HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-04-13, Page 33Putting the hammer down
More and more do-it-
yourself types are
opting for air -powered
fastening tools
When faced with a major
project — perhaps putting on a
new roof or building a deck or
room addition — more and
more do-it-youiselfers (DlYers)
are doing what most
professional builders and
remodelers have already done:
replacing their hammers with air -
powered fastening tools.
When compared to swinging a
hammer, air -powered, or
pneumatic, fastening tools are
faster and easier to use.
With a pneumatic fasting
tool, a Drier can easily.*ve 40
nails a minute, say experts.
Today's lightweight, high-
power pneumatic fastening tools
allow DlYers to "pound" nails
without pounding their muscles.
Also, you can maintain a
consistent depth -of -drive with
pneumatics that you just won't
get with a hammer.
So if pneumatic fastening tools
are faster and easier to use, why
do some DlYers still cling to their
hammers?
Some mistakenly believe that
nails fastened with a pneumatic
tool are not as effective as those
driven by hand with a hammer,
say experts.. However, building
codes throughout the country
recognize that pneumatically
driven fasteners are every bit as
effective, if not more so, in
practically all applications.
In addition, most pneumatic
_ = fasteners are- treated with special
coatings.
The friction created by the
high -velocity driving of
pneumatic tools liquefies the
coating, which helps the fastener
penetrate the wood and results
in less wood splitting.
And as the coating dries, it
acts like a glue and fuses the
fastener to the wood fibers for
maximum holding power.
Concern over tool
maintenance and repair is
another factor that has kept
some DlYers from making the
switch.
Like any power tool,
pneumatic nailers and staplers
require routine maintenance and
occasional repair. However,
most of it can be done quickly
and easily.
Pneumatic tools aren't nearly
as complicated as electric power
tools, because there are relatively
few moving parts and most
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maintenance and repair can be
done in a matter of minutes.
Some manufacturers offer
maintenance and repair kits for
their tools. Many come with
easy -to -follow instructions that
explain what tools are needed
and how long the procedure is
likely to take.
Cost is the other primary
reason why some DlYers have
not yet let go of their hammers.
Prices for pneumatic tools begin
at about $300. But, say experts,
consider the time you'll save.
So when a DlYer decides to
lay his hammer down and go
pneumatic, what should he
consider before buying his first
tool?
Don't buy a tool based just on
an immediate need. Look down
the road and think about what
projects you're likely to
encounter in the future.
Pneumatic fastening tools are
classified by the type of fasteners
they can drive. Most pneumatic
tools drive several lengths of one
basic fastener type.
So investing in a tool that
provides the greatest fastener
range for those applications you
expect to encounter most will
provide the biggest bang for the
buck.
For home improvement
projects, there are three major
types of pneumatic fastening
tools:
Framing and Sheathing
Nailers: Powerful enough to
drive long nails, these tools are
ideal for framing and other
applications, such as subflooring,
decking and truss building.
Trim/Finish Nailers: These
tools, which drive brads or finish
nails, are designed for interior
and exterior finishing
applications, such as fastening
paneling, decorative molding.
door and window casing, and
brick molding.
With a pneumatic finishing
tool, DlYers can avoid those
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