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What’s the best framing nailer? This is a common question that we hope to answer. Well, to be honest the best framing nailer depends on several factors, which we cover in this article.
The Convenience of a framing nailer
It must have been exhausting working on homes before the 1950s. Think about how long it would have taken to hammer all those nails in one by one. No wonder they finally brought the nail gun to the market. All of a sudden, people were capable of shooting 40-60 nails into wood in under a minute.
Nail guns work the same way in the majority of models, but they have become a lot more sophisticated thanks to new technology. We’re going to look at the best framing nailer you’ll want in your toolbox, but we’ll touch on how they work first in case you don’t own one yet.
Table of Contents...
- 1 Why You Need The Best Framing Nailer
- 2 Best Framing Nailers Available Today
- 2.1 Hitachi NR83A3 | Best Framing Nailer
- 2.2 BOSTITCH F21PL | Best Framing Nailer
- 2.3 Hitachi NR90AES1 | Best Framing Nailer
- 2.4 Makita AN923 | Best Framing Nailer
- 2.5 Freeman P4FRFNCB | Framing Combo Kit
- 2.6 Freeman PFR2190 | Best Framing Nailer
- 2.7 PORTER-CABLE FR350B | Best Framing Nailer
- 2.8 BOSTITCH BTFP3KIT | Nailer Combo Kit
- 2.9 Framing Nailer Safety
How A Nail Gun Works?
Most of the nail guns today are pneumatic. It means they use air power to fire nails out of the gun. You will have to hook them up to a compressor and the pressure (PSI) + volume (SCFM) must meet the minimum requirements of your power tool. There are fuel-driven and battery-powered nailers out there too.
Different Types of Nail Guns :
Before we look at the best framing nailer it’s important to point out there are a wide range of nail guns available. Each serves a different purpose and they’re not interchangeable for reasons we’ll discuss, so we will look at some alternatives in case you’re searching for the wrong thing:
- Finishing Nailer
- Brad Nailer
- Roofing Nailer
- Flooring Nailer
Finishing Nailer
A finishing nailer is perhaps the closest you’ll come to a framing nailer. They aren’t extremely light-duty, but they still lack true power. You’ll find these are best used for smaller projects like assembling new furniture and installing cabinets in your kitchen.
If you want a great finishing nailer you can’t go wrong with the *insert product here*.
Brad Nailer
A brad nailer is ideal when you’re focusing on delicate carpentry work. Trimming and base molding spring to mind. The nails have a squashed head and the guns aren’t extremely powerful, so you won’t ruin the finish of the wood when firing nails into it.
If you want a great brad nailer you can’t go wrong with the *insert product here*.
Roofing Nailer
You already know why you’ll need a roofing nailer, but you maybe don’t know why you can’t use any other nail guns. The nails are specifically designed to keep your shingles attached to your roof in terrible weather conditions, so use anything else and they’ll rip off.
If you want a great roofing nailer you can’t go wrong with the *insert product here*.
Flooring Nailer
Laying down a new wooden floor looks easy until you start the job. You soon realize tongue-and-grove floor boards aren’t quite as simple as they once looked. A flooring nailer will help you get the exact angle and depth every single time, plus it won’t cause damage to your poor knees.
If you want a great flooring nailer you can’t go wrong with the *insert product here*.
There are a couple of other nail guns you don’t need to know too much about. Staple nailers can be used when putting furniture together. Pin nailers have very thin nails and can be used on small white crown molding. If you work with wood a lot they’re definitely still worth owning.
Why You Need The Best Framing Nailer
Framing nail guns are used for some of the biggest tasks you’ll have to tackle at home. They’re the most powerful and the nails you’ll use will ensure any job never falls apart. We should talk about the amazing features the best framing nailers possess, but let’s look at what they’ll be used for before we do:
Framing Houses From Scratch – You’ll only need to do this if you’re in the construction industry, but with the best framing nailer you’ll be able to frame houses with ease. It’s no doubt the biggest job your brand new power tool will come up against and it will save you so much time.
Building Additional Rooms – Once your house is already up you might decide you’ll need to build a new room. It will have to be as tough as your home is at the moment. Only an experienced DIYer could ever attempt this, but you’ll be able to frame extra rooms with the right skills.
You Want A Deck Outside – There are a hundred reasons why you’d want to build a deck outside, but relaxing in the sun in summer is up there with the best of them. If you want to put a deck together yourself quickly a framing nailer is absolutely essential.
