Framing nailers are perfect for any kind of heavy-duty woodwork during the construction of homes and offices. Despite their small size and form factor, they are highly powerful and offer the following features that are handy while driving nails into any wooden object:
Nail Size Range: Different applications require different nails that usually have different lengths. As a result, while some framing nailers have a nail size range of 2 inches to 3 ½ inches, others might have 2 ½ inches to 3 ¼ inches.
Power Source: While most nailer models are pneumatic, you can even find battery-powered framing nailers. When compared with each other, the former offers slightly better performance and the latter being portable and more practical for the go usage.
Power Rating: Both the pneumatic as well as battery-powered framing nailers have a power rating. This is given as 70 PSI to 110 PSI for pneumatic ones and 7 volt or 20-volt options when it comes to battery-powered framing nailers.
Since framing nailers are quite powerful, we are here with the best framing nailers’ options. You can even find the major features and options offered by these framing nailers present in this article. And as we have even provided a detailed “Buying guide” in this article, you can buy the perfect framing nailer by going through this article until the end.
Best Framing Nailers in 2021: Reviews
1. NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer
You can find a wide range of power tool options from NuMax that are generally quite affordable and can be used for various kinds of applications. They also make a framing nailer that is a pneumatic one mentioned here.
The NuMax SFR2190 pneumatic framing nailer is present in the 1st position in this article as it is one of the cheapest options present here. As a result, it can be a great pick if you are on a budget and still want a decently powerful framing nailer for construction purposes. As per its name, it is a full round head framing nailer that is quite ergonomic to use.
This is possible due to its padded grip handle that offers grip as well as comfort. Another great thing about this framing nailer is that it is quite sturdy and lightweight at the same time.
Although, since this is a budget option, you only get a 1-year long manufacturer’s warranty with it. This 21-degree framing nailer allows you to use 2 inch to 3 ½ inch long nails that is pretty good for most users out there. You also get pretty decent performance from this pneumatic framing nailer as it operates from 70 PSI to 115 PSI. As for its airflow requirements, you need 2.5 CFM at 90 PSI in your air compressor to use it.
Best Features:
2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
70 PSI to 115 PSI operational air pressure
1-year long warranty
Requires 2.5 CFM at 90 PSI
21-degree framing nailer
Lightweight magnesium body
Comfortable and ergonomic hand grip
Pros:
Affordable option
Lightweight design
Comfortable and ergonomic hand grip
Cons:
Not the most reliable option
Average performance
2. Metabo HPT Framing Nailer
While various power tools brands focus on heavy-duty and industrial equipment, Metabo HPT is one of the biggest names out there. And you can even find various framing nailer models from Metabo Hitachi Power Tools.
Metabo Hitachi Power Tools’ NR90AES1 framing nailer is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is highly powerful and reliable at the same time. This is due to the reason that this pneumatic framing nailer uses a 21-degree magazine. You can fit 2 inches to 3 ½ inch long framing nails with this magazine that are quite long. As a result, this framing nailer is perfect for applications like flooring, framing, window build-up, roof decking, wall sheathing, and various other things included in house construction.
One of the best things about this Metabo framing nailer is that it comes with a 5-year long warranty. You also get a very sturdy build quality that weighs just seven.5 pounds for ease of use. To further make this framing nailer ergonomic, it offers rubber grip on its handle that ensures that it does not slip. Its selective actuation switch can be useful for switching between sequential and contact nailing modes as per the user’s requirement.
You even get a tool-less depth adjustment dial with this framing nailer that is always handy to have for high precision.
Best Features:
2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
80 PSI to 110 PSI operational air pressure
5-year long warranty
Requires 5.seven CFM at 90 PSI
21-degree framing nailer
Weighs seven.5 pounds due to aluminum construction
Rubber grip for extra comfort
Selective actuation switch for mode switching
Tool-less depth adjustment
Pros:
Highly powerful and reliable at the same time
Durable yet lightweight aluminum construction
High grip handle
Cons:
High air flow requirement
Large in size
3. Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer
Freeman is a highly popular brand among power tool users as it offers value for money and highly reliable options out there. This is also true for its framing nailer model mentioned here in this article.
This Freeman PFR2190 pneumatic framing nailer is present in the 3rd position in this article as it is the most reliable option present here. But unlike other similar options in terms of reliability, this one is much more affordable and value for money. You get an excellent build quality with this framing nailer even though it is quite lightweight for ergonomic use.
And the best part about this framing nailer is that it comes with a 7-year long warranty that is much better than most other options out there that offer 1 year or 3-year long warranty to the user.
