Framing nailers are a tool that most people only use for framing houses. But, in reality, they can be used for so many other things! For example, you can use them to hang art or even do some light remodeling jobs around the house.
In this article, we will compare and contrast eight different models of framing nailers to help you find the best one for your needs.
What is Framing Nailer
A framing nailer is a tool designed to help people drive nails into wood. It uses compressed air and hydraulic pressure, so rather than using your arm strength to hammer the nail in place, you just need to pull on the trigger! This makes it much easier for larger jobs because they require less physical effort.
The best framing nailers on the market
Framing nailers for sale are many and varied. The most popular brands include Paslode, Ridgid, Hitachi Nailer, and Porter-Cable.
The best type in our opinion is a model that uses gas as fuel. This ensures that it will fire every time with enough power to drive corded electric framing nailer nails at least 16 inches deep into wood without any problem. There’s no need for concern about running out of battery life or having your tool malfunction because all you have to do is refill the tank with gasoline then use it again.
There are also some models which don’t require batteries but instead use pneumatic pressure stored within the device itself. For those who don’t have access to a compressor or air hose, this is an excellent choice.
The framing nailer that we use the most for our work projects (and what we recommend) is one that uses gas as fuel because it doesn’t require any power source other than gasoline and also helps keep us from getting sore hands.
What framing nailer should you choose?
If you’re a professional or semi-professional, then this type of tool is best suited to your daily needs.
If your framing nailer runs out of fuel, just refill it with gasoline and use again. And there are models which don’t require batteries but instead use pneumatic pressure stored within the device itself so they can be used anywhere without access to an air compressor or hose.
The only downside? It does get heavier when filled up in comparison with battery-operated ones. For hobbyists though, battery-powered ones are more than enough.
Why you should use a framing nailer instead of just using nails or screws
Framing nailers are great when it comes to jobs that require a lot of nailing, such as building decks. The nails can be driven into the wood so deep that they’re almost impossible to remove with just your hand or even using brute force – and in some cases, this is an absolute necessity!
They also help keep us from getting sore hands because there’s less effort needed on our part: all you need to do is apply pressure onto the trigger for each individual shot. You don’t have to worry about squeezing too hard either because most models will stop once enough power has been applied! It really does save time and energy by doing away with manual labor.
It’s important to be careful when using a framing nailer because it can easily damage both the wood and any object in its path. Make sure you have an appropriate surface, wear safety glasses at all times while operating one of these machines -and even go so far as wearing gloves if it’ll make you feel more comfortable!
Make your next project easier by picking up a good quality model from brands like Paslode or Hitachi! You won’t regret getting that tedious task over with quickly.
Framing nailers vs hammers – which is better for your project
Framing nailers have a much narrower head than hammers so they can grip into smaller spaces which is great if you’re working with delicate materials. It also means that less of the surface area comes in contact with your project and thus reduces the chance of damaging it.
They are more efficient, minimizing wastage too because there’s no need to measure each individual nail.
For a high-performance gun, try the Fortis MAGNALOCK framing nailer. Hammerheads also come down at an angle whereas framing nails shoot straight up meaning that you’ll find fewer dents or marks from stray nails when using this tool.
This isn’t always true for some other types of hammer-like tools though like ball-peen hammers but these should be avoided for construction work.
FAQs about using a framing nailer
Is this something that you can use your hand to hold?
Yes, it’s a handheld tool. It can be fitted with an auxiliary handle for extra control if desired though.
What sort of nails do you need for the framing nailer?
You’ll need strips of galvanized or stainless steel which are then fed into the gun and fired off using compressed air at high speed! They’re all by weight so make sure you know what gauge they are before purchasing them as not knowing could result in some expensive mistakes.
The most common size is 16d but don’t forget there’s also 14g, 18g, and even 22g options too. these last ones should only really be used on tougher materials like timber beams or concrete, never on things like drywall or plasterboard.
What’s the best way to use it?
Well, you should always make sure that there’s enough space around where you’re going to be firing so as not to damage anything in the vicinity and also keep your fingers out of the line of fire!
Always wear eye protection too. these guns can shoot nails at over 150 feet per second which is fast enough for somebody without safety gear to lose an eye if they get hit by one.
