Performing plywood sheathing is a heavy-duty purpose. You need a heavy nailer to handle such tough projects. People get confused about selecting a heavy-duty nailer.
As sheathing plywood is the ledge of material attached to the structural frame of the roof, a roofing-oriented nailer can be preferred. But the question is – what is the best nail gun for plywood sheathing?
There are varieties of models & features & it’s challenging to make a sound decision after comparing. To liberate you from this thinking, we’re here. After reading our expert analysis, you’ll gather vast knowledge about the best nailers recommended for sheathing work. Without making delay, let’s get into the article.
What type of nailer should I use on plywood?
This point is based on the thickness of the plywood. Randomly, experts suggest going for framing nailers. Framing nailers have the fame of performing good results in sheathing projects. There are both 21-degree & 30-degree framing nailers. The 30-degree framing nailers are more compact & capable of holding a bit more nails in the magazine than 21-degree nailers.
A Perfect Nail Gun for Plywood Projects – BOSTITCH F21PL
- Multiple nose pieces for metal connector applications
- Lightweight agnesium construction for durability
- Adjustable depth for versatile plywood projects
- Rafter hook for easy storage and haning
- Both sequential and bump trigger
- Plastic collated 1-1/2-inch
- 2-1/2-inch metal connector nails
- Rubber skid and rubber grip for less fatigue
What’s our method of reviewing?
You’ll be glad to hear that we emphasize the user’s opinion by recommending products to people. Our expert article writer tries to hold mentionable points of a product maintaining a sequence of importance. It helps a reader to realize the product’s features keenly.
Our easy elaboration of different functions can make you understand the whole machinery process easily. Our writer spent around 3 hours per day studying & visiting the top site’s results & comment section to collect information about the desired product. So, we guarantee that our reviewing process is elegant & beneficial for users.
5 Best Nail Guns for Plywood Sheathing
We will introduce you to our researched & selected top 5 models of framing nailers & you’ll learn about the best nail gun for plywood sheathing.
01.Best Pneumatic nailer for plywood: Paslode Pneumatic Framing Nailer
- Item Weight: 8.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 20 x 14.5 inches
- Power Source: Air-powered
- Maximum Pressure: 120 Pound per Square Inch
- Compatible Fastener Range: 2″-3.5″
- Certification: certified frustration-free
- Nail Capacity: 2 strips (up to 84 nails)
- Nail Angle: 30°
- Batteries Required: No
The Paslode Pneumatic Framing Nailer is engineered to fire 12 nails per second. When working with a dedicated project like sheathing, this firing speed will improve the work.
With two strips of nail capacity, this nailer’s magazine can hold up to 84 nails of 2″-3.5″ sizes. When working on a sheathing project, you won’t want a recoil issue & the company has reduced it to a minimum.
Besides, this model is a little heavy weighted, but it doesn’t bring much fatigue to the muscle for good weight balance.
Besides, this nailer uses an air-deflector cap and the main valve to improve airflow and performance over various operating conditions. There is a bump fire trigger for bump firing or contact firing. The user can instantly press the tip against the nailing surface using this feature to gain non-stop firing.
This nailer is dedicated to serving with lower jam & misfiring. The misfiring rate is lower than Metabo HPT Cordless Framing Nailer Kit, 18V, Brushless Motor; Freeman PFR2190 Pneumatic 21 Degree Framing Nailer; BOSTITCH Framing Nailer, Round Head, 1-1/2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch (F21PL) & DeWalt 20V Max DCN692M1. The convenient design of this nail gun with a soft grip provides a solid feel.
Pros
- Engineered for firing 12 nails per second
- Almost zero recoil
- Presence of air-deflector
- Good weight balance doesn’t bring fatigue
- Bump fire trigger
- Convenient researched design
- Minimum nail jamming
- No misfiring, no waste of nails
- Soft grip for a handy feel
Cons
- The weight is slightly higher
- Nail capacity is below the satisfaction
For whom this product is designed
This nail gun is suitable for those who are experts with sheathing tasks. If they want to complete their tasks using technologies like air-deflector & bump firing with low recoil & good weight balance, this item is their pick.
02. Best Battery-powered: Metabo HPT Cordless Framing Nailer
- Item Weight: 10.1 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 5.38 x 13.5 inches
- Batteries: One 18v Lithium-ion battery
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Depth of Drive: Tool-less
- Motor Type: Brushless
- Driving Speed: Up to 2 Nails/Sec
- Nails per Charge: Up to 400
- Firing Modes: Sequential/Bump
Sheathing projects are a finishing project & to avoid the hassle of plugging in, people select battery-operated nailers.
