Finding the Best Nail Gun

Examine the features before buying a nail gun to ensure it will be up to the job of installing shingles.

Atlas Roofing Product Manager Paul Casseri recently shared tips on how to find the right nail gun. Casseri said that it’s important to examine the features of each nail gun and determine if they can handle the kind of work you will be doing. “A finishing nail gun is used for thinner veneers and furniture so it wouldn’t be an acceptable tool for installing thick, architectural shingles,” he said.

Casseri provides the following list of preferred nail gun features for roofing contractors to consider:

• Power Source: Pneumatic (air-powered) nail guns are generally the most powerful on the market. Power is an important feature, considering what roofing jobs demand. Battery-powered models are usually for the occasional user for two primary reasons: having to change a depleted battery slows the pace of work and the added weight can quickly tire the user.
• Speed: A nail gun should be able to drive up to 100 nails per minute into a roof. Compare models and search for one with the highest driving power, usually expressed as an in./lbs. per 100 psi (per square inch) pressure rating. With a higher power model, you shouldn’t have any issues driving nails into the shingles.
• Firing Methods: The better nail gun models will feature both a contact and sequential trigger. Contact trigger mechanisms allow the tool to fire when both the trigger and the nose of the gun are depressed. The trigger can be held down to allow faster “bump” nailing. A sequential trigger requires the nose of the gun to be depressed before the trigger is pulled, a safety feature that helps prevent an accidental discharge of nails.
• Depth Setting: With each new job, a roofer will install shingles and underlayment of varying thicknesses. The best nail gun should have adjustable power settings to accommodate the particular depth-force needed for such variances. The best type of depth setter is a clickable dial that does not require a particular tool bit.
• Magazine Size: Stopping often to change a nail magazine will slow the pace of a roof installation. Look for a nail gun that will hold magazines with at least 100 nails per load. A roofer’s nail gun should also be able to install various nail sizes from ¾-inch to 1¾-inch lengths.
• Weight: Roofing work is physically demanding and hard enough without the added burden of lugging around a heavy power tool. Most nail guns weigh between 5 and 12 pounds. Hold each nail gun in your hand to see how it feels. It should have a comfortable weight and be easy to grip and maneuver.
• Miscellaneous: Nail guns with a “self-cleaning nose” allow you to remove jams quickly and easily. A trigger lockout feature ensures that the gun doesn’t continue to fire even when there are no nails present. A quality nail gun should have an adjustable exhaust, so fumes and debris aren’t blown right into your face.

Casseri also said that contractors shouldn’t forget to protect their tools. A sturdy case that can hold oil, wrenches and connectors while protecting the gun is a must. The best protection says Casseri is a good warranty. Many nail guns offer a five-year warranty with some as high as seven years. Be wary of any nail gun only offering a one-year warranty as they are most likely made for the DIY market and not for professional contractors.

Join the conversation and tell Atlas what your favorite nail gun is on the Asphalt Life at this link.

Save