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Framing gun (1)
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Category  |   Discussion (0)Building tools (General)

Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools
General tips for framing hammer use:
  • 20oz is a good weight for carpentry and framing. Those with large hands can use 24oz. 16oz and 7oz are for cabinetry.

  • Make sure the crown is rounded and not flat. The crown strikes the nail. A flat crown is more likely to bend nails.

  • Keep the crown clean. If dirty, use sandpaper to expose the bare steel.

  • Hold the handle about 35-40mm from the bottom end, the opposite end to the crown. Don't choke the grip unless just starting a nail.

  • When the crown strikes the nail, the nail head, crown, handle and knuckles should all be on lines parallel to each other.

  • Use gravity with the weight of the hammer head to drive nails.

  • Avoid splitting timber by predrilling to 80% the diameter of the nail. Also, don't drive a nail within about 16mm of the timber edge, an inch is better. Blunting or oiling the nail tip can also help.
   kellyjones00 (593)

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Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools
Tips for learning to skew-nail 75mm / 3" nails:
- Predrilling 80% the diameter of the nail will help, and will be essential in seasoned hardwood to avoid splitting the timber. The hole shouldn't go more than 10mm into the second timber to be joined. Standard galvanised framing nails are 3.05mm to 3.15mm in diameter.
- Use clamps on the opposite side of the nail to be driven. Later you can just put your boot there.
- Put a few drops of machine oil onto the nail.
- Gently tap the nail into the predrilled hole. Increase the strength slowly.
- Standing over the nail, hitting down towards the boot on the opposite side of the timber, will improve aim.
- Do about twenty or so nails before trying to drive the nails almost flush to the surface. As your aim improves, you can return to the earlier nails and drive them home without leaving crown dents.   kellyjones00 (593)
 
 


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Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools > Framing gun
Basic tips:
  • Flat paper-joined cartridges of nails are aligned on a specific angle. Ensure this angle matches the gun magazine angle.

  • Framing nails are usually between 3.05mm and 3.15mm in diameter, depending on the wood type.

  • Before use, empty the magazine of all nails. Check for single nails.

  • If using an air-powered gun, connect the hose before turning on the power and air.

  • Put a drop of suitable viscosity machine oil into the air hose before each use. Alternatively, dribble oil over the cartridge of nails after loading.

  • Test the trigger mechanism before loading, so that it fires only when activated (e.g. pressing the muzzle against the timber, then squeezing trigger).

  • Accurate nailing requires a firm grip. Don't allow the gun to move laterally when firing, as this will bend the nail, but a small recoil should be permitted.

  • Bent nails, or nails that split timber, are not considered successful structural fasteners.

  • It is possible to fire into predrilled holes, with good practice.

  • If placing an active gun down, always position it so the firing range is directed away from all people and animals. Do not walk in front of the gun.

   kellyjones00 (593)

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Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools > Saw
Portable circular saw: For a straight cut, cut fast. This also reduces any small splinters at the bottom, finishing end of the cut. The blade should extend a maximum of 6mm below the timber, for maximum blade efficiency, as well as safety.   kellyjones00 (593)

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Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools > Saw
Cutting planks: To avoid the saw binding with the timber, cut on the unclamped side of two clamped sections. If the piece cut off is very long, weight the far side so the falling piece lifts up and away when cut. If it is weighted to fall down, it will push against the saw blade, which may kick back against you.   kellyjones00 (593)
 
 


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