THSCC Forums

We're getting down to the nitty-gritty on our new house build. Looks like I'll need to be doing some basic framing work in the basement- nothing fancy, but I'll need to build a couple of non-structural walls and box in some ductwork + pipes in the ceiling to get it ready for drywall.


I've been looking at buying a framing nailer. Does anyone have one or have any experience with them?? Specifically, are the Central Pneumatics nailers sold at Harbor Freight worth a look or not?? I know they are not as good as the contractor grade nailers, but they seem to be pretty cheap and look decent enough sitting on the shelf. I just don't want to get a total POS that needs to be returned to HF after every use.


Any pros/cons in regards to the different "formats" of nailers (21, 28, 34 degree / clipped or round head nails)??


Keep in mind that I won't be relying on this tool for daily use, but I'd like something decent that can work well now, and then for any future jobs that may need to be done.



Thanks!

Bret

Make sure you get one that takes full headed nails, not the clipped head (heads look like something has taken a bite out of the head) Clipped head nails are no longer code approved. AFA angle etc, go to your favorite building supply store and see what they carry in nails. Nothing worse than running out of nails and have to order them or the only store that stocks them closed 5 minutes ago for the weekend! Also test whatever gun you are considering for balance and "fit", hold it in one hand and point it out in front of you and at various heights overhead. You'll be nailing in those positions a lot more than you think, and a heavy out of balance gun will wear you out in no time. Also see if the gun comes with or the store has available a lightweight air hose, the type that is semi rigid and translucent plastic for the same reason, a standard rubber hose will "gain weight" real fast and get tangled around everything in reach.
One truism about pneumatic tools, the cheaper the tool the higher the air consumption, so what you save on the tool you'll pay for in compressor size or having to wait for the pressure to rebuild every few nails. Too little air will show up in partially driven nails that you'll then need to drive home by hand, defeating the value.
That all said, an air nailer is a great tool, no more having to try to hold a nail and the board in place with one hand while hammering with the other, or knocking previous joints apart from the vibration of hammering on the next piece. Once you get a framing nailer, you'll soon be shopping for a finish nailer and stapler. Even Donna will grab the framing nailer and knock a few home. They are loud tho, about as loud as a 22 cal rifle, so get a set of earmuffs (and safety glasses!) with the nailer if working in a closed space.
By the way, Northern Tool will refund ANY purchase for any/no reason within 30 days with the receipt. If you buy a nailer there and don't like it or are finished with it within 30 days, take it back. The warehouse clubs also often sell name brand nailers at great prices, and Home Depot's tool prices are close to online discount sources.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Bret: I have this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93909



I have shot probably 2000 nails through it and I'm thoroughly impressed with it, for the price, with a few caveats. First -- it shoots GREAT and consistent with good air pressure. But as soon as the compressor drops down to near 100psi, occasionally it doesn't sink nails completely.

Second, and this is the most irritating part -- it refuses to shoot the last 1-2 nails of EVERY STRIP. I have just gotten used to only loading one strip, and when it stops just pull the slide, let the last 1-2 nails fall out, and load another strip.

Third -- it's a lot more consistent with good nails than the HF nails.

So if you're patient and cheap, two thumbs up. If you want something that never jams and can shoot two full strips, pony up for a Porter-Cable.

If mine broke tomorrow I'd go buy another one, but I don't have any big projects planned at the moment

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Thanks for the advice Chuck and Mike (wasn't that a recent movie title>>>???).

Mike, it's funny, I was browsing HF's website and that nailer is exactly the one I had in mind....mostly because it's on sale now for $69.99...

I'm gonna look around a little this week, maybe hit up some pawn shops- they always seem to have a bunch of used nailers.... If that doesn't pan out, then I'll probably give the HF nailer a go...

Thanks again for the replies!!


Bret.

I bought my PC brand new on ebay for ~ 1/2 price from a store closeout dealer, came with a HD nylon carry bag and 50' lightweight hose.

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

If you are not going to use the gun to work with, ie not a builder, then much like their other tools HF stuff is fine for the occasional homeowner use, esp for the price.

And second the cheap nails, most guns will have issue with cheap nail clips vs the better(pricier) ones. And after a couple of hours of use you will wish you had spent the extra $ on the better nails

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91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

Bret I used the HF guns when building the house in Pittsboro. The first one was for clipped nails only which was fine when you could still use those nails. But I changed to the full head nails and have been happy with it. Its probably the one that Mike had the picture of.

I agree with him that it doesn't like to use the whole strip of nails. I also agree that as air pressure goes down it starts to not sink the nail fully.....but what else would one expect?

For $69 on sale you can't go wrong with this gun. When you buy it also buy some oil for air tools and oil it every day.

Or you could borrow mine. I don't anticipate using it for a while.

Ron

My dads pimpy Bostich did the same damn thing.

My friends Hitachi did not

The rental companies Bostich did the same damn thing.

<--Pounded approximately 8,000 nails installing my 6' privacy fence this summer

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Why build if you aren't going to do it right. Square drive stainless screws. Never come out, never rust, never leave little streaks on the wood. Look as good now as the day they came out of the box (4 years ago).

Don't ask about the price.

I stopped by HF today and picked up the one Mike posted- on sale for $59.99 (it was on sale for $69.99 on their website).

I appreciate all the input and comments.

Now, can anyone recommend some specific brands of "good" nails to run through this thing?? Looking at the nails at Lowe's and Home Depot, none of them specifically mention being compatible with this nailer (or any "Chicago Pneumatic" brand nailer for that matter). I hate to assume that a box of 21 degree round head nails will work only to find out that it doesn't...

HF only had 3-1/4 and 3-1/2" 10 gauge nails in stock- I'm tempted to try some of the 3-1/2"s to build a wall this weekend if I can't find anything else......




Bret

Anders Green's night job (his day job is organizing Sandblast Rally, right?) is owner of J&W Tools. He buys and sells fasteners by the ton for local builders and has just about every pneumatic tool you can imagine for sale. He also has all sorts of hose, compressors, couplings, and general contractor supplies.

http://www.jandwtools.com/index.php

--Kevin H.

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2003 WRX (again!)

Yep. I've bought big boxes of both ring-shanked galvanized and smooth 3 1/2" glue coated. Can't remember the brand but it's the bigger boxes. I dug around and found broken packages which could have had nails missing and negotiated 25% off.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Thats the size you want to be using for framing. What size were you trying to find?

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91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

The sizes were OK, I was referring to Mike's comments about the HF nails not working as well as the "better" brands.....



Thanks for the info- I'll see if I can get in touch with Anders.....