pay the shipping both ways and you can borrow my senco framing nailer.

The Paslode guns we had at work sucked. They would not drive the nails deep enough in harder wood, shoot blanks, needed the proprietary gas canisters to operate. We have since switched to Hitachi. These equally suck. Out of 18 guns purchased, we have 3 operating. The rest have been sent back for warranty work. When they work though they are fast and drive the nails well.

Screws - with the star drive heads.

Then get, if you don’t have, 18v Milwaukee drill and driver set.

Remodeled a basement for a friend. Concrete walls, wanted it framed, sheeted, trimmed and painted. Did ALL of the framing with screws. MUCH stronger, easy to change your mind - reverse button on driver.

Doing headers? GLUE and SCREW. SERIOUSLY strong.

I've got nothing to add, but if you get one that does roofing nails, I passed a billboard in Clewiston, FL yesterday:

Hot shingles, looking to get nailed.

This may not apply to your project, but screws may not meet code for a load bearing wall, unless they are framing screws like the Simpson SDWS screw.

https://www.strongtie.com/stro...e-sdws-framing-screw

It's currently running nearly 5:1 in favour of "buy." Kind of lopsided

quote:

Originally posted by 98XJRC:
Personally unless your set on using nails have you considered using an impact and screws?

In fact I often use screws where, quite honestly, most people would use nails because I'm a klutz with a hammer. But this time I'm inclined to go with nails. I'm not married to it, but that's my inclination.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
If you want a framing nailer that lasts forever, there is only one. Hitachi.

It looks like the overwhelming favourite is Hitachi.

The Hitachi NR90AES1 is often 1st or 2nd in the reviews I've read and can be had at the local Lowe's for $150.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
OP, for such a small project, I bet you could borrow such tools.

I avoid borrowing tools if at all possible. If you borrow, you're expected to reciprocate. I dislike loaning my tools because people don't take care of other peoples' stuff. Especially tools.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
Don't buy a tool you'll rarely use.

I'm doing the math. If buying a $150 nailer ends-up not much more than renting one: I'll buy. Otherwise: Rent.

What's going to push me into the "buy" is the 2nd project. That is definitely going to be more than a one-day project for me. At $116/week to rent we're getting close to just buy it.

This is what happened with the rotary hammer. It would have cost me nearly as much to rent as it did to buy. And buying it means no externally-imposed time limits.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
It totally comes down to you. If you are the kind of guy who goes looking for projects to justify buying another tool (because no man can ever have enough tools), ...

Used to be. But not any more. I'm out of space to store "stuff." I need to get rid of "stuff." I'm quickly becoming one of those guys who, after they die, people look and go "what did he need with all this stuff?"

quote:

Originally posted by Wheels:
Yet another option is to buy the nailgun, do your project and then sit on it for a year or two. By then you will have either found other projects that you want to use it on or find out that you really aren't going to be doing any more construction. Then you sell it. Long term rental.

That may actually be the best plan.

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
I have a friend that has a used tool shop out this way. Email me if you want his phone number, he's open on Friday and Saturday only but he will do a meetup at his shop on other days.

Thanks, SH. I'll email you. The prices on refurbs don't appear to make them worthwhile, over new, but maybe a used one, in good condition, if the price is right...

I suppose I could check nearby hock shops, but then you have no idea what you're getting.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Bostich owner here.
I would say a framing nailer for shelves might be a bit much.
YMMV

Not the way I'm going to build some of these shelves .

quote:

Originally posted by alinc100:
I'm not far away in Dearborn and would be happy to loan you my Bostitch framing nailer. Could most likely provide enough nails to perform your tasks.

quote:

Originally posted by XLT:
pay the shipping both ways and you can borrow my senco framing nailer.

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the offers. But these are two separate projects for which the use of the nailer will be widely-separated in time. Plus, being retired, I'm in no hurry. I'm working on the current one as the mood strikes. The 2nd one will undoubtedly be the same.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
This may not apply to your project, but screws may not meet code for a load bearing wall, unless they are framing screws like the Simpson SDWS screw.

Yes: Screws are not always better, and sometimes aren't code.

The pro who built our µBarn a couple years ago used nothing but nails and staples. Didn't use a single screw anywhere.

In the first application, which is non-load-bearing, they'd be allowable. In the 2nd application the shear resistance of nails may be an advantage. Plus I can't see literally framing using screws.


