Pneumatic Nailers - Safety & Use Tips

what is the right type of pnuematic nailer for general purpose use (i.e, remodeling a house, building walls, moulding, door frames, etc)?

Thanks in advance!
Wes

Wes,
No nailer I know of can do all of those tasks. You need multiple guns.

Is there an advantage of having different angle framing nailers? I've seen 21, 28 and 34 degree nailers. No one could explain advantage of one over the other--but all warned that you have to buy the correct nails for the nailer. What would be the angle nailer for best general use?
Thanks

Tony,
You need to test them and see which one causes you to bend your wrist the least amount. If your wrist were held straight and the gun had a 0 angle, the nail would shoot behind you. So figure out which gun produces the least amount of fatigue.

I don't know beans about construction. I would like to buy a nailer to put up sheathing (exterior) that is about 3/8 thick. It seems that I should use a 1 1/2 inch long round head nail. The problem I see is that all of the "finish" nailers drive "baseboard" nails with virtually no heads. This is no good. I have a 18 gage brad nailer and that is definitely not the right tool. A "framing nailer" that drives 16d nails is excessive.

What to do?

Clem,

You do actually want to buy the 16d framing nailer, but your not going to shoot a 16d through it. 16d is the maximum size it takes. For standard sheating you are going to shoot an 8d nail though that 16d nailer. 8d or 2-3/8" x .113 to be more exact.

Tony,

The difference is just each manufacturing making a gun and special and different nails that are not compatible in there competitors guns. Any one of them would work. What you what to do is find out what nail degree is popular in your area of the country. 21 degree on the west coast, but I know that can change in other areas. The reason for this is you want to be able to find the nails easily when you need more.

Clem,
The nailers that fire the 16d sinkers usually will fire the smaller 8d nails for the sheathing. All of mine do.

I am putting new trim in one of my hallway and I was wondering if I should use a 18 gauge or 16 guage finishing nailer. Or doesn't it make a difference. Assuming I use 2in nails.

Randy,
16 gauge.

I'm ATTEMPTING to install crown molding and today bought a Hitachi 15 gauge finish nailer (NT65MA3) 2-1/2".

I was told a 16 gauge would be best for crowns.

Should I return the purchase and get the 16 gauge.

PS - I will also use to install chair-rails.

Thanks.
Vilay

I have a 16 gauge finishing nailer. Can you drive a nail on an angle? or do you have to drive straight?

I am in the market for a framing nailer and a compressor, and I have several questions.

More than likely I am looking at buying used. Possibly a Porter Cable or Hitachi.

1. Can I use a framing nail gun to fasten Hardi siding and trim?

2. What specs should I look for in a compressor to run the gun?

Thanks for your help.

The article mentioned that you can hurt yourself if you aren't careful or use the tool for the wrong purpose. It immediately went on to say he used a framing nailer for toe nailing a stud into a top plate.

I just picked up a framing nailer with the intent to do just that. Is there something wrong with how he did it? Should I use an angle nailer instead?

Thanks.. just trying not to shoot off my toe the first time I use my new nailer.

We are Air Force building over here in Iraq. We have passlode nailers, but are seeing lots of different types of nails coming our way. A few questions:

Are there nailers that except multiple degrees of nails (for example one nailer will use 22, 28 or 30 degree?.

Also, how can I find out what degree nail our paslode takes- it is not written anywhere on the tool or in the on-line manual. I have been using paslode brand nails, but am currently seeing a variety of nail degrees now coming our way. We don't know if 30 degree nails will work for us.

Thanks,

Jay