellent nailer.

**tkarlmann** · 10-07-2007, 05:11 PM

21 degree

Originally posted by JimD

My very limited experience with HF nailers - I have a 18 gauge narrow crown stapler - is that they need very high pressure to drive the longest nails (staples) they are rated for. My Bostitch and Porter Cable do not.

I am missing what the 21 degree angle is for.

Concrete is not much fun but is a better foundation and cheaper floor for a shed than wood.
Jim

The 21 degree just refers to the angle the nails need to be in to fit the gun. i.e, if you get nails at 28 degrees, the gun will choke. In my case, the Full Round Head nails seem to come in 20-22 degree sticks.

Concrete: I may be persuaded to do concrete footings, but I have nearby trees. My fear is that a full concrete slab would disrupt the trees -- their roots are near the surface as my topsoil is very shallow.

Porter Cable: another vote for PC vs HF nailers.

Thom

**tkarlmann** · 10-07-2007, 05:18 PM

HF vs PC nailers -- more

Originally posted by Andrew Benedetto

If PC. I like the Mag best B/C it shoots a true common nail which is actually the code for frame and has a different/better design.
"
Uses standard 22° plastic collated full-round-head stick nails from 2 3/8" to 3 1/2" x .113" to .162" dia. (Uses Senco® 3 1/2" x .162" style nail)
Light-weight Magnesium housing (7.4 lbs.)"
Costs more but a lifetime tool for a DIY. I think those guns have so much power and I would not buy an off brand frame nailer. Adjusting air pressure is NOT a good way to change depth on a frame nailer, it will jam if the pressure is too low or be damaged if too high. HFT do not have depth adj. at all.
Best to check the codes in your area.
I have a Hitachi NR90AC2 which also will shoot code nails, .162 x 3 1/2".[.131 is NOT code where I live for frame.] and is an excellent nailer.

A number of VERY good points! I JUST was looking through the PC listings and was wondering why the FR350MAG was listed as using the .162 nails and the HF and the PC FR350A do not go that high -- I think they go to the .142" nails. Heck, I'm buying a framing nailer for stout work, else I could use my brad nailers.

Does PC have the FR350MAG for sale as a factory recoditioned model to save $$$? I think "you get what you pay for" is rearing up.

Comments much appreciated! Thanks.
FYI: The HF nailer I chose DOES have depth adjust -- but with an allen wrench. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93909

**tkarlmann** · 10-11-2007, 10:54 PM

My nailer selection

Thanks to all who responded.

I have decided to go with the Bostitch F21PL gun. It does both regular framing and metal connector nailing, and has selectable trigger for bump/sequectial fire.

I think I learned a lot!

**davidtu** · 10-15-2007, 02:58 PM

One other thought about your depth problem... are you sure you are holding the gun firmly against the workpiece? As Newton says, the gun will want to push back away from it and I've found occasionally if I wasn't careful I'd get a nail or two not driven fully because of failing to control the recoil.

When doing my shed w/ PCFR350 I found it difficult to find full 3.5" nails. Mostly it seemed that the big box stores and others were carrying 3.25" nails. Could never get a straight answer on that, but I assume contractors must be using the latter as otherwise why does everyone stock those and not the former?

**tkarlmann** · 10-15-2007, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by davidtu

One other thought about your depth problem... are you sure you are holding the gun firmly against the workpiece? As Newton says, the gun will want to push back away from it and I've found occasionally if I wasn't careful I'd get a nail or two not driven fully because of failing to control the recoil.

When doing my shed w/ PCFR350 I found it difficult to find full 3.5" nails. Mostly it seemed that the big box stores and others were carrying 3.25" nails. Could never get a straight answer on that, but I assume contractors must be using the latter as otherwise why does everyone stock those and not the former?

During my brief testing, I was (sic) using the rubber foot! Now I know you take that off and let the GRR teeth grip the wood. Everyone also seems to find that bump-firing does not sink the nails in as much as single-shot nailing.

3.5" nails: Phooey on what some @#$%-$%^* store wants to carry. There are really cool nails out there. I have even seen a listing for stainless steel nails -- obviously a step up from hot-dipped galvanized. I'll get the nails I want. There are also ring shank (best for softwood) and screw shank (best for hardwood) nails.

**tkarlmann** · 10-18-2007, 05:33 PM

Bostitch FP21 arrived today.

My Bostitch FP21 arrived today. The Reconditioned tools are great -- looks almost never used. Gun came with 2 triggers and 2 heads -- one for framing and the other for metal connectors. The 2 triggers are sequential and "Smart". The Smart prevents 2 nails from coming out due to recoil. This gun is LIGHT with magnesium housing -- I was really surprised.

Totally happy so far -- testing of the gun forthcoming.