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nailer recommendations for fiber cement

harvester | Posted in Tools for Home Building on November 24, 2006 06:11am

Can anyone recommend a good siding nailer? I will be installing hardiboard siding with it.  Is a gun a necessity with this stuff?

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    bstcrpntr | Nov 24, 2006 07:09am | #1

    I just bought a case of nails for fiber cemen that fit my guns.

    I can't seem to get thigns set right, so I went back to hand nailing.

    But, I am just doing about 750lf of freeze not siding a whole house.

    Friends help you move.

    Real friends help you move bodies!

  2. Stilletto | Nov 24, 2006 07:11am | #2

    I got good advice here on the Bostitch N66C-1.  I bought one and it didn't disappoint.  It outperformed the Hitachi siding nailer by far. 

    I would say it is a necessity with the FC siding.  At least thats my excuse for buying another nail gun.

     

     

  3. moltenmetal | Nov 24, 2006 03:14pm | #3

    If you're doing siding on a number of jobs, a dedicated siding nailer is the way to go.  But if siding is only an occasional job, consider a roofer.  Works fine for blind nailing.

  4. User avater
    Gene_Davis | Nov 24, 2006 04:35pm | #4

    Max makes a good gun, and Maze makes the good nails.

    1. jimblodgett | Nov 24, 2006 06:46pm | #5

      Yeah, I second the roofing nailer advice.  My roofing gun shoots 1+3/4" nails, plenty long for blindnailing fiber cement.  Then we predrill and handnail each butt joint with 6d, or 7d galvys, whatever's handy. 

      1. JLazaro317 | Nov 24, 2006 10:21pm | #7

        We've been using a Hitachi roofer for blind nailing with 1-3/4" to 2" nails. What type of nails are you using? I'm starting to worry about corrosion if we use the wrong nails and I'm considering a siding nailer because of it.

        Thanks,

         John

        J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

        Indianapolis, In.

         

        1. User avater
          Sphere | Nov 24, 2006 11:50pm | #8

          I swear by my MAX coils sider and Bostitch SS nails, FWIW.

          I am nailing over OSB and using 2'' nails Blind into the studs and a SS 15 GA finnail for the places where it is pooched out too much.

          Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

          I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

          1. JLazaro317 | Nov 25, 2006 12:27am | #9

            SS is kind of what I was thinking. I'm worried that the standard coil roofing nail may deteriorate over time. Can I get SS roofing nails so that I don't have to get a new gun? Then again a new gun is good, right? ;)

             John

            J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

            Indianapolis, In.

             

          2. User avater
            dieselpig | Nov 25, 2006 12:33am | #10

            Get hot dipped galvies instead of the usual electro-galvie roofers that the big box sells.  As previously mentioned, Maze makes HD galvy roofers.  Or you can get a new coil siding nailer and buy some SS siding nails too.  I've got both too, so I wouldn't hold it against ya.  ;)View Image

          3. User avater
            Sphere | Nov 25, 2006 12:34am | #11

            I've not seen colated coils of SS roofers, but I haven't really looked. If they did, I'd be tempted to use them for the copper tabs we use on standing seam roofs...we use copper nails for that now, and they are NOT available in that form :(

            Get a max gun, you can always use it for wood shakes and shingles, wood siding and some trim..try that with a roofing gun.

            Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

          4. User avater
            dieselpig | Nov 25, 2006 01:42am | #12

            Good point.  I really don't side very much of anything.  Yet our coil siding nailers still gets tons of use on every frame.  Just about every piece of 1x exterior trim we do is installed with them.View Image

          5. JLazaro317 | Nov 25, 2006 02:22am | #13

            You guys are just going to MAKE me buy more tools, aren't you?

             John

            J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

            Indianapolis, In.

             

          6. User avater
            dieselpig | Nov 25, 2006 02:25am | #14

            That's what friends are for, brotherman.View Image

          7. Stilletto | Nov 25, 2006 02:30am | #15

            It's another tool that will make you money. 

            At least thats what I tell my wife when I buy another nail gun.  When I put it that way she hasn't refused since.  (g)   

             

          8. Stilletto | Nov 25, 2006 02:36am | #16

            This is what I did with my new Bostitch fiber cement gun N66C-1.  And the Malco shears.

            Just finished it and blind nailing it with roofers wasn't an option.   

             

          9. JLazaro317 | Nov 25, 2006 03:27am | #18

            Sweeeeeeeeeeeet.....I see your point. Looks like I'm going shopping!John

            J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

            Indianapolis, In.

             

          10. User avater
            MarkH | Nov 25, 2006 03:37am | #19

            Let me know if you need any more nails.  I have some 2" SS imports for your max. 

          11. User avater
            Sphere | Nov 25, 2006 05:09am | #22

            I probly will , but not sure how soon. Thanks.

            Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

        2. jimblodgett | Nov 25, 2006 04:23am | #20

          Are you near salt water?  Unless you are I have confidence in galvanized nails for blind nailing.

          Man, guys are using stainless steel for blind nailing now?  I mean, I guess it's better, but how much "better" do you have to get? 

          1. JLazaro317 | Nov 25, 2006 04:58am | #21

            No, I'm in the midwest. But I think the electrogalv probably isn't enough. Hot dipped galv. would be good. SS is probably overkill....but who really knows. Might be better to be safe than sorry....think ACQ.John

            J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

            Indianapolis, In.

             

  5. joeh | Nov 24, 2006 06:55pm | #6

    I have an old Bostich coil nailer, N64C I think with Maze galv for Hardi that works well. Also a roofing nailer I've also used.

    Hand nailing seems to result in lots of bent nails. Must be the nails? Never tried Jims' drill first but that's probably the way to do it.

    Joe H

  6. mike4244 | Nov 25, 2006 02:41am | #17

    I use a Bostich roofing nailer and also handnail.You can handnail with 1 1/2" or longer galvanized roofing nails if you want.No need for a nailgun with hardiboard.If you were doing it for a living I would suggest a nail gun. I face nail the butt seams with a Bostich 15 gauge finish nailer and galvanized nails. You can face nail the butts with galvanized 8d nails if you predrill the hardiboard.A nail spinner also works well, slightly slower though.

    mike

  7. Westcoast | Nov 25, 2006 07:01am | #23

    I have a Bostich and a Hitachi siding guns, and the guys are begging me to buy another Hitachi for them!

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