House building project under way

[CHARLIE]

DanG! I've read a lot of good advice here. I don't know much of anything about house construction but I'm gonna put in my 2 cents worth of advice anyway.

First!  Don't work outside mid day during July and August!

Second! Don't hire Tom to cater your lunches.

Third! Order a set of building codes from Boca Raton, Florida. When things get tough and discouraging and you are getting frustrated with all the local building codes, sit down and read the ones from Boca Raton. It will brighten up your day 'cause you'll realize how good you got it.

[Larry]

I just learned of another consideration for choosing a nail gun.  The replacement for CCA treated lumber is ACQ.  ACQ requires “hot dipped galvanized” or stainless steel nails.  When I stopped by the local yard last week to pick up a box of Bostich nails they were out.  The manager told me the supply has been short all year for Bostich guns and just as bad or worse for some of the other brands of guns.  Next stop was Lowes and I was lucky to get the last two box’s they had.

A little info for fastener use with ACQ lumber can be found here.

http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleID=2115&position=1&type=article&partID=1

Also be prepared for sticker shock when you buy that first box of hot dip galvanized nails.

[DanG]

Thanks a million for the link, Larry!  That's a good one! I've already learned a few things, and would have already made mistakes if I was a little farther down the road. I read the Tool Test for nailers, and will probably go with the Hitachi. There are great explanations given there as to why certain products excelled in certain areas. Fer instance, I was going with the DeWalt because it is lighter. Nyet, nyet, says the Tool Test. The heavier tool was less tiring to operate because it stays where you put it instead of bouncing on every shot. Whooda thunk?

Anybody know how to put this site in the ForestryForum Links?

[Buzz-sawyer]

Dang, what do you think about the cordless/airless nailers?

[DanG]

I think they're great if you don't have compressed air available. Otherwise, more expensive to buy and operate. I have a generator and air compressor, so I don't need one.

[ScottAR]

If I was a pro, I'd have one...  Very handy for tacking things together on the roof deck or underneath the floor.  They carry more maintence than the air guns as one has to take em apart every 2-3 days and clean out the fire chamber.  Buy an extra battery too cuz they don't last all day.  

For the amatuer like myself,  Just too expensive to operate regularly.  Those fuel cells are expensive.  

My pnuematic gun gets a few drops of oil in the inlet and it's good to go til sundown or at least lunch time.  

[sprucebunny]

I have a Paslode airless nailer. Works great.Has survived quite alot of punishment and haven't had to clean it much..

[OneWithWood]

I'll second the Paslode.  It is great when I am working out in the woods where juice just isn't available.  But where you got juice a good air operated stick nailer is worth its weight in oil.

[Gilman]

I started getting as many tools as possible from the Porter Cable/ Delta factory outlet store over in Portland, OR. You pay about 60% of new and they all factory reconditioned.  That 19.2V cordless set that retailed for $499.00 sold there for about $280.00.  My charger went out so I took it over to get repaired, "$60.00".  $75.00 for a new one, or a reconditioned 19.2V hammer drill, charger and two batteries for $125.00.  Got an extra drill and two extra batteries now.

Here's there service center finder:  Look for a "factory service center" if you are interested.
http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=257