Need a cheap framing nailer

If you only need one for a day or two, you could rent one. They could answer your questions about your application.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

You will want to make sure it uses standard 22 degree nails with full heads. some framing nailers use what is called a cut head nail. Many counties and municipalities do not allow their use. You also might be able to buy a used senco, hitachi, or other better nailer from your local craigslist.

-- Oldworld, Fair Oaks, Ca

Dan,

I bought the identical nailer from HF. It lasted 2 1/2 years. I hit a knot while building a new fence and that was it. Considering the price, it was a fair deal and my right bicep is very impressive.

-- Ron, Bakersfield, CA. Measure twice, cut twice anyway.

There are currently several mfgs. offering a combo kit with compressor and nailer. Hitatchi leaps to mind, as does Porter Cable. If you already have a compressor you could upgrade. Get the Hitachi kit, and sell the nailer and/or compressor when done with the job. To really run a framing nailer you need an oil bath compressor.

The ave. H.O. could probably get away with the P.C. pancake compressor and do fine.

The issue to me is really consistency. When nailing siding you don’t want to have to put a hammer to every third nail in the siding because the compressor couldn’t keep up with you or the nailer didn’t sink them properly. Likewise, you don’t want the nailer to send the nail half way through the siding.

Nail GUNS, and they should be thought of as that, are items worthy of incredible respect. I would not buy a cheapie. Buy one of quality and sell it after you’re done and include the receipts with the sale to the new buyer so that he might take advantage of warranties and also be advised of product recalls. Do a Google search of “nail guns” and look at the horror stories. In my line of work I use them every day and I can tell you that the word GUN is apropos.

Weigh the difference in rental vs. buying and reselling. To me it is a no brainer. But then after that last nail gun accident I have no brains . . .

Thanks for the replies. I’m afraid my progress is far too slow & sporadic for renting to be an option, I’d end up spending more than if I bought the tools, plus there’s the PITA of picking up/dropping off, not having the tool handy when time’s available to work, etc. I think I’ll probably give the HF nailer a try. I’ve actually had a fair bit of luck with their stuff, I’d never get anything requiring much precision from them, or a tool I needed day in and day out, but for occasional use basic items like this they have been ok, in my experience. I do have an oil type pancake compressor (also HF). I used to have a nice 240V compressor I used a lot back when I was more into working on cars than wood, the tank finally rusted out. Managed to salvage the adjustable regulator though & attach it to the HF pancake.

Dan

one of the things I consider when looking at any tool, or piece of equipment is, when it breaks (and it will break sooner or later) who is going to fix it? are parts readily available, how much down time am I going to face, and what is all of that worth to me. some inexpensive tools are worth calling disposables, and when they break, take the replacement out of the closet, and throw the old one out, but before I make that decision, I try to handle “the best” and then decide can I put up with less than the best, how does it feel in my hand while Im using it, if Im going to hate using a tool that I got at a bargain price each time I use it, I need to factor those feelings into my purchasing decision.

Dan, I bought the cheaper 10 guage 28 degree (all gray) nailer three years ago. I have used it A LOT ! built three decks, two patios, lofted my garage nailing through joist hangers into LVL, and all around beat the crap out of it (if I paid more than 89 I wouldn’t beat it up so bad). It is still going strong. It is a clipped head nailer though and as someone mentioned that may not be allowed by local codes. Check that first. If they are allowed (there are here in charlotte for framing work) then I say go for it.

-- Gary, Matthews NC

Oh, also, dont get the nails from Harbor. Bostich makes 28 degree collations and you can get them at lowes or anywhere else.

-- Gary, Matthews NC

My FIL built his house with that HF nailer and never had a bit of trouble with it. For the same money though I bought a lightly used PC framing nailer on ebay. There’s a ton of them on there and it might be worth a look before settling on the HF model.

-- http://mitchell-woodworks.com/default.aspx