While at the STAFDA (Specialty Tool & Fastener) show in balmy Phoenix last week, we got a sneak peek at these sweet new cordless and pneumatic nailers. Check out Nail Gun Depot’s YouTube channel for quick-videos from the show, or read below to see the innovative new products coming from Metabo HPT, Grex, Cadex, Fasco, and other top brands in fastening.

Fasco’s Faster Joist Hanger Nailer

Fasten metal plates without being “tied down” by air compressor hoses. Fasco’s F70G Cordless Hanger Nailer is fast and powerful, driving two to three nails per second, from 1-1/2” to 2-1/2” in length. Already available at Nail Gun Depot, the joist nailer has a positive placement nose, non-slip grip, and single-shot actuation. Use it for fastening joist hangers, stud plate ties and post bases.

Fasco F70G Joist Nailer Video

Grex's Cordless Micro-Pinner

Certain to stir up interest, the new Grex GCP650 23-gauge cordless pin nailer conveniently runs on a propane cylinder and two AAA batteries. Based on the popularity of its 18 gauge sibling, the GC1850, this Grex 23 gauge cordless should be a hit when it arrives in December. Already trusted for the performance of their corded 23-gauge tools, the cordless micro pinner features durable components, all-metal construction (minus the outside housing) and shoots 2” pin nails.

Grex 23-Gauge Cordless Pinner Video

Metabo HPT’s Slick A5 PRO Nailers

Continuously innovating, the brand formerly known as Hitachi Power Tools adds sleek framing and finish nailers to their A5 PRO lineup. Check out the NP50A 23-Gauge Pin Nailer, the NT50A5 2” Brad Nailer, and the NR90AC5 3” Framing Nailer.

Each nail gun features dry-fire lockout and depth adjust. The 2” brad nailer has an integrated air blower and a “true” dry-fire lockout that lets you use the last nail in the magazine before shutting off, unlike other nailers which cut out with a handful of nails left.

Metabo HPT A5 PRO Nailers Video

Cadex’s 7 For 2019

Cadex has big plans for 2019. Taking the sturdy V3 tool as a foundation, the company, known for precision trim tools, has spawned five different models: two L-series cleat nailers (one with a rolling base), a 20-gauge cleat nailer for thin floorboards (such as bamboo), an 18-gauge cleat nailer, and a 16-gauge brad nailer.

But wait, there's more! Cadex will also release two cordless nailers, a 16-gauge finish and 18-gauge brad nailer with built-in light, 4 amp battery and no-mar tip. Cadex plans to drop all of the new nailers in early 2019, so stay tuned.

Cadex Nailer Video

So, which of these new tool(s) are you most interested in? Let us know in the comments!

~ The Nail Gun Depot Team

Almost everyone who works in construction has a horror story that involves a power tool. You may have read our January 2014 blog post about a carpenter who accidentally fired a framing nail into his heart. Luckily, he survived the incident, but not without becoming a cautionary tale in Vice magazine.

According to OSHA, nail gun accidents alone account for tens of thousands of serious injuries each year, and they account for more construction-related injuries than any other power tool. And those are only the reported ones.

Just because you’re working on a weekend project, or using a lightweight power tool, doesn’t reduce the risk for injury.

Before You Pull the Trigger

What are the best ways to prevent air tool accidents? Job one is to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. In fact, you should do so before even firing the tool, which we admit is hard to do when a brand new air gun is burning a hole in your tool bag.

You’ll notice the larger part of a tool’s manual is comprised of warnings; exclamation points in rounded triangles, circles with diagonal slashes through them and occasionally curious illustrations. You’ll see “no horseplay” a lot in user manuals. The warnings are easy to gloss over, but heed them. A power tool mishap can simply ruin your day, or it can shorten your career. Before becoming a statistic, familiarize yourself with the following safety tips.

10 safety tips to follow when using an air tool:

1. Read the manual.
2. Wear protective gear, including safety glasses, shoes, gloves, hard hat, face shield, ear plugs, and whatever else the task requires.
3. Use the right fasteners for the tool. This can prevent damage to the tool as well as accidents down the line.
4. Maintain your tool, hoses, and compressor. Occasionally inspect tools for damage, replace worn parts and use air tool oil, if need be. RolAir has some great tips for maintaining an air compressor.
5. Store tools in a dry place and clear off any debris after using. Moisture, dust and fumes can damage tools. Read our blog on How To Avoid Destroying Your Pneumatic Nailer for more information.
6. Keep a clean work area to avoid tripping and combustion. NEVER blast away debris from a workspace or from skin using a compressor. It can propel metal particles, fragments or chips. Air driven under the skin can cause an embolism. If you clean an object with a compressor, OSHA has specific regulations for protective gear, chip guarding and air pressure (below 30 PSI).
7. Always use the correct air pressure required for the tool. Check the user manual for guidelines, or learn more about PSI here.
8. Opt for Sequential over Contact fire. Reserve rapid bump firing for high-volume, high-speed applications. See our video on safe trigger use. Also, respect the rebound. After driving a fastener, allow the tool to recover before for making contact with the surface again.
9. Keep your finger OFF the trigger until you’re ready to drive a fastener. Always refrain from pointing a tool at anyone.
10. Turn your tools off when not in use. That includes air nailers, staple guns, air compressors, etc.