A Brushless motor is used here for a mind-blowing performance. A compact 18V, 3.0 Ah lithium-ion battery is used here, which is only 0.6 lbs weighted. A fast charger is provided in the box. It can drive 400 nails per charge & firing two nails per second.
Metabo HPT Cordless Framing Nailer uses 21-degree plastic collated nails from 2 inches to 3 ½ inches in size. It is also offering some great features besides the compact battery.
Its nail depth adjustment helps to fix nail heads in the desired depth. This nail gun is determined to prevent dry firing, which affects the battery charge & wastes nails. So, the manufacturer is offering a side lock trigger to avoid this circumstance.
There are both sequential & contact firing modes. Contact firing mode allows firing nails continuously.
The Paslode 501048 pneumatic nailer model’s contact firing technology is equivalent to this model, but we think our dealing model’s trigger is authentic in quality. We want to tell you about the battery charge indicator & soft-grip handle, which could convince you.
Pros
- Compact battery with 400 nails firing per charge
- Fast charging supported
- Both sequential & contact firing modes are available
- Low-battery indicator
- Soft grip with better friction
- Nail depth adjustment feature
- Side-lock trigger for preventing dry firing
Cons
- So much heavy for steel-built
- The nail-firing speed is not fast
- Fast charger produces some heat when charging
For whom this product is designed
Metabo has designed this product for extreme battery backup hungry people. When doing sheathing projects in a place where no plug-in system is available, this model can perform the task finely. Sheathing workers can select this for awesome features like depth adjustment, dry firing lock-out, low battery indicator, etc.
03. Best value for the money: Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer
- Item Weight: 8.5 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 18 x 2 x 12 inches
- Style: 21º Plastic Collated Full-Head
- Material: Magnesium, anodized aluminum, and steel
- Power Source: Air-powered
- Magazine capacity: 55 nails
- Dual firing mode: Yes
- Nail depth adjustment: tool-free
- No-mar tip: Yes
- Teflon-O rings: Yes
- Batteries Required: No
If we talk about the budget killer nailer model perfect for sheathing projects, Freeman PFR2190 framing nailer is the choice.
This model promises an ergonomic secured handle with interchangeable firing modes on the best budget. Its attached handle provides additional safety to the machine. Interchangeable firing mode allows the user to shift between regular & bump firing modes.
It has a tool-free nail depth adjustment feature which can be helpful for different nailer applications. It provides a no-mar tip which helps to avoid damaging the working surface.
Teflon O-rings are present for resisting the high heat produced by the nailer. This feature also ensures the high performance of the nailer for a very long time. None of our discussing models can provide these functions at their price.
21-degree plastic collated full round head framing nails from 2″ to 3 ½” are used to fire this nailer. This nailer offers a magnesium-built body for extended use in a short price range.
It also offers good durability with attractive built quality. The aluminum-built magazine can hold 55 nails at a time. Besides, its 360-degree adjustable exhaust allows the user to pass air away from the forepart of the body.
Pros
- Magnesium built with good durability
- Ergonomic secured handle
- Teflon-O rings for reducing overheating
- Aluminum built magazine
- 360-degree adjustable exhaust
- Selectable trigger for both regular & bump firing
- No-mar tip to prevent surface damage
Cons
- Weight is not appreciable
- The magazine could hold some more nails than 55
For whom this product is designed
As it’s a budget-killer item, sheathing project workers can choose this to save some currency. This item is specially designed to provide features like Teflon-o rings, a selectable trigger function & 360-degree adjustable exhaust in a short price range. Sheathing workers, having lack money but want something worth it. Go for this model.
04. Best Nail gun for plywood floor: BOSTITCH Framing Nailer (F21PL)
- Item Weight: 4.17 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 16 x 6 inches
- Power Source: Pneumatic
- Depth Adjustment: Yes
- Fastener Length: 2-3 1/2 in
- Fastener Type / Gauge: 21 Degree
- Firing Mode: Sequential with Contact Trigger Included
- Jam Clearance: Yes
- Magazine Capacity: 60
- Magazine Loading: Bottom Load
- Operating Pressure: 80 – 120 psi
BOSTITCH Framing Nailer (F21PL) is only 4.17 pounds weighted as it’s convenient for portability. Its body is constructed with magnesium, considered one of the best durable nailer metals.
It is attractive that after using metal elements, the company has reduced the weight to the lowest where our all discussing models are around 8 pounds.
This nailer has a patented push button for adjusting nails to the desired depth. When working with sheathing, you’ll need to place the nails perfectly & this feature will be your helping hand.
