I am very new to working with tools and am wondering what the best type of nail gun I should buy to work with pallets. I am interested in redoing a wall with pallets that will go right onto the 2x4s that make the frame for the wall. I was going to use screws but decided against that. Don't want to spend a fortune either. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've attached a picture of the wall before I took the tongue and groove down and a picture of what I am going for. Thanks!
If it is just for the one job, save money by going to Harbor Freight and get you a nail gun there. They are good for the Home Owner type of work, not for the professional. You can get a compressor for about $40.00 and a gun for around $30 to $90 depending on type. I recommend a stapler type that will do 1 1/2" staples.
Hi Mereidth, I bought a Dewalt from our local pawn shop for $50! It had the book, case in great shape, and we tried it out there before purchase. It's been perfection since! Nails come in a great variety of sizes too!
Ive been using an electric nail/brad gun for 5 years. It is still going strong and paid about 30 for it. ACE seems to have the best ones. You do need to put some push on the top of gun, but it is made this way and you don't need strength to do it. Will work fine on the wood used for pallets. I also use it for door trim, base boards, etc.. Maple and oak would be a hit or miss due to the hardness of the wood. Love that wall.
I bought a set of 3 guns, Cambell-Hausfeld, has the 16\8 framer, a t-nailer, and bradnailer, for 200.00 at Lowes, 8yrs ago... All are still going strong. You might also think about getting thin diameter RUBBER air hose too. Less fighting with airhose. Once you get used to the guns, and know your own capabilities, you might find you love using them.. I taught my stepdaughter how to safely use them, now she even does trim, framing, flooring, etc.. Lol.. ( I am a retired remodeler) Always remember to drop a few drops of 3n1 oil down the airtube, and they will last a long time..
The smallest compressors at HF won't supply enough air to run a nail gun at any speed, maybe one nail every 30 seconds. Pay more than $60 and get a little bigger one. Look at the nails in stock there. 18 gauge gun is OK for your project if they have 2" length in stock. 5,000 sounds like a lot of nails but you'll use them up. Find a 20% off coupon in any magazine and you're set.
I am a retired builder, "mostly tired: and all the above are good. I would go with the three that ruslzplace suggested of any combo. you can find at lowe's or home depot. they also make a brad nailer that you can use staples too.
@Ray Phillips yes, my brad nailer will shoot up to 2" staples, but working with pallets, most are seasoned oak, I would suggest using the 16\8 gun, and #8 ring shank nails. I use them on overlay for floors all the time, and they hold great... Oh, and the reason vs staples is with the harder material, staples can bend back, and if your hand on the board is too close... Yeah, been there.. Ouch.. Lol.. R
I don't care much for T nails but all finish nails for air guns are chisel point and will follow the grain in most woods so watch your fingers and eyes and nail cross grain as much as you can !
An "angle finish nailer" puts a nice finish. It's a larger gun though. The thickness of wood that the nails will go into has an impact on your choice also. Talk to the reps at the store. Often they are retired carpenters with good input.
A few years I bought three Porter Cable brad nailers. I got a 16 and 18 gauge plus a stapler. They might have come as a set. The only thing I've ever had a problem with was when I loaded the wrong size of brads into the guns (operator error). Several lengths of brads are available for all of them. I also purchased a small air compressor and learned to adjust it so the nailers sink the brads properly. I read the manuals and experimented on scrap until I felt comfortable. I use them all the time and the air compressor also can run a couple of sanders I have and can air up a low tire when needed. Good investment.
If you need a nail gun just for this job, it might be wise to look for a cheap second hand brad nailer on Craig's list or any site like that. If you're going to use it frequently, I would suggest Porter Cable - they produce good nail guns at reasonable prices.
Marc
www.thediyhubby.com
A 16 gauge brad nailer should work fine. Home Depot has a couple of inexpensive nailers, Wen is one of them, that are well regarded. Most can handle brads up to 2" in length. These are pneumatic nailers so you'll need a compressor also.
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Your comment...
I used a Porter Cable air stapler. that did the job door casing trim etc a breeze.
Do you have a air compressor if so any framing air gun will work if not a pasloud gas power framing nailer is what you want
If it is just for the one job, save money by going to Harbor Freight and get you a nail gun there. They are good for the Home Owner type of work, not for the professional. You can get a compressor for about $40.00 and a gun for around $30 to $90 depending on type. I recommend a stapler type that will do 1 1/2" staples.
