The profession of woodworking, contracting, and the carpenter is always strenuous, and no matter how healthy and fit you are, a day at work will make you tired when you go home. The best framing nailer will always come in handy when at work to make your life easier.
Do you ever get tired of hammering nails away all day long? Even if you are used to it, the task is pretty strenuous and requires you to use your hands pretty much all the time. What if someone told you that there is an easier way to get around this stuff. Would you not take the easy path, which is more efficient, saves you a lot of time, and improves the quality of your work? To help you with this job, we bring you some of the best framing nailers.
This guide will help you if you have never purchased a framing nailer before or need extra information on which Nailer you want to buy, considering the current market at hand.
What is a Framing Nailer?
A framing nailer is an essential and essential tool when working at home and on any building site. This is mainly because a framing nailer can drive several nails into a framing assembly faster than a carpenter can hammer one nail. This means that you can finish a project more quickly than a framing hammer, even a large one.
Types of Framing Nailers
There are many types of framing nailers that you can choose from since not all of them work the same, and just buying one without some research might not be a worthwhile investment. In total, framing Nailer can be divided into four different types, and they are –
- Pneumatic Framing Nailers.
- Electric / Cordless Framing Nailer.
- Coil Framing Nailer.
- Brushless Framing Nailer.
When buying the best framing nail gun, these are all the types of framing nail guns people look for. The pneumatic and the cordless nail gun are the two types that people buy the most.
The pneumatic is probably the most sought-after in the market. This Nailer mainly works with air since the hammering force comes from compressed air, which a separate gas-powered air compressor generates. If you want a reference, you will be glad to know that this works the same as a water pump since the working principles are the same. The best pneumatic framing nailer is often the most bought Nailer in the market, even at higher prices.
Unlike pneumatic, a cordless nail gun is powered by a battery, but they also have an internal compressor to hammer nails. This battery-powered motor drives the piston with enough air to hammer the nail home. A battery-operated is good because they do not have the problem of hoses and compressors; otherwise, they almost feel like a regular air nail gun.
A coil framing nailer works much like a normal framing nailer, but the difference is how it operates. A coil framing nailer uses a drum to hold its nails, while a normal nailer only has a magazine similar to a .45 handgun. As for the coil nailers, the drum looks identical to the Tommy guns of the late 1920s. The drum also allows the coil nailer to hold over 100 nails, unlike normal nailers, around 30 times. This is the crucial feature of the loop nailer; this is mainly bought by someone who needs many nails at a time, like building or fixing up a roof.
The brushless nailers are almost similar to electric nailers, except they have a brushless motor running the gun.
See Also: 10 Best Power Tools Every Woodworker Should Have
What should I look for when buying a Framing Nailer?
Weight
Considering the weight of a framing nailer is crucial since they vary widely. There are light machines out there, and there are heavy nailers. Consider this: if you are looking for a framing nailer to do light jobs around the house, you would want a lighter nailer than most. If you buy a heavy-duty nailer instead, you will feel fatigue setting in quite fast if you hold the Nailer above your head for some time. Brushless framing nailers are pretty heavy compared to normal cordless framing nailers, and so is the pneumatic one. So, if you are looking for nailers to work on roofs or any similar type of work, try to go for the lightest one available.
Size
Similarly to weight, the size of a framing nailer is equally essential depending on the type of jobs you do. It is similar to weight since pneumatic nailers are usually more significant than cordless nailers in size, and coil nailers are also more extensive due to their drums. The more Nailer you can hold in a magazine, the bigger it will be. So, choose accordingly, depending on what you want your Nailer to do. For routine jobs, the lighter the Nailer, the better.
Types of Nails
There are many types of nailers out there, as are many different nails for each of them. First off, there are mainly two types of clip heads that all nailers widely use: clip-headed nails and round-headed nails.
You need to select nail coatings depending on what you want from them. There are different types, and one of the commonly used nails is the galvanized nails coated with zinc to stop rust. These are mainly used on construction sites to reduce rusting. Then there are common nails used on construction sites, but the pins will not be vulnerable to the weather. Even though these are the two main types of nails, they can be further distinguished based on each coating.
You also have roofing nails used for roofing, as the name suggests. These are shorter than other nails and have a ringed shaft with a large round flat head. These nails are also galvanized with zinc since these are the most open to weather variables.
Last, you have round nail heads, also used on construction sites. These nails have a smooth shaft and a flat head made from solid metal.
Nail Collation
Collated nails are the most expensive yet convenient option for the best framing nailer. This is convenient since all nails are together, and you get a terrible case of nails flying everywhere. There are three types of collation to choose from: paper, plastic, and weld wire.
Paper – This is one of the most used types since when the Nailer is fired, bits of paper are pushed into the wood to stop debris from flying around. These would also not leave collated materials over the top of the nail head to create uneven space on the surface of the wood.
Plastic – These are the budget variant of collated nails. These types are incredibly cheap since manufacturers use the most inexpensive plastic to put the pins together. However, you also have to note that the plastic bits fly all around the site when used, making your surroundings very messy.
These are the three ways that nails are collated together. Weld wired is the most arranged of the three types and is primarily used to keep all the nails perfectly aligned. The downside of collating these nails is that they can be hard to use in nailers if the nail shapes are not perfect. These nails are also highly resistant to weather and job-site abuse.
Types of Trigger (Actuation Mode)
There are two types of triggers that a framing gun can have: contact triggers and sequential triggers. Nothing much needs to be said about these two types except that the contact trigger is a multi-shot trigger, and the sequential trigger is a single shot trigger.
Precision is the deciding factor when switching among the types; if precision is not an issue, the contact trigger is what you will find most beneficial since you can just keep your finger on the trigger and keep firing. However, if precision is crucial, then a sequential trigger is what you are looking for.
Tool-less depth adjustment
Framing nail guns are very useful in building sites and at home, and they are more convenient than hammers, which take a lot of your time and could have been better spent elsewhere. However, you need to keep in mind certain things when using.
Unlike a hammer that can be used to get the exact depth you need by hammering a certain amount of time, a framing gun must be adjusted to get the correct depth.
You do not want to push a nail through a wall, nor do you want it sticking out so much that it is not secure. You can follow a few steps to ensure perfect nail placement to get the proper depth.
Check the width of the surface you want to nail into. The narrower the object, the more likely it will split when pushed deep. So, if you are working with something 2 inches in depth, one-inch depth will work perfectly.
Look at your gun, find the adjustment dial or slide control, whichever your gun has, and adjust the depth until it indicates the correct depth.
After adjustment, find a nail that matches the depth of your selection. Having a staple too short will push the head into the surface, and having one too long will not drive the nail inside enough.
Error adjustment is a factor that most people miss when adjusting depth. You have to keep in mind that not all surfaces are equally sturdy, and so you need to test different settings with different textures until you hit the correct depths.
Related: 12 Best Staple Guns for Upholstery, Woodwork
Air Pressure
Air pressure is another thing to consider for getting the correct depth; you need not overdo or play down the nail. Usually, there are three types of instances where you need to change air pressures.
The typical air pressure is around 100 to 130 psi for the conventional framing nailers used during rough framings. Coil nailers require a different level of air pressure; this is for building or fixing roofs. You need around 90 to 100 psi for such a project since tops are sensitive to depth, and how deep you drive nails in or how insecurely you nail directly affects the longevity of your roof. Lastly, Depending on the object, you use the pressure of around 120 to 60 PSI when fixing windows or doors.
Magazine Angle (Type)
Magazine angles are sometimes related to most brands, like Bostitch guns are usually 28-degree guns; however, they create other tips. There are four different variants you will find in the market.
The 21-degree guns are designed to be in step with the clip of nails it reloads. These guns use full-headed nails, and the rows of nails are held together with plastic strips.
The 30 and 34-degree guns give excellent performance and are lighter than most other framing guns. These also use full-headed nails like the 21 and 28-degree framing nails; however, unlike them, these guns use paper strips to hold the chain together.
Lastly, you have the 28-degree nailers; these nailers have their nails held together with wires. This framing angle lets you nail in tight spaces. The nails are further apart, and that means the magazine is longer than others; this has to be done to keep two nail clips at a time.
