Nail Gun Opinions

[Hay Dude]

Pick up a palm nailer too. They are fantastic for joist hangers and rafter ties.

Bout 15 years ago, I pitched up a Bostich joist hanger nailer. They are really nice

 

[Rustyiron]

Yeah it's definitely a standing squarely on 2 feet tool. The only time I use it up in "the air" is nailing down 2" thick roof purlins or on a solid scaffold.

 

[BigGG]

I have started another building project and am thinking about getting a nail gun. Last shed build I did, I used screws on the whole thing. I have an air compressor but thinking about the battery so I don't have to worry about the hose.

Any recommendation from the pro builders on here what to buy? I will be using for framing.

I bought the Ryobi 30deg for my shop project, since I don't have electricity available. It's driven a box+ of 3" nails without problems and has survived a few drops from 8' plus. It'll go all day on a 4ah battery. But doggone it's heavy, and expensive.

If I had air available, I think the light weight (and lower price) of a pneumatic outweighs the hose inconvenience. The Paslode gasser is nice, but I understand you need to clean them regularly.

 

[Hay Dude]

I had Paslode battery/gas guns. I thought they were cumbersome. Switched to the DeWalt and found it to be a nice upgrade.
You can usually pick up a decent used wheelbarrow style twin tank nail gun compressor for $300-$500

 

[ericm979]

I have a Metabo air nailer (the new brand name for Hitachi). Its very reliable. But if I was to buy one now it'd be a battery nailer.

One problem with some plastic collated nails is the plastic getting stuck around and under the nail head. I want my work to look neat (I'm doing this for myself not production) so I go back and chip them off.

 

[nch77]

I have a Dewalt 20v framing nailer, Bostitch air nailer, and a Milwaukee M18 framing nailer. I liked the Dewalt but it was a little underpowered, the Milwaukee is the way to go. Its as fast as my air nailer and as powerful. I built my whole barn with it and not having a compressor or hose was great. Only issues are that it's heavy and expensive.

 

[MossRoad]

Several years ago I bought this Banks 30-34 degree framing nailer from Harbor Freight when I built a 24x24 garage addition. It worked flawlessly. Never missed a beat. Under $100. Figured it into the cost of the addition.

30°-34° Framing Nailer

Amazing deals on this 30 Degree Framing Nailer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Then I picked up a palm nailer for under $20 to put in the roof truss brackets and nails. Again, worked flawlessly.

Compact Palm Nailer

Amazing deals on this Compact Palm Nailer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I was so impressed by it that I purchased this Banks 15 degree coil roofing nailer. It also worked flawlessly. Did the roof, then stripped the original 20x24 roof and did that as well. It was a bit over $100. Figured that into the cost of the addition as well.

15° Coil Roofing Nailer

Amazing deals on this 15Deg Coil Roofing Air Nailer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Cheap? Yes.
Works well? Yes

Using them again this month rehabbing a dilapidated shed.

 

[3gunr]

We have 4 paslodes and use them every day they are great . If i were framing all the time i would go with air guns but the paslodes are so handy. We mostly finish basements so not a huge amount of framing, Their finish nailer is great also

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

A couple years ago our local Harbor Freight had a 28 degree nailer clearanced for $50. I've used 28, 29 & 30° nails no problem. A contractor friend & I built a horse tack room. His Paslode gave problems so we used mine...it worked great. I do put a few drops oil in each morning. Then his pancake (expensive) compressor quit so we used my HF $100 one.
Some of their stuff is pretty good!

 

[MossRoad]

A couple years ago our local Harbor Freight had a 28 degree nailer clearanced for $50. I've used 28, 29 & 30° nails no problem. A contractor friend & I built a horse tack room. His Paslode gave problems so we used mine...it worked great. I do put a few drops oil in each morning. Then his pancake (expensive) compressor quit so we used my HF $100 one.
Some of their stuff is pretty good!

Yep. I keep a bottle of air tool oil on my compressor and give all of my air tools a few drops every time I use them. I have a Harbor Freight impact wrench that I've had since the late 70s. They were called Harbor Freight Salvage back then. Used it last week to change the shocks on my Suburban.