Sheething Nailing Problems

Davegmc · September 16, 2013, 07:59:52 AM

Hi all: I'm having a problem I'm hoping you can help me with. I'm going with the 15/32 CDX plywood for exterior sheething. I have 2 framing nailers, a well used Hitachi and a new Milwaukee clipped-head. I just can't seem to get either nailer to properly nail the sheething without the head breaking thru the plys. I've tried every pressure setting on both guns. Mountain Don said the other day that a sheething nail that breaks thru does not count toward your nailing schedule. What have you guys had success with here?

Thanks!

Redoverfarm · September 16, 2013, 08:03:18 AM

Quote from: Davegmc on September 16, 2013, 07:59:52 AM
Hi all: I'm having a problem I'm hoping you can help me with. I'm going with the 15/32 CDX plywood for exterior sheething. I have 2 framing nailers, a well used Hitachi and a new Milwaukee clipped-head. I just can't seem to get either nailer to properly nail the sheething without the head breaking thru the plys. I've tried every pressure setting on both guns. Mountain Don said the other day that a sheething nail that breaks thru does not count toward your nailing schedule. What have you guys had success with here?

Thanks!

There should be a depth setting on your gun tip. Try to adjust and try on scrap wood until you get the proper setting. Be careful not to drop the pressure setting on your air or it will not operate properly.

September 16, 2013, 10:07:06 AM

Redoverfarm hit the nail on the head.

I used full head nails with my hitachi to get better results. Depending upon the situation, I set the gun a little short and take a wack with the hammer for the last little bit.

Davegmc · September 16, 2013, 01:00:55 PM

I think i need to get a new nailer then. My Hitachi is old and worn out and I don't want to use clipped-head nails. Can anyone recommend a reliable reasonable cost framing nailer? Something less expensive than a new Hitachi? That will accept any needed attachments. I don't really know much about these nailers.

Don_P · September 16, 2013, 02:29:54 PM

It should be setting the top of the nail head flush with the sheet, it doesn't need to be leaving it proud. There are several types of depth control, on a real old gun we would play with the pressure, and that didn't work very well, next were guns with allen screw nose adjustments then either pushbutton nose adjustment or a wheel at the trigger, have you made sure it cannot be adjusted? If the adjustment is unobtainable I'd start playing with pressure before buying yet another new gun for one house. I've also hand nailed plenty of houses, including the one I'm sitting in. Dad never did own a nail gun till after he retired.

September 16, 2013, 10:17:12 PM

Try a coil sheathing/siding nailer, Bostitch makes a decent one....

Squirl · September 17, 2013, 08:50:45 AM

I got a new Hitachi. It was the cheapest reliable nailer that I could find that shot full head, full 3.5" nails. It also shoots clipped head, but not well.

The HF and other discount nailers had horrible reviews for reliability even on the manufactures own website.

From my research at the time all other nailers that were cheaper, but still reliable, shot clipped head or 3.25" nails. Code requires 3.5" nails for framing, not 3.25". Some jurisdictions now require full head nails for code. I paid the few extra dollars for the more versatile tool.

I had the same question last year.
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=12197.0

Davegmc · September 18, 2013, 11:05:52 AM

Squirl: What model number Hitachi did you get? Seems like the big box stores sell a cheaper model Hitachi produced for Harry Homeowners. I am a Harry Homeowner but I still want to get the real deal. Thanks!

Squirl · September 19, 2013, 08:36:34 AM

I got the cheaper Harry Homeowner Model.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_20385-67702-NR90AE_0__?productId=3020227&Ntt=hitachi+nailer&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dhitachi%2Bnailer&facetInfo=#BVRRWidgetID

Highly rated. 91% recommendation rate. At the time HF had only half the people recommending them. At the time the Hitachi was on sale for $170. Now it is $180. I had a Lowes 10% off coupon. It was still the most expensive tool I bought to date. I shot a lot more nails and have a stronger house because of it. I have been satisfied. It is not as convenient as the cordless, but I didn't have $400 around. If I was a contractor, I would buy the cordless.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_498904-67702-NR90GC2_0__?productId=50034498&Ntt=hitachi+nailer&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dhitachi%2Bnailer&facetInfo=

October 07, 2013, 06:43:43 PM

Closing the loop here. Went to Lowes to pick up the Hitachi Squirrel recommended. The guy got me one down off the very top shelf. I told him I was having trouble with nail depth on my old Hitachi. He said "let me look up the specs on this one". Looked online and it showed the depth adjustment as being "automatic". So he said "there is no adjustment on this one either". I told him I was having trouble with sheething. Then he said "you can't use a framing nailer to nail sheething". He then clutched the gun real close and went back up the ladder and put it back on the top shelf. He literally would not sell me the gun. So I just left. Then I talked to my neighbor, who is a contractor. He said you have to use a gun that has a depth adjustment. He let me use his Hitachi framing nailer, which is exactly like mine, except its got a depth adjustment. I was able to dial that thing in just perfect. What a difference! I asked him about the donuts they sell to limit depth. He said you can get those to work but they don't work very well on the angled nails at the sheething joints.

Redoverfarm · October 07, 2013, 06:59:34 PM

Glad you got it nailed. Might check at some pawn shops or estate auctions in the future and pick you up one. I would say they make them new but probably not stocked at a Big box store.

Don_P · October 07, 2013, 07:08:46 PM

I had no idea anyone still made a non adjustable gun, my last non adjustable one is over 20 years old. There's no reason for them to be making more buggy whips

.

Squirl · October 08, 2013, 05:08:55 AM

Quote from: Davegmc on October 07, 2013, 06:43:43 PM
Closing the loop here. Went to Lowes to pick up the Hitachi Squirrel recommended. The guy got me one down off the very top shelf. I told him I was having trouble with nail depth on my old Hitachi. He said "let me look up the specs on this one". Looked online and it showed the depth adjustment as being "automatic". So he said "there is no adjustment on this one either". I told him I was having trouble with sheething. Then he said "you can't use a framing nailer to nail sheething". He then clutched the gun real close and went back up the ladder and put it back on the top shelf. He literally would not sell me the gun. So I just left. Then I talked to my neighbor, who is a contractor. He said you have to use a gun that has a depth adjustment. He let me use his Hitachi framing nailer, which is exactly like mine, except its got a depth adjustment. I was able to dial that thing in just perfect. What a difference! I asked him about the donuts they sell to limit depth. He said you can get those to work but they don't work very well on the angled nails at the sheething joints.

Sorry, you ran into an idiot.

"Tool-free depth of drive adjustment, provides simplicity and flexibility for flush or countersunk drives into varying material"

The gun has an adjuster towards the tip. The gun shoots 2"-3.5" nails. 2.5" are code for sheathing

http://www.hitachipowertools.ca/upload/fmproduct_filen/NR90AE_NR90AD_OM_7588.pdf

p.9 of the manual "Applications - wall sheathing"

p.15 "adjusting the nail depth"

You might want to talk to a manager at the store. That seems like a costly employee.