Framing nailers are perfect for any kind of heavy-duty woodwork during the construction of homes and offices. Despite their small size and form factor, they are highly powerful and offer the following features that are handy while driving nails into any wooden object:
- Nail Size Range: Different applications require different nails that usually have different lengths. As a result, while some framing nailers have a nail size range of 2 inches to 3 ½ inches, others might have 2 ½ inches to 3 ¼ inches.
- Power Type: While most nailer models are pneumatic, you can even find battery-powered framing nailers. When compared with each other, the former offers slightly better performance and the latter being portable and more practical for the go usage.
- Power Rating: Both the pneumatic as well as battery-powered framing nailers have a power rating. This is given as 70 PSI to 110 PSI for pneumatic ones and 7 volt or 20-volt options when it comes to battery-powered framing nailers.
Since framing nailers are quite powerful, we are here with the best framing nailers’ options. You can even find the major features and options offered by these framing nailers present in this article. And as we have even provided a detailed Buying guide in this article, you can buy the perfect framing nailer by going through this article until the end.
Top Framing Nailers in 2020
| Best Framing Nailers | Nails Size Range | Power Type | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer | 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nails | Pneumatic | 1 year | Check the Price |
| Metabo HPT Framing Nailer | 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nails | Pneumatic | 5 year | Check the Price |
| Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer | 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nails | Pneumatic | 7 year | Check the Price |
| Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer | 1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch nails | Pneumatic | 7 year | Check the Price |
| Paslode XP 905600 Framing Nailer | 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nails | Pneumatic | 1 year | Check the Price |
| Dewalt DCN21PLB Framing Nailer | 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nails | Pneumatic | 3 year | Check the Price |
| 3PLUS H2890SP Framing Nailer | 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nails | Pneumatic | 1 year | Check the Price |
Best Framing Nailers in 2020: Reviews
1. NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer
You can find a wide range of power tool options from NuMax that are generally quite affordable and can be used for various kinds of applications. They also make a framing nailer that is a pneumatic one mentioned here.
The NuMax SFR2190 pneumatic framing nailer is present in the 1st position in this article as it is one of the cheapest options present here. As a result, it can be a great pick if you are on a budget and still want a decently powerful framing nailer for construction purposes. As per its name, it is a full round head framing nailer that is quite ergonomic to use.
This is possible due to its padded grip handle that offers grip as well as comfort. Another great thing about this framing nailer is that it is quite sturdy and lightweight at the same time.
Although, since this is a budget option, you only get a 1-year long manufacturer’s warranty with it. This 21-degree framing nailer allows you to use 2 inch to 3 ½ inch long nails that is pretty good for most users out there. You also get pretty decent performance from this pneumatic framing nailer as it operates from 70 PSI to 115 PSI. As for its airflow requirements, you need 2.5 CFM at 90 PSI in your air compressor to use it.
Best Features:
- 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
- 70 PSI to 115 PSI operational air pressure
- 1-year long warranty
- Requires 2.5 CFM at 90 PSI
- 21-degree framing nailer
- Lightweight magnesium body
- Comfortable and ergonomic hand grip
Pros:
- Affordable option
- Lightweight design
- Comfortable and ergonomic hand grip
Cons:
- Not the most reliable option
- Average performance
2. Metabo HPT Framing Nailer
While various power tools brands focus on heavy-duty and industrial equipment, Metabo HPT is one of the biggest names out there. And you can even find various framing nailer models from Metabo Hitachi Power Tools.
Metabo Hitachi Power Tools’ NR90AES1 framing nailer is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is highly powerful and reliable at the same time. This is due to the reason that this pneumatic framing nailer uses a 21-degree magazine. You can fit 2 inches to 3 ½ inch long framing nails with this magazine that are quite long. As a result, this framing nailer is perfect for applications like flooring, framing, window build-up, roof decking, wall sheathing, and various other things included in house construction.
