Framing nailers make building and remodeling easier and faster.
Framing nailers take the work out of nailing. They literally shoot nails into wood using compressed air or internal combustion. Used safely, they let the carpenter concentrate on building and not on pounding nails with a conventional hammer. Whether framing a house, a backyard shed or building a new garage, using a framing nailer saves considerable time and effort. With proper care and setup, using a framing nailer is safe and easy, and you won't be hitting your thumb with a hammer.
Instructions
Learning to use a framing nailer
1. Read and follow all the safety precautions and usage instructions that came with your framing nailer. Understand that there are two types of trigger mechanisms. One you hold down the trigger and "bump" the nose of the gun to shoot the nail. This is called "bump and go". The second, you press the nose to the work surface and pull the trigger. This "single shot" fires one nail at a time and is considered safer, but slower. Know which type you have by reading your documentation.
2. Load the framing nailer with nails according to the instructions for your model. Make sure they are put in the magazine properly or the nail gun may misfire, or shoot nails out the sides in an erratic fashion.
3. Connect the framing nailer to the air compressor or install the battery and fuel cell cylinder. Put on your safety glasses. If yours is a compressed air model, turn the exhaust port to face the front of the nailer. Lay one 2 x 4 on top of another. This is a practice exercise only.
4. Look at the nose of the nailer and find the marks on the front and sides perpendicular to the nose. These indicate the approximate position the nail will come from. You won't be able to see it, it is too fast.
5. Press the nose of the nailer to the top 2 x 4. Squeeze the trigger. If it did not fire, you have a "bump and run" model. If it did fire, there is now a nail through the two 2 x 4 pieces. Go to step 7.
6. Squeeze and hold the trigger and "bump" the nose against the top of the 2 x 4. The nailer will fire a nail through the lumber.
7. Make a series of X's about an inch apart down the middle of the top 2 x 4. Practice shooting nails into the lumber and hitting the X's dead center.
8. Stand two 2 x 4 pieces on edge and make a "T". Practice shooting two nails through the cross of the "T" into the other piece. This is common framing procedure.
9. Stand two 2 x 4 pieces on edge and make a "T". This time, practice shooting nails on an angle from the leg of the "T" into the crosspiece. This is another common framing procedure. Mastering steps 7-9 is fairly quick and easy. Once you do, you'll be ready to frame your next project.
Tags: framing nailer, shooting nails, bump nose, common framing, common framing procedure, edge make, Framing nailers