Before Buying A Siding Nailer 

There’s a multitude of nailers (or nail guns) offered to deal with various activities. They vary from compact brad nailers for a comprehensive job to heavy-duty framing nailers, several of which can get nails more than six inches in length.

A siding nailer is an extremely function-specific tool. The most effective siding nailer will help you finish the process quickly, but first, consider the task you’re making use of it for. In case you’ve got plenty of siding to install, a siding nailer is what you need to have. However, if you have moderate repair work to do—and you are torn in between a siding nailer and a framing nailer—then a midsize model of the latter must perform the task.

What To Consider When Selecting The Best Siding Nailer

You will find a lot of distinct siding nailers to select from. A few tend to be more suitable for low-volume DIY use, while others are heavy-duty professional versions. When determining which will be the best siding nailer for all the tasks you have to undertake, search for one that’s high quality and provides the right mixture of characteristics.

Size & Weight 

Balance and weight are essential characteristics of siding nailers. If something is top-heavy, it will stress your wrist, which will rapidly be uncomfortable. A lot of the time, fitting siding necessitates being up a ladder in which a bulky device might be hard to control. Siding nailers are not especially weighty—4½ to 6½ lbs (framing nailers can be two times that)—though just one pound could make a huge difference when you are making use of the instrument for extended periods.

Nail Length And Type 

The frame of the siding and the house typically move slightly as seasons change. Therefore, siding nails have a round head to stop the siding from pulling free. The shank of the nail is generally textured, both with rings or a spiral, to enhance the grip of the wood.

The most popular material is galvanized metal. Electro-plated would be the cheaper style, although hot-dipped galvanizing offers a fuller, longer-lasting coating. Wood that has all-natural tannins will attack the steel. Therefore, aluminum nails might be used alternatively. Stainless steel is yet another choice—especially in coastal areas—since it is more resistant to salt in the air. 

Length differs from 1½ to 2½ inches, with longer nails primarily being used when a liner, backing board, or battens are placed between siding and frame.

Magazine Capacity

Siding nails are supplied in long coils, usually set for a 15-degree feed angle and then collated (held together) by welded wire or plastic ribbon. The former is affordable, while the latter offers a neater finish. This particular coil fits into the magazine on the nailer and feeds instantly. Several siding nailers can utilize either collation type, though it is not necessarily the case.

Operating Pressure

Several kinds of nailers provide an option for the power source. They could be corded, battery or pneumatic powered. That isn’t true of siding nailers, which currently tend to be pneumatic. This implies you want an air compressor to run them. You’ll find various versions offered, and lightweight transportable compressors have their benefits, but it is crucial the one you select could provide sufficient operating pressure. Typically speaking, which will be somewhere between 70 psi (pounds per square inch) and 120 psi.

Firing Mode

A siding nailer could fire the nail in one of two methods: sequential or contact (also called “bump”). Anyone who has utilized a nail gun of any type has run into sequential firing, which means the nail is fired once the trigger is pressed.

Depth Adjustment

To have a depth adjustment feature is vital for two reasons. For starters, it compensates for employing nails of various lengths. Next, it can modify the firing pressure to fit the wide selection of siding materials out there.

Usually, if you place a nail, even with a hammer or a coil nail gun, you prefer that nail head being driven flush with the surface, and somewhat under. When installing siding, you have to keep a small gap to permit the natural movement we pointed out earlier. Wood, concrete, vinyl, etc., have various quantities of resistance as the nail passes through. When the depth has been fixed, it will not be possible to utilize the same gun for multiple materials. The most effective siding gun could be adjusted to compensate.

Jam Removal

Most nailers jam occasionally. With budget versions, the mechanism is not well-produced as it may be, though faults in the nail coil or tiny pieces of debris getting caught within the nailer could also create problems.

Regardless of the reason, a jammed nail is irritating at best. Having the ability to remove it rapidly is an invaluable feature. As most jams happen in or close to the nailer’s nose, easy access to this particular part needs to be provided. Having the ability to clean a jam without wanting your tool kit is a certain advantage, and fresh siding nailers help make it possible.

Extra Features

Even though the sections above cover the primary key components when selecting the ideal vinyl siding nailer, many additional functions include convenience.

To be able to expel air following each strike, siding nailers come with an exhaust. When it is inadequately directed, it puffs air directly in your face. It is not deadly, but it is good in case it could be directed anywhere else.

A no-mar rubber nose (which oddly is known as a “foot” on specific models) can help prevent the nailer from marking the surface of the siding. When you are utilizing wire collated nails for siding, the gun is going to eject little bits of wire debris as you do your project, so the facility to capture and direct these is additionally helpful. A lock setting that stops accidental firing is an additional benefit, improving security. Many models, in addition, add a helpful belt hook.