Clear Jamming
Nail jamming can be a massive pain if you do not know how to clear it. It is pretty frustrating if a nailer is jammed in the middle of a tiring project. It is even more frustrating to know that a framing nail might break if not appropriately cleared.
However, this is not a problem if you know how to clear a jam properly. It is simple, and you can quickly fix the problem in three steps.
Framing nail guns are a dangerous tool even when following strict protocols. So, to clear jamming, the first thing you need to do is remove the power source. Doing so will remove any chances of an injury that might even be fatal. Keep in mind that you need to remove the cord for some guns, and for some, you need to remove the batteries. Lastly, pull the trigger a couple of times to clear any remaining air inside the nozzle.
A release lever on all newer framing nails helps them not jam, so you need to locate it and release it. The lever is usually found in the barrel of the Nailer. Remember to keep the gun pointed at anything that is not living! However, if you do not see a release lever, examine the barrel for any misaligned nail.
If you do not have a release lever, find another nail or a needle nose plier to pry out the nails. This will take some time, so new nailers have a release lever.
After following all the steps, you will have successfully cleared jamming and refilled the gun with new nails. Remember to put all the nails in the correct direction and watch for bent or misshapen nails. As an additional precaution, recheck the Nailer to see if it is still jammed, and if it is so, follow the steps again.
Anti-Dry Fire
Anti-dry firing is a convenient feature that is unavailable in all framing nailers. This lockout mechanism stops the gun from firing when only a few nails are left in the framing nailer.
There are multiple advantages to this feature, and the most useful one is that it prevents jamming to a great degree. The other benefit is that it reduces the number of times you accidentally have short nails in framing when the trigger is in contact mode.
Rafter Hook
Most nail gun has an attached belt or rafter hook that can hang on the wall when not used.
Contact Tip
Contact tips are essential because of the two different trigger modes. It can also affect how easily you can do specific tasks with the Nailer. Examples of contact tips are – Pointed, Spiked, Anti-mar, Exposed nail design, Interchangeable, metal connector, and many more.
Cordless Nail Gun VS Pneumatic
This is probably the most sought-after comparison in the case of framing nailers. The pneumatic and the cordless nail gun are the most purchased. So, here is an in-depth look at the differences between the two variants of a framing nailer.
Price
First and foremost, the prices of each of the variants vary a lot. However, it may not surprise that an electric framing nail costs almost twice as much as a pneumatic nail gun having the same features. However, if you want an excellent compressor with your pneumatic, the price nearly doubles over the cordless.
This eventually falls on what you want and at what price you want to get it. If you wish to buy the case nailer, a cordless one will cost you around 150 bucks, while the pneumatic one will cost you around 70 to 80 USD. This is not the place where the cost ends since you need a power source for both of them, a cordless nailer with a battery of 1.5 amp will cost you around 200 USD together with the Metabo framing nailer, while the pneumatic with a good compressor will cost you about 350 to 400 USD!
Design
As for the design, both variants vary entirely with different companies. However, the one constant thing with a pneumatic is to have a hose connected to the compressor to get your framing nails working, which means frequent accidental tripping over if you are not used to it lying on the ground.
A pneumatic weighs around 2 pounds, while a cordless one may weigh above 6 or 7 pounds. There is also the factor of noise that you must endure with a compressor for a pneumatic.
Performance
Both variants are excellent performance-wise but are not flawless. You will notice them occasionally jamming if not treated with proper care. In case of trigger delay, pneumatic fire instantly when you pull the trigger, whereas cordless nailers take a moment to spin up before firing a nail; the delay is not too significant to cause trouble.
Runtime comparison of these two variants is unfair since the pneumatic framing nailer will run until your power goes out! The cordless Nailer runs on a battery, and on an ordinary day, you can get 400 to up to 1600 shots on a single charge, depending on what battery you get. Note that if you have a small compressor for a pneumatic, you need to give it some time to charge again.
Setup time
The cordless framing nailer has to take the cake here because it does not need an air compressor to run. For this reason alone, you need 30 seconds top to set up and use a mobile nailer running on a battery.
However, things get a little troublesome when considering a pneumatic framing nailer. It would be best to take out your compressor first, then the Nailer, or whichever you prefer. Then there is also the case of the hose since you need to connect them. In short, you need a considerably more protracted amount of time setting up the Nailer Metabo than the cordless one.
Stick-Style vs. Coil-Style Nail Storage
This is a confusing topic since you cannot do anything with the coil-style that the stick-style cannot do. So why should there be a difference, and why does it matter? Well, let us find out.
Framing nails have a massive part in these two variants; the main difference between the two types is that coil-style magazines can hold more nails than stick-style magazines.
Framing nailer Metabo HPT has an adjustable canister that can hold up to 300 collated nails at a time, and it is angled at 15 degrees and is strung together by two thin wires. These nailers can fire many nails at a time, and their compact size comes in handy a lot of times. However, it can hold many nails at once, and it feels cumbersome when you have it over your head.
You need to pay attention to the stick nailers’ angle and magazine capacity. Each magazine can hold around 20 to 50 nails at most.
Clipped-Headed VS Round-Headed
The difference between clipped nails and a round-headed nail is the d-shaped head of the clipped nail. Some people think that this clip is an error by manufacturers, but that is not the case. We are used to round-headed nails; they are entirely round on the top and have a clear shaft.
Since clipped-headed nails are clipped aside, you will find that more nails can be collated in one pack. Also, round-headed nails are more complex to align than clipped nails since the entire head’s width between the nails.
Another difference is that round-headed nails are plastic collated, making them a messy thing to work with since plastics fly everywhere when you use your Nailer. However, clipped nails collate with paper, which is convenient for a clean and finished job.
The main difference is what city or region you live in. Each part of the state has a code that must be maintained regarding what nails must be used. If you do not know what nails are used in your part, ask someone from a hardware store.
Framing Nailer 21 VS 28
Knowing what magazine angle you need when buying a Nailer Metabo is essential. Some are more convenient than others when working on a particular task. So this means that when you are looking for steep angles, the more angled a magazine is, the better.
An important thing to note is that the magazine angle does not affect the angle at which the gun shoots the nail. Instead, the magazine angle has more to do with creating space for how many nails a magazine can hold. A Metabo framing nailer tends to have 28 and 30-degree angles since they shoot smaller nails than an air nail gun.
You will have a perpendicular shot with the Nailer as long as you keep the nails flush against the piece’s surface. As a result, the more angled a magazine is, the more nails you can put inside and not what angle the nail shoots out from. Usually, construction sites need 21-degree angle magazines for heavy tasks such as laying subfloors and nails sit flush, siding nailer, and roofing. It is better to use 28 or 30-degree nailers for interior trim work.
20 Best Framing Nailer Reviews – Our Top Picks
Before we head deep into the framing nailer reviews, let us shortly look at the top 10 best framing nailers.
NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer
Topping the list of the best framing nailer is the NuMax SFR2190, and with good reasons. This degree framing nailer is mainly used for small and large projects due to its dual-mode trigger. This feature makes the tool a good investment for jobs of all types.
Features
The dual-mode trigger allows the user to change between a single trigger and multiple triggers; the first mode is preferred when you work on small projects that do not require many nailers, while the latter is used for projects that require a lot of nailing. The multiple fire nails trigger works excellent when you do high-volume jobs.
A great feature of the Nomad SFR2190 is the safety feature. This feature alerts you when you are almost out of nails in the magazine. Framing guns stop you from firing when the magazine is low on nails. The SFR2190 magazine can hold a total of 55 nails at once.
The tool also has an air filter that makes it almost jam-free. This is a simple feature yet highly convenient since it stops anything going into the tool that might jam or harm the mechanism, thus preventing the jam. You will not see many framing nailers with this feature.
Another highlight of the SFR2190 is that it is a mighty power tool enough to push a 3-inch nail through sturdy materials with ease; one fine example is wood like a Douglas fir. You will not experience any jamming even when using 500 rounds of nails.
Apart from the warning mechanisms, other safety mechanisms help keep the device safe, and one of them is the anti-dry fire nails mechanism. This function protects the gun from dry fire after prolonged use.
