Built a shed with a nail gun instead of hammer and nails - never going back

I spent 3 weekends framing a 12x16 shed by hand last summer and my wrist still aches thinking about it. This year I built a second one for my neighbor using a basic Paslode nail gun and finished in 2 days flat. The difference wasn't just speed either, every joint came out tighter with way less splitting on the pressure treated lumber. I even did the roof sheathing standing on the ground with a siding attachment which saved me from climbing up and down a hundred times. My neighbor asked if the nail gun was worth the $350 rental and I told him it paid for itself in saved time on the first wall. Anyone else switch to nail guns and refuse to go back to hand nailing for big projects?

2 comments

2 Comments

brooke4487d ago

Rented one for my deck project and ended up buying it before I returned it.

dylan_ward7d ago

Totally get what you mean about "ended up buying it". I used to think renting was always the smarter move since you don't have to store the thing. But after borrowing a buddy's nail gun for a weekend project, I changed my mind completely. That tool just worked too well to hand back, so I ordered my own the next day.