What are you guys using for nail guns .. I need a framing gun, finish gun and a compressor .. I'm thinking Porter Cable because of nails being readily available and just a good old name.. Not sure how they are as far as jamming .. I am a carpenter, but do commercial stuff using screw guns,, cordless guns and powder activated tools . Use a nail gun only in a blue moon .. thanks for sharing experience .

Do you need to borrow them or are you looking to buy them? If you need to borrow for a while I have finish, staple,brad nailers, framing gun and compressor you can use for whatever you need.
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I have both Porter Cable and Bostich framers. One wraps its mails with wire, the other with plastic. Forget which.... i have boxes of 8s and 16s for each gun. I also do a lot with the Paslode framer, But wouldn't want to frame a house with one.
For finish, I have all sorts and sizes of Porter Cable, as well as another fairly new GripRite, which is great (probably because its new). Also an angled finish Paslode. I would suggest getting a 16 gauge gun as you can use Paslode nails as well and 16g are readily available.
Coil nailer is a Makita.
Look for a package deal. I think PC offers two or three guns with a pancake compressor.

Ed I have a Bostich Stick Framer and a coil roofer you can borrow any time you need them.

thank you guys ,, looking to buy so I have it ,, don't want to buy a roofing gun , so I'll be knocking on your door Mike .. thanks ,,.

Give the Numax 21-degree framer a look over before you decide..

I've owned the PC and Hitachi framers and without hesitation i bought the numax after using one at a friends house helping him build a shed and deck.

For what i paid for the numax i could have bough another and several boxes of nails before i came close to the price of a PC..

Give the Numax 21-degree framer a look over before you decide..

I've owned the PC and Hitachi framers and without hesitation i bought the numax after using one at a friends house helping him build a shed and deck.

For what i paid for the numax i could have bough another and several boxes of nails before i came close to the price of a PC..

are nails readily available for the Numax 21 ,, I just noticed HD carried the most nails for the PC .. Is that gun at HD ?? I'll check it out .

Do you need to borrow them or are you looking to buy them? If you need to borrow for a while I have finish, staple,brad nailers, framing gun and compressor you can use for whatever you need.
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Thank You Andy ..

Senco makes the best nail guns.
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Senco makes the best nail guns.
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Worked in a shop where we drove thousands of staples a week with 10yo Sencos and they wouldn't quit..

are nails readily available for the Numax 21 ,, I just noticed HD carried the most nails for the PC .. Is that gun at HD ?? I'll check it out .


Yes plastic collated 21-degree.. I bought a box of 10d galvi for a small job.. box had half the pieces broken.. i just lined them up.. had 1 piece that was broken cause a jam in the feed, because i used damaged nail strips...

yes at HD but online only...

This is a tool you can finish your job and put it away without thinking you spent too much...

When i sold my Hitachi i wanted to cry.. I didn't even get close to 1/2 of what i paid for it.. but i had changed careers and didn't need it anymore...

If your coming down towards Tiverton i can let you check it out, even plug in the compressor too....

For framing, Hitachi is the best

finish= Senco or Hitachi and they both shoot the same nail. I think if you won't use it all the time, then the Porter cable will do you fine and they might shoot the same nails too. Get the angled, not straight. Hitachi has a nice feature, an air blower button to blow the dust away.

compressor, it depends on how lightweight you want it. I use an Emglow 2 tube 1-1/2 hp and also have a lightweight oil less off the wall brand disposble but lasted 10 years so far, so I don't have to carry a heavy compressor like the Emglow

Anyone got an older belt driven compressor they want to part with ?
Doing some work inside my house. Plugged in my 30something year old Sears/Robuck in last week and it's time to retire it. Don't want to deal with the noise of an oiless loud one.
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This it Slip ?