Just like various other pneumatic framing nailers present in this article, this Freeman PFR2190 framing nailer is a 21-degree nailer. You get the support for 2 inches to 3 ½ inch long nails while using this framing nailer for construction. Since this is a pneumatic framing nailer, it requires an air compressor to work. Your air compressor has to maintain an air pressure of 70 PSI to 115 PSI in order to use this framing nailer at its full power. A unique feature of this framing nailer is that it comes with an interchangeable trigger.
Best Features:
2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
70 PSI to 115 PSI operational air pressure
7-year long warranty
21-degree framing nailer
360-degree exhaust port
Interchangeable trigger
No-mar tip for preventing damage of work surface
Pros:
Great value for money
Long warranty duration
Various useful features
Cons:
Average performance
Build quality could have been better
4. Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer
While it is a bit more premium and expensive, Bostitch can be another great option if you are looking for a framing nailer. Its models are highly reliable and perform really good as well.
The Bostitch F21PL framing nailer is another pneumatic model that can be a great pick if you are looking for a reliable one. Just like the previous Freeman framing nailer, you get a 7-year long warranty with this Bostitch framing nailer. Although its build quality is even better for the extra price that you pay. It uses a magnesium body that results in a very lightweight framing nailer. Despite its lower weight, you get pretty great performance while using the Bostitch framing nailer. This is possible due to the fact that it works from 80 PSI to 120 PSI air pressure.
Due to its high-pressure rating, you can easily drive 1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch nails using this framing nailer. In other words, it offers the largest flexibility in terms of the nails that you can use with it when compared with other options out there. You get a total of 1050 inch-pounds of driving force with this framing nailer that is more than enough even for hard surfaces. It even offers different nose pieces for using this nailer as a framing or a metal connector one. Since it is made out of magnesium, it weighs only 8.1 pounds despite its high performance.
Best Features:
1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
70 PSI to 120 PSI operational air pressure
7-year long warranty
1050 inch-pound of driving force
2 nailers in one
Lightweight magnesium construction
Integrated rubber skid pads
Weighs 8.1 pounds
Pros:
Excellent build quality
Highly reliable
High driving force
Cons:
Slightly expensive
A bit on the heavier side
5. Paslode 905600 XP Framing Nailer
Paslode is a lesser-known brand of power tools when compared with other options in this article. That being said, its framing nailer is one of the only battery-powered options out there.
Paslode’s 905600 framing nailer can be a great pick if you are looking for a portable framing nailer. This is due to the reason that it is a battery-powered one, and you are not tethered by any air hose coming from your air compressor. You can find a 7-volt battery system in this framing nailer that is quite efficient. While it might not be the most powerful option out there, it can drive up to 9000 nails on a full charge. As for the nail support, you can use 2 inch to 3 ¼ inch long nails with this framing nailer.
To further make this framing nailer an excellent option for portable usage, it uses a lightweight material that results in a weight of just seven.2 pounds. Even though this framing nailer is quite small and compact, it offers a pretty sturdy build quality. Its compact design allows you to easily fit it between 16-inch o.c. studs, joists, roof trusses, and various other things during construction applications. Unfortunately, you only get a 1-year warranty from Paslode while buying this framing nailer.
Best Features:
2 inch to 3 ¼ inch nail length support
7-volt lithium-ion battery system
1-year long warranty
Drives up to 9000 nails per charge
Small and compact design
Weighs 7.2 pounds
Works even in temperatures as low as 14-degree Fahrenheit
Pros:
Long battery life
Versatile tool
Small and compact
Cons:
Average performance
Lower nail length support range
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6. Dewalt DCN21PLB Framing Nailer
If you are familiar with power tools and electric ones to be more precise, then you must have heard about framing nailers in the past. While most framing nailers are pneumatic ones, you can find a decent Battery powered framing nailer from Dewalt.
Even though the Dewalt DCN21PLB framing nailer is powered by a battery, it is quite powerful. This is due to the reason that this framing nailer is powered by quite a powerful 20-volt battery system. It uses this battery system to power its dual speed motor for easily driving nails in all kinds of wooden objects and surfaces. Just like the previous Paslode framing nailer, this one offers the support for 2 inch to 3 ¼ inch long framing nails. It uses a 21-degree nail magazine for storing all of the framing nails inside it.
Since Dewalt is such a reputable brand of power tools, you can expect this framing nailer to last for a long time very easily. You get high-quality aluminum construction with this framing nailer that offers a great balance between strength and weight. Another great thing about this framing nailer is that it comes with a 3-year long warranty that is pretty decent. Its stall release lever ensures that you do not face many issues in case of any jams due to broken nails.