Last but not least, the Nailer also has an anti-dust cap to keep the internal components dust-free.
Pros
- It has a dual-mode trigger.
- It is a durable tool since it has a black oxide aluminum magazine and a die-cast aluminum construction.
- It has finger depth adjustment for comfortable use.
- It is a professional tool and is quite affordable.
- It is a lightweight framing gun.
Cons
- While there is an inbuilt air filter, there is no tool for jam removal if the safety fails.
- The adjustable depth is not easy to turn.
This is the best framing nailer that deserves the top of the list. It is a sturdy and reliable tool for construction with a 21-degree framing nailer to offer all the premium features of a professional nailer, such as a lightweight magnesium body and an interchangeable trigger. The dual-mode trigger makes this tool a good investment for everyone. Since the price is reasonable, you can easily afford one instead of waiting for a more expensive gun that offers a similar experience. Overall, this is one of the excellent framing nailers in the market.
BOSTITCH F21PL Round Head Framing Nailer
Coming second on the list is the BOSTITCH F21PL, for good reasons. This framing gun is in a class of its own. This tool makes your tasks quicker and a lot easier. If you search for a framing nailer that takes on heavy tasks like a pro, then this is what you are looking for.
Features
A Bostitch framing nailer is better received in the market since the brand has been consistent for quite some time. For one of the best air framing nailers on the market, this Nailer has two trigger modes that make it a good framing nailer for home and construction sites. If you do not know about trigger types, you should head to our buying guide.
The two trigger modes of the Bostitch are – sequential trigger and contact trigger. The first one is good when you want to shoot one nail at a time; push the trigger, and only one nail shoots out. However, the contact nailing mode is suitable when you want to shoot nails by pressing the trigger continuously.
This framing nailer also has a decent-sized magazine that can hold up to 60 nails. While this may seem low when you compare it to a coiled nailer, it is one of the better ones when you compare it with other stick-style nailers. The size of the magazine is not the only thing this Bostitch framing nailer is a potent tool. You will find that many nailers on the market can only support one type of nail. However, this particular framing nailer can help two types: the round-head nails and the hurricane nails.
An additional benefit of this Nailer is that it can also work as a metal connector nailer. It drives a 21 to 23-degree magazine that supports the two types of nails with the plastic collation of 1 and a half inches to 3 and a half inches.
Pros
- This is a heavy-duty nailer that can also work as a lightweight nailer.
- It has two interchangeable nose pieces making it a dual-purpose nailer.
- It has a jam clearance system.
- It has some of the best safety and adjustment features for a nailer.
- It has a high-capacity magazine that holds up to 60 nails.
Cons
- It is a little expensive for its class.
As far as an air nail gun can go, this is one of the best. It has a great depth adjustment setting, is known for its safety features, has a dual trigger mode, and can use two different types of nails! A hardened claw tip minimizes slippage and wears on the nose. The no-mar tip may be retrofitted for additional protection. This is among the best air framing nailers in the market.
Freeman PFR2190 21-Degree Full-Head Framing Nailer
Coming third on the list is a Freeman framing nailer that is almost best at multi-tasking. The PFR2190 is light yet high-quality nailing gun that you can use for any job, such as framing, roofing, fencing, siding nailer, and wall sheathing.
Features
The Nailer weighs around 14.5 pounds and measures 20 x 6.5 x 14.2 inches. Like all the nailers in the market, this one too has dual trigger mode – sequential trigger and contact trigger. This makes the Nailer suitable for working both at a construction site and at home.
The Nailer is air-powered and operates with 60 to 115 psi pressure. This makes the tool not the most potent Nailer out there, but it is a good investment as a home nailer and has a mid to heavy-duty Nailer.
The build quality of the Nailer is also good considering that it has a magnesium body and an anodized aluminum cylinder. It is also equipped with a 360-degree adjustable air vent, an air filter, and an anti-dust cap to prevent air contamination.
As for clipped head nails, the Nailer shoots out round-headed variants from 2 to 3 and a half inches long. The magazine capacity is also decent compared to other stick-style magazines; it can hold 55 nails at a time.
Unlike some of the better-clipped head nails in the market, the Freeman PFR2190 can only use the 21-degree round-headed plastic collated nails. However, this is not a bad thing since it specifically tells you what type of a framing nailer this is.
The Nailer automatically stops firing nails when it is near empty, warning you that a new batch is needed. This is almost a life-saver since you are never without nails when in a hurry. Finger depth can be adjusted easily without tools, and the No-mar tip adapts to various surfaces.
Pros
- It can do a multitude of tasks.
- The price is almost nothing for the number of things this Nailer can do.
- It comes with a handy bag.
- It has a no-mar tip.
- It has a dual trigger mode.
- It has a 360-degree adjustable exhaust.
Cons
- It lacks good safety features.
- It has a bit more recoil than standard guns.
At a low price, this Nailer is excellent. This gun packs a great punch with an anti-dry fire mechanism and an anti-rust body. The machine can be used at home as well as for heavy-duty work.
Paslode Cordless Framing Nailer
Coming fourth on the list is the first cordless framing nailer, and it is Paslode’s 902600. A Paslode framing nailer is undoubtedly a heavyweight in the nailer world, and it is for many reasons.
Features
The Paslode 902600 measures 13.5 x 4.5 x 14.5 inches, and it weighs 7.5 pounds; this makes the Paslode Nailer lighter than almost all pneumatic framing nailers out there. The gun is not only lightweight but is also very sturdy. The tool’s design makes it perfect for use both indoors and outdoors.
Since the gun is relatively compact and light, you can carry it around anywhere. You do not need the burden of having around a compressor as you do with a pneumatic framing nailer. Also, since the Nailer is relatively light, you can use it for an extended period without discomforting the arms and shoulders.
The 902600 is considered one of the, if not the best, Lithium-Ion cordless framing nailers on the market. The Lithium-Ion battery can be fully recharged within an hour, supplying you with 6000 shots minimum. This feature alone makes the Nailer one of the best cordless framing nailers.
The battery life is not a joke on this Nailer; you can use a standby option that locks out your battery and saves energy. Also, just 2 minutes of charging can easily supply you with 200 shots.
Like all of the best nailers, the 902600 has the depth adjustment facility that allows you how deep you want your Nailer to go. The feature is quite simple since you get a dial on the fly, making the option convenient.
An interesting thing about the Nailer is that it is known for its precision without misfires or jamming. There are no nailers in the market that is resistant to jamming; however, Paslode takes things a step further with the 902600 by making it a bit more resistant to jamming than any other nailers out there.
You get an average magazine with the 902600 that can hold up to 48 fasteners at a time that are 2 to 3-1/4 inches in strip form. The reloading process is very smooth, and you can load the magazine without any kind of trouble.
You also get a premium case with the Nailer, complimentary batteries, and even safety goggles! Think about how Paslode cares for its customers! The case makes it confident that you will not lose the Nailer by keeping any anywhere.
Pros
- It is easily rechargeable, and a full battery can supply you with 6000 shots!
- Standby position for longer battery life.
- It is lightweight and durable.
- It comes with a premium case.
- There is no jamming.
- It has accessible depth adjustment settings.
Cons
- It is so noisy that you need earbuds.
- The large nose makes it quite tricky to hit precision shots.
- You need to set up different depth adjustments for other materials.
As far as a battery-operated can go, this is one of the best. It is incredibly lightweight, has a reasonable price tag, and can withstand jamming! Jamming is a big annoyance of using a framing nailer, and when you can get rid of that, life becomes so much easier. With all things considered, this is probably the best cordless framing nailer on the market right now.
BOSTITCH MCN-150 StrapShot Metal Connector pneumatic framing nailer
A Bostitch framing nailer is often considered one of the best in the market. This applies to the Bostitch MCN-150 StrapShot Metal Connector. The Nailer is probably the best when nailing in tight places. This being said, let us look at what features make the MCN-150 a great nailer.
Features
First of all, this is a pneumatic that looks nothing like the kind. You usually find that standard pneumatic is bigger and heavier than cordless framing nailer and is a pain to carry around. However, the MCN-150 measures 10.5 x 4.6 x 11.5 inches and weighs only 1.6 pounds! How insane is that? Especially when you consider that almost all pneumatic framing nailers weigh around 8 pounds!
