Best Nail Gun For Plywood Sheathing
Plywood is a great material for sheathing, but it can be difficult to nail. This is because the heads of the nails are too large for the holes in the plywood.
While you can buy special nails for this job, there is an easier option. There are many different nail guns designed for sheathing that can make this job easier.
Below we will review this masterpiece of nail guns along with affordable nail guns for plywood sheathing. We will also consider some frequently asked questions about plywood sheathing.
5 Best Nail Guns For Plywood Sheathing
1. Top Choice: DEWALT DCN692M1 20v Framing Nailer Kit
The DEWALT DCN692M1 20V MAX Framing Nailer Kit is an ideal choice for cladding or even wafer board placement.
Because of its light and simple design, work can be done at a speedy rate. Its main benefit is that it does not require a compressor, making it suitable for many types of building work.
Because the DEWALT DCN692M1 has a variable driving depth, you may drive nails flat with the surface or sink them. This will keep the wood from splitting and your surface from cracking. The quick-loading nail strip is simple to operate, and the front-loading magazine eliminates the need for frequent reloading.
You may use the eject lever to remove the magazine and eliminate jams. When you release the trigger, the tool will automatically return to its initial position, eliminating the need for human positioning.
Another fantastic feature of this nailer is the rubber grip, which helps you keep the tool in your hand even when working for lengthy periods. Similarly, the no-mar tip will keep your wood from splitting while you work, which might harm your finish.
The Pros:
- Its light and simple design allow you to do tasks fast.
- It does not require the use of compressors, hoses, or cartridges because it is powered by long-lasting 20V MAX Lithium-ion batteries.
- This nailer has a variable driving depth, which allows you to customize the depth of the nail driven.
- The eject lever can be used to bring out the magazine and clear jams.
- The quick-loading pegs are easy to operate, and the front-loading magazine provides continuous ammo for extended use.
- The damage-free tip of this nail gun saves you from splitting wood while you work.
- It has a rubber handle for easy grip and extended use.
The Con:
- It can be heavy to carry for some individuals.
2. Budget-friendly: CRAFTSMAN CMPBN18K Pneumatic Finish Nailer, 18GA
Are you looking for a dependable, lightweight, cost-effective, and strong finishing nailer for your everyday projects?
You might want to look at CRAFTSMAN’s pneumatic finish nailer.
The CRAFTSMAN CMPBN18K is an 18 gauge pneumatic veneer nailer. It has a tool-free jam release mechanism that allows for the easy removal of stuck paper.
This nail gun also features tool-less drive depth adjustment for accurate nail head positioning. It’s lightweight, weighing only 4.5 pounds, making it small and easy to use. This finishing nailer features a maintenance-free oil-free motor and pneumatic construction for optimum availability. Not surprisingly, it’s popular plywood facing nailer.
It also includes a carrying case.
The Pros:
- This nailer is ideal for all of your wood projects since it drives 18 gauge finish nails.
- It has a tool-free jam release mechanism that allows for the easy removal of stuck paper.
- It is lightweight and simple to use.
- It includes a tool for easily adjusting the drive depth for proper nailhead positioning.
- The tool has an oil-free motor for maintenance-free operation, which means it doesn’t need to be oiled.
The Con:
- It can be quite heavy to carry at times.
- It doesn’t come with spare parts.
- You can’t manipulate it to reach corners.
3. Best Value: Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer
If you need a framing nailer that is easy to use, the Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer is the equipment for you.
This framing nailer has a lightweight and sturdy magnesium body that can handle all-day operations. Because the power source is pneumatic, there is no need for gasoline or oil, resulting in less mess. It also offers a dual-shooting mode, allowing you to execute precise nails as well as rapid nailing.
The Freeman PFR2190 features an ergonomic handle and tool-free finger depth adjustment that allows you to customize the nailer to your specific needs. This framing nailer also includes a damage-free tip that can be used on a variety of work surfaces, allowing you to focus on nailing rather than hurting the surface.
The Pros:
- You can use the tool all day thanks to its lightweight magnesium body.
- It operates on airpower, which provides it with the necessary power to complete the task.
- This nail gun features interchangeable triggers that allow you to hit nails accurately and quickly.
- It includes an ergonomic handle and an atraumatic tip that can be used on a variety of work surfaces.
- The tool features tool-free finger depth adjustment that allows you to position it as needed.
The Con:
- It requires regular oiling and maintenance
4. Metabo (NR1890DRS) Cordless Framing Nailer
Do you need a nail gun but don’t want anything large and bulky? Metabo’s HPT NR1890DRS 400-Li 18v Cordless Pneumatic Nailer is the newest addition to the company’s world-class range of pneumatic tools.
Metabo’s HPT NR1890DRS 400C-1 cordless nail gun is ideal for carpenters and other construction professionals. With the new 3.0 Ah Li-Ion battery powering the [2″-3-1/2″] 21-degree plastic finishing nails, you can drive up to 400 nails per charge. Simply insert the tool into the battery, charge it, and you’re good to go.
