How to Use A Framing Nailer Safely and Effectively?
A framing nailer is used to for woodworks. It does the job of the hammer but with less effort and at high power. The framing nailer is a type of gun (air gun) designed to hammer down the nails into the wood.
Framing nailers are widely used in construction sites where large pieces of wood are joined together for decks or constructing rooms. It should be used with extreme caution as it can cause severe injuries.
In this article, we will learn how to use a framing nailer safely and effectively.
Types of Framing Nailers
Understanding the mechanism of action, nailer angle, and the kinds of framing nailers are essential to use it safely and effectively.
The mode of operation of a framing nailer depends on the build type and the power source that drives the piston.
1. Pneumatic Framing Nailer
The pneumatic framing nailer is a heavy duty, powerful nailer. It derives its power from an external air compressing source. It is very efficient and fast alas, it takes more loading or prep time.
It occupies more space when compared to the cordless nailers.
2. Cordless Nailer
The cordless nailer is similar to the pneumatic nailer, but the power comes from an inbuilt air canister. The air canister consists of compressed air and is installed within the nailer.
Once plugged into the power source, the charge powers the cannister to drive the piston. You have to reinstall the canister once the air inside is exhausted.
Framing Nailer Angle
Framing nailer angle is defined as the angle at which the nailer fires the nails into the work area. Depending upon the nailer angle, the nail magazine size and feasibility is determined. There are three types of framing nailer angles:
21 Degree Framing Nailer
The 21-degree framing nailer has the nailer magazine inclined at an angle to match nailer clip. It uses full head nails which are placed together using plastic strips. These type of nailers are useful in construction sites or house remodeling purposes.
30 to 34 Degree Framing Nailer
The 30 to 34-degree framing nailers are superior to 21-degree nailers regarding handling and feasibility. They can reach tight corners owing to the nailer angle. The nails used are similar to 21-degree nailers, i.e., full head nails.
They are light in weight as the nails are held together with paper instead of plastic. This will result in more extended magazines holding more nails than the 21-degree framing nailer.
28 Degree Framing Nailer
The 28-degree framing nailer is similar to 30 to 34-degree framing nailer, but the nail clips are held together using wires. This will take up more space for the nails resulting in longer nail magazines with a lesser number of nails.
The framing nailer angle determines the area to which it is suitable for operation. For tight corners or spaces, a 30-degree framing nailer is suitable.
Although the choice of the gun depends on the user experience, it is essential to understand how the framing angle determines the functionality.
How to Use Framing Nailer Safely and Effectively
A framing nailer is estimated to cause 67% of injuries of all construction-related injuries. The statistics indicate how dangerous it is if mishandled. Safe usage is the priority than perfection with a framing nailer.
Safety Tips
A framing nailer uses compressed air to fire the nails into the piece of wood. No wonder it is as dangerous as using a gun. Make sure that you press the safety tip of the gun against the wood or any sheet before triggering it.
Wear protective covering for eyes, ears, and, hard hats. Never remove the nailer tip to increase the speed of work. If you feel that the nails are jammed, remove the nailer head properly and check for jammed nails.
Do not attempt to work with a framing nailer if you feel the nails are jammed as it may misfire and can cause severe injuries. Make sure you select appropriate firing angle before pulling the trigger.
While the nailer fires the nails into the wood, there is a possibility of wood tearing into sharp bits. These sharp bits may fly at high speeds in unexpected directions.
The shards of wood can also be potentially dangerous. Make sure you have your personal protective equipment (PPE).
If you are inexperienced, avoid using the framing nailer at all costs. Get appropriate training or seek professional help before using the framing nailer.
Apart from these safety tips, get a thorough knowledge about:
Other safety tips include:
Effective Ways of Using Framing Nailer
Once rightly understood, using a framing nailer is easy. Knowledge about air compressor, nailer angle, and other safety tips will ensure effective usage of the framing nailer.
Firing Selection
There are two types of firing mechanisms:
- Single fire trigger
- Bump trigger (contact safety tip method)
Single fire trigger is the standard triggering method in which the user will place the nailer at the required angle and pull the trigger. This method will enable more precision and control while using the framing nailer.
In the bump firing method, the nozzle of the gun is compressed against the wooden surface, and the nailer is fired. This is a less accurate nailing method but is faster than standard single fire trigger method.
With the combination of both triggering methods, there are four sub-classes of triggers:
- 1Full Sequential Trigger – Fires only when the controls are activated in a predetermined order.
- 2Contact Trigger – Fires when the trigger and safety contact is activated in any order.
- 3Single Sequential Trigger – Similar to full sequential trigger but the safety contact needs to be released and squeezed to fire another nail.
- 4Single-Actuation Trigger – Similar to contact trigger but the trigger must be released, and the safety contact must be compressed again to shoot another nail.
Nailing Methods
Driving the nails through the piece (or pieces) of wood is done in two methods:
- Through Nailing
- Toe-nailing
Through nailing is a simple and conventional method of using the nailer. The framing nailer is placed perpendicular to the surface of the wood and fired to insert the nails.
Toe-nailing is similar to through nailing, but the firing is done at an angle or inclination. Usually, it is done at an angle of 45 degrees. This method is useful if you want to use the nailer in between to pieces of wood.
On the layout marks, place your studs and position the teeth of the nozzle into the studs at an angle of 45 degrees and pull the trigger. This will ensure that the nail tip does not come out through the pieces of the wood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are framing nailer and finish nailer the same?
They are more or less the same, but the finish nailer is a smaller tool and used for indoor works or smaller projects.
What is PPE?
PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment which is used to protect your body from possible injuries while using the framing nailer. They include hard hats, impact eye protection, and ear plugs.
How much air pressure is required for the air compressor in a framing nailer?
It depends on the manufacturer and the type of triggering method it uses. Usually, it varies between 90 – 120 PSI.
How to fix a jammed nail?
Disconnect the air compressor first. Then unscrew the magazine mounting screws and open the magazine. Check for the jammed nail and reinstall the magazine. This is a general instruction, and it varies depending on the manufacturer. Read the instruction manual before doing any repairs.
What are the maintenance tips for the air compressor of framing nailer?
Always make sure that there are no jammed nails. After using the nailer, release the air from the compressor and let it rest overnight.
This will remove moisture from the compressor tank. You can install an in-line air filter to the compressor to keep away the air dust or debris reaching inside.
Conclusion
A framing nailer is not an easy tool. Proper care and safety measurements must be taken before using it. Understand how the framing nailer operates and how to use it safely and effectively.
Make sure the maintenance tools and instructions manual are always available. Avoid usage of broken or malfunctioning nailers at any cost. Never remove safety tools of the nailer to speed up your work.
Use appropriate PPE while using the framing nailer and seek medical assistance immediately if there are any injuries.
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