This Bostitch is not your usual Nailer made to be a metal connector nailer; instead, this was made from scratch to have that compact design that is unusual for a pneumatic nail gun. Since this is almost half the size of most Paslode and Dewalt nailers, you can easily fit it into nooks and corners.
The 35-degree magazine makes this Nailer a perfect tool in tight places. However, there is also a negative side to this aspect since the magazine can only hold 29 nailers at a time. If you have seen other nailers, you will know how little this magazine can save compared to other stick-style nailers.
The Nailer uses nails that are 1 to ½ inch 35-degree paper collated metal connector nails. The nails are perfect and used in hurricane ties, joist hangers, and stud plate ties; these are used to strengthen weak joints in the building to meet the new tight building regulations.
The safety regulations make the Nailer extremely comfortable to work with. The exposed tip allows the gun to be placed directly in contact with the fastener hole, and if it is not aligned correctly with the designated place, the gun does not shoot nails; this means working with the Nailer is fast and accurate, but most of all, this makes the gun incredibly safe to use.
Pros
- A lightweight framing nailer that is compact and easy to carry around.
- Incredible safety features.
- It uses 35-degree paper collated nails that are great for nailing in small spaces.
- It is small yet delivers power that is on par with heavy-duty nailers.
- It is very comfortable to use even when holding above the shoulder.
- It has an adjustable exhaust.
- It has a 7-year warranty!
- It has an exposed nail tip.
Cons
- It has a small magazine that can only hold 29 nails at a time.
- The anti-jam feature locks the gun at less than five nails; this is not good when the total capacity of the gun is only 29.
If you are searching for a lightweight pneumatic, look no further. You have found what you were looking for. The safety feature eases use in tight spaces, and the warranty makes up for a great lightweight framing nailer. This is undoubtedly one of the best Bostitch framing nailers and probably the best pneumatic framing nailer.
Dewalt dcn692b 20v max XR brushless dual-speed nailer
Now comes in the list, a heavyweight in the power tools industry, a Dewalt framing nailer! There are other big names in the framing industry like Bostitch, Paslode, and Porter-Cable, but they are not at the level of a Dewalt, which is for many reasons. First of all, there is even a thing such as a DeWalt nail rifle!
Features
The bump firing and sequential modes make the tool an excellent multi-purpose framing nailer. The sequential way is for tasks that require precision, like framing doors and windows, while the bump firing mode is for those tasks where you do not require much precision, like wall sheathing. Since this is a premium Dewalt framing nailer, it is not a surprise that the gun comes with the dual trigger mode.
The magazine capacity of the DCN692B is impressive for a stick-style nailer, being able to hold 55 nails at a time, and the magazine takes only a few seconds to reload. The reloading time makes the magazine even more convenient, even if the Nailer’s size comes short compared to a coiled nailer.
The DCN692B has an exciting feature that makes it a cut above the rest; an intelligent fault indicator with the Nailer tells you exactly where your tool has stalled or jammed; be it a battery condition or nail jamming. It can also tell how many nails have already been fired.
With the low vibration technology and the user-selectable dual speed mode, the Nailer allows you to drive 2 to 3-inch nails at a lower speed and 3-1/4 and 3-1/2 inch nails at a higher rate. These features also allow you to use the Nailer for more extended periods without fatigue and give the Nailer a longer battery life.
Another convenient feature of the DCN692B is the stall release lever that resets the drive blade in case of a jam.
Pros
- Two trigger modes.
- Stall release levers.
- Long-lasting battery.
- Low vibration technology.
- Multi-purpose and lightweight framing nailer.
- Two different settings for different nail lengths.
- No need for lubrication.
- Uses paper collated nails.
Cons
- Since this requires a lot of power, you may need two batteries for a single day.
- It is pretty expensive.
No questions asked; many consider this the best Dewalt framing nailer on the market, given all the positive reviews and significant sales. The Nailer has many different features that make it one of the best nailers currently listed in the market. Even though it is pretty expensive, you have to realize that this is Dewalt’s one of the best framing nailers, and they are as good as one can get. Look beyond the price, and you will see a great Dewalt cordless framing nailer with many exciting features.
BOSTITCH Flooring Nailer, Pneumatic, 1-1/2- to 2-Inch (MIIIFN)
Bostitch’s MIIIFN is the first flooring framing nailer on the list with a hefty price tag. However, do not second guess about the nailer price since if you can stretch the budget, then this is highly recommended, and here is why.
Features
First off, this is no doubt the best flooring nailer you can find on the market. The tool is built for fast-paced flooring because the Nailer can drive up to 420in/lbs., which is on the extreme side of things when you compare it with other nailers of similar type and quality. The high-speed pneumatic operations make sure that you complete flooring with incredible speed.
There is a problem with fast-paced nailers: accuracy; if you are new to using such a tool, you will miss nailing in the right spot. However, with the Bostitch, this is minimized. The Nailer has an extended base plate that helps for incredible stability and accuracy when you use it.
The ease of use is taken further with a rubber grip with an elongated handle. If you have not used this before, you will not know how comfortable this is to hold and use.
This is a stick-style framing nailer, and is prepared to be amazed that this framing nailer has insane magazine capacity! The Nailer can hold up to 110 cleat nails at a time, whereas an average stick-style framing nailer can only hold 45 to 50 nails complete.
The build quality of the Nailer is excellent since the body is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, and with the graphite mallet, durability does not come to question at all. Furthermore, with the 7-year warranty period, you do not have to worry about facing a problem with buying new nailers at all.
The only negative thing about the Nailer is that it is heavy, even for a pneumatic framing nailer. However, since this s a flooring nailer, you do not have the hassle of using it above the shoulder that would have significantly tired you out.
Pros
- Extended base-plate.
- The lightweight aluminum body and graphite mallet have excellent build quality.
- 7-year warranty.
- Stick-style Nailer but can house up to 110 nails max.
- Comfortable to use.
- Different settings for different nail lengths.
Cons
- It is expensive.
Apart from the price, this Nailer has no drawbacks. However, the Nailer is worth buying, even for a price tag if you stretch your wallet. It has everything you need in a flooring nailer.
Hitachi NR90AES1
The Hitachi NR90AES1 is an excellent tool if you are a beginner in the nailer world. The ease of use makes the tool one of the best Hitachi framing nailers. Even though the tool was designed to be easy to use, this is not a lightweight nailer. First of all, these are the best pneumatic framing nailers and can drive a lot of power if needed.
Features
The selective trigger mode makes the Nailer a multi-purpose nailer usable at home and construction sites. The two particular modes (sequential and contact) are made for different purposes. The sequential mode is for shooting out one nail at a time when you press the trigger, and the contact mode, on the other hand, is necessary when you do fast-paced nailing with little concern for accuracy.
The Nailer uses a 21-degree magazine, and it can hold a total of 64 nails at a time; the nails can be from 2 to 3.5 inches long and have to be plastic collated. Since there are variants to the NR90, there are variants that can hold more than 64 nails. However, that is the best coil framing nailer and not stick-styled. This is by far the best one amongst the other variants.
The build quality of the tool is a marketable factor since the body is excellent. The Nailer has a rubber handle that makes it comfortable to hold. However, the most impressive thing about the Nailer is that it comes with extra safety goggles!
The depth adjustment switch is below the driver assembly, making it odd since the Nailer does not usually keep a switch there; it makes it easier to get to. There is not much to be said about the feature except that it is elementary to use.
Since this is a 3.5″ nailer, this is perfect if you will tackle dense materials. Most nailers struggle with depth adjustment since adjusting the same depth does not help with different material densities if you do not have the power to push the nail through. However, even though it can deliver higher power than most, you do not need to worry about recoil.
Pros
- It has a two-piece aluminum iodized magazine.
- It has an open-nose design.
- It has a two-step nail loading capability.
- It is easy to disassemble.
- It has a fast reloading time.
- It has an ergonomic design.
- It is incredibly stable, comfortable, and easy to use.
- It has incredible safety features.
