Framing Nailers

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
I need a framing nailer and know nothing about them. I don't even know enough to know what I need to know that I don't know. Should I avoid clipped-head nails?
 

Bucking Bronco

................
Location
Layton
I have got a rigid it has a life time warranty and a came at a decent price.

Do you need one to own or would borrowing one get you by?
 

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
I have got a rigid it has a life time warranty and a came at a decent price.

Do you need one to own or would borrowing one get you by?

I'm going to work on finishing my basement. I'm going to do little chunks at a time, so it'll likely take a few years. Borrowing one isn't a realistic option given the time frame.

Costco has a Campbell Hausfeld framing nailer and compressor kit for $100. It's a 34 degree clipped head nailer and 4 gallon 125 PSI compressor. I have a nice compressor in the garage, but it would be nice to have a small one downstairs instead of running a bunch of hose through the house or a window. That seems like a really good deal, but since I don't know anything about nailers I may be missing something.
 

Jeremy

total tacoma points: 162
for what you want to do. that costco deal is probably going to work fine. you dont want to spend any more than that for 20 nails every other weekend. there is nothing wrong with clipped head nails, just make sure you have the right nails for the gun you are using. keep the gun oiled and keep your pressure up in the air tank and you should be fine.
 

Tacoma

Et incurventur ante non
Location
far enough away
I don't like clipped head nails when there are so many nailers that don't need them. :(
I'd just get a nice nailer instead of the cheapy Costco deal.

I used to frame houses though, I may be picky and snotty about nailers. :D
 

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
I don't like clipped head nails when there are so many nailers that don't need them. :(
I'd just get a nice nailer instead of the cheapy Costco deal.

I used to frame houses though, I may be picky and snotty about nailers. :D
Is there anything wrong with clipped-head nails themselves? Code or inspection issues?
 

Bucking Bronco

................
Location
Layton
I bought mine for the same reason and Mine basically just sits there. I ran a hose through the wall of my garage and down into the basement. I got sick of hearing the small compressors run all the time.
 

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
I got one from Harbor Freight. Stupid thing actually works pretty good! I wouldnt use it for framing a lot of houses but for what you want to do it would be perfect. I think they are like 50 bucks or so when they are on sale. I use it about once a week and Ive had it for about 2 years with no problems. My Dad even framed his whole garage with it.

That little compressor will run non stop. I would run a hose.
 

Badger

I am the Brute squad
Location
South Salt Lake
Is there anything wrong with clipped-head nails themselves? Code or inspection issues?


I wouldn't know about Utah but in certain states yes. Back in New Jersey you were not allowed to frame with clipped head nails. It was due to the possibility of hurricanes coming through the area. Clipped head nails can pull through the lumber easier then a full head nail.

I am/was a framer before moving here and I have always owned full head guns. No matter what the project you always know your good. Look around places like Home Depot will have Porter Cable compressor/nail gun sets for decent prices. I have owned my last PC gun for over 6 years with no issues.
 

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
i dont think you can get true clipped head nails any more. what they refer to as "clipped head" are actualy offset full round head nails, designed to work in clipped head nail guns.

Will I have any trouble getting that type of nail? Lowes is close, so that's where I end up most of the time.
 

LT.

Well-Known Member
All that I have used is Paslode and Senco. They are the choice of pros just about everywhere. If you are going to spend the money on tools you should buy the best. If you don't have the time (or money) to do it right the first time when will you have the time (or money) to do it again? Check your local laws reguarding clip head nails. Here in New Mexico we cannot use them anymore. The Senco guns that I have all use the full head nails but use plastic to keep them together. The plastic has a nasty habbit of hitting you in the face. Paslode uses glue and paper. You won't be disapointed with either of them.

LT.
 

del0075

Active Member
check out the pawn shops, they have a bunch of em right now. most any tool for construction. just check em out good, i get mine there and for what little i do they work great
 

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
I have a Senco. Even though I was only going to be framing my basement, I figured I'd get one that would last me a while. I believe I paid somewhere around $200, it was on sale and they had a rebate (or something like that). For the little extra cost, it was worth getting a nicer gun. As far as a compressor goes, I'd be surprised if a little 4 gal CH will keep up. I know sometimes my 30 gal craftsman will be constantly running. I know you can get the nice pancake style ones that will keep up fine, but a CH, I doubt it will. So I'd rather spend an extra $30 and get a couple extra lengths of airhose and run it from my garage to my basement and keep the noise and compressor out in the garage.

Also, I bet you'll be surprised how quickly you can be done framing your basement. I bet you can have the whole thing done in just a day or two if you stick with it. I'd frame the whole thing and then do the other stuff (drywall, tape, mud, paint, trim, carpet, etc) in sections if you are looking to break it up.
 
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LT.

Well-Known Member
Also if you are going to be buying hose don't get the cheap plastic hose. Spend a little extra and get good quality rubber hose. Feel the out side of the hose and you will get an idea about what I am talking about. A small pancake compressor will keep up with a finish gun but, I know for a fact that it will not keep up with a framing nailer. I have framed houses for 15 years and have framed to a point where a 60 gallon compressor would run just about all the time. Sheeting and decking and the like.

LT.
 

JoeT

Well-Known Member
Location
Herriman
Hey I've got a Porter( I think) nail gun you use for a while. Not a clipped nail gun, works great. I used it to build my shed and finish my basement. Never had a problem with it. Just call me.
 
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