Video | Learn the basics about Framing Nailers
Remodeling Your Current Home – This relates specifically to anyone with plaster walls in their rooms. If you’re banging non-stop with a hammer the plaster isn’t going to look pretty when you are done. When you shoot a nail in like a speeding bullet it won’t cause any damage.
Working With Metal Joist Hangers – A few models of framing nailers will allow you to attach metal joist hangers and straps. This will ensure the nails are accurate when they go in. It’s unfortunate you’ll not be able to do this with every single framing nail gun on the market.
Furring Strips On The Ceiling – Any kind of task you’re required to do with a hammer is ten times harder when you are working overhead. When you want to nail furring straps to your ceiling joists you won’t have any problems using the best framing nailer unlike a basic hammer.
Attaching The Roof Sheathing – When you’re trying to attach any kind of wood to the roof rafters you’ll know it tends to be difficult. That will go away instantly once you begin to use a framing nailer for sheathing and working at a steep angle will stop feeling awkward.
Fencing Your Garden – Do you remember how long it takes to paint an entire fence? Imagine how long it would take you to put one together. With a framing nailer you’ll be able to do it in a fraction of the time and nailing in the boards will take much less effort.
Keep in mind, these are only a small selection of the jobs you’ll be able to carry out once you own the best framing nailer available. It will basically take care of all large projects you have to carry out around your home where you want a replacement for a hammer.
Framing Nail Gun Features To Look Out For
In a while we’re going to examine the best framing nailers available today, but you’ve got to ask yourself what makes them so great. Like any other piece of amazing modern technology it’s the features they’re packed with that will help you out.
It’s hard to find every great feature on a particular model, but you will be drawn to some more than others. Here is a breakdown of those features you should be looking out for before buying anything:
- A Jam Clearing System In Place
- The Depth Adjustment Settings
- Swiveling Air Connector For Hose
- Fully Adjustable Exhaust System
- An Air Filter To The Rescue
- Always Keeping Your Guard Up
- The Tip Of Your Power Tool
- A Larger Trigger Than Usual
A Jam Clearing System In Place
Even if you have the best framing nailer in the world it’s only a matter of time before it jams up. Any soldier will tell you the same about their rifle. This goes against everything a nail gun is designed for, which is to help you complete jobs a lot quicker.
It’s why you should try to look for a power tool with a jam clearing system in place. When your nails eventually do get stuck you’ll be able to clear them out in an instant. You’ll then be able to get back to work asap like nothing even happened instead of wasting minutes playing around with it.
The Depth Adjustment Settings
Nails for your gun will come in a few different sizes, but it’s not like you’ll ever find the ideal power to use every single time. If you do want to guarantee your nails will go exactly where you want them to, you’ll need to have the ability to make depth adjustment settings.
You might not always want your nails to sit flush with the wood. Perhaps you’ll want them to protrude, or in some cases you’ll want to countersink them. It’s also wise if you find a nail gun that will allow you to make these changes without the use of an external tool.
Swiveling Air Connector For Hose
Earlier on we talked about pneumatic framing nailers being the most popular, which will pose a problem in certain situations. In order for your gun to shoot nails it will always need to be hooked up to an air compressor. The hose has a nasty habit of getting in the way.
When you’re in various positions without a lot of free space it’s difficult to use your tool. You wouldn’t have those sort of issues with a battery-powered nail gun. Companies have found a solution by adding a swivel to the air connector to let it move freely.
An Adjustable Exhaust System
If you plan on working all day it helps to have an adjustable exhaust system. It can get very tiring if you don’t. Think about the kind of areas you’re going to be working in. There is going to be a lot of dust flying around and the air from the exhaust can mess with it.
I’m sure you’d be more comfortable when dust isn’t continuously blasting you in the face at speed. Once you have control of the exhaust you get to decide where any debris goes. As with the depth adjustment feature, it’s best to look for one you can turn without an external tool.
An Air Filter To The Rescue
There are ways to get around the debris flying through the air, which includes wearing the right PPC (personal protective equipment). You’ll also want a feature designed to protect the tool from debris if you use it on a regular basis and don’t want it to break down.
Different models have minor differences, but an air filter is usually the most common feature you’ll see used. Its main job is to prevent debris from getting inside your framing nailer, because it would cause it to malfunction and shorten its lifespan quite a bit.
Always Keeping Your Guard Up
A protective guard is probably more important than an adjustable exhaust system due to the damage you’ll avoid. These power tools are no joke and they do blast nails into wood at great speed. There is nothing stopping wood from splitting off and flying towards you.