One of the best things about this Metabo framing nailer is that it comes with a 5-year long warranty. You also get a very sturdy build quality that weighs just 7.5 pounds for ease of use. To further make this framing nailer ergonomic, it offers rubber grip on its handle that ensures that it does not slip. Its selective actuation switch can be useful for switching between sequential and contact nailing modes as per the user’s requirement.
You even get a tool-less depth adjustment dial with this framing nailer that is always handy to have for high precision.
Best Features:
- 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
- 80 PSI to 110 PSI operational air pressure
- 5-year long warranty
- Requires 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI
- 21-degree framing nailer
- Weighs 7.5 pounds due to aluminum construction
- Rubber grip for extra comfort
- Selective actuation switch for mode switching
- Tool-less depth adjustment
Pros:
- Highly powerful and reliable at the same time
- Durable yet lightweight aluminum construction
- High grip handle
Cons:
- High air flow requirement
- Large in size
3. Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer
Freeman is a highly popular brand among power tool users as it offers value for money and highly reliable options out there. This is also true for its framing nailer model mentioned here in this article.
This Freeman PFR2190 pneumatic framing nailer is present in the 3rd position in this article as it is the most reliable option present here. But unlike other similar options in terms of reliability, this one is much more affordable and value for money. You get an excellent build quality with this framing nailer even though it is quite lightweight for ergonomic use.
And the best part about this framing nailer is that it comes with a 7-year long warranty that is much better than most other options out there that offer 1 year or 3-year long warranty to the user.
Just like various other pneumatic framing nailers present in this article, this Freeman PFR2190 framing nailer is a 21-degree nailer. You get the support for 2 inches to 3 ½ inch long nails while using this framing nailer for construction. Since this is a pneumatic framing nailer, it requires an air compressor to work. Your air compressor has to maintain an air pressure of 70 PSI to 115 PSI in order to use this framing nailer at its full power. A unique feature of this framing nailer is that it comes with an interchangeable trigger.
Best Features:
- 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
- 70 PSI to 115 PSI operational air pressure
- 7-year long warranty
- 21-degree framing nailer
- 360-degree exhaust port
- Interchangeable trigger
- No-mar tip for preventing damage of work surface
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Long warranty duration
- Various useful features
Cons:
- Average performance
- Build quality could have been better
4. Bostitch F21PL Framing Nailer
While it is a bit more premium and expensive, Bostitch can be another great option if you are looking for a framing nailer. Its models are highly reliable and perform really good as well.
The Bostitch F21PL framing nailer is another pneumatic model that can be a great pick if you are looking for a reliable one. Just like the previous Freeman framing nailer, you get a 7-year long warranty with this Bostitch framing nailer. Although its build quality is even better for the extra price that you pay. It uses a magnesium body that results in a very lightweight framing nailer. Despite its lower weight, you get pretty great performance while using the Bostitch framing nailer. This is possible due to the fact that it works from 80 PSI to 120 PSI air pressure.
Due to its high-pressure rating, you can easily drive 1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch nails using this framing nailer. In other words, it offers the largest flexibility in terms of the nails that you can use with it when compared with other options out there. You get a total of 1050 inch-pounds of driving force with this framing nailer that is more than enough even for hard surfaces. It even offers different nose pieces for using this nailer as a framing or a metal connector one. Since it is made out of magnesium, it weighs only 8.1 pounds despite its high performance.
Best Features:
- 1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
- 70 PSI to 120 PSI operational air pressure
- 7-year long warranty
- 1050 inch-pound of driving force
- 2 nailers in one
- Lightweight magnesium construction
- Integrated rubber skid pads
- Weighs 8.1 pounds
Pros:
- Excellent build quality
- Highly reliable
- High driving force
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
- A bit on the heavier side
5. Paslode 905600 XP Framing Nailer
Paslode is a lesser-known brand of power tools when compared with other options in this article. That being said, its framing nailer is one of the only battery-powered options out there.
