Thread: Framing nailgun nail question

My nail gun uses full rounded head, it's a DeWalt Framing Gun, I normally buy my nails from Bowens in Croydon, I know I pay a bit more than the clipped head nails, but a box can last me a fair while, as I am only a home rennovator/handyman.

Thanks leeton, I'll give Bowens a try.

Hmmmm the plot thickens...... apparently Duofast is the only full head nailer in Australia. Also it appears that 83mm length is a strange size.... Also one supplier said that there was a minimum length for nails used in frames but builders tended to use shorter than allowable..... Now I'm really confused???

Originally Posted by sundancewfs

Hmmmm the plot thickens...... apparently Duofast is the only full head nailer in Australia. Also it appears that 83mm length is a strange size.... Also one supplier said that there was a minimum length for nails used in frames but builders tended to use shorter than allowable..... Now I'm really confused???

You can use 75mm as long as the air presure is up and pushes them deep to get extra depth/ penatration.

JAMC

The MAX framer you are thinking of purchasing is not one that is officially imported by ALCAV the official agents for MAX in Australia.I recently spoke to the Victorian MAX rep about this gun and why they don't import it and sell it here as in the States if has won a few awards.The reasons were as follows:The main framing timber used in the States is Spruce which is even softer than Radiata pine.This gun which is manufactured in Thailand not Japan apparently does not have the grunt to drive nails fully into Oz pine.If you do decide to purchase it test it out first and make sure you can get spare parts for it.I'd to curious to know who's selling them and how much they cost.
Cheers
Thomas

Funny you should say that Thomas.... I had a call from Al at ALCAV today. Very nice guy, He pretty much said the same thing. and added that it was a very small, light gun. (one of the things that attracted it to me) Having built things with doug fir (oregon pine to us Aussies) it is very soft. most of the framing lumber used in the states tends to be mixed species, (SPF south) USA spruce pine fir so it could be anyone of those that you get unless you specify. Funnily enough the dressed pine I used to buy over there for cheap projects, was pine imported from New Zealand. I mainly want a framer for dry, recycled, local hardwoods. Any suggestion?

I can definitely recommend MAX.I have there POWERLITE compressor and framer so I've been well and truly spoilt.The framing gun I use is a coil nailer which is great because you don't have to constantly reload and it's very compact.MAX make a very good coil nailer the CN890S,dearer than most nailers but it will outlast them as well.The only drawback is that you won't be able to walk into any hardware shop to buy nails and they might cost marginally more but once you've used a coil nailer you'll never want to use a stick nailer again.
Cheers
Thomas.

Originally Posted by sundancewfs

Any suggestion?

My suggestion, go check out guns locally. Hold them in your hand! A lightweight gun is only good if its well balanced. I've got an air driven Paslode framer, I like it. The Hitachi's are light and well reviewed online but seem pretty plastic. I don't really like the Senco's. just feel too bulky, and i don't like the nose. Keep in mind, paper collated 33deg nails are the most commonly avail.

I've got a Jap made Max coil gun, love it!

just looking for the plastic on my hitachi. It is my personal favourite out of the 4 0r 5 that I have owned

I ended up buying a Max SN890RH SuperFramer It will take the Duofast full roundhead nails. $329.00 Its got some pretty good reviews. Now all I have to do is wait for my friend to bring it back from the USA for me in July some time.

Originally Posted by sundancewfs

I ended up buying a Max SN890RH SuperFramer It will take the Duofast full roundhead nails. $329.00 Its got some pretty good reviews. Now all I have to do is wait for my friend to bring it back from the USA for me in July some time.

No warenty or come back from over there. You should buy local. What would happen if every one bought from over seas there would be no jobs for our kids. Buy local.

JAMC

I am in a unique situation. Having lived in the USA for 4~5 years, I still have money there. with the current exchange rate, if I bring it back here and then buy a tool, I lose. I also has friends travelling to and fro from the USA on a regular basis. Also, postage on a nailgun of this size and weight is around $30~40. So I could have it posted and still save. this also is true for the warranty. If need be I can post it back to the USA (it takes about 8-10 days each way). I was a small retailer for 11 years, in a regional country town in a previous time..... so I know what competion is like. We were eventually pushed out by the pricing practises of a large "Australian" chain. I do find it interesting that, Australian retailers are still selling product as though the Australian dollar was at its lowest point. When I went to the US it was around ~.50c US now its ~.95c US.