It’s only going to be the protective guard that will keep you safe, so they’re beneficial for safety reasons. They’ll also increase the lifespan of your framing nailer too. If it’s repeatedly hit with flying debris common sense says it’s eventually going to get damaged.
The Tip Of Your Power Tool
There are a couple of different ways the tip of your framing nailer could benefit you, so this could possibly be split up into a few different features. Each one is more or less the exact opposite of each other and can occasionally be found on the same tool.
You’ll sometimes get a rubber tip to keep work surfaces safe. After all, some of the jobs we mentioned will require a clean finish. Then you’ll have the rugged tip that will claw into wood, which is to keep the tool from slipping when you’re firing in nails.
A Larger Trigger Than Usual
If your framing nailer has a large trigger you’ll be able to wear gloves while operating it. You’ll also find it simple to do things quicker. Nail guns work in multiple ways, but I think we should cover the two most common ones so you’ll know why a large trigger is a good thing.
Sequential Firing Mode – The safety tip of your framing nail gun can be compressed against the surface of the wood at all times. To fire the nails you’ll need to continuously press the trigger each time.
Bump Firing Mode – This works in the exact opposite way, so you’ll have to keep the trigger compressed at all times. When you want to fire a nail into your wood you’ll simply need to bump the nail gun safety tip against it.
Best Framing Nailers Available Today
There are so many more things we could say about the best framing nailers, which we’re going to do in a second. This time we’ll actually put a face to the features by talking about specific models you can buy. Read through the list and try to locate the ideal one for you.
Please Note: Providing an in-depth review of each nail gun would take you far too long to read, so we’re only going to focus on some cool features. When you find one you like please click through to Amazon to research everything you can about it.
- Hitachi NR83A3 — Framing Nailer
- BOSTITCH F21PL — Framing Nailer
- Hitachi NR90AES1 — Framing Nailer
- Makita AN923 — Framing Nailer
- Freeman P4FRFNCB — Framing Combo Kit
- Freeman PFR2190 — Framing Nailer
- PORTER-CABLE FR350B — Framing Nailer
- BOSTITCH BTFP3KIT — Nailer Combo Kit
Hitachi NR83A3 | Best Framing Nailer
Features:
- Tool-less depth adjustment allows you to easily adjust to different nails or materials
- Selective actuation allows transition from sequential nailing to “bump-fire” with ease
- Driving port suited for a wide range of available nails
- Rubber grip for superior control and comfort during use
- Two piece steel magazine for durability and replacement ease
- Rear loading magazine makes it easy to reload
- Open nose design for easy extraction should a nail jam
- Hardened claw tip resists wear and grips wood for driving nails at different angles
It’s A Lightweight Nail Gun – The weight of the framing nailer is only 8.6 pounds, so it won’t even feel like you’re holding anything in your hand. It’s still able to blast the nails into tough materials.
The tool has also been designed to feel balanced when you’re holding it in your hand. When you combine all of these features with the rubber grip it’s easy to see the Hitachi NR83A3 will be comfortable to work with.
You’ll Get Selective Actuation – Do you remember when we talked about the different ways nail guns are fired? Once you’ve got this in your hand you’ll be able to swap between single actuation and contact actuation.
When you need to be careful you can stick with the safe option, but you’ll be able to bump fire the nails in when the need arises. The feature is also ANSI compliant adding another level of safety to it.
The 2-Piece Steel Magazine – You can only really go as fast as your magazine allows because you’ll eventually have to reload. This 2-piece steel magazine will let you throw in new nails quickly.
It works with 2 to 3-1/4 inch nails with plastic collated full round heads. You’ll be able to adjust the depth before firing, plus this will also be possible to set up without external tools.
It Has An Open Nose Design – Look closely at the front of the framing nailer and you’ll see it has an open nose design. This will come in very handy when your nails end up getting jammed inside the tool.
Fortunately you’ll be able to remove them in seconds without compromising your safety. Hitachi are a top brand in the power tool industry, so you’ll discover it will jam up much less often than you think.
A Heavy-Duty Hardened Claw Tip – There are a couple of interesting things about the hardened claw tip. The fact it’s heavy-duty should tell you it’s going to resist wear and will last for a very long time.
It’s also capable of gripping the wood you’re working with. A job becomes easier in general, but it’s when you’re working at different angles you’ll see the difference. Your nail gun won’t be able to accidentally slip.