Besides ensuring your tool is in working condition, make sure you are, too. Don’t overreach, and avoid alcohol or other substances that can cloud judgment or impair movement. Want to see more? Our friends at Senco have even more great safety tips for using power tools.

~ The Nail Gun Depot Team

Can’t decide whether to use nails or screws to install subflooring? Choosing the right fastener can make all the difference in the quality and value of your installation. Before making a decision, consider the following key points:

Which is faster?

When time is of the essence, nailing is the quickest fastening option when installing subfloor. Regardless of firing mode, an air nailer lets you drive nails within seconds of each other, which saves time compared to using a screw gun. Screws need to be twisted into the subfloor, which takes more time than simply shooting a nail into subfloor material.

However, some screw guns, like the Senco DuraSpin DS440-AC, are auto-fed. A collated strip of screws in this case makes screwing subfloors a little faster, although it’s not as swift as nailing.

Which is more economical?

If you’re on a tight budget, nails are the more economical solution. But, not all nails are created equal. Stainless steel nails, for instance, offer a higher quality, but are pricier. Overall, screws tend to be somewhat more expensive, but like nails, some offer better quality for a higher price.

With that said, it’s imperative you choose a fastener compatible with your subfloor thickness and material. The quality and correct type of fastener can literally make or break your floor. The better the quality now, the longer your floor will last later – not to mention the sturdier it will be.

Which has better holding power?

As far as nails go, ring shank nails are a popular choice for subflooring. A ring shank has extra grip and holding power, compared to other shank types, and creates a tighter subfloor. Although ring shank nails have a good hold, screws have more overall holding power by comparison. With a larger thread gripping a bigger surface area around them, screws hold your subfloor very tightly – allowing no wiggle room for shifting or loosening.

Several nail manufacturers, such as Senco and Paslode, have released their own proprietary solutions to improve the holding strength of a subfloor nail. Senco's Whisper Grip nail features lower rings designed to fully engage and grip the joist or studs, while upper rings ensure the nail remains countersunk - even if the joist or studs are missed. Paslode's TetraGRIP System takes it a step further, with a barbed thread design that when driven into wood, bonds with the fibers without destroying the wood. Paslode describes it as “rotation without destruction.”

Which is more durable?

Consider the heating and cooling of floors during the summer and winter months. Subfloors and fasteners, like any other material, will expand and contract with temperature. This means that movement, even at a micro level, will occur. The smaller thread on a ring shank, compared to the larger screw thread, doesn’t provide as much grip as the larger one does. This means that the ring shank nail acquires less stress, but can essentially “move with the floor” more so than a screw can.

By comparison, the screw has much better holding power, and can therefore contribute to an overall tighter subfloor. However, when the subfloor expands and contracts with temperature, or even house movements, the screw can’t move with the shift. This builds stress in the screw, which can cause the screw head to shear off in extreme circumstances. Likewise, if a screw is not driven flush, is over driven, or the wrong size screw is used, the screw head as an increased chance of breaking.

Which fastener prevents floor squeaks?

The fastener you choose will certainly play a part in whether your floor squeaks or not. Nails have greater potential for causing squeaking floors, due to their temperature flexibility. Movement between the subfloor and nail (even a ring shank) inevitably causes the two to become loosened over time, which creates floor squeaking – particularly in high-traffic areas.

Screws, if driven properly, prevent creaking floors. A screw firmly holds the subfloor in place, which ensures a squeak-less floor for years to come.

Are there any alternative options?

Perhaps a happy medium in the subfloor nail versus screw debate, SubLoc Pro Scrail Fasteners offer a hybrid between the traditional nail and screw. Combining the versatility of a nail with the hold strength of a screw, they can be used with most framing nailers – meaning Scrails can be driven much faster than screws. Like a screw though, Scrail Fasteners can be adjusted and removed after placement.

With aggressive threading along the whole shank, Scrails have exceptional holding power, ensuring the subflooring remains tight. Scrails also have a diamond coating, which provides extra grip once installed into the subfloor material. This improved holding strength means floor squeaks are virtually non-existent.

For any subflooring project, always consult your local fastening schedule, and find out what fastener length is appropriate for your subfloor. Nail Gun Depot offers nails, screws and Scrails, as well as specifications for all of our subfloor fasteners.