Best Features:
2 inch to 3 ¼ inch nail length support
20-volt lithium-ion battery system
3-year long warranty
Dual speed motor with variable speed trigger
Tool-free selector switch for different fire modes
Tool-free depth adjustment for high precision
Stall release lever for preventing jams
Pros:
Dual speed motor
Great performance
Decent battery life
Cons:
A bit expensive
Quite large
7. 3Plus H349OSP Framing Nailer
In comparison to other brands, 3Plus is a much smaller brand. However, it has developed some affordable framing nailers with advanced features. The H349OSP is one such budget-friendly option from the brand that gets the job done.
This 3Plus H349OSP uses an air compressor as its power source. With this equipment, you can easily drive 2 inches to 3 ½ inch nails into any wooden surface. You can store these nails in a 30° to 34° nail magazine. This gives more freedom and movement while handling the nailer. It is compatible with Paslode 30°, Senco 34°, or other similar nail gauges.
The electrical appliance has an offset round head that is clipped at an angle of 30° to 34°. It has a hardened claw tip to hold the nail firmly. This is especially useful when you are toe-nailing the wood. Furthermore, it has a dry-lockout feature. This feature extends motor life and prevents missing nails.
The framing nailer uses a single sequential trigger to drive nails. Once you release the manual trigger, the nailer releases multiple nails in one go. Additionally, it has a tool-less depth adjustment.
It is heavy and bulky which can reduce your mobility and precision. It weighs 10.38 pounds. Furthermore, it has a dimension of 21.1 x 15.seven x 6.2 inches.
Best Features:
2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
Dry-fire lockout
Multi-directional 360-degree exhaust
30-degree framing nailer
Tool-less depth adjustment
Single sequence firing
Hardened claw tip
Pros:
Very affordable
Adjustable exhaust
High angle nail magazine
Cons:
Mediocre performance
Heavy and bulky
Single sequence fire can lead to accidents
Buying Guide for the Best Framing Nailer
Unfortunately, some of you might be still confused while buying a framing nailers. Therefore, we are here with a detailed buying guide with all of the important information regarding framing nailers. You can go through these points one by one and choose the perfect framing nailer for you:
1. Nail Length Range
If you are familiar with framing nailers or the framing process in general, then you must know that you need different kinds of nails for different applications. These nails generally differ from each other in terms of their length. While some nails are 2 inch long, others might 3 inch long. As a result, most framing nailers offer a nail length range like 2 inch to 3 ½ inch.
Some better options even offer a higher range of 1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch. If your framing nailer has a large range, it offers more flexibility to the user in terms of the nails that can be used or not. You can even find automatically adjustable nail magazines in a few models out there that automatically adjust to the size of the nails that you are using.
2. Power Source
Just like various other power tools out there, there are various kinds of framing nailers out there that differ from each other in terms of their power type. This is due to the reason that while some models are pneumatic ones and powered by air, others might be electric and powered by a battery. Both of these models have their own pros and cons for different cases.
Usually, pneumatic framing nailers are more powerful ones due to the higher air pressure. On the other hand, battery-powered framing nailers are quite portable and practical for on the go usage.
3. Power Rating
Whether you are buying a battery-powered or a pneumatic-powered framing nailer, its power rating is quite essential to check. It ensures that you do not run into any power issues while driving nails into hardwood objects and surfaces.
For pneumatic framing nailer, it is given in PSI as 70 PSI to 100 PSI or 80 PSI to 120 PSI, where a higher PSI rating results in a higher power rating. Similarly, battery-powered ones have their power rating mentioned as seven volts or 20 volts where a higher rating results in more power for easily driving nails.
4. Framing Nailer Angle
You can find an angle rating mentioned on most framing nailer out there. It simply tells you about the angle of the nail magazine. While some nail magazines are angled at 15 degrees or 20 degrees, some might even have an angle of 30 degrees. This angle allows you to have more freedom while working in small corners and spaces.
A higher angle of 30 degree offers more space than a 15 degree one. Although you also have to buy supported nails while using these angled nail magazines.
5. Size and Weight
The size and weight of your framing nailer are also quite important to check while buying one. This is due to the reason that these framing nailers are essentially handheld tools. Due to this, small and compact framing nailer can easily fit in small corners and spaces.
Such framing nailers also take less space while being stored in a tool kit or in your garage. Just like the size, a lightweight framing nailer is more practical. You can use such lightweight framing nailers for a long time without facing any arm strain issues.
6. Types of Framing Nailers
There are three types of framing nailers based on how they fire nails into wood. They are,
Pneumatic Framing Nailer
The pneumatic framing nailers use an air compressor as their source. The compressed from the compressor creates the force to fire the nail. They provide a steady source of power. The force is also higher than in other framing nailers.
Furthermore, they are very lightweight. This is because they do need a battery to operate. Additionally, they have a single sequence firing feature. With this feature, you can fire multiple nails rapidly on a single go.