- It has a 5-year warranty period.
Hitachi power tools make it stand as one of the best nailers in the market. There is no doubt that this Nailer is perfect in the hands of a newcomer, DIY projects, and a seasoned craftsman. Since the price of the Nailer is on the lower end of the price scale, the budget will not be a problem; a nailer with so many incredible features and is safe to use should be an easy decision when in need of a purchase.
BOSTITCH F28WW 2-inch to 3-1/2-inch
If you are looking for a premium framing nailer at a lower price tag, look no further than the Bostitch F28WW. The main attraction of this Nailer is that it is incredibly cheap without sacrificing quality. How does it do that? Let us have an in-depth look at the framing nailer.
Features
Even though this is pneumatic, it is very light and weighs 7.6 pounds only! The weight and the control button placements make the framing nailer very easy to use—the nailer measures 23 x 16 x 6 inches only.
The F28WW has a total magazine capacity of 100 nails, and it uses 28-degree clipped-headed nails that are wire-collated. The size of the nails can be anywhere between 2 to 3 and a half inches long.
The air gun uses 0.113 to 0.131 gauge clipped nails powered by an air compressor that is generally set to 80 PSI and can be increased to 120. The depth adjustment settings can be controlled with a patented push-button that does not require you to go to the air compressor every time to control power.
Since the Nailer, if relatively light, will allow you to hold it above your shoulder without much strain, it can be used in constricted spaces such as floor joists. Bostitch also takes safety more severe since the Nailer comes with steel wear guards and rubber skid pads.
Pros
- It is lightweight even though the Nailer is a pneumatic one.
- It can house 100 nails in total.
- It is small but compelling.
- It is effortless and comfortable to use.
- You do not need to adjust the pressure constantly; instead, just set it in line with the demand of the task.
- It can do a lot of different tasks.
Cons
- The size of the nails in particular, since you can only use 2 to 3.5-inch nails.
- It does not have a dry fire mechanism and must be handled carefully.
All in all, this is a very balanced framing nailer and if you are in search of one with a tight budget, then make no doubt that this is it. The nail capacity is excellent for a stick-style nailer, and the variable pressure makes it usable with dense materials.
Paslode 501000 F-350S PowerMaster Plus
The Paslode 501000 is a heavy-duty framing nailer that has been designed to keep professionals in mind. Paslode has been making nailers for more than 70 years now, and with this Paslode framing nailer, you can do many things, including framing, roof decking, wall sheathing, trussing, and many other things as well.
Features
Like all the best Paslode nailers, the 501000 also has a selective trigger mode, and you can switch between sequential and contact mode. This is convenient for users of all kinds, even though the Nailer is for professional uses. It does not mean that trigger mode makes a nailer a lightweight or a heavy-duty nailer. It is simply that most construction sites require you to use contact fire nails more often than sequential fire.
The Nailer uses 2 to 3.5 inch 30 degrees clipped or full-headed paper collated nails that are 0.113 to 0.131 inches in diameter. The 501000’s magazine can hold up to two nail strips of 84 paper collated nails! The build quality of the Nailer is fantastic since this was made for professional use. The Nailer measures 5.5 x 20.5 x 18.8 inches and weighs around 8.4 pounds, making it a lightweight nailer even though it is a pneumatic one. The Nailer also comes with a rafter hook that is incredibly convenient to hand the Nailer when you are on a break.
Moreover, the Nailer has an anti-skid rubber grip that makes it easy to hold and very comfortable, and more so, the steel finish makes the Nailer a sturdy one. All in all, the Nailer is made so that you can use it in any weather conditions!
Another convenient feature of the Paslode is that the depth adjustment dial is near the trigger, which makes depth adjusting a child’s play!
Pros
- It has very low recoil.
- It is mighty yet so lightweight.
- The magazine is large and easy to reload.
- It is a precise nailer.
Cons
- It takes quite a bit of time to tune the dial to the perfect depth.
- The anti-dry fire mechanism requires you to have at least eight nails to fire.
This Nailer is perfect for looking for a very professional, powerful, yet lightweight nailer. The convenience of the button placement, the large magazine, and the rafter hook, amongst other things, make the Nailer a “must-have” on construction sites.
PORTER-CABLE FR350B 3-1/2-Inch
The FR350B is the first Porter Cable framing nailer on the list and has excellent features that make it a solid and dependable framing nailer. However, is it worth buying given the intense competition between other well-known brands like Paslode, Dewalt, and Bostitch? Here are the features that make the FR350B stand out.
Features
The FR350B is a lightweight framing nailer that weighs around 7.3 pounds and measures 21 x 5 x 15 inches. The weight of the Nailer is excellent for working for a long time without fatigue. This is excellent since most premium heavy-duty framing nailers are heavy and need breaks between works if you do not want a stiff arm.
This tool has a moderately sized magazine that can hold a maximum of 60 round-headed 22 degrees nails. The nails can be anywhere between 2 to 3.5 inches in nail length. You do not need to worry about the anti-dry fire mechanism since the device has a low nail indicator; in this measure, you can run the tool using only ten nails or even 1.
People prefer the low-level indicator much more than the firing mechanism since that essentially locks out your Nailer earlier than it is acceptable. So having a few nails is the same as having none, and who wants that?
Since the FR350B is a pneumatic power tool, it can dish out ample power to work with different density levels without much trouble. Also, the main advantage of using an air compressor instead of a battery is that you do not need refills if you can ignore the extra weight.
The Nailer runs using 70 – 120 psi; however, some people have even used it with 140 psi more than Porter-Cable rated. Although, it is safe to say that using 140 psi consistently will not positively affect your Nailer.
The Nailer is straightforward to use, and since it is only 15 inches tall, you can use it in tight spaces. The Nailer is at least 1 inch short than most premium nailers.
The depth adjustment mechanism is effortless to get used to, unlike another framing nailer, and you can easily use it without the help of other tools. You also get a rafter hook and dual trigger mode (bump firing and sequential) with the Nailer.
Pros
- Great value, Nailer.
- It is lightweight and usable in close-fitting spaces.
- Even though plastic collated nails cause jamming, people have not complained so far,
- It has a dual trigger mode.
- It has a rafter hook.
- It is comfortable to use.
- Allows you to switch from bump firing to sequential firing with a built-in actuation switch.
- Tool-free depth adjustment is easy.
Porter-Cable is a worthy brand to compete with all the heavyweights of the framing nailer industry. It has multiple useful features and comes at an excellent price, whereas Dewalt nailers can cost over 400 USD!
BOSTITCH N80CB-1 Round Head 1-1/2 to 3-1/4-Inch Coil Framing Nailer
The Bostitch N80CB-1 is the first coil-style Nailer on the list, and boy, can it pack a huge number of nails! Overall, this Nailer is an all-rounder; it has multiple premium features ranging from ‘incredible magazine capacity to handling different nail lengths to having a beast of a motor.
Features
The N80CB-1 is a pneumatic nailer, and it has a coil-style magazine; because of that, the Nailer is quite heavy and weighs around 10.4 pounds. The Nailer measures 12 x 5.6 x 13 inches; this, however, means that though the Nailer is quite heavy, it is a small one. Most of its weight comes from the coil that holds the nails.
Only one word needs to be said when the magazine comes to question: “MASSIVE!”; the Nailer can hold up to 300 nails at max! The nails are round-headed, wire-welded collated, and can vary from 1.5 to 3.25 inches long.
This Nailer has a canister housing that can be accessed with a top twist; this makes reloading as fast as a snap of fingers. The canister keeps the nails from being damaged since a deformed nail can instantly cause jamming.
The N80CB-1 can pack a punch with its pneumatic design; it operates using 80 – 120 psi. The Nailer is so powerful that you can drive into any kind of woods, including engineered woods!
This Nailer is specifically designed to do repetitive tasks very fast. Even though you might expect the Nailer is for contact use, it surprisingly has low recoil. It is pretty easy to use if you are a seasoned craftsman. However, beginners might find it hard to use the Nailer, considering it uses a contact trigger to shoot nails at a high-speed rate; accuracy comes into question if you are not used to such nailers.
