I went ahead and ordered my framing nailer (Hitachi NR90AC5), and have been reading a bit about it. People keep mentioning to use good quality nails, not the cheap nails, to help avoid jams etc. But how can I tell which is which?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like HD’s Grip-Rite are to be avoided. Are there any brands that are known to be high quality? Specifically, I’m looking for 20º (or 21º, I guess) plastic collated nails. 8d to 16d. Color coded would be cool if they aren’t terribly expensive.
I’d like to get something on order so I can try out my new gun! And I’m concerned about ordering 2,000+ nails that don’t work very well. Am I better off speaking with a local lumber yard? Thanks in advance!
Replies
If you buy Hitachi nails you'll be fine.
If you have a genuine contractor's supply near you buy what ever nails they sell. Or a full service lumber yard, not just a DIY place. But, remember that big box stores like HD have very liberal return policies. You could take nails back if they won't work even if you have opened the box.
That's a good point about returns... I ordered a small batch of Hitachi 8d's to try first. I'll stop by HD to see what they have too. Thank you so much for the replies!
I've used Bostitch guns for close to 20 years, RH plastic collated same as Hitatchi and Can only think of one batch of nails that fed poorly. They were bostitch. In some sizes/styles the Bostitch may be better but I always buy by best price or style for the job. Griprite's have done fine by me as well as other generics.What I've used of Hitachi framing guns bring up no memories of displeasure either. Hitatchi guns have their charms I might add.
Hitachi's quality is good. I've never had trouble with grip-rite.
Funny thing - I bought both Hitachi and Grip-Rite nails. They look identical! From the pattern on their heads to the coating on their tips. Something tells me that neither Hitachi nor Grip-Rite make these nails themselves. Both are working perfectly well in my gun.
Another funny thing is that Hitachi gun is spec'd online as a 20º gun, but the instruction manual says to use 21º nails. That makes it a lot easier.
Thank you very much for your responses!
Check out TrueSpec nails. They're number coded on the head for inspection.
I've never found .148 at the big box stores if that's what your engineer spec'd.
Here nail! Come here nail! ... Ah, that's a good nail!