Nail gun recommendations

[Yorkbees84]

Hi All,

Does anyone have recommendations for affordable nail guns to assist with frame building? I know there are previous posts on this topic from years back but wanted a more up-to-date response, if possible.

Many thanks

[Ian]

Unfortunately you get what you pay for and much depends on how much use it will get….At the cheaper end but something that may actually last a few hive keeper I’d look at tacwise around the hundred £ mark. They do a stapler/nail gun and also just a nailer. At the top end you have
https://www.ukplanettools.co.uk/makita-dfn350zj-18v-18v-brad-nailer-with-type-2-case-dfn350zj.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhvOIhcia_QIV0t_tCh3mHAxBEAQYAiABEgJGJvD_BwE
All I would say is keep your receipt and buy from a reputable local supplier, I’ve literally had dozens of cheaper guns and whilst identical models last varying times they just can’t cope with prolonged use or volume. Screwfix do a very cheap titan but the head is so large it obscures the target, the tacwise is good at least for that.
The Makita is fantastic but clearly much more expensive and not including decent batteries at £100 a pop. But as far as I’m concerned worth every penny.

[Yorkbees84]

Hi Ian,
This is extremely helpful, thankyou!

[Alfred]

I was tempted by the Parkside ones in lidl.
Big mistake
I could spit the ammo in harder.
I've gone back to gimp pins and toffee hammer.....

[Steve 1972]

I bought one of these from screwfix to fit a staircarpet and it fired the staples in easily so I am sure the nail will go in even better...my only gripe with it was it jammed a few times but on a good note it's easily unblocked .

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb517stp-32mm-second-fix-electric-nail-gun-stapler-240v/71120?kpid=71120&ds_kid=92700048793290430&&&&&ds_rl=1244066&gclid=Cj0KCQiArsefBhCbARIsAP98hXTpkPkLfyFH-UZnQJcSKejGVC8sNxRcixX5QhAO2gXooPtWJX92QiYaAtt2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Ian]

With specific reference to the titan I’ve had a couple, as mentioned they can lack some power! However with frames the biggest issue is the large head that obscures the point at which the nail is intended. With some use you can make a good guess but you’ll often clip the edge of the wood.

[Steve 1972]

The model I have Ian is fairly accurate in my hand.. ..

[AdamD]

I am still using nails - 1.4 mm diameter sheradized nails for the most part as they were available from a local hardware store, however for hoffman frames I use 1.6 mm x 30mm long sheradized nails which are long enough that the nail goes through the side bar and the top bar and partially through the other side of the side bar, so it's one nail for each side. It's usually tap tap tap bang and the nail is in, which doesn't take too long. (Claw hammer, not toffee ! ).
I may be a clumsy oaf - but find that gimp pins snap if hit them wrong. The sheradized ones bend.

[Alfred]

Ive tried a few types but maisemore sells Challenge branded ones that are pretty reliable.
I'm the most cackhanded chimp in the universe but I only bend one now and again
I find them useful for other stuff too so I end up buying more and more.
The latest use was tacking the leather back on the smoker bellows.
It's a 4oz cross pein pin hammer btw -but compared to my 5kg sledge it just looks like a toffee hammer