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Framing Nailer too Much?

FlyingContractor | Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 12, 2005 08:18am

I am working with a new Hitachi framing nailer, and have found it almost “scary” in it’s power.  I must admit, it’s my first framer, but I have had several other finishers.  This gun throws out sparks and debris when I fire it, and typically beats the you know what out of the plywood or splits the studs I am using it on.  I have tried setting the depth adjustment, turning down the air pressure, but it doesn’t seem to change.  Anyone have any advice??

Thanks!

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  1. sarison | Mar 12, 2005 08:23am | #1

    is it the  new  one with the pretty paint?

    1. FlyingContractor | Mar 12, 2005 08:27am | #2

      Not sure which one you mean, but this it the Hitachi (it's greenish) Framer, the one that shoots 16d commons.

      1. dIrishInMe | Mar 12, 2005 09:37pm | #3

        when you say 16d commons, I think of 3.5", .131+ dia (or larger) nails.  Is this really what you meant?  Most people frame with smaller nails, say 3.25 x .120, or even 3 x .120 which might be called 12p, 10p or 16p shorts,  and 8s for plywood. Matt

        1. bhackford | Mar 21, 2005 03:52am | #19

          So, what meets code for a 16? a 3.25 by .131? What is the smallest nial you can you for framing and meet code 3 by .131? Or is this a local thing?

          1. dIrishInMe | Mar 21, 2005 01:51pm | #20

            >> So, what meets code <<  Building codes are on a state wide bases.  Then you have Canada, and a bunch of other countries too.  So, I have no idea what "meets code" for you, since I have no idea of where you live, and only know about codes for a few US states - mostly 1.  In NC we use the IRC, or at least a modified version of it, and the nail requirements are somewhat complicated.  Generally though, if you are nailing 2 flat 2bys together to make a double, 10d nails are accepted.  An example would be a jack and a king stud nailed together.   If face nailing, like a stud to a plate, 16d are required.  The IRC  doesn't rate the fasteners in nail gun type lingo.  Here is the link to what NC uses: http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/NC%20Residential%20Code/part00382/chapter00738/section%20head00743/section00747.htm/subsection00751.htm?f=templates$fn=main-nf.htm$3.0#JD_TableR602.3(1)

            The reality of it is that I've never seen a professional framer use anything but 10p sized nails, or maybe occasionally 12s (8s for sheathing) and have never heard of anyone failing an inspection due to nail size, other than for joist hanger nails.  Maybe it is different in high wind areas - don't know.  Now someone is gonna chime in that "I build my whole house using 16p hand drives - and it only took me 4 months to frame... and I screwed down all the sheathing" :-)

            Now - go do some homework and tell us what "meets code" in your state. Matt

          2. FramerT | Mar 22, 2005 02:45am | #21

            We built our last house with 16d hand-drives and screwed the sheathing with a Phillips screwdriver.As you've said, everything gets nailed with 10s or 12s with a couple exceptions. A LVL specified with hand-drive or nail gun 16d's or hangers,etc.

            I didn't do it....the buck does NOT stop here.

          3. dIrishInMe | Mar 22, 2005 10:15am | #26

            You were supposed to put a smiley face after that first statment... :-)

             Matt

          4. bhackford | Mar 22, 2005 03:41am | #23

            Any idea as to where would I find info for NY? Thanks

          5. dIrishInMe | Mar 22, 2005 10:13am | #25

            No.  Sorry I don't.  Start by finding out (locally) where to get a building code book.  Maybe it is even on line - like the NC link I posted.

             

            Matt

            Edited 3/22/2005 3:17 am ET by DIRISHINME

      2. User avater
        DDay | Mar 12, 2005 10:45pm | #4

        What does it shoot for nails?  The futuristic green one shoots clipped head.  What air pressure are you running?  And what material are you shooting it into?

  2. Framer | Mar 13, 2005 12:04am | #5

    Is it any one of these guns?

