Our framing nailer reviews include both stick and coil models for the carpenter or framer. We target our writing to those who needs to rely on a nailer all day long. Let’s face it—on the jobsite you can’t afford to have a tool slow you down. Also be sure to visit our best framing nailer shootout article to see what we thought of the current crop of tools. Framing Nailer Reviews on the Jobsite The framing nailer must have certain features and performance metrics to stand up to our rigorous testing. This includes dry fire lockout, an easy-to-load magazine, and 2-stick capacity. It needs to handle well and feel ergonomic in the hand. It also must fire hard enough to drive 3-1/2 inch 16d framing nails into a stud wall. Most of our reviews are done by professionals in the field, or utilized in a similar capacity by our Pros. We aim to understand how each tool will perform the job of quickly fastening 2×4 studs and/or other similar materials.
It’s not as easy to distinguish among framing nailers as it is among other tools like drills or saws. For some reason, the differences just don’t seem to jump out as quickly. It could be that innovation in this category is closer to being fully developed than in other categories and – as you may […]
Hitachi is producing some impressive tools these days. You may have read our reviews on their newer rotary hammer, impact driver, and several others. I’ve had the good fortune to a review few of them myself. Concurrent to the test of the Hitachi 2‑1/2-Inch Coil Siding Nailer, I also tested its big brother, the Hitachi 3-1/2-Inch Coil Framing Nailer. It’s […]
There’s a lot of (somewhat) interesting lore about the invention of the framing nailer, but one thing is certain: for the last 65 years or so, it has allowed wood-framed buildings to rise quicker and framers’ thumbs to last longer. Today framing nailers are powered by lithium-ion batteries, compressed gas cells, or more commonly by pneumatic force generated […]
Having been around since the early 1920s, Estwing is probably best known for their hammers, hatchets, and tomahawks. At least those were the first products that came to mind around here. This year, the first line of Estwing Pneumatic Tools and Accessories are making their way to stores. Estwing has partnered with Prime Global Products to to […]
The Ridgid R350RHE framing nailer is a round head framing nailer made for serious framers who don’t want a lot of bells and whistles—just the features that make framing a little easier and more convenient. I liken this 7 pound nail gun to a great economy car, complete with power steering and door locks, but […]
New DeWalt Construction Nailers Aim to Reduce Recoil The latest DeWalt construction nailers are hoping to get your attention with a few new features to make framing, siding, and roofing jobs a little easier on your arms. Both framing and roofing nailers have been designed to reduce recoil, but in different ways. DeWalt’s new framing […]
Framing nailers are the lifeblood of any residential construction project. Want to bring productivity to a grinding halt? Take away your crew’s nailers. Talk to a contractor and you’ll typically find that Paslode enjoys a solid reputation for the quality of their nailers. The biggest complaint you’ll find is the marriage to a 30-degree nail system. […]
Paslode is well known for their gas/battery powered nailers and certainly has been a favorite of ours in the various repair and remodel work where dragging along a compressor isn’t a good option. Paslode is no stranger to straight up pneumatics though. The Paslode F325R Compact Framing Nailer has come out as the company’s pneumatic nailer […]
From our friends in Maryland comes a new and complete family of DeWalt Pneumatic Nailers. To make sure that you’re all in with the Yellow and Black on the jobsite, DeWalt also has a couple of compressors and their own line of fasteners to pair up. The new line boasts 11 tools ranging from 15 gauge finish […]
In speaking with carpenters who recently built a pole barn for me, there were preferences for what kind of tool they use to drive nails. Some crews were hammer-only crews. Others were Paslode crews. I’m not going to try and change your mind about whether hammer and nail, cartridge, or full pneumatic is best. I’ll […]