3-1/4 in. Stick Round Head Framing Nailer (21 Degree - Plastic Collated Nails 2 in. - 3-1/4 in.)-NR83A2(S) at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Air-Nailers-Nails-Air-Nailers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbl9c/R-100078461/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051)

and this ...?
FinishPro 35 15-Gauge Finish Nailer-1Y0001N at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Air-Nailers-Nails-Air-Nailers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbl9c/R-100615085/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051)

Yes Eddie, pretty much
but you could do better elsewhere maybe
I'm not sure if the depot cheapens them with cost cutting inferior parts or not.

try Toolhauz in Needham maybe, there are lots of places online too like toolking.com etc.

the angled porter cable finish may be just fine for you if you're not using in to do lots of houses full of trim. I just like my senco. very reliable, I have their brad gun also.

This it Slip ?

3-1/4 in. Stick Round Head Framing Nailer (21 Degree - Plastic Collated Nails 2 in. - 3-1/4 in.)-NR83A2(S) at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Air-Nailers-Nails-Air-Nailers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbl9c/R-100078461/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051)

Ed make sure the nails it takes do not have the plastic holding them together. they fly off ,I know many guys that got them in their eyes.

I like clipped head nails for my framing gun. No plastic or wore to deal with.
Pasload nails fit a few different guns like Senco and porter cable so you can buy nails at home depot.
Finish gun I prefer angle like others.
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I'm not sure if the depot cheapens them with cost cutting inferior parts or not.



I ran into that with a Simmons shower/tub valve I bought there .. Plumbers supply house valve had a brass piece that was plastic in the HD valve . I wish they wouldn't do that .. You think your getting the same thing when your not .

Ed make sure the nails it takes do not have the plastic holding them together. they fly off ,I know many guys that got them in their eyes.

Well, you should probably be wearing some sort of eye protection when shooting framing nails anyway....

Tagger...do yourself a favor and buy a coil framer. I have a Senco stick framer, and it is a great gun, but reloading every few minutes really can be a pain.

coil framer
Hitachi NV83A2 Full Round-Head Coil Framing Nailer (http://www.coastaltool.com/a/hitachi/nv83a2.htm)

stick framer
Senco SN902XP Framing Nailer (http://www.coastaltool.com/senco/sn902xp.htm)

15ga finish
Senco FP42XP FinishPro 42XP Finish Nailer (http://www.coastaltool.com/senco/fp42xp.htm)

I'd really like a 16 gauge finish nailer as the holes are easier to fill.

Try coastaltool.com for ordering. Excellent customer service, free UPS delivery (next day for me here in Boston), and excellent prices.

stick nailers are for 2x stock as in putting headers,corners,rafters,joists..

coil nailers are made for plywood/sheathing/strapping..

stick nails are a heaver ga. closer to a real common nails if you buy the right nail for them.

coil nails are mere thin ga. or known as a box nail which requires you to use many as this is why they come in coils.

stick nails come with plastic holding them together because of the heavy ga. wire and an almost full head.Thinner ga. wire nails don't require this and shouldn't be use in 2x stock framing...

know your tool, know the nail in which job it's made for.

I have a Senco framer, and brad gun. I have Bostitch finish, crown stapler and roofing guns, never had any problem with any of them.

My bddy had a Hitatchi it was older, but it was heavier also.

I'll be re framing a roof to start .. 2x stock .. later down the line a deck . I can't believe how old I am .. 27 yrs. ago I wood framed .(22 ounce hammer). Lot's of metal stud since . thanks all ..

What are you using for Air Compressors ? Not running a crew ,, just me ,, 1 framing gun or one finish gun .. thanks ,. in advance .

I've had one of these for 20 years, pretty bulletproof will run a framing gun easy. Not hard to carry and the roll cage makes it better.
Rolair Systems (http://www.rolair.net/products/spec_pages/hand_carry/D2002HPV5.html#specs)

ed i dont know what you are doing for finish but senco is the only gun ive ever used that will shoot , maple cherry , oak no problems i do alot of high end , kitchens and trim , alot of hardwood , and ive found senco to be the outstanding best ,,, also use a senco framer nails can be found anywere , .. as far as compressor goes i have a small grip rite dual tank ,, nice and light as ive gotten older i want to go lighter ,,,,, any time you want to try the senco out give me a shout and ill let you try one out for as long as you need it my shop is close by in abington

ed i dont know what you are doing for finish but senco is the only gun ive ever used that will shoot , maple cherry , oak no problems i do alot of high end , kitchens and trim , alot of hardwood , and ive found senco to be the outstanding best ,,, also use a senco framer nails can be found anywere , .. as far as compressor goes i have a small grip rite dual tank ,, nice and light as ive gotten older i want to go lighter ,,,,, any time you want to try the senco out give me a shout and ill let you try one out for as long as you need it my shop is close by in abington

