|
Tips for using pneumatic nail guns
The main thing to remember about pneumatic nail guns is that third word, “gun”. If you are safety minded and don’t mind operating a device capable of shooting a 3” nail completely through your skull, read on.
SAFETY FIRST
These are wonderful devices, real time savers, and as a professional contractor, I can’t imagine being without them. But I have witnessed more injuries from nail guns than from any construction accident other than falls. The rules for nail gun operation are the same as for firearm safety. Treat every gun as if it is loaded, be aware of where you are pointing it, and realize that a nail, just like a bullet, has no conscience, and will shoot wherever you point it. Always use the correct size and angle nails for your gun, it’s engraved on the rail of every nail gun. Never bypass the safety lockouts on the gun. Unless you are a pro, you have no need to ever “bounce nail”. Don’t try it. Press the actuator located on the business end of the gun firmly into the work before pulling the trigger.
Safety glasses aren’t for nerds either, and unless you have ever had debris blown back into your eyes by 80 psi of air power you really can’t appreciate that feeling. Watch your or your helpers hand placement on or behind the work surfaces, an air driven nail may act differently in two different pieces of lumber of the same size. I can’t tell you how many people have nailed their hand to lumber because of this little misstep. NEVER stand on the other side of a work surface being nailed by an air gun, the nail may penetrate clean through the surface and you will be the only thing stopping it.
FRAMING NAILERS
These are the most powerful of the nail guns, and are the ones responsible for most injuries. That being said, they are the best, and quickest way of building any type of wooden structure. You have the option of using smooth nails for indoor framing, or galvanized or ring shank nails for exterior applications. Use the psi setting on your air compressor to adjust the nail depth setting on your framing nail gun. 80 psi is a good starting place.
TRIM NAILERS
There are a multitude of trim nail guns available, several are as follows along with their uses;
Straight trim gun- Used for interior and exterior wooden trim installation
Angle trim gun- Used for most all wood trim installation due to the ability to fit into more tight spots than a straight trim gun
Brad nailer- Used for smaller projects such as cabinet building or joining wood that will also be glued
Pin nailer- Used for joining cabinetry trim, because of it’s small diameter nail, it usually does not require filling nail holes
SPECIALTY GUNS
Roofing coil nailers, and roofing staplers – Used to attach fiberglass shingles to roof decking
Flooring air nailers, and flooring air assisted hammer nailers and staplers – Used to attach wood flooring to subfloor
Staplers- Used for attaching thin plywood to lumber
Joist hanger guns – Used to attach floor or deck joist hangers to banding and joists
There are many other specialty guns with a wide variety of uses, but use them all safely, a pin nail or a framing nail will both hurt when they shoot through your hand!
|
