So I've avoided nails and nail guns for the longest because I've had to go back and fix so many projects where nailed joins come apart and the like , but screws are expensive and seems I'm building a new enclosure...or three , every time I'm home so looking at getting my first actual nail gun soon . Partly just for faster construction.I mean I have a crown stapler but need something for 2x4's and up. So what do all the master have for advice when I conts to getting good long lasting results with this things ? And what's a good multi use one ? Size wise

My only experience is with bostich and mostly the roofing gun. Had 3 different guns i picked up when roofing my house. They worked roofing is still on 12 years later. Unfortunately I loand them out a few times and they never came back.

I believe this is the one I have
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl

round head don't pull through as easy , where clip head can pull through easier.

this will run from a 1 1/2 inch nail to a 3 1/2 inch nail

always try and get different angles , think of it like cross staking , if you have to pull against the sheer of another nail while pulling the board away

I use a metabo framing nailer. It will shoot nails up to 3/12" and has held up well for 4 years so far. I prefer the 30 degree paper collated over the plastic collated 21 degree guns. The plastic makes a mess on job sites and can end up in your eye when shooting nails. Paslode round head nails hold the best of anything I have used.

The only daily maintenance I do is add 4 or 5 drops of pneumatic tool oil in the gun every morning.

Senco, Senco, Senco

Are you guys running air or battery powered guns?

Battery powered Milwaukee 18 v. you can shoot different size nails and the nails are available most hardware stores.

All of the major brands of nail guns work well. I first used one 42 years ago, when my parents added on to our house. They are great at rapidly attaching stuff together. It's so quick, it's easy to get sloppy and careless. Be careful where you put your hands and wear good, solid, eye protection. Every once in a while a nail will hit something just right and bend, a splinter will come flying back towards you, or a nail will shatter. I had the most issues attaching framing for drywall to concrete.

Keith

I have used several different framing nailers. But I own a Paslode and a Hitachi. The Hitachi is my favorite and the quality is better than the Paslode.
I also prefer paper collated nails. The plastic gets to be a mess on a job site.

Several different codes are now requiring round head nails as opposed to clipped. I don't see any advantage in the clipped heads

I have a Senco finish nailer. and really like it. It's oil free and very versatile.

I second if your running 3 1/2 inch nails you keep all fingers 7+ inches away and wear good eye protection all the time , generally you are cutting one minute and nailing the next you just leave those safety glasses on all the time.

had safety glasses save me several times not specifically with the air nailer but other things that hit me in the face , and a fencing wire that put a big scratch right in the middle of the lens

seen a few people run a nail through a finger holding too close it hits a knot and curves and through the finger.

my gun is air powered and about 12 years old although it really doesn't see heavy use.

apparently the battery powered guns keep track of how many nails they have shot so you can tell how worn out they are.

Been there . Done that !

i use a dewalt nailer it does its job i have also used a Milwaukee both do there job i bought a dewalt because i own alot of dewalt stuff and didnt need to buy a battery with the nailer and i buy my nails off of amazon

Hitachi here also

So like what's the most versatile size for a beginner ?

I used a Paslode cordless framing gun for several years helping my father in law framing. Held up great and was a huge timesaver. The buildings are all still standing.

I think mine is a porter cable air nailer. It will shoot through your hand. A friend was using it. Looked like it hurt a little too.

I bought an air framing nailer from harbor freight years ago and have ran countless nails through it without any issues. Eric

Stick with screws. One of my old nail guns crapped out, parts no longer available. Wanted a highly rated DeWalt, no longer made. Bought the poorly rated DeWalt replacement with no other good options. Unless you are framing a house, screws are your best bet IMO.

I have a senco air framer and trim guns, they work good. I’ve used a bunch of different ones including cordless, paslode with the gas and the battery is my least favorite.we use a lot of screws nowadays.

Electric, battery operated, or air? You need a good compressor for air nailers. The manual ones are the safest and you don't need the air compressor, this size will work great on most projects, use any size nails you wish, roofing, framing or trim nails.... click here - manual nailer

Make sure whatever brand you buy, that t has a switch to go from single shot to auto. ie: hold the trigger down and when the nose touches the work it fires. ONLY WAY TO USE A ROOFING GUN!!!!! Framing would likely be OK as a single shot.

Be verwy verwy careful, (sic) THESE TOOLS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!

Forget the nailer.
If you want your projects to be solid and stay solid, use construction screws most have the T25 heads. Get a good drill and go crazy.
Sizes for everything but shingling.

Osky

My gun is air operated. I have used battery powered metabo and Milwaukee guns. The advantage of battery is no air hose to drag around, the disadvantage is quite a bit heavier than air guns.

Hitachi is now called metabo. Same company/guns different name.

As stated before stick with screws or at sometime you’ll be sticking to the boards.

I use the rigid air nailer with no complaints.
Big fan of ring shank nails

I think i have 9 guns, pneumatic and Milwaukee battery. Pneumatic would be good if you already have a compressor. If not, batteries are pretty good. Framers are helpful with 2x material. 1/4” crown staples are good for smaller material/sheathing. 15 18 and 23 all have there places too.

Screws have their place but they are brittle and tend to break, especially if they corrode. Nails bend and will last longer through tougher conditions

Most screws are not rated for shear. If you are framing, use nails.
As for nail guns, as a retired general contractor, I have gone through dozens of nailers, from little brad nailers to roofing guns to framing guns.
I recommend then Hitachi guns for serious framing. They are top of the line and last for years and hundreds of thousands of nails, if properly cared for and oiled regularly. You may have to replace a seal after the first hundred thousand nails.
If you are just doing an addition, or even a couple of houses, you could probably get away with a Home Depot Rigid nail gun, or similar.

I'm just building some animal enclosures , cabinets ect

I mean that's what i do already