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-4062753-3034406
    Joe Carola



    Edited 3/12/2005 9:55 pm ET by Framer

    1. Frankie | Mar 13, 2005 01:29am | #6

      I clicked on the web address in your post and got a page stating that there was a bug in my browser - "Your Web browser is Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/125.5.6 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/125.12." So I tried it again - same result.So I fired up IE and tried it that way. Same result, dif browser. "Your Web browser is Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.23; Mac_PowerPC." Anyone know why. Two dif browsers. A bug in each of them??!!FKidbuilder - Sounds like your regulator isn't working properly. Can you test your gun out with someone elses compressor?F

      Edited 3/12/2005 5:45 pm ET by Frankie

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | Mar 13, 2005 02:08am | #8

        I don't know why they word it like that. I don't think that is realy a browser issue, as such.I have had that before from Amazon.The best that I can tell is that is was from pages that where generated dyamically from thing such as searches.There is no fixed address for those pages and they don't know what was used to generate that. It might have been from cookies that where stored in the computer and it asked for them and could not get them.

        1. Frankie | Mar 13, 2005 02:41am | #9

          Interesting that you would mention cookies. I just dumped mine before I signed on tonight. Hmmmm.F

          1. FlyingContractor | Mar 13, 2005 03:10am | #10

            It's the Hitachi Full Round Head Framer that shoots up to full 16d commons (3 1/2").  I have been trying it framing 2x studs as well as with 8d nails for nailing off 1/2" CDX sheer walls.  It just seems to be "blasting" everything!

            Trying to figure out if there is a problem or I just need more practice.

            Thanks!

          2. tyke | Mar 13, 2005 03:14am | #11

            kidbuilder,

            first of all read the manual,second make sure your regulator is set to the proper setting for each use and third you can control the depth , with the old hitachi like i have you need a tool but i beleive the newer one has a toolless depth adjustment.      then go frame your butt off.tyke

            Just another day in paradise

          3. User avater
            DDay | Mar 13, 2005 04:14am | #14

            The only Hitachi that shoots full round head and shoots 3 1/2's is the NR90AC, the NR83 only goes to 3 1/4 and everything else is clipped.  That NR90AC has a depth of drive, use that and keep the psi on the compressor at 90 to 95.  Any framer is going to have a lot more power than a finish nailer, the finish nailer only shoot something like 400 lbs where the framers are at 800 plus.  Just get used to it and you be fine.

          4. tyke | Mar 13, 2005 05:28am | #15

            im pretty sure they made a new model nr83a or nr832a or something

             tyke

            Just another day in paradise

          5. User avater
            DDay | Mar 13, 2005 05:33am | #16

            Yeah, they make newer Nr83's but they only go up to 12d, 3 1/4" nails.  They are the same gun except for the depth of drive on the newer ones.

          6. tyke | Mar 13, 2005 05:54am | #17

            oh yeah now its coming back

             tyke

            Just another day in paradise

          7. User avater
            dieselpig | Mar 13, 2005 07:46am | #18

             And they also got rid of that rediculous black wrap around the handle.  You know, the one that would stay on for like two weeks before it started to unravel?  It's not much, but that black rubber grip is much better.

          8. User avater
            BillHartmann | Mar 13, 2005 03:18am | #12

            It would not have anything to do with your cookies (unless you tried to put then in the slot for the card read <G>).But rather the cookies that where used when the page was first generated. Those where on who ever computer that pasted that in the first place.But even he would probably get the same message as they where only valide for that season.

  3. BenA | Mar 13, 2005 01:36am | #7

    What size nails are you using? Maybe the nails are too big for the work you are using. Are you framing  a room or extension? Maybe you should be using a coil siding nailer if your not going into 2 X lumber. Most nailers work off of 90 PSI., so lowering pressure may not help you. Give us some more information on the type of work your doing, and maybe we can pinpoint the problem.

  4. RTC | Mar 13, 2005 03:40am | #13

    it shoots sparks because it's new and it's boring out its own little path for the nails.most people i have talked to who have only used finish guns were very impressed with the power of a framer.blast away!

    RTC

  5. wallwalker | Mar 22, 2005 03:14am | #22

    what's the problem? framing is all about beating the heck out of something.

    1. User avater
      Timuhler | Mar 22, 2005 04:02am | #24

      Man, you summed up my crew so succinctly!!!hahahahahahah

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