This model drives plastic collated & metal connector nails. Driving both types of nails is a great feature for performing versatile projects. A quick change of nose pins allows this nailer to be used as a two-in-one nailer.
The integrated rubber grip offers a better grip as a part of the improved built quality. A bottom-loaded magazine is included, which can have 60 nails at a time. Its adjustable rafter hook permits users to hang the tool on the rafters.
Sequential firing mode with a contact trigger is present for bump firing. It helps to perform dedicated tasks with extreme firing in a short time.
Pros
- Magnesium built offers the best durability
- Easily portable
- Compact design
- Very appreciable light-weight & balance
- Adjustable rafter hook for hanging
- Both regular & contact firing options
- Patented push-button for adjusting the depth of nails
- Capable of using two types of nails
- Okay for extreme usage
Cons
- Offering low magazine capacity
- No dry fire lockout preventing blank firing
- No wear guards
- The integral joist hanger is below the quality
For whom this product is designed
This nailer offers conventional features & talking about a reasonable price range. What if this nailer provides something more like good durability & compact design? Yes, this model is super durable & long-lasting as it’s lightweight and magnesium-built. People who will love these for sheathing can pick this item.
05. Overall one for plywood sheathing: DeWalt DCN692M1 framing nailer
- Item Weight: 7.8 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 18.5 x 6.88 x 15.56 inches
- Batteries: 1 Lithium-ion battery required
- Material: Plastic
- Rafter hook: Yes
- Dry fire lockout: Yes
- Fastener length: 2 to 3-1/2 Inches
- Firing mode: Sequential & bump
- Magazine Angle: 30 degree
- Magazine capacity: 55 nails
- Magazine loading: Rear load
Now, we’re at the point of exposing the editor’s choice. Considering the use of technologies, value for money & other criteria, we have selected the DeWalt DCN692M1 framing nailer as our pick item.
This nailer provides a selectable switch for sequential & bump firing. The sequential mode can be used for regular nailing & for continuous nailing; bump firing can be selected.
It has a dry fire lockout function which can prevent dry firing. A stall release liver can reset the nailer blade when a nail jam occurs.
A user can get easy access to the nose pins, which helps to dispose of the jammed nails easily. It is 7.8 pounds weighted & built with a plastic body. Though it uses a plastic material, it’s not brittle at all. Its no-mar tip helps to protect the work surface as well as the nailer.
The magazine of this model holds around 55 paper collated nails & fires up to a 3.5″ fastener. Its rear load magazine provides a convenient situation while reloading the magazine.
This is a battery-powered nailer & the 20V long-lasting lithium-ion battery can be helpful for sheathing projects by supplying plenty of power. At reasonable pricing, providing these features on a battery-operated nailer has convinced us.
Pros
- Selectable firing mode
- No-mar tip present to prevent damage to the surface
- Compact 20V battery for fruitful backup
- Easy access to the nose pins for disposing of jammed fastener
- Rear loading convenient magazine
Cons
- Plastic built
- Slightly heavy compared to others
For whom this product is designed
This is an all-rounder product. People interested in performing sheathing work with a reasonable pricing nailer can pick this item. This model is full of necessary functions like a rear-load system, a selectable firing system with dual speed motor & so on. So, if you’re searching for something valuable for money for sheathing, buy this model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having some common questions in mind? Take a quick visit here.
No, because the finish nailer uses a different diameter of the fastener. It requires 15 to 18 gauge nails, but sheathing projects need 8d common nails.
No, both aren’t the same. A finish nailer shoots 14 to 16-gauge nails, whereas a framing nailer shoots bigger nails.
The degree of framing nailer refers to the difference in used nailer sizes. The difference indicates the different angles used for the other nailers.
You do use 8d common nails for plywood sheathing. Using longer 16d common nails widely used in attaching thick structural elements is unnecessary.
Common nails are needed for plywood sheathing. You need to use 2.5-inch long 8d common nails for plywood.
Conclusion
At the end of the article, we think you have become able to gather a vast amount of knowledge. Different nailers have different functions & we have tried to expose their applications & beneficial sides. The companies try to show only the positive sides of the machine. We’ve tried to expose some cons of the products with complete elaboration. We hope reading the whole article helped enrich your knowledge about framing nailers.
At the endpoint, we declare the best nail gun for plywood sheathing. DeWalt DCN692M1 framing nailer is our pick because it offers attractive pricing with a battery backup, selectable firing mode & easy disposal function of jammed nails. You can have this for completing your sheathing project nicely. Moreover, you can look over different segments as per your necessity.