• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Thinking of getting a framing nailer, what's a good route to go?

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
I already have lot of Ryobi 18v tools so my first thought was to just get a Ryobi but they don't seem to actually make one. So I'm open to pretty much any other options, but also bearing in mind what other tools I could get that use same batteries if I get into another platform. I'm eyeing Milwaukee but their nailer actually has pretty bad reviews, I don't know if it's just a select few defective units though, but basically it seems they lose power over time. Anyone have one and can vouch for it? Failing that, open to other brands too.

Eyeing battery operated but I can always go air powered, is there any more serious advantage to going that route? They are way cheaper, so there's that. I will eventually build an entire garage, shop and large cabin with it and lot of other structures, so I do want something that is going to last and basically be contractor grade. I've always just used screws or even nail and hammer, but I figure it's time to upgrade to something more productive.
 
Every battery powered nailer I've tried was sooo much slower than air powered. That mattered for working for a living.
For home use.....your call.
 
I have a Metabo (Hitachi) pneumatic framing nailer. Works hella good. I bought it about 3 years ago. Battery-powered ones have improved a LOT since then. If I had it to do over, I think I'd look hard at the better Dewalt nailers.
 
The DeWalt electric framing nailer is pretty good, but it weighs a ton. If you're doing a lot of framing and don't want a compressor the IC nailers are hard to beat.

For an air nailer, I've been using a bostitch for the last ten years or so. Rock solid tool. You can buy an additional nose for it that turns it into a positive placement nailer. Changes is just a few seconds without tools. I've run hundreds of thousands of nails through it and plan on thousands more.

www.bostitch.com

Construction Tools | BOSTITCH

www.bostitch.com www.bostitch.com
 
My brother has a Paslode framing nailer that I've used a few times. Powered by gas cartridges with a small battery as an ignition source, so no compressor or heavy battery needed. More expensive tool, but it is very nice not having to drag a compressor and air hoses around.
 
The passload IC nailers are nice, but they use 30 degree nails which are more expensive than the standard 21 degree and can be tough to find sometimes.
 
Greenman said:
The passload IC nailers are nice, but they use 30 degree nails which are more expensive than the standard 21 degree and can be tough to find sometimes.
Click to expand...

This is very true. Our local Lowe's stores usually have them, but there have been times that the stock runs out for a couple months at a time and you just can't find them locally anywhere else.
 
Actually that's a good point too need to check which nails are the easiest to get and most likely to be available long term. I'm kinda aiming 30 degree paper collated round head but will need to look into which are easier to get.

Looking at Milwaukee again, it seems it was only the 1st gen that had lot of issues, the newer ones are better. If I go Milwaukee eyeing this one probably:


The Dewalt seems good but has a ramp up time, it sounds like it needs to spin a flywheel, not sure how the Milwaukee one actually works as it seems to be instant fire. At the end of the day I think my decision will also be based on the rest of the tool lineup for whatever platform I go with. Passlode is mostly considered king when it comes to nailers though so I may also look at the IC ones. Though I don't know if I like the idea of CO2 cartridges, it's an extra consumable to worry about, and also waste. Though it looks like when you buy a box of nails for those it comes with the cartridges needed to go through the pack. So as long as these are standard enough and I don't have to worry about later on no longer being able to buy them, it could work ok.

Not quite in a position to spend this kind of money yet though, mostly just looking at my options now but once I start to build my cabin definitely going to want to go the nail gun route.
 
21 degree plastic collated are far and away the most common gun nails made.

The dewalt nailer does have a flywheel that has to spin up, takes a couple seconds. The Milwaukee has gas chamber that leaks down over time and has to be sent in for service.
None of the electrics are as useable as the air tools. The DeWalt is close, but it's simply to heavy to use full time.
 
Ahh so that's how the Milwaukee works, that could be why some people said it would stop working after a while. Yeah that does not sound like fun if you need to send it out and wait potentially weeks or months for it back. It seems like air may very well be the most long term usable even though you have to deal with a hose. The air ones are also way cheaper... and I already have an air compressor. So I suppose I shouldn't dismiss this route completely. Or I can go with the cartridge ones mentioned.
 
If you want cheap and durable, air is still king. Check out the gun I linked, the ability to use it as a positive placement nailer is a real plus. Though not as much since simpson came out with joist hanger screws.
 
The single advantage 30 degree nailers have over 21 degree nailers is the ability for the nailer to slip into tighter areas. Beyond that, 21 degree will always get you the widest assortment of nail availability by far.

If you already have a good compressor, air works great. My brother and I framed my sister's entire house using a 21 degree Dewalt air nailer.

Another consideration is that nail guns are just plain useful any time you are building something from wood.

While you can easily get electric brad nailers and electric crown staple guns, the only electric coil roofing nailer I have ever used (and the only one I actually know of) is a Dewalt. That thing is just plain heavy with a battery pack installed, and it doesn't even come close to the utility of an air powered coil roofing nailer for putting down roofing.
 
I can't find the 21 degree Dewalt or Bostich here but out of the 21 degree ones I can find this one looks good:


Also seeing lot of various types of nailers by Freeman, never heard of the brand, are they any good?


