Replies

1. 
   jhonbaker | Jan 19, 2010 02:36pm | #1

   Round head - I use a round head and like it for framing activities. Clipped head would not suit a fence well, from what I understand, clipped head would be more for downward pressure and looks as where round head would be for downward and outward pressure - speaking of sheer strength. Unless you are going to glue the fence and nail it I think the round head would be best.

2. 
   oldhand | Jan 19, 2010 07:32pm | #2

   Another vote for full round heads. In addition to previous advantages add that they are easier to grab ahold of if you have to extract one. Also the plastic collated nails are usually less expensive than wire or paper collations.

   As for brand I prefer Bostitch but there are several other decent options. I would make sure it had adjustable depth of drive for about any use and would not hesitate to buy a used one.

3. 
   bduffin104 | Jan 20, 2010 12:50am | #3

   I've used several brands of
   I've used several brands of framing nailers and coil nailers and my favorite brand is Hitachi. In the framer you can use 3 1/4" strip load round head galvanized (either hot dipped or electroplated) for nailing 2 x 4 to post and you could use 2" electroplated ring shank round head for nailing the fence boards to the 2 x 4s. No other guns have the power to weight ratio, run as long between repairs or feel as good in your hand as the Hitachis. Most of the other framers in my area use Hitachi also so it's easy to get servicing.

1. 
   pakman1 | Jan 21, 2010 12:02am | #6

   I am a retired thoroughbred breeder and have put up four

   board fence that was measured in miles. I've used a number

   of different nail guns and the Hitachi(don't remember the

   model number, but it was the biggest that they made)was the

   best of them all. It would SINK a 3" galvanized screwshank

   nail- through a 1x6 white oak board into a 4x6 locust post.

   I probably put up 4-5 miles of fence with it and can't recall ever having a problem with it. I still have it and

   used it to put a new deck on my brother's house last summer.

   Anyway,IMHO, would wholeheartedly agree with bduffin104.

4. 
   Taigert | Jan 20, 2010 08:40am | #4

   Do ypu need to pull a permit for your fence? Some areas frown upon clipped heads. My vote would go to the round head. And I'll second the nomination of the Hitachi gun, it's at the top IMO.

   My last fence I used screws, a lot better holding power. If you ever need to take it apart for some reason like a broken board or get a machine in your yard, you wont regret screws. We had to move a couple of sections of our fence when we brought some trees down a couple of years ago. The limbs kept falling on the fence.

   Taigert

5. 
   webby | Jan 20, 2010 05:43pm | #5

   Hi,

   Roundhead vs. clipped head. In my experience the first thing to do is analyze the need for what you need to do. Obviously it sounds as if you need to shoot a big nail. Ergo a framing nailer. Framing nailers come in 2 types, coil nailers and what are called stick nailers- these have a straight magazine similar to a brad or finish nailer you might have used.

   Coil nailers are more compact, hold more nails, are a little easier to fit into tight places. However the nails are generally more expensive, and usually come in larger box quantities therefore the higher price. you can pay anywhere from 60 to 90+ dollars for a box of 3-1/4 inch coil nails.

   Stick nailers are a little longer, hold less nails, and don't fit into tight places as well. However stick nailers tend to be less expensive, the nails for them are less expensive and can sometimes be found in DIY quantities.

   My advice would be to shop around and see what brands and what nails are available locally. If you get a good deal on a gun, it will be less of a good deal if you can't find nails for it locally. if it is important to you, you might aslo check into which brands can be serviced locally. After all if you buy a decent brand, we are talking at least a 150, to a 250.00 dollar investment.

   Yes it is true some code jurisdictions do not approve clipped head nails, these are generally earthquake prone and hurricane/ tornado prone areas. Paslode nails for stick nailers offer the surface area of a full roundhead nail but form the nail so that it can be coallated like a clipped head nailer.

   I prefer clipped head nailers, the nails hold just fine, and are cheaper than other coallations. clipped head nails are generally papertape coallated, they are a small tight strip that is easily transported in a tool pouch. Full roundhead nails are often coallated in various forms either wire weld but more often a plastic strip coallation device is used to hold the nails together. The plastic strip feeds out of the gun like a belt fed type machine gun and often gets in the way when toenailing and nailing in various other ways.

   Just some info thought it may help. To sum up check with your local code office, check to see what brands are locally available and whether you can get service when you need it. As for type of nailers, coil nailers offer higher production, but come with higher operating cost in terms of fasteners. Not always good for the occasional user. Stick or straight magazine framers offer a little slower production (they hold less nails in the mag. vs. a coil nailer) but are cheaper to buy for. My favorite general purpose nailer, has been she senco framepro 601. It is light and compact, and relaible.

   Hope this helps.