The main drawback of the pneumatic framing nailer is that they are not very convenient. You will have to carry an air compressor along with it.
Fuel Framing Nailer
These are becoming less popular since the introduction of cordless framing nailers. They draw their power from a fuel cell and rechargeable battery. In this, both the battery and fuel cell are very efficient. They last longer. They are also lighter than the cordless models.
Coming to the drawbacks, these nailers need new fuel cells once the old ones are depleted. It can lead to a significant expense. Additionally, the combustion of fuel cells emits a bad odor.
Cordless Framing Nailer
The cordless framing nailers draw their power from a battery source. They are very portable. They offer you a lot of freedom as they don’t need an electrical outlet or air compressor.
Their major limitation is their heavyweight. Since they use a battery, it adds to the weight of the framing nailer.
7. Nail Type
Framing nailers use two types of nails. They are roundhead and clipped. As the name has it, roundhead nails have round heads. The clipped nails appear as if a portion of their head has been carved out of it. The carved portion allows these nails to be stored compactly in a nail magazine.
The round-headed nails have better holding power. Hence, many carpenters prefer them. Besides, certain building codes only permit the use of roundhead nails. But when you choose these nails, your nail magazine can hold only fewer roundheads.
8. Types of Nail Gun Trigger
There are two types of triggers in framing nailers. They are contact firing and sequential trigger.
The contact firing trigger is more efficient and easier to fire multiple nails. In this, you will have to press the safety tip against the work surface and pull the trigger at the same time. It will fire multiple nails in a single go. However, you need proficiency in using this one.
If you do not move the framing nailer fast, it will double fire. It means the gun will fire a second nail on top of the first. The second nail will bounce off and may hit you or someone else.
In the sequential trigger, first, you have to press the safety tip against the work surface. Then, you will have to pull the trigger to fire the nail. To fire a second nail, again you will have to press the safety tip against the wall and then pull the trigger.
Even though this is slower, it is very safe to use the sequential trigger.
9. Warranty
You can find a manufacturer’s warranty included with most of the framing nailer options out there. Due to this, while some options come with a 1-year long warranty, others might even offer a 7-year long warranty. As you would expect, such options are usually highly reliable and durable in comparison to other options out there. You can also check the build quality of these framing nailers to ensure that you can rely on them for a long time without facing any wear and tear issues.
10. Additional Features
Coil vs Stick Magazine
The coil magazines are the most popular choice to store nails. The most commonly store nails that are strung in a line using strings. They are smaller in size but can hold more nails than other magazines.
The stick magazines are used to store nails that come in the form of strips. They are heavier than other magazines and their capacity is also low. However, the heavyweight gives you extra force to drive the nail into the surface.
Actuation Mode
The actuation mode allows you to transfer the trigger from one mode to another. If you are a beginner, you can stick with the sequential trigger mode. Remember, this mode is slower but safer. Once you have become proficient in using the nailer, you can transfer it to the contact firing mode.
Depth Adjustment
You have to adjust the nailers depending on the nail length to drive them into the surface. There are different tools to adjust the depth of the nailers. You can opt for a tool-less depth adjustment for your convenience.
Clear Jamming
Jamming of nails is a common issue in nailers. Especially, when you are using the contact fire mode, it can occur very frequently. Some models come with advanced anti-jamming settings to prevent this. If you use contact fire mode, this is a must-have feature.
Protective Guards
When operating a framing nailer, you should always wear protective gear and goggles. You can never be too careful. Some models come with built-in protective gear. This will reduce the amount of debris that you come in contact with. This feature is very important when you use the nailer in a hazardous environment.
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Conclusion
A framing nailer can be quite useful for various kinds of applications out there that are related to wood objects and wood construction. These can be either pneumatic powered or battery-powered, as seen with the best framing nailers mentioned in this article. You can learn more about their features in this article, along with a detailed buying guide. It has all of the essential factors that one should consider while buying a framing nailer. Nonetheless, some of you might be confused and might not be able to choose a framing nailer. In such a case, you can choose one of the following recommendations:
. If you want a framing nailer for personal use, you can consider the Numax SRF2190 Framing Nailer. It is affordable and can get you the job done. The Nailer has a 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail support. It is lightweight and has a comfortable grip. Additionally, it is covered under warranty for 1 year.
. If you want a framing nailer for professional use, you might want to look at the Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer. It supports a wide nail length of 1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch. It is lightweight and has a high driving force. The nailer comes with a warranty for seven years.
. If you want a highly reliable and durable option, then you can go with the Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer. You get a 7-year long warranty with it along with the support for 2 inches to 3 ½ inch nails for its given justified price tag.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!