Tech Specs:
- Collation : Plastic
- Nail Capacity : 2″ – 3-1/4″
- Diameter : 0.113″ – .131″
- Magazine Angle : 21°
- Magazine Capacity : 64
- Operating Pressure : 70 – 120 psi
- Length : 21-3/16″
- Width : 4-1/4″
- Height : 13-3/8″
- Weight : 8.6 lbs
BOSTITCH F21PL | Best Framing Nailer
Features:
- Two nailers in one: includes two quick change nosepieces to convert tool to either framing or metal connector applications
- Patented push button adjustable depth guide sets nails to desired depths
- Adjustable rafter hook allows users to hang tool on rafters and joists
- Drives plastic collated 1-1/2″ and 2-1/2″ metal connector nails (.131″ – .148″ diameter)
- Compressor/Air Tool Features: Fastener Collation,Fastener Depth Control, 1-1/2-inch to 3-1/2-inch framing nailer; 1,050 inch-pounds of driving power; sequential and bump trigger
- Lightweight magnesium housing; integrated rubber skid pads; rubber grip
- 14-1/4 by 20-1/2 inches; 8.1 pounds; 7-year limited warranty
✓ View or download the MANUAL or PARTS LIST.
Includes Two Different Nosepieces – You’ll get the standard framing nailer nosepiece, but it will come with an extra one too. This will allow you to work with metal connector nails should you need to.
You’ll also be able to change these nosepieces around very fast to get the job done quicker. The process is almost as fast as the 1,050 inch-pounds of driving power the tool shoots the multiple-sized nails out at.
Adjustable Nail Depth – This has been covered in detail before, but the way it’s done on the BOSTITCH F21PL framing nailer is unique. That is because their adjustable nail depth push-button mechanism is patented.
It will fire out 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inch round head nails to any depth you want. On this particular model it’s recommended you use HurriQuake nails. Due to all models being slightly different it’s worth taking onboard.
It’s A High-Capacity Magazine – This will mean your magazine is able to hold a large number of nails. It will be able to hold 60 of the bigger plastic collated 21 degree framing nails and 60 of the smaller metal connector ones.
The magazine also includes a bonus feature you’ll find refreshing on certain jobs. It comes with a 16 inch layout indicator, so it will only take you less than a second to work out the distance between studs.
Has Lightweight Magnesium Housing – The reason this framing nail gun is so light is because the manufacturer opted to use magnesium housing. It means the total weight of the power tool is only 8.1 pounds.
If you know how heavy that will feel in your hands, you’ll also know it will be possible to hold it all day long. It has integrated rubber skid pads along with a rubber grip to make any job effortless.
An Adjustable Rafter Hook – If you want to protect your tool from damage I doubt you’ll want to leave it lying on the ground. You won’t have to due to the fact it comes with an extremely convenient adjustable rafter hook.
You’ll be able to hook your tool on any joists and rafters when you’re not driving nails into wood. While we’re on the subject of convenience, you can pick up a similar model to this that has a swivel plug.
Tech Specs:
- Collation Type: Plastic
- Depth Adjustment: Yes
- Dry Fire Lockout: No
- Fastener Type / Gauge:: 21 Degree Plastic
- Firing / Acutation Mode: Sequential with Contact Trigger Included
- Jam Clearance: Yes
- Length: 2-3 1/2 in
- Magazine Angle: 21 Degree
- Magazine Capacity: 60
- Magazine Loading: Bottom Load
- Operating Pressure: 80 – 120 psi
- Tool Weight: 8.1 lbs
Hitachi NR90AES1 | Best Framing Nailer
Features:
- Improved head guard design allows for quicker disassembly during tool maintenance
- Lightweight and well-balanced for ease of maneuverability and less user fatigue
- Selective actuation allows for quick changes between sequential and contact nailing with the flip of a switch
- Tool-less depth adjustment to countersink or flush drive into a variety of materials
- Two piece anodized aluminum magazine making repairs or replacements easy and with minimal expense
- Two step nail loading allows for quick and easy reloads
- Rubber grip provides comfort and ensures a secure grip
Easy Selective Actuation – Can you imagine what life would be like if you could only fire in nails one specific way? You wouldn’t be able to call a tool the best framing nailer if it was only perfect for half the jobs.
Thanks to your ability to swap between contact and sequential nailing you’ll be able to choose the right setting for each task. All it will take to alternate between the two is a quick flip of a well-placed switch.
Video | Hitachi NR90AES1
Repairs And Replacements – The Hitachi NR90AES1 is a rock solid tool, but when you’re dealing with a compressor and immense power it will eventually break. You won’t want to spend a lot of money making it operational again.
