The first step in choosing the best nail guns for fencing is make sure it fits the project. It is an important decision, and this will require you to carefully analyze your available options. In this article, we have put together an in in-depth review of nail guns for fencing for you to consider.
It doesn’t matter where you place your emphasis, whether it's on performance or other criteria, this review will help you make an informed choice!
Product | Pros |
|---|---|
OUR #1 RATED
Hitachi NR90AES1 Fencing Nailer – Top Pick | |
OUR #2 RATED | |
OUR #3 RATED | |
OUR #4 RATED
BOSTITCH F21PL Framing Nail Gun | |
Cell | Cell |
Top 5 Nail Gun for Fencing 2019
- Hitachi NR90AES1 Weight: 10 lbs Rating: 4.9/5
- Freeman PFR2190 Weight: 9 lbs Rating: 4.6/5
- NUMAX SFR2190 Weight: 9 lbs Rating: 4.5/5
- BOSTITCH F21PL Weight: 11 lbs Rating: 4.3/5
- Valu-AirCN55R Weight: 6 lbs Rating: 4.0/5
Best Nail Gun For Fencing Review
Hitachi NR90AES1 Fencing Nailer – Top Pick
The Hitachi NR90AES1 3-1/2 inches Plastic Collated Framing Nailer (“NR90AES1”) is the top pick on this list for the best nail gun for fencing. This nail gun’s improved design allows you to drive plastic collated nails from 2 inches to 3-1/2 inches in length with some level of ease in two modes: contact nailing (which is also called ‘bump’) or the sequential mode.
It is air driven and it has an operating pressure of 70 – 120 psi power which makes sure that you always have enough power that enables you to complete your work on time.
Its redesigned head guard makes assembling it easier when reloading, and also when performing maintenance duties. Its open nose design makes it easier for you to remove jammed nails, and the guns 2-step nail loading makes it faster to refill, improving its efficiency.
The Hitachi NR90AES1 is lightweight enough for you to use to nail your fence all day (that is if you want to be doing this all day), also for flooring, roof decking, framing, and several other nail related projects. It has a 2-pieced anodized aluminum magazine that has a 64 capacity making for some simple, low-cost repairs and replacements.
This product comes with safety glasses, but more recommended, during operations, would be a face shield because of the plastic that is being released on wood impact while working on fencing.
The NR90AES1’s high quality and craftmanship makes this product an ideal nailer gun for both the experienced ones and the do-it-at-home people alike. That’s why it’s our pick for the best nail gun for fencing!
- It has a five-year warranty.
- Comes with a comfortable rubber grip that ensures a secure holding against vibrations.
- It has a selective actuation switch for easy nailing transitions.
- It also has a tool-less depth adjustment dial for nailing variety (also with compressor adjustments).
- It doesn’t come with a nail lockout feature.
- You will have to buy the nose cushion separately from the tool.
Freeman PFR2190 Nail Gun
The Freeman Tools 21 degrees Full Head Framing Nailer (Freeman PFR2190) comes with cutting-edge benefits that make it vie for the top spot on this list. This is a pneumatic air-powered nailer gun with 18 inches x 2 inches x 12 inches dimensions that offer you great flexibility in both fencing and framing applications.
When the Freeman PFR2190 is used with 21 degrees round head plastic collated framing nails between 2 inches to 3 ½ inches in length, it usually includes one interchangeable trigger that aides both contact and single firing. It has a solid magnesium construction, hardened steel blade, and anodized aluminum magazine (55-piece capacity) and cylinder.
This tool’s adjustable length enables you to use it for your different projects, and its 70 – 115 psi power operating gun is within the same range of other air-powered guns. It also comes with a 360 degrees adjustable exhaust that helps to keep your workspace clean.
On this list of nailer guns in this article, the Freeman PFR2190 is the closest competitor to the previously mentioned NR90AES1 for the top spot.
Although this product deserves to be considered for the top spot, it isn’t sitting on that spot because of its weight, weighing 8.5 lbs, which is heavier than the Hitachi NR90AES1, and it is subject to the California Proposition 65 warning.
- It has an oil-free design.
- It has a 7-year warranty for both labor and parts.
- This tool’s no-mar tip helps to prevent damages to working surfaces
- Has an anti-dry fire mechanism that activates with 5 nails left in the magazine.
- It has a toe-nailing problem.
- It occasionally jams and you might find it difficult removing unused nails.
