Is there a nail gun made for sheathing? I know you can buy an attachment for a framing gun and use it for sheathing but I was wondering if they make one just for sheathing.
Can I just use a 2-3/8 nail in my Hitachi NR83A2 (S) and use it for sheathing or do I still need the attachment that goes on the nose to keep the nails flush?
Thanks as always.
Replies
It depends. In Southern California earthquake codes want you to not sink the nail in to deep.
If it goes in to deep and breaks the first layer of the plywood you have effectively reduced the plywood by one layer.
They take their shear walls pretty seriously out there.
I have the bigger gun' I think it is a 93 that has the knurled atachment for depth so the guys don't have to hold the gun at the exact angle to get the nails right.. but it doesn't like the small dia nails / The other oldet guns use the 1/4 20 thread carriage bolt that screws into the nose piece. they take someone paying attention to do it right.
I don't know if there are after market flush-head adaptors available for framing guns, but because of the shearwall requirements where I am, I bought a couple of framing guns with the adaptor attached (I believe most of the framing guns come that way now.
Siding guns are also equipped with them.
An alternative, if this is just a one time deal and your inspector wants the heads flush, just set your air pressure down to about 75 to 80 psi or whatever will either flush the heads or leave them standing a little proud, requiring a lick or two with a framing hammer. Doesn't take much extra time to do it that way.
I wouldn't worry about it where you live nail away!
Thanks Guys. I think I'll leave them a little proud and nail away.
I live in Ga. and here we have a nailing inspection before we can wrap a house.
From what I have been told by an inspector this is probably the the most common thing that H.O. get shot down on.
We have to follow a nailing scedule and the nails that are overdriven do not count.
We're remodelers so most of our framing and sheathing is on additions so alot of times we just use a paslode cordless and pay attention to the settings on the gun.No problems so far.
If all we done was frame we would use our air guns more.
dug
I've seen framers use their siding guns witha 2 3/8 coil nail. Spiral shank. I dunno why the spiral.
the only special gun i ever saw for shear walls was specifically to acommodate .161 nails. shear eights.
otherwise, as said before, dial back the pressure or depth adjuster and flush 'em by hand.
k
There's a flush drive adapter for the NR83 series made by Bigfoot Tools:
http://www.bigfootsaws.com/newsite/flush_drive.html
If you want to blow some money and make yourself real happy, buy a Hitachi NV83 coil framer and use coil nails to shoot your sheathing. Single best gun I have.
The Senco SN65 has a great plastic tip that clips on for driving flush. I use that if I am not going to drag out the coil gun.
We use the 1/2" crown 1 3/4" leg staples 3" OC on the edges and 6" in the field. the staples, even galvanized are CHEAP compared with the nails. Senco makes the best glue but they all stick pretty dang well.
M
------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
I don't believe stapled sheathing is allowed here. They want nails.
Never had a staple gun even last one house. We are hard on tools.
Bostitch makes a nice coil gun, range from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2" with lots of nail choices. Works for siding as well with a good depth adjustment.
our favorite is the Bostich N66... sheathing and sidewall
I love my Bostitch. Its the older stick nailer......n88rh. I can't find a bump trigger for it, but that isn't enough of a reason for me to find another gun. I'm also having trouble finding a compressor to keep up with it.