You won’t have to because the manufacturer was smart enough to use a 2-piece anodized aluminum magazine. It’s easy to make repairs on your own if you know a little about tools, plus replacement parts are cheap.
Adjusting Depth Without Tools – Can you guess how you would normally adjust the depth of the nails without these amazing advancements in technology? You’d have to spend time messing around with the compressor pressure.
That is the kind of thing best left in the past, so you’ll be able to flick between depths on this nail gun without a tool. You can set it up so the nails are either flush with the wood or countersunk.
Two Step Nail Loading Is Quick – Everything about the Hitachi NR90AES1 is quick. You’ve got the speed in which the nails fire into wood. Also, the new head guard allows the tool to be disassembled in no time.
The best feature in regards to speed is how quickly you can reload your nails using the easy two step process. The gun will fire plastic collated nails 2 to 3-1/2 inches in length. The magazine holds 64 of them and fires at a 21 degree angle.
You’ll Have A Secure Grip – When brushing over the other kinds of nail guns it might have sounded like a framing nailer was too powerful to offer good accuracy. It is accurate and features like a secure grip help.
It also doesn’t hurt when the nail gun only weighs 7.5 pounds in the first place. You’ll find it’s balanced to add to the comfort level. It’s a pleasure to operate and the open nose even makes clearing jams no trouble at all.
Makita AN923 | Best Framing Nailer
Designed for : a wide range of applications, such as: framing walls, floors, and roofs, construction of sub-flooring, roof and floor decking, floor and wall sheathing/siding.
Ideal for : framers, roofers and carpenters.
Features:
- 3-Mode selector switch (contact, sequential, lock) allows user control over nailing options
- Large capacity air chamber for increased power to drive nails varying in length from 2″ to 3-1/2″
- Built-in air filter minimizes dust and debris from entering tool
- Anti-dry mechanism stops tool when three nails remain in the magazine
- Solid rear-loading aluminum magazine for longer life
- Drives up to 3-1/2″ x .162″ (16d) nails
- “Tool-less” depth adjustment engineered for more precise flush and countersink nailing
- Retractable hook allows tool to remain close by but never in the way
- Sharp, pronounced spurs grip wood for controlled nailing at an angle
- Rubber bumpers protect the tool and surface from damage
- Multi-directional exhaust port directs exhaust air away from operator
- Rubber grips for better control and comfortable handling
- Minimum recommended air delivery of 5.1 SCFM @ 90PSI
- 3-year limited warranty
Documents for the Makita AN923 :
- ✓ View or download the MANUAL
- ✓ View or download the PARTS LIST
- ✓ View or download the BROCHURE
Multiple Useful Griping Features – We’ve seen each of these gripping features before, but never on an individual tool. The Makita AN923 will come with a nice grip so your hands are always as comfortable as possible.
It also has the ability to grip surfaces due to the sharp and pronounced spurs. When you’re nailing in anything at speed, it’s great when you can feel safe in the knowledge nothing is going to slip and hurt you.
It Has A Built-In Air Filter – As soon as you begin blasting nails into wood you know one thing is sure to happen. Debris is going to come flying back towards you even if it’s just from the build up of dust.
No matter how big or small the debris, your nail gun can still be damaged if anything gets inside it. Makita were wise enough to add an air filter to the AN923 in order to prolong the life of the power tool.
Dry Firing Is Impossible – Your Makita AN923 is capable of using nails 2 to 3-1/2 inches in length. You can also adjust the depth and this tool has 9 different options you’ll be able to choose between to get it right.
The best part about shooting the nails into wood is that dry firing is impossible. You’ll know the exact moment you need to reload because the framing nailer will stop automatically when there are only 3 nails left in the magazine.
A Multidirectional Exhaust Port – The air filter will collect some of the debris, but it won’t stop everything from flying back towards you. That is why they’ve added a multi-directional exhaust port to the tool.
You’ll get to choose where a large percentage of the debris will end up. They’ve also came up with an ingenious way to empty the debris away at the end of the day. Its back-pressure feature will dispose of it when the pressure is released from the hose.
Comes Packed With Rubber Bumpers – When you’re framing a home or working with sub-flooring it doesn’t matter if the wood gets a few bumps and bruises. It’s different when the nails will be on display.
That is why the Makita has rubber bumpers on the front of the nail gun. It will stop it from leaving any nasty marks you don’t want to see. The rubber bumpers will also aid in prolonging the life of the tool.
