Of all the types of nailers available, framing nailers are the largest. They are designed to handle nails ranging from 6D to 16D (that's 6 penny to 16 penny, for those that aren't familiar with the nomenclature). Another way to look at that is 2" to 3-1/2" nails. Since 8D and 16D are the two most common sizes used in framing, that's ideal.
Using a framing nailer helps the carpenter to work much more efficiently. Even using a 32 ounce framing hammer or rigging axe, a carpenter can't drive nails as rapidly hammering them as they can with a nailer. Hammering requires a minimum of two whacks, as opposed to one pull of the trigger with a framing nailer. Framing nailers also make it much easier to toe nail studs when that’s necessary. The fast drive of the shot prevents the stud from moving, like it’s wont to do when being hammered manually.
Before buying a framing nailer, it’s a good idea to check on the building code requirements for the city where you live. If round head nails are required, any work done with a clipped head nailer won’t pass inspection. Of course, if the work doesn’t have to be inspected that’s not an issue.
Most framing nailers today have sharp prongs on the nose rather than a padded foot like you find on a finish nailer. This allows the nailer to grip the wood that it’s going to put the nailer in. This is especially good for toe nailing where you often have to hold the piece of wood with one hand while holding the nailer with the other. If you’ve never tried toe-nailing with a framing nailer, you’re going to love it.
Framing Nailer Types
Framing nailers can be broken down into three different categories:
Pneumatic Clipped Head
This is the traditional type of framing nailer. In order to get the nails to collate close together, part of the head is clipped off rather than having a round head.
Round Head
Some building authorities will not accept clipped head nails, claiming the smaller head doesn't provide as much strength. So to pass inspection, round head nails need to be used. The industry has responded to this need by creating round head framing nailers. The round head requires that the nails be collated differently so there aren't as many nails on a strip.
Cordless
Cordless nailers don’t use air compressor or compressed air to provide the motive heavy duty power tools to drive the nails, but rather a gas cartridge in the nailer. Burning a small quantity of the gas causes it to expand, driving the nail in much the same way that a gun fires a bullet.
Cordless framing nailers are much newer in the marketplace than their pneumatic cousins. As such, there aren't as many to choose from. They tend to be smaller than the pneumatic ones with a smaller magazine as well. Of the various types of cordless nailers on the market, cordless framing nailers have taken over the smallest market share due to the high volume of nails used in framing.
Framing Nailer Design
Framing nailers are always built with an angled magazine, ensuring that the magazine doesn't hit the framing to be nailed on inside corners or when toe nailing studs. However, the angle of the magazine can vary from an angle of 21 degrees to 28 degrees. It’s important when selecting nails that the angle of the collated nail strip match the angle of the magazine or else the nails will jam in the throat of the nailer.
In addition to the angle that the nail strip is collated at, the type of collation is important as well. There are three types of collation: paper tape, plastic strip and wire weld. The three are not interchangeable, so you must match the strip type to the gun, as well as the angle of collation.
Options to Consider
There are several things you want to look at when looking at framing nailers, besides price, heavy duty capacity, and name brand. Weight is an important factor, to reduce operator fatigue, as well as having a padded handle. An open magazine or a magazine with an open window makes it easier to tell when it is time to reload. Nailers which have a lockout to prevent them from shooting when empty, help prevent damage to the nailer.
Tool-free Nosepiece
Pretty much all nailers today have tool-free nosepieces so the nose can be opened to remove a jam quickly and easily. Framing nailers also have nosepieces with prongs on them, allowing positive location of the nailer in regards to the target.
Depth of Fire Adjustment
You should also look at the depth of fire adjustment on the nailer, something that can make a tool much easier to work with. Most are now tool-free wheels, but this is one area where manufacturers are seeking to make their tools easier to work with.
Trigger
The other thing to consider is the trigger. There are two basic trigger styles used on nailers, bump fire and sequential. With bump fire, you can pull the trigger and the nail gun will shoot a nail every time the nosepiece is depressed. In sequential mode, the trigger has to be pulled for each shot. Some manufacturers build both into the tool with a switch to change between them while others require changing out the trigger which may require buying the second trigger as an option.