Carpenters - Framing Nailer question

New question. I'm sure this is a very amateur question, but what does it mean when they mention the degree of the fastener? For instance, full round head nailers use 22 degree nails, and clipped head nailers use 30 to 34 degree nails.



It was my understanding that the only difference between clipped and full head nailers was that the clipped nailers held more nails, but after looking at the Porter Cable ones, the difference is only 2 nails. So, if they basically hold the same amount of fasteners, is there another difference?
 
JDookie said:
New question. I'm sure this is a very amateur question, but what does it mean when they mention the degree of the fastener? For instance, full round head nailers use 22 degree nails, and clipped head nailers use 30 to 34 degree nails.



It was my understanding that the only difference between clipped and full head nailers was that the clipped nailers held more nails, but after looking at the Porter Cable ones, the difference is only 2 nails. So, if they basically hold the same amount of fasteners, is there another difference?



Full round heads are like the regular nails you drive with a full circle head and the clipped have a little part off the head. I dont know why they just didnt use full round heads in the first place. I would recommend Senco or PC guns. I personally like PCs and like you I have the finish, brad, and stapler. I use the PC FC350 and at my work we use mainly sencos. Both clipped head and full head come in a variety of degrees and some nail strips are held toghether with plastic and some with paper. My guns are with the paper type. They are worth there money. Living here in Louisiana the house building is still booming and when we get one it pays for itself the first day.
 
So where does the "degree" part come into play? Is this the angle at which the nails are packaged/loaded into the gun? I'm lost on this one. Why different degrees?
 
JDookie said:
New question. I'm sure this is a very amateur question, but what does it mean when they mention the degree of the fastener? For instance, full round head nailers use 22 degree nails, and clipped head nailers use 30 to 34 degree nails.



It was my understanding that the only difference between clipped and full head nailers was that the clipped nailers held more nails, but after looking at the Porter Cable ones, the difference is only 2 nails. So, if they basically hold the same amount of fasteners, is there another difference?



The only read difference I have found using both is how the nails are held together. Clipper nails are usually held together by a thin wire or paper/glue. Most full head are spaced by plastic. Which makes a bigger mess on the job site. Do not be fooled by the amount of nail they hold. Cliped head mags are shorter, full head mags are much loner so they can fit the same amount of nails.
 
Yes, the degree is the degree the nails are held toghether. I like the paper nails. Like I said they all come in different ways the are attached whether it be paper, wire, or plastic. You can get full head or clipped head in any way. I have used full head nails in a clipped nailer but it tends to bind up every so often.
 
Okay, click on this link, and look at the top three nailers listed. If you had to pick one of the three, which one would it be and why?



http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2613



Now that I understand where the "degree" part comes in, is it safe to assume that the more the angle, the more versatile the nailer would be? In other words, the 30-34 degree clipped nailer would be more versatile than both the 28 degree clipped and the 22 degree round?
 
FC350A. They are all good nailers but I just prefer paper nails with this gun are compatible with the senco guns we use at work. I can guarantee you wont be disappointed in any choice. I think the paper nails are easier to find I believe too. I have one and have had it for 2 years without any problems. Just remember to oil it every so often and it will be fine. Just dont shoot yourself. It hurts really bad. I think it is also a little cheaper than the others too. You should be able to find the FC350 at Lowes or HD also. Ive been in the carpentry and cabinet making for 10years and dont know how they lived with out them sometimes.
 
I just found High Pressure nailers from PC. You guys know anything about those? Actually, I can get a Porter Cable CLFCP350 clipped nailer kit, which comes with the high pressure nailer and 175 psi compressor, which retails for $1,000 for only $499 shipped from Amazon.com after multiple discounts. What do you think? Is this the way to go?
 
the high pressure guns are still kind of new but very interesting. I have not used one yet but the reviews sure sound good. Fine Homebuilding had a great article about them a year ago. You will need to invest in some poly hoses to withstand the higher pressures. On a job site they could be at a dissdvantage if your other guns operated at normal pressure.
 
Okay, if you can believe it, I finally made a decision and ordered one tonight. I ended up going with this: http://www.portercable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=5229



I went with the high pressure system for two reasons: 1) A more compact and weight saving gun, 6lbs vs. 9, and 2) Simply because I couldn't pass up the deal.



I was going to go with a clipped head nailer anyway, so the fact that it's going to be smaller and lighter is a major plus.



The entire kit retails for $1,020.00. I ended up buying everything from Amazon.com and got the Porter Cable kit, plus a DeWalt 6.5amp reciprocating saw w/ 10 blades, and 2 day shipping, all for $465.00



Just the nailer and saw alone would have exceeded that price, and I got a 175psi compressor, hose, fittings, and saw blades basically for free.



Thank you all for your extensive help. I apologize for all the newb questions, but now I know and will be able to pass along this great info to another person in need. Aside from the fact that I can't wait to start rebuilding!!



So, again, I can't thank you guys enough, and I'll post some pics of the gear when it all comes in, which is supposed to be Tuesday.



Oh yeah, here's my new saw too! :grinno:



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00079YN4I/102-5578548-2959315?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013



EDIT:



Wow, the deals just keep coming from amazon. I just placed another order with about $400 worth of levels (48", 24", and 9"), plus a few hand tools, and got it all for $110. I'm doing all my tool shopping from amazon from now on. The trick is taking advantage of their deals though.
 
Yeah, I've seen those before. The kit I got comes with a 50' 3/8 vinyl hose, so I should be good with that one for a while.



I can remember the framers using hoses like the one you mention when they were buidling our cabana/pool house. They had one compressor, and a half dozen guns running off of it using poly lines with a big splitter type adapter.



I will certainly post back and let you guys know how everything turns out, and I agree with you, I am amazed at the deals available from amazon. I don't think I'll ever buy a tool from Lowe's or Home Depot ever again!
 
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