Tech Specs (Makita AN923):
- Operating Air Pressure : 65 – 120 PSI
- Nail Size : 2″ – 3-1/2″ .113″ – .162″ shank diameter plastic or wire collated
- Magazine Capacity (range) : 64 – 74
- Dimensions (LxWxH) : 22″ x 4-1/4″ x 13-11/16″
- Net Weight : 8.7 lbs.
- Maximum Magazine Capacity : 74
- Fastening category : Framing
- Max. nail/fastener length : 3-1/2″
- Power Type : Pneumatic
- Shipping Weight : 12.3 lbs
Freeman P4FRFNCB | Framing Combo Kit
Features:
- PFR2190– 21 Degree Full Head Framing Nailer, uses 20-21 Degree Round Head plastic collated framing nails ranging 2″ to 3-1/2″ in length
- PFN1564 – 15 Gauge 34° Angle Finish Nailer, uses 34 Degree Angle Finish Nails ranging 1-1/4″ to 2-1/2″ in length
- PBR32Q – 18 Gauge 1-1/4-Inch brad nailer with quick release nose, Compatible fasteners: all 18 Gauge 1/2 – 1-1/4 Glue Collated Straight Brad Nails
- PST9032Q – 18 Gauge 1-1/4″ Narrow Crown Stapler with quick release nose, uses 18 gauge ¼” narrow crown staples ranging ½” to 1-1/4″ in length
- Includes a canvas carrying bag
Four Different Nail Guns In One – You won’t get a tool capable of handling the jobs of multiple nail guns. Instead, you’ll get all of them as part of a combo kit in case you need more than the best framing nailer.
You’ll also get a brad nailer, finishing nailer, and a narrow crown staple nailer. The cost of the combo kit is equal to most individual framing nail guns, so it’s certainly a great deal you should jump on.
Anti-Dry Fire Mechanism – It’s hard to count how many nails you’ve fired, so I doubt you’ll ever go to the trouble of trying it. At the same time, dry firing with a powerful framing nailer isn’t healthy for the tool.
It’s going to cause a great deal of damage to the internal components, especially over the course of a few years as it keeps happening. The anti-dry fire mechanism built into the tool will be able to prevent it.
A Quick Jam Release System – If you have 4X the amount of tools you would normally own it means you’ve got more chance of them jamming up. This is obviously only theoretically true if you use them all equally.
It would drive you crazy if you have to spend too much time playing around with multiple tools to rip out jammed nails. You won’t really care when you use the Freeman P4FRFNCB ones thanks to each tool having a quick jam release system.
Built To Last A Very Long Time – It’s hard to know where to start as there are so many reasons for this. Tough teflon O-rings protect cylinders and pistons from daily wear and tear. The anodized aluminum cylinders and magazines are superb too.
As the pistons fire and retract with each nail the aluminum will offer a durable surface. Then you have hardened steel blades made of only one piece to limit any internal failure on each of the nail guns.
360 Degree Adjustable Exhaust – All of the tools in your combo pack will include a 360 degree adjustable exhaust, so you’ll be able to choose where the debris goes. Some of the nail guns will produce more than others.
They also have two features designed to keep your nail guns debris free and serviceable. You’ll get an air filter to prevent anything it can from reaching the interior of the tools along with a dust cap.
Freeman PFR2190 | Best Framing Nailer
Features:
- Ideal for framing, wall sheathing, siding installation, sub-floors, pallet building, wood box assembly and fencing
- Interchangeable triggers for single or contact firing
- Adjustable depth for various applications, no-mar tip eliminates damage to working surfaces, anti-dry fire mechanism activates with 5 nails remaining in magazine
- Uses 21° Round head plastic collated framing nails ranging 2” to 3-1/2” in length
- Includes plastic carrying case
- Magnesium Construction
- Anodized Aluminum Magazine and Cylinder
- One Piece Drive Blade
- Adjustable Depth
- Anti-Dry Fire Mechanism
- 360° Adjustable Exhaust
- Air Filter/Anti-Dust Cap
- No-Mar Tip
- Oil-Free Design
- Plastic Storage Case
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Freeman PFR2190.
A Large Magazine Capacity – Even though the 55 nails you’ll be able to store on the magazine isn’t the most we’ve seen so far it’s still an impressive number. It holds 2 to 3-1/2 inch round head plastic collated nails.
Like a few other models the Freeman PFR2190 also has an anti-dry fire system in place. When you’re shooting the long nails into wood everything will come to a standstill when only 5 remain to avoid internal damage.
You’ll Get An Ergonomic Grip – The grip on this model is better than most and Freeman designed it for two different purposes. The first is its ability to handle vibrations, which will extend how long you’ll be able to use it.