All these features might not be appealing to most people, mainly since the gun does not feature a sequential trigger mode. However, if you work on construction sites or if you do repetitive projects over and over again. Then this should be for you.
Pros
- It can house 300 nails at a time with various nail lengths.
- Useful for repetitive tasks.
- It is an incredibly reliable framing nailer.
- It packs a high amount of power.
- It is effortless to use.
Cons
- It is incompatible with other types of nails other than round-headed nails.
- It is not for beginners.
- It is heavy, and fatigue comes soon if you do not take a break.
This is strictly a professional nailer that should be used on heavy-duty projects or construction sites. The 300-nail magazine makes it very easy to do repetitive tasks without having to reload repeatedly. The price of the Nailer is also low compared to most stick-style nailers. Overall, it’s an excellent nailer for construction sites.
Bostitch LPF21PL 21 Degree 3-1/4-Inch
The number of Bostitch nailers on this list is quite surprising, isn’t it? It should not be because the company has long been known to build excellent nailers. Since 1896, the company has been a heavyweight in the power tools industry.
- Low-Profile Design for getting in-between rafters and tight...
- Tool-Free Selectable Trigger allows for single-drive or...
Features
The Bostitch LFP21PL is another example of its excellence. The Nailer is a pneumatic one and is moderately robust. It operates with 70 – 100 psi, whereas the best pneumatic framing nailers can go up to 120 or even 140 psi, though the latter is quite hard to come by.
Bostitch provides a low-profile design for this Nailer to use in snug spaces like a small cabinet and between rafters. Given this information, it may surprise you that the magazine is angled at 21 degrees. It is essential to know this since the more angled a magazine is, the tighter the places in which it can be used.
The magazine is angled at 21 degrees and can house 2 to 3.5 inches long nails, and must be plastic collated. The nails are thrown from a straight magazine, allowing you to insert nails from the rear side of the magazine.
Since the tool operates at 70 to 100 psi, you only need a small or medium-sized air compressor. The power is enough to do most jobs out there, and rarely do you need a 120 psi nailer unless you work at construction sites all day or if you work with engineered woods.
Like all Bostitch nailers, the LPF21PL has tool-free depth adjustment settings and selective trigger mode. To be honest, a stick-style nailer just feels incomplete without both of these features. However, in the tool-free depth adjustment settings, it takes quite a lot of time to get used to since you have a medium amount of power running the Nailer.
The selective trigger mode is constructive because it ensures both speed and accuracy, whichever you need the most. To improve accuracy and user comfort, the Nailer has a rubber molded handle; this also means that you can use it in any kind of weather.
Pros
- It is a lightweight nailer and reliable framing nailer.
- It is comfortable to use.
- It has a selective trigger mode.
- It does not have an anti-dry fire mechanism.
- It is not very expensive compared to most Bostitch nailers.
Cons
- It is not as powerful as most Bostitch pneumatic framing nailers.
Any Bostitch nailer should be an automatic winner if you ask me since none of their products are harmful. No products are perfect, and such is the case for the LFP21PL. However, this should be a winner right here, given the price tag.
Paslode 905600 Cordless XP Framing Nailer
Paslode 905600 is even though is cordless; the efficiency and power of the Nailer make it as good as any high-powered pneumatic nailer on the market.
Features
First of all, do not be put off that this is a cordless framing nailer if you are an avid pneumatic nailer fan. The specs of this thing might change your mind about cordless framing nailers forever. So, to start with, let’s get right into the power efficiency and battery of the Nailer.
Since this is battery-operated and works with a Lithium-Ion battery, you must recharge it with time. However, how frequently you should do that is the question. This is the most significant selling point of the Nailer since, at full charge, the Nailer can shoot up to 9000 nails in total! This is crazy good since most battery-operated guns can shoot around 5000 or 6000 nails at full power.
However, what if you hurry and the Nailer has no charge, but you need a nailer right away? The 905600 tackles this problem, too, since just 1 to 2 minutes of charging allows you to shoot up to 200 nails in total (it takes 1.5 hours to charge it entirely). That is more than one strip of nails and, therefore, more than one magazine.
The magazine of this Nailer can hold one nail strip at a time and must be paper collated. This is a plus point since paper collated nails are clean to work with compared to plastic collated nails, where plastics fly around your surrounding from the Nailer. Its shank diameter is 0.113 to 0.131 inches, and the Nailer can house 2 to 3.25-inch Round rive 30-degree nails.
Since this is a mobile nailer, the build quality is fantastic, and you can use it all day long without much fatigue. The compact design allows you to use it in small spaces between roof trusses and joints.
Pros
- It is lightweight.
- It has battery standby mode to save battery.
- It can shoot up to 9000 nails when fully charged!
- It does not require an air compressor.
- It has a utility hook.
- It has a nail lockout system.
- It has a nail lockout system.
Cons
- This is a very loud tool when high power is required.
- It does not work well at 5000 feet or above.
This is one of the best nailers compared to other battery nailers. Also, if you work at construction sites, the chances are that you will never use 9000 nails in a day, and even more so, the standby mode helps preserve charge when not in use.
Senco 2H0133N FramePro 701XP
Senco nailers are excellent medium-range nailers, and they hold up their reputation quite well. It is only reasonable that they have a place amongst the Top reviewed framing nailer in the market.
Features
The 2HO133N, unlike the FramePro 601, is a cordless electric framing nailer, and like the 601, it can be used for several tasks that include framing, roof decking, pallet, and crate assembly, truss building, and many more.
However, since this is a mid-range framing nailer, you only get the sequential trigger mode. The contact mode is not available for this Nailer. This makes the Nailer a very precise and accurate framing nailer. This is further improved with the nosedive, making the Nailer even more real.
The Nailer is also quite durable since the urethra sleeve cap protects the sleeve from damage. The most exciting things about this are that the fixed firing valve increases the overall durability of the gun and speeds up the drive.
The Nailer can hold up to 80 nails in its magazine, and this is because it uses clip-headed nails that create more space than round-headed nails. The 34-degree framing angle also makes the Nailer more accessible to tight spaces like in between roof trusses.
The over-mold grip is an excellent plus point since it provides stability like none others. It also has a nail lock mechanism that keeps the nail from dry firing. Last, of all, the tool has a gravity correction facility and a 360-degree adjustable exhaust that makes for a cheap framing nailer.
Pros
- It is lightweight.
- It can be used in tight spaces.
- It has a urethra sleeve cap to prevent the sleeve from being damaged.
- It has a 360-degree adjustable exhaust.
- It prevents dry firing.
Cons
- It is expensive.
- It has a single rank nail-holding magazine.
- It is loud.
Senco’s work to make classy nailers pays off since the 701XP is one of the incomparable nailers. This is probably one of the most used nailers at home. There are many new features in the Nailer that are not present in most premium nailers, like the urethra sleeve cap.
Surebonder 9772 Pneumatic 21 Degree Round Head 3-1/2″
The Surebonder 9772 nailer is a lower-end nailer framing nailer that is great for the value. Even though the price is tight, several exciting features make the Nailer a part of this list.
- Air compressor not included
Features
The 9772 is a light nailer that measures 18.1 x 14.6 x 3.9 inches and weighs 8.2 pounds. Since it is cast aluminum and has a rugged build, the Nailer is more durable than most nailers. It has an aluminum body with a rubber grip handle that makes it very comfortable to hold and improves the overall feel of the Nailer.
Even though it runs at 80 – 100 psi, it is a moderately powered pneumatic nailer. However, the Nailer can operate at 120 psi, although it is not recommended to do so since the pressure rating is 80 – 100. It is important to note that this pneumatic Nailer uses only a male quick-connector because it operates with an air compressor.
As this is a pneumatic nailer, you can use it on any kind of wood, even engineered wood that is much harder than commonly used wood.
The most satisfying thing about the Nailer is that it shoots straight and prevents jamming. The jamming is reduced to a minimum because the magazine is built very well, protecting the nails from damage. The Nailer can hold up to 75 nails in the magazine angled at 21 degrees, as do almost all other pneumatic nailers.
Surebonder has taken things to a competitive level by introducing selective trigger mode to the 9772 model, allowing you to switch between contact and sequential mode.