Hi Mereidth, I bought a Dewalt from our local pawn shop for $50! It had the book, case in great shape, and we tried it out there before purchase. It's been perfection since! Nails come in a great variety of sizes too!
Ive been using an electric nail/brad gun for 5 years. It is still going strong and paid about 30 for it. ACE seems to have the best ones. You do need to put some push on the top of gun, but it is made this way and you don't need strength to do it. Will work fine on the wood used for pallets. I also use it for door trim, base boards, etc.. Maple and oak would be a hit or miss due to the hardness of the wood. Love that wall.
I have a Porter Cable 16 gauge, and a Harbor Freight 18 gauge.... both work very well.... my compressor is 150 psi.
I bought a set of 3 guns, Cambell-Hausfeld, has the 16\8 framer, a t-nailer, and bradnailer, for 200.00 at Lowes, 8yrs ago... All are still going strong. You might also think about getting thin diameter RUBBER air hose too. Less fighting with airhose. Once you get used to the guns, and know your own capabilities, you might find you love using them.. I taught my stepdaughter how to safely use them, now she even does trim, framing, flooring, etc.. Lol.. ( I am a retired remodeler) Always remember to drop a few drops of 3n1 oil down the airtube, and they will last a long time..
Rigid from Home Depot. It is what my husband used when making a wood rack from pallets.
The smallest compressors at HF won't supply enough air to run a nail gun at any speed, maybe one nail every 30 seconds. Pay more than $60 and get a little bigger one. Look at the nails in stock there. 18 gauge gun is OK for your project if they have 2" length in stock. 5,000 sounds like a lot of nails but you'll use them up. Find a 20% off coupon in any magazine and you're set.
I am a retired builder, "mostly tired: and all the above are good. I would go with the three that ruslzplace suggested of any combo. you can find at lowe's or home depot. they also make a brad nailer that you can use staples too.
@Ray Phillips yes, my brad nailer will shoot up to 2" staples, but working with pallets, most are seasoned oak, I would suggest using the 16\8 gun, and #8 ring shank nails. I use them on overlay for floors all the time, and they hold great... Oh, and the reason vs staples is with the harder material, staples can bend back, and if your hand on the board is too close... Yeah, been there.. Ouch.. Lol.. R
Your wall is beautiful! It reminds me of the song "coat of many colors."
I don't care much for T nails but all finish nails for air guns are chisel point and will follow the grain in most woods so watch your fingers and eyes and nail cross grain as much as you can !
I THINK FOR WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO A GOOD STAPLE GUN WOULD WORK JUST FINE . IT HOLDS BETTER , BUT DOSE LEAVE A LITTLE MORE NAIL HOLE.
An "angle finish nailer" puts a nice finish. It's a larger gun though. The thickness of wood that the nails will go into has an impact on your choice also. Talk to the reps at the store. Often they are retired carpenters with good input.
Ryobi is the brand we buy most often.
My friend, a professional carpenter his whole life, said he'd never buy another Ryobi. Only slightly better than Harbor Freight quality.
A few years I bought three Porter Cable brad nailers. I got a 16 and 18 gauge plus a stapler. They might have come as a set. The only thing I've ever had a problem with was when I loaded the wrong size of brads into the guns (operator error). Several lengths of brads are available for all of them. I also purchased a small air compressor and learned to adjust it so the nailers sink the brads properly. I read the manuals and experimented on scrap until I felt comfortable. I use them all the time and the air compressor also can run a couple of sanders I have and can air up a low tire when needed. Good investment.
If you need a nail gun just for this job, it might be wise to look for a cheap second hand brad nailer on Craig's list or any site like that. If you're going to use it frequently, I would suggest Porter Cable - they produce good nail guns at reasonable prices. Marc www.thediyhubby.com
A 16 gauge brad nailer should work fine. Home Depot has a couple of inexpensive nailers, Wen is one of them, that are well regarded. Most can handle brads up to 2" in length. These are pneumatic nailers so you'll need a compressor also.
What is a good nail gun to reconstruct pallet skits and what size nails and gauge do I need for the gun?