I am finding way more 30 degree nailers/nails than 21 degree nails though... so maybe here I'm better off going with 30 degree? I'm mostly looking at Home Depot though since Home Hardware has crap search. I may have to go in person to both stores just to get an idea of what's more available. Sometimes not everything is on the site.

The Dewalt is available in 30 degree.



But either way it sounds like sticking with air is the best for the time being until the battery ones improve.

I wonder how decent this would work for a nailer: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ry...portable-air-compressor-tool-only-/1001214064

Almost tempting to try, but probably best to stick with the 120v compressor. It also means if I'm up a ladder and the battery dies it's one extra thing to deal with.


Found the 28 degree version of the Bostich. 28 degree is kinda oddball though right?

Bostitch 2" to 3-1/2" 28 Degree Stick Framing Nailer (F28WW) | Home Hardware

Get the 2" to 3-1/2" 28 Degree Stick Framing Nailer (F28WW) at your local Home Hardware store. View online and pick-up in store.
www.homehardware.ca www.homehardware.ca
 
Last edited:
Odd that the 30 degree nailers are so common in the great white north and it's the 21 degree around here. I owned the 30 degree DeWalt at one time and had to pay through the nose for nails.
I'd go with whatever has the nail's in the types and sizes you need. Functionally, the two are the same, with the 30 degree being able to get into slightly tighter spaces.
 
Red Squirrel said:
I can't find the 21 degree Dewalt or Bostich here but out of the 21 degree ones I can find this one looks good:


Also seeing lot of various types of nailers by Freeman, never heard of the brand, are they any good?


I am finding way more 30 degree nailers/nails than 21 degree nails though... so maybe here I'm better off going with 30 degree? I'm mostly looking at Home Depot though since Home Hardware has crap search. I may have to go in person to both stores just to get an idea of what's more available. Sometimes not everything is on the site.

The Dewalt is available in 30 degree.



But either way it sounds like sticking with air is the best for the time being until the battery ones improve.

I wonder how decent this would work for a nailer: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ry...portable-air-compressor-tool-only-/1001214064

Almost tempting to try, but probably best to stick with the 120v compressor. It also means if I'm up a ladder and the battery dies it's one extra thing to deal with.


Found the 28 degree version of the Bostich. 28 degree is kinda oddball though right?

Bostitch 2" to 3-1/2" 28 Degree Stick Framing Nailer (F28WW) | Home Hardware

Get the 2" to 3-1/2" 28 Degree Stick Framing Nailer (F28WW) at your local Home Hardware store. View online and pick-up in store.
www.homehardware.ca www.homehardware.ca
Click to expand...

Wow...youse guys get fucked up yonder...


That's the one I have...or the same model 3 years ago. It's currently $179 here.
Damned good inexpensive nailer. A friend and I built a garage at my last house with one of those...so when we moved here, I bought one for myself. (I keep saying I'm gonna build a shed...but I never do.)
 
Yeah we pay through the nose for everything here. Except for health care but you just have to wait more. 😛

I always forget about Lowes actually, we don't have one here but I could still order online.


sdifox said:
How much framing do you need to do? Just rent one.
Click to expand...

I prefer to buy then I can work at my own pace. Most of my projects go over months because I still have to juggle work etc.

This will get a lot of use when I start building my cabin. There are lot of other structures I will want to build too like a big shop. Though I will probably start only next year so might hold off to buy then. I do want to start on my garage very soon now that my foot is better (that was my big holdup to getting anything done this summer), but I only have 1 small wall to build and then put ceiling joists on top, so I will probably just use screws for that, but if I do end up buying the nailer it will be a good time to get used to it.
 
If you are thinking your off grid property then air tool along with a gas powered compressor makes the most sense.
 
sdifox said:
If you are thinking your off grid property then air tool along with a gas powered compressor makes the most sense.
Click to expand...

Probably going to see if my existing compressor is big enough then use that. I'll be building a portable solar station to power all my tools, chargers etc. I got all the parts just need to put them together in a box with wheels and outlets etc. I did test my compressor, vacuum and other big tools on the inverter and it will run it.
 
Red Squirrel said:
Probably going to see if my existing compressor is big enough then use that. I'll be building a portable solar station to power all my tools, chargers etc. I got all the parts just need to put them together in a box with wheels and outlets etc. I did test my compressor, vacuum and other big tools on the inverter and it will run it.
Click to expand...


If you need a framer, you are not going to power a small compressor off batteries...
For small jobs screws are better than nail. You do nail because there is a lot of joining to do.

<---- put four thousand screws into subfloor before on site finish hardwood installation. With a corded drywall screw gun.
 
sdifox said:
If you need a framer, you are not going to power a small compressor off batteries...
For small jobs screws are better than nail. You do nail because there is a lot of joining to do.

<---- put four thousand screws into subfloor before on site finish hardwood installation. With a corded drywall screw gun.
Click to expand...
I'm not allowed to screw down floors, not enough sheer value. Everything is done with 10 shorts.
 
Greenman said:
I'm not allowed to screw down floors, not enough sheer value. Everything is done with 10 shorts.
Click to expand...

Wait are nails actually better? I figured it was just a faster way of doing it and considered to code but that screws were considered best due to better pull out strength. I've always used screws for floors and any sheathing myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top