It isn’t a good idea to use a dangerous power tool when your hand gets tired, which brings us to the second purpose. You’ll be able to grip the handle more securely to help with the job itself and your safety.
View All of the Main Features | Freeman PFR2190
It Has A No-Mar Tip – When you’ve got the no-mar tip on the end of your framing nail gun you can be sure it’s not going to damage any surfaces, so you’ll always end up with a professional finish when the job calls for it.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to take the no-mar tip off on certain projects. This will expose teeth designed to grip onto any surface and you’ll be able to fire in your nail knowing it’s going to go exactly where you want it.
Comes With A Quarter Inch NPT Fitting – After paying money for a power tool you don’t want to be forced into buying other things so it works. Hopefully you know an air compressor for pneumatic nailers is mandatory.
You don’t want to scurry around looking for other little things, such as an air hose coupler to combine the two together. The Freeman PFR2190 already has a 1/4 inch NPT that will fit almost any coupler out there.
A Choice Between Quick Or Accurate – You get to choose what happens when your hand touches the trigger. You can switch between bump firing and single firing modes depending on whether you want speed or accuracy.
There won’t be as much difference between the two as you think. This is because the magnesium construction means the nailer is extremely light, so speed and accuracy will still be fine on either mode.
Tech Specs:
- Net Weight : 8.5 lbs
- Dimensions : 20″ x 6.5″ x 14.25″
- Operating Pressure : 70 – 115 psi
- Fastener Gauge : .113″ – 1.31″
- Fastener Range : 2″ – 3.5″
- Magazine Capacity : 55 pcs
- Compatible Fasteners : All .113″ – .131″ Gauge, 21°, 2″ – 3 1/2″, Plastic Collated Framing Nails
- Applications : Roof Decking, Sub Floors, Wall Framing, Wood Fencing
- Features : 360° Adjustable Exhaust, Adjustable Depth, Air Filter/Anti-Dust Cap, Anodized Aluminum Magazine and Cylinder, Anti Dry Fire Mechanism, Magnesium Construction, No-Mar Tip, Oil-Free Design, One Piece Drive Blade, Plastic Case.
One of the best framing nailers for the money. It’s not an industrial quality nailer but it’s quite affordable for small projects around the home.
PORTER-CABLE FR350B | Best Framing Nailer
Features:
- Lightweight at just 7.3 lbs
- Power to drive nails up to 3-1/2″ x .131″ into engineered lumber
- Selectable trigger with trigger lockout for restrictive or contact actuation mode
- Tool-free adjustable depth of drive for proper setting of nail heads
- Reversible rafter hook for hanging tool on left or right side
- Low nail lockout indicates when to reload tool
- Over-molded grip for comfort & control
- Tool-free adjustable exhaust
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the PORTER-CABLE FR350B.
Less Need For Extra Tools – When you own a PORTER-CABLE FR350B framing nailer you won’t need to use any additional tools for a couple of things we’ve mentioned before. One of them is the adjustable depth of drive.
It’s easy to decide how deep your nails should be fired into the wood. You’ve also got the adjustable exhaust to direct any debris away from you. On a few models you’ll only be able to adjust it when you use a tool.
Lighter Than Most Nailers – Although there isn’t a lot of difference between the weight of the nailers we’ve spoken about today, it’s still something you should take into consideration when the number is low.
At only 7.3 pounds it’s one of the lightest available, which could help you knock in a few extra nails per day. Its weight doesn’t affect its power to send 3-1/2 inch long nails into strong engineered lumber.
The Rafter Hook Is Reversible – Sometimes you’ve been working all day and you need to take a relaxing break. You’ll feel a hundred times more comfortable knowing your best framing nailer is safe from harm.
That is where the rafter hook has a big part to play. Although it’s not the most advanced feature in the world it will still let you hang the nailer from rafters and joists. It’s reversible letting you choose either side.
Knowing When It’s Time To Reload – Once again we have a decent magazine with the capacity to store 60 plastic collated nails at the same time. The angle of your magazine is set at 22 degrees, which will let you know what nails to use.
It will also let you know when the magazine is ready to be reloaded to prevent any internal problems due to dry firing. You won’t have to do anything to know because you’ll automatically be stopped from firing in any more nails.
It Has An Over-Molded Grip – It’s something we didn’t mention when talking about the weight, but to take your comfort to the next level the FR350B nail gun has an over-molded grip and will feel great in your hand.
On top of the extra comfort, it’s going to give you the additional control you need. A high level of control matters when working on specific tasks, especially when it’s lacking other features like teeth to grip the wood.
