power nailers again...

Hey,
thanks for all the tips folks. My projects don't really justify the big nailers. Like the looks of the style like the craftsman ones but the price of some of the air palm drivers. Saw some for 20 bucks with decent reviews. One said uses 2-4 cu ft minute air at 70-100 psi. My compressor is small but rated at 6cu ft/min and 116 PSI. Should that take care of the needs of a palm driver?

Thanks, Dave

Yes. You're probably not going to be using it continuously either so the compressor will be able to keep up easily. Make sure to check the max PSI rating for the nailer and adjust your compressor accordingly.

Palm nailers are uncomfortable and slow.I use mine only when I have to on concrete forms mostly.

Palm nailers are typically used in tight location where regular nailer will not go and/or hand nailing is impossible because you have no swing room.
If your willing to pack a compressor around go to Harbor Freight and get one of their framing nailers. They work fine for a while. When they fail throw it away and get another because repair is impossible. Ask me how I know!
A good framing nailer for a compressor is between $200 and $300.
The nicest self contained framing nailer--no compressor-- is the Pasload at about $400.
I had a SOB charge one to my account and take it home along with other tools. He's facing felony charges today.
Think what your going to do with this nailer then decide.

To be honest with myself...It'd prolly lay around and see little use unless it was one of them cordless rechargable ones. I'll prolly ponder it long enough that I won't need it anymore............ at least now I have plenty of tips to help me decide...

Dave

Use both the palm type and the regular framing nailers. Both work great for their intended design.
Have also had shoulder surgery - the result of many things, not just hammers.
I still don"t think I could use a palm nailer to drive more than a few nails unless it was my only choice. I only use it in tight spaces or where I can"t reach. Way too slow compared to a regular hammer. I would advise borrowing or renting one first or having a good return policy.
Had a chance last week to use a new battery powered cordless nailer. Not bad. Can"t imagine the cost though.
I also don"t use a framing nailer much unless the job warrants the setup. A lot of my work is punchlist oriented, so the hammer is my go to.
Here"s a curve ball.... simpson and I think timberlok have come out with structural screws meant to take the place of nails in anchoring situations. While they are not fast enough to compete with nails in larger framing jobs, I can see me using them in the future as a replacement to hammer situations. The new impact driver drills (not impact wrenches) make short work of almost any screw and are easy on the shoulders.
Good luck

Plam nailers are very noisy and slow! Harbor freight sells air nailers for less money than I can have my Bostich repaired.

The pasload comes with a battery and recharger and I think one gas cartridge. These things are nice! No hoses to drag around just put in place and pull the trigger.
But you really do have to have it at $400.
If your just driving a few nails in fence posts there is plenty of room to swing a hammer but if your building a building it sure saves draging the hoses around.

(quoted from post at 13:40:34 06/16/11)
To be honest with myself...It'd prolly lay around and see little use unless it was one of them cordless rechargable ones. I'll prolly ponder it long enough that I won't need it anymore............ at least now I have plenty of tips to help me decide...

Dave

Click to expand...

ou could probably try 4 inch lag bolts also, you can buy those cordless ippact drivers and drill kits fairly reasonable, I have a few of them ,Iusually drill a pilot hole before puting the lag in works well ,if your doing much not a bad idea to have a spare charger and battery though and they also have many other uses.

One thing to ponder the Craftsman version like mine are guaranteed for a year with free replacement excluding the little pry bar that comes with it
(Looks like a harbor freight item) ..
unless you rent it out -- LOL yes that is in the warranty.

Dave got any carpal tunnel problems??? If you do about two nails with one of those palm nailers will cost you a bottle of ibuprofen. LOL I have had one now , Craftsman, for ten years used it twice. I either use torq headed screws or an air nailer.