Pros
- It is a lightweight nailer.
- It has a selective trigger mode.
- It can work with engineered woods.
- Safety feature prevents the gun from accidental firing.
- The body is made from cast aluminum.
- It is compact and comfortable to use.
Cons
- It is not recommended that you go beyond 100 psi.
- Depth alterations take time to get used to.
The Surebonder Nailer takes things further where low-end nailers come into question. The 9772 is a great nailer for value, and the safety features, fantastic magazine, and compact design make for one of the best affordable framing nailers on the market.
Hitachi NR90AD(S) 2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Clipped Head Paper Collated Framing Strip Nailer
If there is a brand out there that is on par with Dewalt, then it is no doubt that it is Hitachi power tools. Each of Hitachi’s nailers is made for a purpose, and the NR90AD is made to be a heavyweight nailer that does not mess up your surroundings when you work with it.
Features
The first thing that you will notice is that the NR90AD is a pneumatic nailer but uses paper collated nails. This is the main attraction since most electric nailers use paper collated nails that mess up your workplace when each nail is shot out. Instead, the paper joints are pushed into the wood when you shoot a paper collated nail, leaving no residues.
A pneumatic nailer weighs around 7 pounds and measures 18.2 x 4.9 x 12.7 inches, making it lighter than most. Aluminum makes the entire body extremely lightweight. Aluminum is also used in magazines, which further lightens the Nailer. The Nailer comes with two magazines that make it even more noteworthy since you do not need to look for spare parts if one is somehow lost. The chances of them being damaged are almost none.
Another exciting feature of the Nailer is its vibration isolation pad that helps you work for a more extended period without taking a break. This is because the pads isolate the vibrations from the working surface.
Since this is from Hitachi, the Nailer has a selective fire mode that lets you choose from a single fire and rapid-fire mode. The two modes also help the Nailer be a multi-purpose nailer; the rapid-fire mode is constructive if you work on a construction site.
Pros
- It is lightweight.
- It is easy to switch between the two trigger modes.
- It fits in small places since the magazine is angled at 26 degrees.
- It is easy to use.
Cons
- It is underpowered.
- It does not have a 360-degree adjustable exhaust.
- 26-degree paper collated nails are hard to come by.
Like all Hitachi products, this Hitachi framing nailer is excellent. Moreover, the Nailer price is low compared to other branded products. It is a wonder that Hitachi has managed to input so many features at such a low price!
BOSTITCH F33PT 33-Degree Paper Tape Framing Nailer / Metal Connector Nailer
This is the last Bostitch framing nailer on the list, but a must-buy nonetheless. One thing about the Nailer is that this is probably the easiest-to-use Nailer on the market right now. However, it does not cut any corners when it comes to features. Let us dive right into the features.
Features
The Bostitch F33PT is a framing nailer that can do multiple arrays of tasks, and most of all, the Nailer is incredible in that it can be converted into a metal connector in just a matter of seconds. The thing you need to change to do so is the interchangeable tip.
This heavy-duty framing nailer is 23 x 16 x 6 inches in size and weighs approximately 10.3 pounds. The build quality of this Nailer is so impressive that you can overlook this, especially since it is a 2-in-1 nailer.
The magazine capacity is terrific since it can hold up to 80 paper collated 33-degree nails. It offers a total driving power of 1050 inch/s and uses 1.5 inches StrapShot fasteners and 1.5 to 3.5-inch metal fasteners with the diameter varying from 0.131 inches to 0.162 inches.
The magazine is also effortless to reload since it slides out easily just at the push of a button. Overall, the magazine has no drawbacks in any thoughtful way.
The Nailer operates using 80 – 120 psi, and it is robust and accurate enough to shoot nails accurately and on target every time and on any material you work on. It also has enough safety features that prevent it from misfiring and thus preventing injuries.
The Nailer also has a push-button adjustable depth guide that makes your life easier since not every material is of the same density. You also have a measuring tool with the Nailer that can tell you the distance between two studs in seconds.
Pros
- It has a push-button adjustable depth guide.
- It has a measuring tool.
- It has extraordinary driving power.
- It is a two-in-one nailer.
- It is very versatile because of the interchangeable tips.
Cons
- 33-degree nails are hard to come by.
- It is a heavy nailer.
The two highlights of this Nailer are the toolless deepness tuning guide and the interchangeable tip. Both of these make the Nailer unique in the market. The tool-less depth adjustment facility is conducive since this seems to be the problem for almost all nailers. All in all, this is one of the best framing nailers out there in the market.
Senco FramePro 325XP 3¼” Clipped Head, Paper Taped Framing Nailer 4Z0101N
Even though carpenters who do heavy-duty work prefer DeWalt, Paslode, or Bostitch Nailer, newcomers are more than happy with Senco nailer. This is because of the reasonable price of their products. This Nailer is quite good compared to other mid-range framing nailers, and here is why.
Features
The 325XP, like most pneumatic, does not come with an inlet connection and has the tapped hole for it. This Nailer needs lubricating oil when you the Nailer more than twice a day to keep it running smoothly.
The Nailer measures 21 x 14.5 x 5.3 inches and weighs around 7.9 pounds, making it lightweight. The build quality of the Nailer is excellent since you get an aluminum external housing and a high steel driver blade.
The Nailer operates using 70 – 120 psi, and the air consumption is about 60 CPM. Since the Nailer delivers about 780 inch-pounds of impact at 100 psi, there are usually no complaints about the air pressure; going 120 will solve most of your problems if you are working with dense materials like engineered woods. However, it is probably wiser to buy DeWalt or Bostitch framing Nailer if you will be working with engineered woods.
Dual selective trigger mode helps a lot if you want speed and accuracy in the same framing nailer. Also, you can switch between them by pressing the selector switch near the trigger.
The magazine is excellent and can house up to 83 nails at max, and the Nailer uses 2 to 3.25-inch round-headed or clipped-headed paper collated nails.
Pros
- Easy to use tool with more minor depth adjustment settings.
- It has dual selective trigger modes.
- It is lightweight.
- Excellent build quality.
- It uses both round-headed and clipped-headed nails.
Cons
This is not for professional use since most say the hooks and some screws come off after long uses.
For a Senco nailer, this is as good as it gets. The dual selective mode is the buying point for this Nailer and makes it perfect to use at home. The price is also another factor to look at. All in all, this is one of the best nailers in the market.
Makita AN923 3-1/2″ Framing Nailer, 21° Full Round Head
If you have never used a framing nailer before, or are not that well-known with a framing nailer, then chances are, you have not heard of Makita. When you look at the top list of any product out there, you would expect top brands from it. However, Makita has brought a product forward that makes it worthy of being amongst the best-valued framing nailer in the market.
Features
The Nailer measures 22 x 4.2 x 13.7 inches and weighs around 8.7 pounds making it slightly heavier than your average pneumatic Nailer. However, that is not a pretty bad thing; if you look at it, a difference can be considered both a light-duty and heavy-duty framing nailer since the Nailer operates 60 – 120 psi. To complement the power, Makita has included the triple selective trigger mode (sequential, contact, and lock), and this is why the AN923 is one of the best nailers in the market!
Another selling point of the AN923 is the low recoil, thanks to the excellent vibration control. So no matter if you are using sequential mode or contact mode, the recoil will not cause you imprecision or tire you out; because you work all day with a high recoil gun, and you will feel the brunt of it at the end of the day.
The only thing that this Nailer does not have is the adjustable exhaust, which is not a big deal.
The Nailer uses 3.5-inch full-headed plastic or wire collated nails that are angled at 21 degrees. The magazine size is also quite decent since you can hold up to 74 nails at maximum; the exciting thing is that not even top range nailers can hold both plastics collated and wire collated nails together.
The tool-less like all the other features discussed, the depth adjustment setting is also great on this device; like all of them, the only thing that the Nailer does not have is a well-known brand behind it!
Pros
- It is cheap compared to other nailers.
- It has an outstanding toe nailer.
- It has outstanding nose visibility.
- It has excellent recoil control.
- It is easy to use, and the tool-free depth adjustment feature works flawlessly.
- It has three selective trigger modes!