The innovative air spring drive technology performs like a pneumatic nail gun. With tool-free drive depth adjustment and unique jam removal technology, you can quickly switch between sequential and impact modes.
When using the driver on the control panel you can access the tool’s settings and make personal changes. Its small size and lightweight make it simple to use and operate. Metabo offers a lifetime guarantee on all of its tools. The battery has a two-year guarantee.
The Pros:
- You may use its high power to drive [2″-3-1/2″] 21-degree plastic finishing nails.
- 400 nails can be utilized after every charge.
- It works by running on a 3.0 Ah Li-Ion battery.
- This nail gun is powered by an air spring drive mechanism, making it similar to a pneumatic nail gun.
- It has a tool-free drive depth adjustment so you can customize the depth of your nails.
- The one-of-a-kind jam removal technique assists you in removing nails from stuck paper.
- Metabos’ lifetime guarantee is included with the product.
The Con:
- Even with the unique jam clearing system; it’s a bit difficult to unjam the gun.
5. BOSTITCH F21PL Round Head Framing Nailer
The Bostitch F21PL round head framing nailer is an innovative, lightweight, durable framing nailer tool that is ideal for any residential project.
The F21PL weighs in at simply 4.17 pounds, thus it’s simple to handle and has an alterable rafter hook to hold the tool and keep it close at hand.
The F21PL incorporates a tool-free nail depth guide that lets the operator adjust the depth of the nail to drive to the required length. This nail gun consists of atomic number 12 and atomic number 13 and is lightweight, sturdy, and rust-resistant.
The Bostitch F21PL uses plastic collated nails and delivers up to 1,050 inch-pounds of driving power. This tool could be a smart price for the price because it comes with 2 changeable nose items to convert the tool to either a framing worker or a metal connection nailer.
With this nailer, no additional equipment is necessary to change out the nosepiece. This nailer is great for nailing 2 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inch metal connector nails as well as 1 1/2 inch to 3 1/2 inch framing nails.
The Pros:
- The lightweight, durable body makes this framing nailer tool ideal for any residential project.
- The F21PL features a tool-less nail depth guide that lets users adjust the depth of the nail to be driven to the desired length.
- The tool uses plastic collated nails and delivers up to 1,050 inch-pounds of driving power.
- The tool comes with two quick-change nose pieces to convert the tool to either a framing nailer or a metal connector nailer.
The Con:
- This F21PL nailer often jams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make Use Of A Nailer/Nail Gun On Plywood?
Yes, it is possible. As we mentioned earlier in the article the DEWALT DCN692M1 20V MAX framing nailer kit is the top choice for your next plywood sheathing project.
What Kind Of Nail Gun Or Nailer Is Used For Sheathing?
No nailer is better to use when sheathing than a framing nailer.
Framing nailers are used in a variety of projects and are especially useful for cheating. The sheathing is a project that requires a lot of nails and the framing nailer is the perfect tool to use.
What Particular Size Of Nails Should Be Used To Nail Down and Hold Plywood Sheathing?
It’s best to use a 3″ nail; it will hold the wood in place.
When nailing the exterior of plywood, the size of the nails used is important. If you use nails that are too small, you won’t be able to hold the sheath properly. On the other hand, using nails that are too large can crack and damage the wood.
Do I Have To Pre-drill For Plywood?
Drilling a pilot hole for the screws helps prevent the screw from splitting the wood. If the pilot hole is too large the screw can pull through the bottom of the plywood panel.
When pre-drilling for plywood sheathing, use a drill bit approximately equal length because of the screw. You also can simply pre-drill with a nail, however that leaves a bigger hole than a drill bit, which makes it less complicated for the screw to cut up the wood.
Can You Use Screws On Plywood?
Yes. You can use screws on plywood if you are using the right type of screw. Many of the screws that are used to hold nails into plywood are very thin.
Similar to the nails, they will hold plywood together, but they will not last a long time. If you use the right type of screw, there is little risk of the screw pulling through the plywood. The best screws to use on plywood are the thicker wood screws.
Is It Better To Nail Or Screw Plywood?
When it comes to choosing between screws and nails, the choice is usually based on personal preference.
Both have their uses and your decision would depend on the size of the project and your budget. If you are working on a smaller project and you don’t have a lot of money to spend, then you could opt for nails instead of screws.
While nails are cheaper, they can take a little longer as you need to make sure you’ve driven them into the wood in the right place and at the right angle.
If you are concerned that the screws are too long, you can always opt for a nail and screw combination.
Final Note on The Best Nail Gun For Plywood Sheathing
As you can see, there are a lot of different nail guns out on the market, each with a different purpose.
So, the question you need to ask yourself is this:
What specific job do you need to be done?
If you’re just doing a small project around the house, you might not need the most expensive nailer on the market.
But if you’re doing a larger job, with a lot of plywood sheets to nail, you might want to consider investing in a more expensive nail gun.