Tech Specs:
- Operating Pressure: 70-120 psi
- Fastener Type: Plastic
- Fastener Range: 2 to 3.5, 0.113 to 0.148 “
- Magazine Capacity: 60 nails
- Weight: 7.3 lbs
BOSTITCH BTFP3KIT | Nailer Combo Kit
Kit Includes:
- (1) BTFP02012 — pancake compressor
- (1) SB-1850BN — 18ga brad nailer
- (1) SB-1664FN — 16ga finish nailer
- (1) BTFP71875 HD — 3/8-inch crown stapler
- (1) 1/4-inch x 15-foot PVC air hose with fittings
- 2-inch 16GA brad nails
- 1-1/4-inch 18GA brad nails
- HD 3/8-inch crown staples
This Comes With A Pancake Compressor – Don’t worry if you’re missing a compressor at the moment because you’ll get one with the BOSTITCH BTFP3KIT. It has a high efficiency motor and for the price you’ll pay it’s perfect.
Your pancake air compressor will be 6 gallons in size and it will have 150 PSI + 2.6 SCFM. It’s designed to start easily and is built to last a long time. You’ll be able to use it with every tool in the combo kit.
Comes With A Variety Of Nail Guns – This is the second combo kit we’ve looked at today, but it comes with slightly less options than the last one we focused on. A brad nailer, finishing nailer, and crown stapler are included.
Nails of various kinds and sizes will also come packed into the kit, although not for every tool. You’ll get some 1-1/4 inch brad nails, 2 inch brad nails, and lastly heavy-duty 3/8 inch crown staples.
A 15 Foot Air Hose Is Supplied – You’ve got all the tools you’ll need for the majority of jobs and a pancake compressor to go with them. It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t have something to connect them together.
The combo kit comes with a 1/4 inch 15 foot air hose, plus all the fittings will be thrown in too. A 15 foot air hose should be long enough to carry out any jobs in a room without the need to constantly move the compressor around.
Three Nailers Requiring Zero Tools – You’d be forgiven for thinking there were fewer features in each of the nailers, but surprisingly the opposite is true. They also don’t need extra tools in order for you to use them.
The depth adjustment will let you set the depth on a much wider variety of jobs. Any jammed nails (or staples) will come out of their tools within seconds. Each nailer also has a 360 degree exhaust to control the debris.
Each Tool Is Unique Too – Each of the individual tools is obviously unique in regards to the job it carries out, but they all have something special about them you won’t find on any of the others in your combo kit.
The biggest surprise is maybe the weight of the finishing nailer, because at 4 pounds it’s almost light enough to float. There is a no-mar pad on the brad nailer for a clean finish and the crown stapler will indicate when it’s time to reload.
Framing Nailer Safety
When you combine compressed air and sharp nails it’s a disaster waiting to happen. It’s why framing nailers are one of the most dangerous power tools out there. You should always read and follow the instruction manual, but here are a few safety features you should never ignore:
- Never Point It At Anyone
- Keep Your Hands Well Away
- Check It Before Using It
- Always Disconnect It First
- Wear Your Safety Equipment
- Never Point It At Anyone
There are mechanisms in place to prevent nail guns from firing, but you shouldn’t even trust the best framing nailer. It’s just not worth the risk, which means don’t point it at anyone under any circumstances whatsoever.
Keep Your Hands Well Away
If you’re nailing a large piece of wood at an angle it’s not going to stay upright on its own. Don’t even think about putting your hands anywhere near the nail gun. Even if you’re in a rush make sure you use proper clamps.
Check It Before Using It
Hopefully you do this with every tool you use, but you’d be surprised by the number of people who don’t. Show the framing nail gun the respect it deserves by making sure it looks okay before attempting to use it.
Always Disconnect It First
Never try to do anything with the tool while it’s still hooked up to the air compressor. Before touching your nail gun when there is something wrong disconnecting it should be the very first thing you do.
Wear Your Safety Equipment
This is general advice that applies to all power tools, but especially the most dangerous ones like framing nailers. Safety glasses are an essential item, plus you should use anything else the instruction manual recommends.
The Best Framing Nailer You’ll Want To Own
Once you own the best framing nailer you’ll be able to perform all the jobs we mentioned earlier with ease, plus a lot more we’ve not covered. It’s an amazing tool as you’ll know from reading about the features on each model.
You will be able to find more information on Amazon, so don’t forget to click the links to do more research. Take time to read all the fantastic and unbiased reviews too, because they’ll help you choose one a lot quicker.