NuMax SFR2190 Fencing Nailer – Best for the Money
This product is a part of the Georgia-based Prime Global Products’ stable of brand-name tools. Numax Tools definitely has made a name for itself with the SFR2190 21 degrees Framing Nailer (NuMax SFR2190).
So you should not be surprised that this product is ranked the “Best Nail Gun for the Money.” Putting together this tool’s important benefits and its great pricing, the NuMax SFR2190 nail gun should be alluring to the DIYers and to professionals who are engaged in wood fencing projects.
Taking a hint from the Freeman Tools playbook, the NuMax SFR2190 has a lot of the Freeman PFR2190’s characteristics. And these features it adopts include the: depth-adjust, anti-dry fire mechanism, die-cast magnesium construction, dual-mode trigger, removable no-mar tip, one-piece drive blade.
Just like the previously reviewed Freeman PFR2190 and the Hitachi nail guns, the Numax SFR2190 uses 21 degrees plastic collated round head nails that range (in size) from 2 degrees to 3 ½ inches.
With this tool’s 5.5 inches x 14.2 inches x 20.1 inches packing dimensions and its 8.5 lbs net weight, it makes it obvious why the NuMax SFR2190 is rated as one of the best nail guns for the money. Although, this tool doesn’t outshine the offerings of the Hitachi and Freeman nail guns in performance and quality for fencing.
This is mostly due to the one fact that air leaks out of its trigger when a maximum downward pressure isn’t applied, also because of its lack of speed, and other several missing components that the other brand-name guns offer as the standard, components like the ladder hook and the tool-less jam removal.
- It is easy to load and to operate.
- It has a standard pneumatic operation (70 – 115 psi).
- Good for DIYers.
- It has limited oil maintenance required on air tool.
- It has an above average weight that puts a strain on the wrists.
- Its high-end pressure (which is more than 110 psi) should be avoided.
BOSTITCH F21PL Framing Nail Gun
The Bostitch brand is a well-known American manufacturer of fastening tools. Hence, it is worth looking at one of its popular nail guns, which is the 21 degrees Plastic Collated Framing Nailer (Bostitch F21PL).
This tool was designed for nailing into different types of treated lumber. The F21PL gives a push button depth guide that ensures that your nails go in perfectly.
It has a magnesium housing that is solid, and also, an adjustable rafter hooks that enables users hook the tool on rafters and joists. It is powered by air at 80 – 120 psi power, with a 60-nail magazine that can be set either to sequential or bump triggering mode.
Seeing these features mentioned above, why is the Bostitch down on the list? Well, it is where it is on the list for a few reasons; first off, it has a weight of 8.5 lbs, 14.25 inches height, and a length of 20.25 inches that put it at the high end of its category.
Secondly, it lacks the ability to and reliability of its other air-powered competitors, despite its 7-year warranty. And finally, the Bostitch F21PL seems to prefer thicker nails, so, as a prospective buyer, you should be aware of this.
- It has a nail depth control for users
- It has a high nail capacity (up to 60 nails)
- It is sensitive to trigger firing angle
- It is quite expensive
- It has a proposition 65 warning
Valu-Air CN55R Siding Nailer
If this is your first time hearing about the Valu-Air Cn55R 15 degrees Coil Siding Nailer (Valu-Air Cn55R), well, you are justified. Why? Well, because this particular brand does not share the same level of recognition like the rest of the reviewed brands on this list.
This device works with 1 inch to 2 ¼ coil nails, the pneumatic gun comes with a series of interesting features for home owners and fencing. As an example, its housing is heat-treated aluminum for mostly industrial use.
Just like several other nail guns in this category, this item has a convenient switch that lets you fire in sequential or bump mode. And you can achieve a firing rate of up to three nails per second.
Sadly, this nailer cannot be recommended. As a side nailer, the Valu-Air CN55R is not well suited to fencing as the top choices, especially when it has a 2 ¼ nail length limit. More to this, its side loading canister is not as efficient and as strong as a traditional side magazine and blade.
Like other brand names out there, the Valu-Air CN55R’s manufacture origin is China. And while this isn’t exactly a bad thing, what is unsettling is its lack of visibility and availability. It currently isn’t listed on amazon, and it is hard to find it on other e-commerce sites.
For users thinking about the canister style side coil siding nailers, you’re better off looking into buying from the more recognized brand names.
- It is lightweight, only weighing 5.5 lbs
- It has a compact size of 12.6 inches x 12.2 inches x 5 inches
- It has a lack of retail network and a support system.
- It cannot fire plastic collated nails.