Thanks Sharky ,, We're neighbors .. I've got my sight set on the Senco finish Pro 42xp 15guage

Was looking at the Hitachi NR83A2 ,,,,,,2-31/2" Framer

will look at the Senco Framer . Since I'll be running only one gun I was looking for a smaller (4 gal)?? compressor ,,, I have a larger compressor on wheels I'll leave at home . thanks Sharky .

I've had one of these for 20 years, pretty bulletproof will run a framing gun easy. Not hard to carry and the roll cage makes it better.
Rolair Systems (http://www.rolair.net/products/spec_pages/hand_carry/D2002HPV5.html#specs)

NICE !!!!!!!!!!!

was looking for something like that ... has oil in it and a cast iron piston .. should last a life time ..

I noticed the Senco framing guns you can get a round head or clipped head gun ???? What does that mean to me ,, I know it's the nail heads but what are the pro cons of each ? I really don't know anything .

I noticed the Senco framing guns you can get a round head or clipped head gun ???? What does that mean to me ,, I know it's the nail heads but what are the pro cons of each ? I really don't know anything .




Clipped heads are just that, part of the head is clipped off and they can stack them close together.
Full head are spaced with plastic or wire.
I don't see a problem with clipped heads for any application as the nails have glue, the rate of speed they shoot in heats up the glue and they don't move.

Clipped heads are just that, part of the head is clipped off and they can stack them close together.
Full head are spaced with plastic or wire.
I don't see a problem with clipped heads for any application as the nails have glue, the rate of speed they shoot in heats up the glue and they don't move.

Nails closer together makes me ask are clipped head more prone to jamming ? at first it sounds better .. .. again ,, thanks for all this ,. must be painful to some .

pretty sure the round head will have more space between the nails on the clip, therefore less nails in each clip, as opposed to the tightly packed clipped heads.

pretty sure the round head will have more space between the nails on the clip, therefore less nails in each clip, as opposed to the tightly packed clipped heads.

what are you using ? Seems clipped is a good idea ,,more on a strip ,,, Unless they are jamming or a lot less holding power ..

I have used the Bostich(my neighbors) and it has stick nails clipped heads so many more to the clip, they are held together by wire. I also have Macs' old Hitachi that uses nails held together by plastic and there is a big space between them so less nails, the box is bigger that they come in.
either way, it's faster than hand nailing. When I framed houses in 1982-83 we hand nailed everything because the boss hated the guns since they broke down a lot.
I do some remodeling still and have the compressor so it helps to have a gun.

I read online some building inspectors do not want clipped head used in their town ? They want round head because they supposedly hold better (hurricanes).. Said the clip nails are cheaper to buy because they are not as expensive to make ,. I'm learning alot from you guys ,, already made 2 purchases I learned from here ,, compressor/finish nailer .. I just have to decide on the framer clip or round head ??? I'll tell you guys what I got ,, where I checked and what I paid for others ,,,further nail gun info..

Clipped or round head ????

Anyone want to weigh in on that ?? clipped or round head ??

Received this Senco Finish Pro 42xp from amazon.com in 2 days free shipping $187.98 ..... Best I could do locally was Toolhauz $249.00.. Only thing and I read this in reviews in didn't come with a fitting to connect to the air hose ???
Amazon.com: Senco FinishPro 42XP 15 Gauge 1-1/4-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch Finish Nailer with Case: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Senco-FinishPro-42XP-4-Inch-2-Inch/dp/B00008NFQ7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330700099&sr=8-1)

No big deal, but stupid... Get one with a swivel.

No big deal, but stupid... Get one with a swivel.

Thank You Ross ,,, That's why I came here .. Swivel <-- gotcha.