Cons
- It is heavy.
- It has a slightly low firing rate.
This Nailer makes the list even more interesting since Makita is not well-known, but the warranty and features make the Nailer one of the best framing nailers on the market. If you want a nailer other than Bostitch, Paslode, and DeWalt, then this is what you should look at.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Use a Framing Nailer?
To know how to use a framing nailer, you must know what types each specializes in. In short, there are mainly two different kinds of framing nailers, and they are – pneumatic framing nailers and cordless/electric nailers. Both are effective at what they can do; however certain things like price and setup time vary.
Framing nailers are very convenient on construction sites and at home since it saves you a lot of time compared to using a hammer. However, a nailer is, in the end, a gun that shoots nails flush very fast, and thus, safety is a very pressing issue.
The best framing nailer uses compressed air to force a piston which then shoots the nail out of the gun and into the wood you are working on. This means you have lots of safe wear if you use a framing nail, especially new ones.
First of all, remember to use safety goggles and hard heads since those are sensitive areas. Also, you should wear them even when someone else is using a nailer, and you are close to them.
Another thing to remember is always to engage the safety and turn off the power or disconnect the cord (in Nailer Metabo) when the Nailer is not in use.
When you have taken all the safety measures, you need to know what type of trigger system a nailer can have. There are two types, and each is used for a different purpose.
First off, you have the sequential trigger, which shoots only one nail each time you pull the trigger. This method is suitable for newcomers since the mechanism allows you to be more precise and in control.
The other option is the contact trigger; this keeps shooting nails once you press the trigger and hold it. This takes some level of practice and is less controlled than a sequential trigger. However, if you are a seasoned craftsman, using the contact nailing mode will be much faster than the sequential mode. It is also more dangerous than the counterpart since the Metabo framing nailer can fire if it is accidentally dropped. Imagine the horrors of that happening.
It is essential to know how to adjust depth when working with different materials; deepness correction is crucial for the width of the material and fabric or how soft the material is. If you use the same depth of materials of different sturdiness, the nail will not go the same distance; the more challenging the material, the more depth you need to drive the nail into the material.
This may not seem very clear, but if you experiment with your Nailer for a time, you will get the hang of it pretty soon.
The use of framing nails
There are types of framing nailers that you need to know if you want to know what they are used for. Two close variants are the framing nailers and the finish nailers. Each is made of specific tasks, but both are effective in their rights.
A framing nailer is used to do heavy-duty tasks such as building a deck, DIY projects, working on construction sites, finishing a basement, DIY framing projects, framing a shed or garage, or working on roofs. Using a framing nailer on such tasks makes your job easier than hammers. For jobs requiring many nails at once, the clipped-headed nails are recommended since they are easy to collate together, meaning you will find more nails in a clip than the round-headed ones.
Round-headed nailers can hold fewer nails than clipped ones and will not find any building restrictions on them like you do when using clipped-header clipped ones. The battle between the two variants has been ongoing for some time, but if possible most people like to use the clipped nails since more nails can be used at once, and it takes much less time to reload.
On the other hand, a finish nailer does light jobs like molding, paneling, and trimming. You can also use them to build furniture and cabinetry.
These nailers are thinner, shorter, and lighter than heavy-duty framing nailers. Generally, 14 to 16 gauges and 1 to 2 and a half-inch nails allow almost no imprint on woods. To further prevent damage, finish nailers have a rubber tip around the nozzle to reduce the backlash of a fire.
It is crucial to note that these nailers have cordless and pneumatic variants since both the designs are the same. The difference here is the same, and that is power. A pneumatic framing nailer can deliver the same power as a battery-operated nailer at half the price. Knowing what operating power each Nailer has must be noted before buying a nailer. A high-powered framing nailer will not be a worthwhile investment if you plan to do light work at home.
How to Oil a Framing Nailer?
Maintaining the Nailer is a must if you want your Nailer to last a long time. You have to regularly check the feeding system and the hosing and apply oil to the Nailer.
Experts recommend adding a few drops of oil every time you use the Nailer. You should add oil to the moving parts and the fitting at the bottom of your Nailer. This makes working with your tool a great comfort even if you use it all day long. However, if you are working on construction sites and need to use the Nailer all day long, you should apply oil more than once.
Apply oil to the air fitting every couple of days, even if you do not use it. This keeps the tool ready for use whenever you need it and prevents rust if kept unused for long periods. You need to apply 4 to 5 drops of oil in the O-ring; using your fingers there is more convenient than using kitchen tissues.
It would also help keep in mind that not all nailers need oiling, so you should read the instruction manuals properly before applying any oil to your Nailer.
To oil a pneumatic framing nailer, you first need to disconnect the tool from the power source and then the air hose (if it is connected). After that, open the oil for the pneumatic, and then tip 2 to 4 drops of oil in the hose coupling. Hook back the hose after that and pull the trigger a few times to let the oil pass through; after that, you are done; all you need to do is reload the Nailer and use it.
As for cordless framing nailers, Paslode says that a tool must be oiled at least once per 50,000 cycles for the Nailer to work correctly; this is the maximum; the more you oil, the better it is for your device.
How to Service a Paslode pneumatic framing nailer
Suffering from jamming is not uncommon; this can happen for many reasons, such as misalignment, deformed nails, and not placing the nails in the right direction.
To clear the jamming safely, all you need to do is follow four easy steps:
Remove the power source – This is very important since not doing so would result in severe injuries that could even be fatal. To remove the power source, pull the cord from the wall or any port connected. If you are using a cordless framing nailer, then remove the batteries. After removing the power source, pull the trigger a few times to let out any compressed air inside the gun. This is important because there is still a chance of discharge even after removal.
Find the release lever – Newer nailers all have a release lever that dislodges all jammed nails. This lever is usually located in the barrel of your Nailer. After you have found the lever, release it; keep in mind to point the barrel away from your body, especially your face. However, there might be a chance that you do not have a release lever in your Nailer, especially if the Nailer is an old one. You have to find any backward or misaligned nails and pull them out in such a case. Be careful when doing so because sudden disengaging will cause injuries.
Remove the jammed nails – If you do not have a lever, you need to remove the nails with another nail or a needle nose plier. Both are thin enough to get between nails that are jammed and pull them out. It would help if you slowly pulled them out of the barrel to not cause any injuries. This will take a long time since this is a tedious process. You only need to follow these steps if you do not have a release lever.
Reload the gun – Once you have completely removed all the jammed nails, reload the gun with all the nails aligned and facing the same direction; not doing so will jam the tool again. Once that is done, you need to close the barrel and put the power source back on. Even if you have completely removed all the jammed nails, it is good practice to check for jams again. If the gun does not fire, check if the power source is back on first. If it is on, redo all the steps since you probably still have a jammed nailer.
Clearing a jam is easy, especially if you have the release lever. However, accidents do occur, so you need to be cautious when following these steps. Make these steps a habit so that you can clear jamming without injuries.
Safety Rules for Framing Nailer
To use a framing nailer safely, you must know everything about it. Wearing safety goggles and hard helmets is a “must do” for everyone; accidents happen even with the most skilled craftsman.
Know the trigger types before using a framing nailer. A nailer can have two types of triggers – sequential and contact nailing. Contact triggers are very dangerous since pulling the trigger continuously shoots out nails; it is even more hazardous since dropping the Nailer can cause the Nailer to misfire. This has the highest possibility of causing an accident.
Use a framing nailer safely and effectively; read the instruction manual carefully since all nailers are slightly different.
It is also important to remember to remove the power source once you are done with your task. This is effectively still a gun that shoots nails, and being careful is never unwise.
Related: 10 Non-Power Tools You Needed for Survival
A Best Framing Nailer will make your life incredibly easy if you have been using hammers to nail all day long. This is never an unwise investment; however, you must know what Nailer you need to buy since there are variants. Buy a finish nailer if you want to do light work jobs at home, and buy a heavy one, especially a pneumatic framing nailer, if you’re working on construction sites. Best Metabo framing nailer features tool-less depth adjustment, an open nose design for easy jam removal, and a steelhead plate for increased durability.
Last update on 2023-06-23 at 05:20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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