~ The Nail Gun Depot Team

One of the most time consuming, irritating, and costly fixes for home construction contractors, squeaky subfloors. The warranty calls are inevitable. By the time you make necessary repairs, costs can run thousands of dollars.

Introducing a Solution

Paslode tackles the problem of nail-related squeaks with the TetraGRIP Subfloor Fastening System, which claims to eliminate the need for adhesive (and other fasteners) altogether. The system features the Paslode PF237C Subfloor Fastening Nailer, which holds 120 specially designed plastic sheet coil nails. The 8-1/4 lb. nail gun operates on 100 to 120 PSI and has a dual-mode trigger, so you can choose between bump and sequential firing.

The TetraGRIP system is not a new concept, but rather perfects what many others have attempted to do.

One Dynamic Nail

At this point, you may wonder what makes the system any different from using a regular screw or nail/screw hybrid?

The key is its unique nail shank with an integrated barbed-thread design. Paslode calls this their patented helix-shaped design (called a “barbed tetra-helical shank”), which is where the name of the product originates. The thread on TetraGRIP nails runs almost the entire length of the fastener, up to the nail head. It creates a kind of “locking” function as with a screw.

When driven into wood, the nail creates a bond with the wood fibers, yet without destroying the wood. Paslode describes it as “rotation without destruction.” Ring shank nails may crush the wood fiber when driven; not so with this nail. The TetraGRIP fasteners feature a “TG” insignia, making them easily recognizable.

Learn more about these unique nails in this video.

Save Nails, Time & Money

Performing like a framing nailer, the PF237C drives fasteners up to 3X faster than using screws.  With its impressive holding power, it also eliminates the time needed to apply adhesive -- plus the time and frustration involved when going back to fix squeaks. Eliminate all that and you’ve really made subfloor installation more of a one-step than a three-step process, saving money, time and manpower.

And as for those squeaks? The system is ICC-ES (International Code Council Evaluation Service) recognized. It was tested by the National Association of Home Builders, where it received the very first “No Nail Squeak Certification.” So whether you live in a brand-new home or an old one, nail-related floor squeaks may truly become history.

The Paslode PF237C Subfloor Fastening Nailer only works with the TetraGRIP Subfloor Fasteners. The nailer uses a 3/8” air hose, with a 1/4” plug end for air compressor attachment.

How do you order TetraGRIP? TetraGRIP is not available for sale online or in most stores, due to its highly proprietary design. For more information on how to become a TetraGRIP customer, contact Nail Gun Depot.

~ The Nail Gun Depot Team

For woodworkers and construction contractors, a spirit level is a constant companion on the job. The integrity of a project hinges on the correctness of the level, but they must be properly cared for to maintain accuracy. To avoid warranty breaches (and the early demise of your measuring tool), test yourself with these tips for spirit level care:

How do I test the accuracy of my level?

The level-making experts at Stabila have your answer. While it’s common practice to test a level’s accuracy by stacking one on top of another, they don't recommend it. To properly test the accuracy on any spirit level, they advise the following steps:

Check horizontal accuracy:

1. Place the level on a horizontal surface; make a mark on the surface at one end of the level.
2. Take a bubble reading and remember where it is.
3. Turn the level 180 degrees and place the other end of level at the mark you made earlier.
4. Read the level.
5. If the bubble returns to the same place, the level is accurate; if not, it is not accurate.
6. Repeat again to validate.

Check vertical (or plumb) accuracy:

1. Place the level vertically against a wall; make a mark at one end of the level on the wall.
2. Repeat steps 2 – 6 above, but keep the level vertical instead of horizontal.

What would cause my level to fall out of warranty?

Stabila explains that damage caused by the user is typically not covered under manufacturer warranty. If the vials are melted due to excessive heat (when used near welding sites), for example, or if the frame is damaged through use, you'll most likely void the warranty.

It’s also important to note that when a level’s frame becomes bent, or is no longer perfectly straight, accuracy will be skewed—even if the damage is minimal.

How do I care for my level?

Stabila’s spirit levels are coated with an electrostatic enamel finish, so water and a brush are all that’s needed for cleaning. A reinforced aluminum body, as with the Stabila 38648 Type 96M 48" Magnetic Level, is resistant to rust. But it's always good practice to store spirit levels in a secure location away from the elements.

Wood spirit levels need a little extra protection from the elements. If a wood level gets wet, let it completely dry out to help prevent warping, swelling and separation—all leading causes of measuring inaccuracy. It’s also important to note that certain chemicals can eat away at wood levels. So, if you plan to work with cement, for instance, consider upgrading to a mason level, designed specifically for setting brick, block or stone.

~ The Nail Gun Depot Team