Can I use my nailgun for joist hangers

MIKEGOUGH1

Can I use my Hitachi framing nailer for installing joist hangers, stud brackets and hurricane straps? They have holes in them, but I doubt I would hit the holes every time, will the gun shoot thru the galvanized metal? Will it damage or jam my nailer if I miss the hole?

AtlanticWBConst.

NO,

Framing nails are not strong enough (Width in diameter) to be used for installing joist hangers. You need to use approved joist hanger nails.

If you are 'dead-set' on using a pneumatic gun, there are two choices:

1.) Metal fastener gun: Several maufacturers make guns just for joist hangers and brackets. They have a guide point tip to align the gun with the hole and then you can shoot the joist hanger nail into it.

2.) Palm nailer: inexpensive choice.

Tho, if you are good at swinging a hammer, it can be done very quickly 'by hand'....the old fashioned way....

__________________
- Build Well -

jbob

Having worked on the gulf coast where the uplift codes are so
stringent, I have to recommend a Positive Placement nailer.
I have used PASLODE 5250 65 PP nailers for years and have
found them to be very reliable guns.

With just a little practice, you can shoot 2 or 3 nails per second.

With the joist hangers, lvl hangers, stud clips, truss strapping,
and wall strapping on the last house I framed I went through
over 3 boxes of PP nails. The guns are a super time saver.

Palm nailers are convenient where needed, but I always found
it faster and less tiring to just hand nail.

A suggestion...
PP nailers are a good seller on EBAY. If you can pick one up
on EBAY for around $150.00, You could use it on your job then
probably re-sell it on EBAY for nearly what you paid for it.

If you are framing in an area where hurricane codes apply, PP
nailers are an excellent investment.

As AtlanticWBConst. said, framing nails are not strong enough
and are not approved for strapping hardware. The heads on
joist hanger nails are smaller, thicker and often stamped.
An inspector who sees framing nails used in strapping hardware
will fail your framing in a heartbeat. Then make you re-do
all of the violating hardward.

Good Luck

Joe Carola

To add to what has already been said, it's very dangerous to try and do that with a regular framing gun because when the nail misses the hole ait can slide off and ricochet back at your face. Trust me, I was dumb enough to try it once just to see and it hit me in the cheek.

I have two Positive Placement nailers and they work great. If it's just a one time thing and you're doing one project than buy or rent a palm mailer and buy a box of hanger nails. It doesn't pay to but a gun and then buy a full box of gun nails because they're not cheap.

If your framing alot, than without a doubt buy a PP nailer because it's ten times faster than a palm nailer.

__________________
Joe Carola