Thanks for the feedback and offers, everybody. It's all given me additional food for thought.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ensigmatic,

I know of a two story building that is large enough for a small restaurant that was built with screws, including the siding! Needless to say it was labor intensive. Small projects can be screwed together using the appropriate screw. A nailer is great, especially for overhead work. But like anything there are downsides to them. I have used them and while Senco is/was the standard, you don't need a Lamborgini to drive to the mailbox and the end of the driveway. Rent what you need and spend the extra money on ammo! Quick hint: do as much layout as possible beforehand to cut down on rental time.

Damnit! Just read this in another forum. It was dated April 2018. That would suck

quote:

But be warned... Hitachi is no longer Hitachi. Hitachi just sold their tool division a couple of months ago to an investment group who also bought Metabo. I guess part of the deal is that Hitachi doesn't want another company using (and bringing down) their good name, so the investment group is planning on renaming all Hitachi tools to Metabo HPT in September 2018.

Turns out that quote may not be strictly accurate: https://www.protoolreviews.com...to-kkr-equity/29014/

As usual, my mind interpreted the thread title strangely. I wondered why you wanted to frame "Nailer" and who he was. Sorry.

flashguy

I'd buy, and buy a decent one. Main reason would be to have more latitude in total days spent on the project, and which days those happen to be. If you think you'll never use again you can probably sell for decent % of new, net less than the rental, and get to meet some killer from Craigslist.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Damnit! Just read this in another forum. It was dated April 2018. That would suck

quote:

But be warned... Hitachi is no longer Hitachi. Hitachi just sold their tool division a couple of months ago to an investment group who also bought Metabo. I guess part of the deal is that Hitachi doesn't want another company using (and bringing down) their good name, so the investment group is planning on renaming all Hitachi tools to Metabo HPT in September 2018.

Turns out that quote may not be strictly accurate: https://www.protoolreviews.com...to-kkr-equity/29014/

It says in the press release:

quote:

What’s Next?
Certainly, expect Hitachi’s pneumatic lineup to remain solid from top to bottom and the cordless line to continue its improvement. There’s no indication that KKR intends to materialistically change what Hitachi is doing.

I don’t see why the KKR buyout should preclude buying a Hitachi tool. Also, IIRC, Metabo is considered one of the best names in tools, just not well known in the U.S. KKR doesn’t seem the sort to destroy brands. I’d still buy Hitachi.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
I don’t see why the KKR buyout should preclude buying a Hitachi tool. Also, IIRC, Metabo is considered one of the best names in tools, just not well known in the U.S. KKR doesn’t seem the sort to destroy brands. I’d still buy Hitachi.

Yeah, I did a bit more reading and found the comments I'd read in the tool forum were alarmist and inaccurate.

I've pretty much decided on buying. My reasoning being the cost of renting twice will equal or exceed buying and, as Georgeair suggested: Owning gives me the option of working at my own pace.

I'm leaning toward the Hitachi NR90AES1. $150 at Lowe's or Amazon. I'll also check one of the local tool stores I like. Gets excellent reviews everywhere. I like the Milwaukee 7200-20, as well, but it's nearly $100 more and it's bigger.

Update

Well, mentioned what I was going to do to my new next door neighbour, who owns properties and does a lot of his own work, and he said "Nonsense! I have a brand new nailer I was just looking at and being annoyed I spent all that money and have nothing to use it for right now."

I demurred, as I don't like to borrow tools, but he insisted. Would not take "Thanks, but no thanks" for an answer. So I guess I won't be buying a nailer, after all.

I was this >< close to buying the Hitachi--currently on sale at Lowe's for $150. Only thing that stopped me yesterday afternoon was finding I'd have to buy nails 1000 at a time. They're not expensive, but what the hell was I going to do with a thousand freaking nails?

If anyone needs a finish nailer, Amazon and Lowes have a Hitachi finish nailer on sale for $40.

https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi...XXGC#customerReviews

I'll offer another choice, if you have a compressor: Borrow my Porter Cable framing and finish nailers.

Given my physical condition it will be a few years before I'll need them.

If you want to discuss this, shoot me an email to the eddress in my profile.

I have a Harbor Freight framing nailer that will last forever. I used it to build a shed, worked great for that. Now it will probably sit in my basement forever.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
I have a Harbor Freight framing nailer that will last forever.

"I pity your wife if she thinks six minutes is forever." Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.

One of my favorite tools EVER.

I was doing some overhead stuff and couldn't hammer a nail straight to save my life. Went and bought a gas powered nailer. Awesome tool.