Nail Gun Plastic Nail Casing frustrations - DIY Chatroom

smark · 07-07-2008, 08:45 PM

I am putting siding on the project house and have noticed a very annoying/ frustrated thing about the nails.... well more specifically the plastic stuff that keeps the nail magazine together for easy loading into my Dewalt Framing Nail gun (Siding requires galvanized nails 3")

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Almost every time I shoot a nail into the siding, the casing is not removed leaving it trapped between the nail head and the board of the siding.

I have tried various brands of the nails and have had the same result. The Air compressor is set for 80 Psi. I have tried boosting the pressure which helps a little but tends to drive the nail further into the siding than desired. Anyone have any advice on how to prevent the casing from getting trapped or how to remove the casing aside from a razor blade which works but takes a good deal of time?

Clutchcargo · 07-07-2008, 08:56 PM

No advice for the plastic but there are specific nailers for siding such as the Bostitch N66C. These are wire colated.

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 07-07-2008, 09:59 PM

Sounds like you are using the wrong kind of gun for the wrong application.

As Clutch already pointed out, industry standard for installing siding is using an actual "siding gun" with either hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails.

FWIW, we also use the Bostitch N66C & older N64C models for siding...not framing guns with shorter galv. framing nails = wrong application, wrong finish (sorry).

smark · 07-07-2008, 10:05 PM

Got the proper nails... just not the proper gun.

Any suggestions other than the correct gun (just seeing if there are other options)?

**thekctermite** · 07-07-2008, 10:06 PM

Agreed. You're using the wrong gun for that. For nailing rough lumber together, you have the right gun.

I use an old Hitachi coil nailer for siding and wall sheathing.

**thekctermite** · 07-07-2008, 10:08 PM

You might see if your gun is able to shoot paper collated nails instead of plastic collated. Paslode's shoot paper, and it doesn't stay on the nail. Call a specialty fastener company in your city and see if they can help you. Selection is very limited at box stores.

smark · 07-07-2008, 10:10 PM

I'll definitely check the budget for the tool.... otherwise just means I get to use a razor to remove the casing.