Howdy;
I’m a first time home owner and slowly building my tool collection. My remodel project is starting to emerge from the tear-out stage to the repartitioning/framing. I’m also building a ceiling from car/barn t&g. The long and short of it is I need a fast, reliable way to drive nails, and I’m pretty ignorant of what I need.
I’ve seen the “cordless” (hoseless?) guns and the ones that run off a compressor. I’m assuming the convenience of the cordless is balanced by the power and lighter weight of a tethered one. For doing framing work and also driving smaller nails for the ceiling, is there one gun that can do both well? Does the hose get in the way a lot doing overhead work on a ceiling? Can the non-hosed variety drive framing nails for long without reloading the gas charges?
Any advice would be much appreciated. Otherwise I’ll have to pause every episode of This Old House to see what Tom’s using…
banned from the nail gun
Replies
I haven't a cordless, so I cannot advise on that...however you can pick up an economy Porter-Cable package c/w compressor and finish nailer. Or even King, Sears, or equivalent. (Usually these will last long enough for what you want). These are light enough that the hose won't be too bothersome. No, you'll need a specific gun for framing. And, read the instructions. Wear ear and eye protection.
All the best...
To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.
Thanks for the note piko;
I re-read my question, and realize I wrote "airgun" for the subject. Geez. Let's pretend I said "nail gun."Can a finish nailer drive framing nails? I figured you'd need something a bit more robust. Maybe not though?What's a c/w compressor? I'm familiar with tubular and pancake style resevoirs on some of them, but still have some learning to do in that area too...
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banned from the nail gun
c/w = complete with
yes, as i said, you'll need a specific framing nailerAll the best...
To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.
EP
I wouldnt consider buying any of the airless guns if your just starting out.
I have both air and airless, use them all, but I do this stuff all the time and I need(or at least thats what I tell myself) them.
You'll find other uses for the aircompressor then just the nail guns so its worth having around.
You can get some package deals on compressor, air hose, and a gun or two. Most of these packages are ideal for the HO.
Doug
I have a tendency to "over-buy" after growing up around a father who only bought snap-on and Milwaukee tools. The problem is I'm married to my wife, not my dad... =)I think one of the combo packages would be a really good solution. Any names I should be looking for? I seem to remember reading an old issue of Fine Homebuilding ('89) that mentioned an Illinois based nail-gun company, and someone later telling me they were still a big name in the industry.Anyhow, thanks for the advice.------------------------
banned from the nail gun
Any names I should be looking for?
About the only package deals that i have seen are Senco and PC. You might try looking at Amazon and seeing what they have.
I wouldnt know which is better then the other. I think its been discussed here but I didnt pay any attention to it.
You might try the search feature but I never have to much luck with that!
Doug
If you're thinking that you'll break your addiction and sell these tools later on, buy hitachi- they make a lot of great nailers, and they hold their value well. Bostitch is another good name, often cheaper than hitachi.
If you won't use them everyday and you won't sell them, you could go with something like PC, or just wait around for good deals on Amazon or Ebay.zak
"so it goes"
zak & DougU;
Thanks for the ideas. I hunted around amazon, but didn't find too many options for combo framing guns and a compressor. The package deals seem to focus more on finishing gear. That's all right though - the missus can't get mad for buying the things we "need". =)I figured out that old Illinois based company name - Pasload, or something close to that. Maybe I should support a local business... unless amazon carries 'em =)------------------------
banned from the nail gun
EP
Now that you got the compressor and the finish guns I might suggest that if your not going to be framing houses you might consider the Paslode airless/cordless framer. I have two of them (I don't frame) and I use them exclusively for any framing needs that I have, which isn't all that much.
I do mainly remodel work and such, doubt a real framer would want to use the Paslode full time but if your not going to be building houses you might consider getting one of them.
They are handy, and anything I can do to encourage you to buy more tools I'm there!
Doug