Nail Guns

[PinkFloyd]

My plasterer is half way through skimming two rooms then I'm starting on fixing skirting and architrave. He has suggested laying my hands on a nail gun to make things quicker, and there's less chance of cracking plaster.

So looking at hire prices they're not cheap, and the hire depots seem next to useless on advising on what gas and nails to buy. To that end is there a 'cheap' diy version I could buy?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

So looking at hire prices they're not cheap, and the hire depots seem next to useless on advising on what gas and nails to buy. To that end is there a 'cheap' diy version I could buy?

There is just no such thing as a "cheap" trade nailer, whether you go gas or cordless. The choice is between a gas nailer, such as a 16 gauge gun by Passlode, Hitachi, Senco, etc or a cordless electric jobbie like the deWalt guns I use. Expect to spend £350+ on such a beast.

For DIY use, however, there is a lower cost alternative. Buy yourself a low-cost compressor, such as those sold by B&Q, Machine Mart, etc then get yourself a 16 gauge brad nailer, a low-cost one will do, a whip hose to connect your tool to the air line, a cheap air line (although I prefer uncoiled, these are cheaper, but they do need PCL ends - one visit to Machine Mart or your local compressed air specialist could sort all that out) and you're away. Sometimes you'll even find kits with everything in a kit (although that is most commonly with 18 gauge guns not 16 gauge). For softwood and MDF I pretty much always use 16 gauge nails which can be had from Amazon for about a tenner. 38 and 50mm 16 gauge should do for pretty much all your second fix requirements. If you are doing hardwood then consider an 18 gauge gun, but don't be tempted to buy a combined nailer/stapler which always mark (bruise) everything they touch. Other tools you'll need are a nail set (nail punch), hammer and a pair of pincers (Tower pattern) for handling mis-strikes

 

[stevethejoiner]

I would second all JobandKnock has said.

And add. Your plasterer is correct, a nailer will do less damage to plaster and stud wall behind than hand nailing. Nail guns are much less destructive. You also have a hand free to hold a length of timber against the wall and nail gun it with the other.

But if you only have a small amount to do it will be costly.

 

[^woody^]

Why not just use a no-nails gun?

Nails guns may be crap for skirting as they wont fix to masonry, you need to locate studs, and any sole plate may be too low to get a good fix.

Nail guns are OK for tradespeople on piece work, but I can't see any "speed" advantage for a one-off DIY job

 

[PinkFloyd]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I'll have a look at the air option tomorrow.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Why not just use a no-nails gun?

Nails guns may be crap for skirting as they wont fix to masonry, you need to locate studs, and any sole plate may be too low to get a good fix.

Nail guns are OK for tradespeople on piece work, but I can't see any "speed" advantage for a one-off DIY job

I know where the studs are having stripped the walls back and removing the old skirting. I've marked on the floor where they run. I'm more bothered about cracking plaster if I'm honest. I'd rather not splash cash on unneeded tools as it would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Nail guns are OK for tradespeople on piece work, but I can't see any "speed" advantage for a one-off DIY job

What the nails do is to hold the skirting in place whilst the grip adhesive sets - saves having to screw or use sprags to keep it all in place whilst the adhesive sets (and you do need something). As to architraves and stop laths - they just CAN'T be secured with grip adhesive alone - in fact they shouldn't be glues at all - and the OP has a problem of damaging plasterwork when using traditional pinning techniques...... That's why many tradesmen use nailers these days and NOT just because of price work

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

spend a bit of cash on an 16g air nail gun (cheapies are O K for entry level and work fine) and small compressor and you wont regret a penny of it,

 

[PinkFloyd]

UPDATE:

I've decided that the investment on a compressor and gun is probably too much for 3 bedrooms and a hallway in total. So I've managed to hire a Paslode IM250 for a day rate of £24 and purchased 2000 16g 50mm nails and two gas cans for £20.70 delivered. So £44.70 all in.

I'll be doing two bedrooms next week and will keep the spare nails and cans for the other bedroom and hall at a later date. I reckon the total cost will be under £70 for the whole job. If I knew I'd be undertaking regular nailing work I would have no hesitation in buying the whole shooting match, but I'm unlikely to have to complete a complete house again. Hopefully.

 

[crank39]

You'll be well away with the paslode, its made for the job. I have the IM65a and the 350 second fixer, both proper mens tools

 

[stevethejoiner]

Why not just use a no-nails gun?

Nails guns may be crap for skirting as they wont fix to masonry, you need to locate studs, and any sole plate may be too low to get a good fix.

Nail guns are OK for tradespeople on piece work, but I can't see any "speed" advantage for a one-off DIY job

Woody, I have to disagree with you. With the correct nails and gun you can nail wood onto masonry. I have an Axminster AWMN Air Masonry Nailer. It wont do engineering bricks, but otherwise it's fantastic.

 

[crank39]

UPDATE:

I've decided that the investment on a compressor and gun is probably too much for 3 bedrooms and a hallway in total. So I've managed to hire a Paslode IM250 for a day rate of £24 and purchased 2000 16g 50mm nails and two gas cans for £20.70 delivered. So £44.70 all in.

I'll be doing two bedrooms next week and will keep the spare nails and cans for the other bedroom and hall at a later date. I reckon the total cost will be under £70 for the whole job. If I knew I'd be undertaking regular nailing work I would have no hesitation in buying the whole shooting match, but I'm unlikely to have to complete a complete house again. Hopefully.

Remember to pre warn anybody in the house when you're about to fire, in an enclosed room they do go off with a good bang , don't want to be giving anybody a heart attack do we

 

[PinkFloyd]

UPDATE:

I've decided that the investment on a compressor and gun is probably too much for 3 bedrooms and a hallway in total. So I've managed to hire a Paslode IM250 for a day rate of £24 and purchased 2000 16g 50mm nails and two gas cans for £20.70 delivered. So £44.70 all in.

I'll be doing two bedrooms next week and will keep the spare nails and cans for the other bedroom and hall at a later date. I reckon the total cost will be under £70 for the whole job. If I knew I'd be undertaking regular nailing work I would have no hesitation in buying the whole shooting match, but I'm unlikely to have to complete a complete house again. Hopefully.

Remember to pre warn anybody in the house when you're about to fire, in an enclosed room they do go off with a good bang , don't want to be giving anybody a heart attack do we

That'll be the cats running scared then

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

Hi stevethejoiner I have a rapesco "T"nailer I think thats the type you are talking about Iv'e never tried it into masonry but it sounds useful ,do you use hardened nails?