Paslode’s 905600 framing nailer can be a great pick if you are looking for a portable framing nailer. This is due to the reason that it is a battery-powered one, and you are not tethered by any air hose coming from your air compressor. You can find a 7-volt battery system in this framing nailer that is quite efficient. While it might not be the most powerful option out there, it can drive up to 9000 nails on a full charge. As for the nail support, you can use 2 inch to 3 ¼ inch long nails with this framing nailer.
To further make this framing nailer an excellent option for portable usage, it uses a lightweight material that results in a weight of just 7.2 pounds. Even though this framing nailer is quite small and compact, it offers a pretty sturdy build quality. Its compact design allows you to easily fit it between 16-inch o.c. studs, joists, roof trusses, and various other things during construction applications. Unfortunately, you only get a 1-year warranty from Paslode while buying this framing nailer.
Best Features:
- 2 inch to 3 ¼ inch nail length support
- 7-volt lithium-ion battery system
- 1-year long warranty
- Drives up to 9000 nails per charge
- Small and compact design
- Weighs 7.2 pounds
- Works even in temperatures as low as 14-degree Fahrenheit
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Versatile tool
- Small and compact
Cons:
- Average performance
- Lower nail length support range
6. Dewalt DCN21PLB Framing Nailer
If you are familiar with power tools and electric ones to be more precise, then you must have heard about framing nailers in the past. While most framing nailers are pneumatic ones, you can find a decent electric framing nailer from Dewalt.
Even though the Dewalt DCN21PLB framing nailer is powered by a battery, it is quite powerful. This is due to the reason that this framing nailer is powered by quite a powerful 20-volt battery system. It uses this battery system to power its dual speed motor for easily driving nails in all kinds of wooden objects and surfaces. Just like the previous Paslode framing nailer, this one offers the support for 2 inch to 3 ¼ inch long framing nails. It uses a 21-degree nail magazine for storing all of the framing nails inside it.
Since Dewalt is such a reputable brand of power tools, you can expect this framing nailer to last for a long time very easily. You get high-quality aluminum construction with this framing nailer that offers a great balance between strength and weight. Another great thing about this framing nailer is that it comes with a 3-year long warranty that is pretty decent. Its stall release lever ensures that you do not face many issues in case of any jams due to broken nails.
Best Features:
- 2 inch to 3 ¼ inch nail length support
- 20-volt lithium-ion battery system
- 3-year long warranty
- Dual speed motor with variable speed trigger
- Tool-free selector switch for different fire modes
- Tool-free depth adjustment for high precision
- Stall release lever for preventing jams
Pros:
- Dual speed motor
- Great performance
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- A bit expensive
- Quite large
7. 3PLUS H2890SP Framing Nailer
In comparison to other brands of power tools, 3Plus is a much smaller brand that comes with affordable products. As a result, its framing nailer offering is also quite affordable and a great option if you are on a budget.
This 3Plus H2890SP framing nailer is one of the cheapest options present in this article. And since it offers decent performance number along with a few handy features, it makes for an excellent value for money option for most users out there. As you would expect, it is a pneumatic framing nailer that uses an air compressor for its power requirements. If provided with enough air pressure, you can easily drive 2 inch to 3 ½ inch long nails in almost any wooden surface out there. These nails get stored into its 28-degree nail magazine that offers a lot of movement and freedom to the user.
Just like various other budget framing nailer options out there, you get a 1-year warranty with this one. As for its build quality, it is decently sturdy with a lightweight design. Thankfully, it has a small and compact design, that when combined with its 28-degree nail magazine, allows you to easily reach in almost any small corner. Its 360-degree exhaust can be handy for directing the air away from the user for ease of use.
Best Features:
- 2 inch to 3 ½ inch nail length support
- 1-year long warranty
- 28-degree framing nailer
- Lightweight and compact design
- Comfortable and ergonomic hand grip
- 360-degree exhaust port for ease of use
Pros:
- Lightweight design
- Adjustable exhaust
- High angle nail magazine
Cons:
- Average performance
- Only a 1-year warranty
Buying Guide for the Best Framing Nailer
Unfortunately, some of you might be still confused while buying a framing nailer. Therefore, we are here with a detailed buying guide with all of the important information regarding framing nailers. You can go through these points one by one and choose the perfect framing nailer for you:
Nail Length Range
If you are familiar with framing nailers or the framing process in general, then you must know that you need different kinds of nails for different applications. These nails generally differ from each other in terms of their length. While some nails are 2 inch long, others might 3 inch long. As a result, most framing nailers offer a nail length range like 2 inch to 3 ½ inch.