- It lacks an easy depth adjustment.
- It possesses a hard rubber grip which makes sit too uncomfortable for prolonged use.
Best Nail Gun for Fencing Buying Guide
Trying to get the right nailer gun demand some effort on your part. Listed below are some of the most vital criteria that will best guide you through your decision making, helping you make a good purchase selection.
Types of Nail Guns
When people think about nailing guns, what first comes to their minds are the framing guns. This is used for larger projects like deck building, framing, fencing, sub-flooring, offering the most flexibility. The more specialized guns have finishing guns, guns used for things like cabinet-making, wood furniture, moldings, etc., and also, Brad nailer guns, which fires thinner gauged nails that are useful for attaching trim.
All top brand nail guns include 21 degrees nailers, this means they are built to fire nail packages angled at 21 degrees for entry into wood or other building material. You could also find 30 degrees and 34 degrees nail guns, but these are the less common variations.
Nails, Nail Size
Most nails guns are made to handle specific types and sizes of nails. Nail guns that are attached to long magazines and cartridges usually are able to store anywhere from 50 – 100 nails. Other guns use canister-type storage to hold nails.
For fencing projects, you would need to use nails that range between 2 inches to 3.5 inches in length. Nail guns are known to work with plastic collated nails, this means that plastic links them up in the magazine prior to them being fired. Although, we also have a paper-based collation.
The most compatible with popular nail gun brands are the round head nails.
Dimensions and Overall Weight
Sometimes, nailer guns have a similar look when you look at them from afar, but it is important to carefully look at the basic metrics and power. Most are usually about 20 inches long, 5 inches wide, and a foot long. When nail gun shopping, you should look for one that weighs between seven and eight pounds. Guns that weigh more will be too heavy to handle for long periods of time, resulting in the injuries of both your arm and wrist.
Most are attached to blade-style magazines or canisters that hold the nails.
- Safety Considerations
Just like any other guns, guns for nailing also require care and attention when they are in use. The following are ways you can care and maintain your nail guns and tips for purchase and safety operations:
- You should ensure that the nailing gun comes with a basic safety lockout and trigger mechanisms that trip when a nail jam occurs.
- Make sure you read, understand, and adhere to the instruction manual precautions and warnings about nailing before use. Take a look at your surroundings before you begin work. When at home, make sure that the kids are at a safe distance from your work area. Also, if you’re at your workplace, make sure that your colleagues and any bystander are outside your immediate working area.
- Always wear protective gear. Nail guns are prone to releasing flying pieces like plastic, metal etc., when the nails penetrate wood. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced user of the device, you should wear a face mask, goggles, work gloves, ear covers, and sturdy boots.
Nailing Gun Power Source
Pneumatic – or compressed air – nail guns are the most common because they are inexpensive, their ease of use, and the fact that it is convenient for DIYers. Even the professional nailers use them since their shop set up usually includes several air compressors. If this is your first time using a compressed air tool, you should make sure that your air compressor is a match with the pressure requirements of your nail gun.
Other power sources for nail guns are: corded electric, gas, and rechargeable lithium battery.
- Construction Material
The best nail guns are comprised of metal, which is often steel, magnesium, and aluminum, and there are other cheaper ones come with an excess of plastic or hard rubber grips. It is without a doubt that firing hundreds or thousands of nails for hours on stretch can be tedious, so you should make sure that whichever brand you choose has been built to the highest possible standards and has the power that you need. You should look into buying soft rubber tips so as to prevent damage to your fencing material. And a supple rubber grip will also help to negate vibrations, providing comfort, and preventing wrist injuries.
- Price
The prices in this tool category varies, and for this reason, you should be aware of any other additional costs, like nails, that may influence the total amount you will be spending.
The goal you aim to achieve for your project will influence the price that you are willing to pay. You may also feel the need to nail wood of varying quality and thickness. Professionals and contractors may be able to have more than one nailing guns, but for DIYers, they may just need one, as long as it fits their needs.
In Conclusion
The best nail gun for fencing is the Hitachi NR90AES1, and the NuMax SFR2190 gives the best value for the money. Each of the reviewed power nail guns in this article comes with its own unique features when it comes to construction, ease of maintenance, design, power, weight, operating pressure, etc.
Before you go ahead to choose the best power nail guns for fencing, you should make sure you speak to an expert that would help define your needs. And what you can do is find the solution that comes close to satisfying those needs, and the tool should also satisfy the price/value trade-off. Choose the best power nail gun for your project.