Joist hanger nail gun

[padstar]

Not sure if this is the correct section but let's give it a go.

I have a suspended timber floor to install and have access to dewalt 1st fix and 2nd fix nail guns. Can either be used to nail the joist hangers? I am thinking not but if anyone knows how they can be used it would be a great help.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Second fix guns don't drive a thick enough nail for any type if structural work - they are only designed to fix skirtings, architraves, etc. First fix guns drive nails which are too long (minimum length 50mm) and are of the wrong type. In any case conventional guns cannot be used on joist hangers because you simply cannot align the tip of the nail with the holes in the hangers. It requires a specialist gun called a PPN or "positive placement nailer"

Joist hangers are supposed to be nailed with 30 to 40mm sherardised twist nails only in the UK.

So either hire a PPN or hand nail - holding the nails in a sprung clothes peg or pair of needle nose pliers or even a piece of cardboard to start them will save your fingers

 

[padstar]

I will see how much one is to hire but will probably just do by hand. Good idea about the needle nose pliers

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Never actually seen one to hire. If you do manage, though, make sure that they can supply the collated twist nails as well (unless you already have a confirmed supplier) because they are generally not an ex-stock item except for firms who actually sell the guns, and not always then. TBH if it's only 20 to 30 joists I'd do it by hand