2" Nailgun Too Short?

[HauntedBranch]

I’m wondering if the 2” max. finishing nail length on the HF nailgun I am considering will be a problem. For the current project I have in mind it will not be an issue. Do those of you with 15 and 16 gauge finishing nailers often use longer than 2” nails?

[jhart]

I have a couple of different nailers, pin, brad, finish and framing, each with different lengths/size nails. I would say that for most woodworking projects 2" would be fine.

[crokett]

I have never used longer than 2" nails in the 5 years I have had my nailer. So I would say it is not a problem. My view is if it takes longer than 2" nails I either don't use the finish nailer or I back up the 2" nails with adhesive.

[pecker]

In an old house, where you might be trying to fasten 3/4" thick trim moldings through a plaster wall and into a stud it would come up short. But that's the only situation I can think of.

[LinuxRandal]

Once used longer then 2" finishing nails. It was a false wall, that was framed up to keep dust out of a storage area of a basement. Nothing hung on the walls, and not structural.

I have seen a couple others do this if they don't know if/how long, the walls will stay.

[cabinetman]

I’m wondering if the 2” max. finishing nail length on the HF nailgun I am considering will be a problem. For the current project I have in mind it will not be an issue. Do those of you with 15 and 16 gauge finishing nailers often use longer than 2” nails?

You didn't say what the project was or what you were fastening. For cabinet work on rare occasions I've used 2" or longer. For interior trim, like Pecker said, it would depend on what you were fastening to what.
.

[LarryG]

Ah, the eternal tool-shopping dilemma. You know a given tool will be satisfy your needs now, but what about your future needs?

Like David, I've never shot anything longer than 2" nails with my 16ga finish nailer (it will take up to 2-1/2") -- but that's in my shop, for woodworking projects. For finish carpentry and trim, I think pecker has it right. If you were fastening 3/4" or 5/4" trim though gypsum board or plaster, with no grounds to which to nail, a 2" fastener could be a little short.

So IMO the answer is, if you're going to be using it in the shop, building cabinets or furniture, 2" is likely all you need but if you're going to be doing a lot of home improvement work, you should give strong consideration to a 2-1/2", and 15ga.

[sweensdv]

FWIW, the Harbor Freight 15 gauge finish nail guns will shoot 2½" long nails.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94440
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=97554

[LCHIEN]

IIRC the rule of thumb for fasteners is that you should have 2/3 of the fastener length in the backup piece, if possible.

[Bill in Buena Park]

FWIW, the Harbor Freight 15 gauge finish nail guns will shoot 2½" long nails.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94440
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=97554

I just read through the lit. on both these items, and they are exactly the same (?) except for the item numbes. Go figure.

I have yet to use my finishing nailers for anything other than pinning a relatively thin wood stock (3/4in or less) to something else, which with the 2in finish nail leaves 1 1/4in length into the back stock. When you use the right number of nails, this depth is more than enough for the shear force of the front stock to remain attached to the back stock (especially if there is no glue involved.) These nails are general smooth, so not sure how much pull-force before things would pull apart.

Only thing I've used 2 1/2in and longer in is my framing nailer.

[HauntedBranch]

Thanks to you all for the comments and advice. I am thinking that I will probably go with the 16 gauge nailer that is on sale but my cheap nature may come back to haunt me.

[sweensdv]

Thanks to you all for the comments and advice. I am thinking that I will probably go with the 16 gauge nailer that is on sale but my cheap nature may come back to haunt me.

It's been my experience over the years that Harbor Freight pneumatic nailers work much better if you don't use the Harbor Freight brads, staples and nails in them. The little extra cost with the better quality hardware is well worth it in the long run.

[Petey In NH]

If you plan on doing any trim work in the house, like installing casing, baseboard or (especially) chair rail or crown, I highly suggest getting a nailer with 2-1/2" capacity. You're at least 1 inch down with trim and drywall... leaving only 1 inch into wood. Thicker trim leaves you less.. not ideal holding power. that extra 1/2" could come in handy. I did all the trim work in my last house (owner built) and we did traditional flat stock butted casing (repro colonial saltbox). The header boards for all the cased doors/windows was 5/4 material... definitely helped to have the 2-1/2"

And as for finish nails being "smooth" = no holding power... go try and pull some trim off of your windows with your bare hands!

As for less expensive, but much higher quality than HF, nailers have you looked at the grizzly sight?

[Petey In NH]

Yup, when in doubt, check grizzly.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/34-A...r-2-1-2-/H6144

$110.

Shoots 15 ga. up to 2-1/2" nails.

Angled nailer (trust me, that alone is key.... nailing up trim in tight corners/spaces).

Quick release nose to clear jams

Adjustable depth of drive on gun (don't have to fiddle with air pressure)

No mar nose.


That's a pretty dang good deal IMHO

[DustyandLefty]

now how'd that get there?

I usually shoot 2" trim nails unless I need the extra length for crown molding or for exterior trim. That way I can avoid puncturing wires and pipes hidden in the middle of a 2x4...there was that one time when my garbage disposer no longer worked correctly...!

Dusty and Lefty