Some better options even offer a higher range of 1 ½ inch to 3 ½ inch. If your framing nailer has a large range, it offers more flexibility to the user in terms of the nails that can be used or not. You can even find automatically adjustable nail magazines in a few models out there that automatically adjust to the size of the nails that you are using.
Power Type
Just like various other power tools out there, there are various kinds of framing nailers out there that differ from each other in terms of their power type. This is due to the reason that while some models are pneumatic ones and powered by air, others might be electric and powered by a battery. Both of these models have their own pros and cons for different cases.
Usually, pneumatic framing nailers are more powerful ones due to the higher air pressure. On the other hand, battery-powered framing nailers are quite portable and practical for on the go usage.
Power Rating
Whether you are buying a battery-powered or a pneumatic-powered framing nailer, its power rating is quite essential to check. It ensures that you do not run into any power issues while driving nails into hardwood objects and surfaces.
For pneumatic framing nailers, it is given in PSI as 70 PSI to 100 PSI or 80 PSI to 120 PSI, where a higher PSI rating results in a higher power rating. Similarly, battery-powered ones have their power rating mentioned as 7 volts or 20 volts where a higher rating results in more power for easily driving nails.
Framing Nailer Angle
You can find an angle rating mentioned on most framing nailers out there. It simply tells you about the angle of the nail magazine. While some nail magazines are angled at 15 degrees or 20 degrees, some might even have an angle of 30 degrees. This angle allows you to have more freedom while working in small corners and spaces.
A higher angle of 30 degree offers more space than a 15 degree one. Although you also have to buy supported nails while using these angled nail magazines.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of your framing nailer are also quite important to check while buying one. This is due to the reason that these framing nailers are essentially handheld tools. Due to this, small and compact framing nailer can easily fit in small corners and spaces.
Such framing nailers also take less space while being stored in a tool kit or in your garage. Just like the size, a lightweight framing nailer is more practical. You can use such lightweight framing nailers for a long time without facing any arm strain issues.
Warranty
You can find a manufacturer’s warranty included with most of the framing nailer options out there. Due to this, while some options come with a 1-year long warranty, others might even offer a 7-year long warranty. As you would expect, such options are usually highly reliable and durable in comparison to other options out there. You can also check the build quality of these framing nailers to ensure that you can rely on them for a long time without facing any wear and tear issues.
Conclusion
A framing nailer can be quite useful for various kinds of applications out there that are related to wood objects and wood construction. These can be either pneumatic powered or battery-powered, as seen with the best framing nailers mentioned in this article. You can learn more about their features in this article, along with a detailed buying guide. It has all of the essential factors that one should consider while buying a framing nailer. Nonetheless, some of you might be confused and might not be able to choose a framing nailer. In such a case, you can choose one of the following recommendations:
- If you want a highly reliable and durable option, then you can go with the Freeman PFR2190 pneumatic framing nailer. You get a 7-year long warranty with it along with the support for 2 inches to 3 ½ inch nails for its given justified price tag.
- But if you want a battery-powered option for portable usage, you can go with the Dewalt DCN21PLB. It is quite powerful due to its 20-volt battery system and 2 inch to 3 ¼ inch nail support. You also get a 3-year long warranty with it that is always great to have.
- You should also consider the NuMax SFR2190 framing nailer if you are on a budget. This pneumatic framing nailer offers the support for 2 inches to 3 ½ inch nails despite its budget price tag.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!
The post The 7 Best Framing Nailers in 2020 Reviews & Buying Guide appeared first on Electronics Hub.
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