Ed, I will bring a swivel with me tomorrow for ya

Ed, I will bring a swivel with me tomorrow for ya

thank you Slip ...

Eddie,
We didn't talk about hoses.... New light weight ones are the cats azz. The old style ruber coated ones are too heavy to be dragging around after you've used the new ones.

Eddie,
We didn't talk about hoses.... New light weight ones are the cats azz. The old style ruber coated ones are too heavy to be dragging around after you've used the new ones.

dammmm that's right ,, This is on it's way ... yup rubber

GoodYear 045 3/8-Inch-by-50-Feet Safety Yellow Rubber Hose 3/8 -Inch by 50-Feet 250 PSI With 1/4-Inch Ends: Amazon.com: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/GoodYear-8-Inch-50-Feet-Safety-50-Feet/dp/B0000225E0/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_2)

I have a hse it's grey and I got it at homies. It is ver suppler and necer kinks up, easier to wrap up too.

I was interested in the Hitachi NR83A2 .. Amazon $279.00

I ended up getting the Hitachi NR90AE ..Amazon $182.99 (free ship), I saved 100 and it shoots 2" - 3 1/2" nails ..

I decided from friends here and others I know outside of here . One guy I know frames houses all the time running a crew all using the Hitachi NR83A2 ... no problems ,,, no jams ever but insist on spending the few extra bucks , always buying the Hitachi nails . Decided to go the full round head to (Mac,,others) .. I'll just wear eye protection for the flying plastic and watch who's around me ..

http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-NR90AE-2-Inch-Full-Head-Framing/dp/B002JPJGFY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331035592&sr=8-2

had to have a brandy new toy now didn't ya....

and that sure is a nice one :btu:

mine needs fixing _SO_ i am HAMMER man

had to have a brandy new toy now didn't ya....



Been doing carpentry 39 yrs. ,(res,com,builders) been buying tools all my life. Plus one of my sons is 4th year apprentice so if I croak today he's all set .

all done .. Thank you everyone for all the great info ... This too came from Amazon.com .. fee shipping $319.00 ,,, I tried to buy it locally but they wanted $369.00 before taxes...

sweet.... don't mind me Ed :) (just envious)
that new gun looks so much lighter than mine

all done .. Thank you everyone for all the great info ... This too came from Amazon.com .. fee shipping $319.00 ,,, I tried to buy it locally but they wanted $369.00 before taxes...
That looks familar, I don't think they have changed a thing in many years. That is a good thing.

good compressor, as for the nail gun I hate stick guns, the plastic things always hit me in the face, I run a hitachi nv83 coil gun, I've had it since 96 and have never done a thing to it except put oil in it, my best gun hands down, also holds more nails than a stick gun,

good compressor, as for the nail gun I hate stick guns, the plastic things always hit me in the face, I run a hitachi nv83 coil gun, I've had it since 96 and have never done a thing to it except put oil in it, my best gun hands down, also holds more nails than a stick gun,

nice ,,, $389 at Amazon low prices .

hey Eddie can I borrow your nail gun:)

hey Eddie can I borrow your nail gun:)

sure Paul .. me first though ..

Just kidding. Have fun
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several nail guns....

i guess building is that slow

just a heads up- a little late tho

Amazon.com: Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip Nailer: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JPJGFY/ref=pe_94450_23031270_pe_epc_dt4)

I saw that Raven ..... Do you need to have a moisture trap on your compressor to run a nail gun ?

no from what i've seen you need to blast out the air
occasionally and then keep using that drop or two of oil in
the fitting... to keep internal parts oiled

obviously, if your running a compressor on a very humid day
your gonna be compressing air with a higher moisture rate
than average...

When I used air guns in the field we used to give them a few drops a day of gun oil and blow the water out of the compressor at the end of each day. I would have a few concerns about rarely used air guns having issues, mine have sat for years and need new o rings now I'm sure. In fact, I think I loaned the framer and roofer out years ago. Hum?

I drain the water out of my compressor about twice a year. Drained them every day for years, got sick of replacing the drain valves so I quit draining them. I've never heard of a tank failing, even abused ones like mine.