Framing nail recommendations
 

I just ordered a Paslode cordless framing nailer. Now I'm looking at all the
choices there are for nails . . .

A friend has the same nailer, and says he uses the 2-3/8 ring nails for just
about everything.
I'm looking to do fairly general stuff in the short term (shelves, etc.), and
build a garage next spring.

I will probably be using mostly rough cut hemlock 2x's & pine 1x's, so I expect
I'll need some of the longer 3-1/4 nails for framing.
I'd love to get a selection, but can't seem to find nails in smaller
quantities, and don't want to buy large quantities of nails I may not use.

What do people seem to find the most versatile for size & finish, and should I
stick with the Paslode, or are the Grip-Rite and other brands OK to use?

Thanx
Don

Power nailers are typically used for projects requiring many nails.
Boxes of 2,000 are typically the smallest ones. Boxes of 4,000-5,000
are typical of framing nails.
If you want variety, get a framing hammer and several 1# boxes of
nails.
For framing, 3" bright nails are typically used. Since they are
countersunk, that will completely join 2x material without a sharp
point protruding on the other side.


On 10 Sep 2004 00:04:57 GMT, (Don97623) wrote:

I just ordered a Paslode cordless framing nailer. Now I'm looking at all the
choices there are for nails . . .

A friend has the same nailer, and says he uses the 2-3/8 ring nails for just
about everything.
I'm looking to do fairly general stuff in the short term (shelves, etc.), and
build a garage next spring.

I will probably be using mostly rough cut hemlock 2x's & pine 1x's, so I expect
I'll need some of the longer 3-1/4 nails for framing.
I'd love to get a selection, but can't seem to find nails in smaller
quantities, and don't want to buy large quantities of nails I may not use.

What do people seem to find the most versatile for size & finish, and should I
stick with the Paslode, or are the Grip-Rite and other brands OK to use?

Thanx
Don

I get most nails at Lowes/HD, third party brands when possible, but have
mail ordered some and bought some at the contractor stores. Never bought
less than the boxes for $30-40. I'm not sure I've ever seen fewer.

Ring nails are far more resistant to pulling and I use them most everywhere,
just a few bucks extra. 2 3/8 is good, but 2" is fine for sheathing and
gussets made of thin ply. You can do siding, if you can control the drive
depth accurately. My Bostitch does not do a good job on depth
control...gotta look at it.

For roughcut, you need all the nail and holding you can get. 3 1/4" barely
does it in my opinion. I overdrive, to sink them and get a little more
penetration. I built my house from full 2X framing...used several cases!

Wilson
"Don97623" wrote in message
...
I just ordered a Paslode cordless framing nailer. Now I'm looking at all
the
choices there are for nails . . .

A friend has the same nailer, and says he uses the 2-3/8 ring nails for
just
about everything.
I'm looking to do fairly general stuff in the short term (shelves, etc.),
and
build a garage next spring.

I will probably be using mostly rough cut hemlock 2x's & pine 1x's, so I
expect
I'll need some of the longer 3-1/4 nails for framing.
I'd love to get a selection, but can't seem to find nails in smaller
quantities, and don't want to buy large quantities of nails I may not use.

What do people seem to find the most versatile for size & finish, and
should I
stick with the Paslode, or are the Grip-Rite and other brands OK to use?

Thanx
Don

Use 3+" bright for framing, 2 3/8" ring or twistie for fastening sheathing
(ply or osb) to framing. Galvanized for exterior applications. You'll find
these fasteners are the most common used in home building. -dave
"Don97623" wrote in message
...
I just ordered a Paslode cordless framing nailer. Now I'm looking at all
the
choices there are for nails . . .

A friend has the same nailer, and says he uses the 2-3/8 ring nails for
just
about everything.
I'm looking to do fairly general stuff in the short term (shelves, etc.),
and
build a garage next spring.

I will probably be using mostly rough cut hemlock 2x's & pine 1x's, so I
expect
I'll need some of the longer 3-1/4 nails for framing.
I'd love to get a selection, but can't seem to find nails in smaller
quantities, and don't want to buy large quantities of nails I may not use.

What do people seem to find the most versatile for size & finish, and
should I
stick with the Paslode, or are the Grip-Rite and other brands OK to use?

Thanx
Don

Don,
See http://www.paslode.com/products/tool_catalog/IMCT.html
This tool takes 30 degree paper collated clipped-head nails. There are
some recommendations as well:
- Not recommended for 3" or 3-1/4" nails in pressure-treated lumber.
- Not recommended above 5000 feet elevation or below 20 degrees F.
- The nailer must be dis-assembled and cleaned periodically depending
on the number of nails driven and the amount of dust in the air.
Extra O-rings and a few spare parts are advisable.

On 10 Sep 2004 00:04:57 GMT, (Don97623) wrote:

I just ordered a Paslode cordless framing nailer. Now I'm looking at all the
choices there are for nails.

Lucky me!
Today on my way to HD to price out the nails, I just happened to swing into a
yard sale, at which I found a full box (5000) plus a partial of 2-3/8 ring
nails, and about half a box of 3-1/4 bright. All for $30 - less than half what
I would have paid at the store, I think.
They're Senco brand, but labelled to fit the Paslode IMCT - will just half to
break the sticks in half, as these are 60 to a strip, and the Paslode
supposedly takes 44 max.
Just checked - the gun supposedly shipped from Fry's on Thursday, so hopefully
I'll have it to use this week!
New toys are so much fun!

Don

Subject: Framing nail recommendations
From: "Dave jackson"
Use 3+" bright for framing, 2 3/8" ring or twistie for fastening sheathing
(ply or osb) to framing. Galvanized for exterior applications. You'll find
these fasteners are the most common used in home building. -dave