Hi to every one out here usually lurk and I like what I read. Besides the good info a good sense of humor runs amok here at Breaktime.
Anyways was wondering if anyone had experience with palm nailers. I would like to get a Hitachi Strap nailer but for the job It might not work overall because its size and its cost. So what I was wondering will a palm nailer speed things up in tight spots or should I just bust my knuckles up and save the money for better toys. I don’t recall any threads recently about this subject. Appreciate your opinions and thanks for it.
Replies
yup...........
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
65 hits........
here's 50.................
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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Edited 3/14/2006 12:09 am by IMERC
Handy little things.
Kinda wonder about the long term damage to my hands, but doesn't stop me from using mine. Dumb maybe, ask again in 10 years?
Joe H
When you really need it just once, you'll be glad to have it. -----------------------------------------------------------
FT Job Wanted: Chicago, north side/North Shore burbs. http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=70809.1
It's one of those little problem solving/make life easier tools.
I think I paid about $22 for mine (obviously a cheapie) from an ebay store called martool. If you do a search for "big foot saw" you'll find him as he is always selling them.
They are a good buy, for joist hangers in tight spots. Kind of hard to shoot rafter straps through truss mending plates. Positive Placement works great for that though. If I don't feel like dragging out the air hose I use a 3lb sledgehammer, two or three shots with that is all it takes.
I have the Harbor Freight nailer, $20, paid for itself in one day doing joist hangers. Little bit of a learning curve to get them to work quickly and efficiently, but again, paid for itself and worked very well.
I think they sell two different models, I large one was not available at the store when I went, so I got the smaller one which can't handle the larger nail heads. But I was nailing 8d commons just fine with it.
PJ
Little bit of a learning curve to get them to work
Those Simpson hanger nails with the little logo on the head don't like to sit straight on the magnet. PITA using those.
Joe H
I have the cheapie that Lowes sells, Tradesman, and it has paid for itself at least ten times over.
Ditto the tradesman. Sometimes it makes all the difference. getting into really tight spots, or awkward locations where you can't swing. Buy a cheap one and it will be money well spent.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I use mine in spurts. My only complaint is that 16d casing nails get stuck in the little piston and frustrate the heck out of me. Then I put it away for a while.
Real good on joist hangar nails, just make sure you get them started straight.
I have the cheaper Senco model sold at HD and after using a week my carp buddy picked one up for himself. HD has Senco framing nailers packed with a free palm nailer if you need a new framing nailer as well.
have a Bostitch that I wish I had in the van last week.
usually only drive it around when I'm doing decks or framing ...
this was a small bath subfloor replacement.
Turned out the sub near the tub was shot ...
so I had to run framing support under the tub ... perp to the parallel joists ...
ran a 2x4 ledge on the "underneath" joist ... and 2x4 outriggers from the exposed joist ... only problem ... attaching that ledger ... which was inside a joist space ...
and ... about 10 inches "under" the tub.
lotsa bent nails and busted knuckles.
thot about the palm nailer in the garage the whole time ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Here's a little number that would solve some of those hard-to-reach hanger problems:
http://www.hechinger.com/web/catalog/product_detail.aspx?pid=83279&srccode=cii_9686437&cpncode=09-8356072-2
Pretty expensive glorified palm nailer, and I usually use mine with stailess steel nails/hangers, so the magnet on a standard palm nailer doesn't work. If the 10d nails came in stainless strips, I would be all over this thing.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I don't believe you are talking about a cheap palm nailer. First of all buy good equipment. I have a Porta Cable palm nailer which I have used many times during joist work, beam installation and framing alterations. It payed for itself in minutes. I believe in the tool doing the job, not brawn. The gun comes with fittings for finish, common, and spike nails and a head for correcting deformed metal. Buy it and you will appreciate it.
Are you talking about the PC, or Grip-Rite? Sorry, it isn't clear which one you're referring to.
I have both a Senco and Bostitch, and have good things to say about each, but I tried out the Grip-Rite this past weekend at the JLC show, and it sank a 10d just like any other (much cheaper) palm nailer. The only difference between the G-R and any other (my Bostitch came with a finish nail nose piece as well) is the strip nail feed. At $249 vs. $100 for a standard nailer (that takes loose nails you can buy anywhere) it doesn't seem like the value is there.
But, if someone shoots connectors all day every day, I can see the advantage. In my case, the value just isn't there.
But as I said, if they had stainless strips, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, as I use lots of 10d stainless nails in stainless hangers for decks and porches.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
that's kinda cool loking ...
never saw such an animal.
still woulda been a PITA getting that thing into the joist bay ... but woulda looked really cool doing it!
I could see a use for it ...
but till then ... the old standby will have to do.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Saw an identical nailer at the Senco booth at JLC.
I've got to replace a bathroom floor this next week, probably replacing a few rotting joists along the way. My palm nailer is on the truck and ready to serve, thank you very much. They do make things easy in a pinch.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
off the topic a little,but does anyone know how to get a glove for a bostitch palm nailer? I cant find mine and I miss it after a few hangers.
I bought a used porter cable palm nailer on ebay about two years ago and its been indispensable for tight spots. Because it works by direct repeated percussion on the nail, it can get kinda tiring on your hand and wrist as your palm receives a lot of the impact. I wouldn't recommend using it for long periods, but to help out it saves lots time and your thumbs.