Milwaukee is well-known for its efficient performance in the world of framing nailers. This nailer comes with a sturdy build along with some enchanting features. Usually, the angle of the framing nailer varies from 15 to 34 degrees. Among all of them, 21-degree and 30-degree framing nailers are mostly used.
Milwaukee 21 and 30-degree Framing Nailers have some notable distinctions, including different shank diameters and collation angles, separate weights and dimensions, different collation types and nail heads, and variations in price.
Despite having a few differences, they also come with many similarities. Depending on the application, you need to select a suitable framing nailer finally. There is no specific “best” because both nailers are the priority in various projects.
Milwaukee framing nailer 21 vs. 30 comparison chart
This section reveals some prime distinctions of Milwaukee framing nailer 21 vs 30.
| Milwaukee framing nailer 21-degree | Milwaukee framing nailer 30-degree |
| Comparatively heavier with 11.58 pounds weight. | Comparatively lighter with its 9.6 pounds weight. |
| Drive 30-degree framing nails of 113″-131″ shank diameter. | Drive 30-degree framing nails of 113″-131″ shank diameter. |
| 20-degree to 22-degree nail collation angle. For this reason, this nailer can’t cope with tighter angles. | 30-degree to 34-degree nail collation angle. For this reason, this nailer can easily cope with tighter angles. |
| Slightly larger than 30-degree framing nailers with a dimension of 16.5 x 15.5 x 6 inches. | Comparatively smaller than 21-degree framing nailers with a dimension of 13.3 x 14.1 x 4.7 inches. |
| Uses 2 to 3-½ inches plastic collation-type nails. | Uses 2 to 3-½ inches paper collation-type nails. |
| For general framing purposes, its full round nail heads are effective. | For dedicated framing purposes, its clipped or offset nail heads are effective. |
| The nail strip of a 21-degree nailer contains 25 pieces of nails at a time. | The nail strip of a 30-degree nailer contains 34 pieces of nails at a time. |
| Its price is $319.99 according to ebay. The price may vary anytime. | Its price is $366.48 according to ebay. The price may vary anytime. |
Which one has more nail capacity?
Milwaukee 21-degree framing nailers come with 21-degree plastic collated nails. In one strip of this nail, there are 25 pieces of nails altogether. These nails are applicable for general sheathing, framing, fencing, and other relevant projects.
On the contrary, Milwaukee 30-degree framing nailers come with 30-degree paper collated nails. Their shank diameter is slightly smaller in comparison to a 21-degree framing nailer. So, it can hold a few more nails in one strip. Usually, there are 34 nails in one strip of nails for the 30-degree framing nailer.
However, their nail length and nail firing speed are identical. Both nails come with 2″ to 3-½” length and deliver 3 nails per second. For having more nail capacity, a 30-degree Milwaukee framing nailer will run a little bit longer. Besides, it requires reloading much later than a 21-degree Milwaukee framing nailer.
Do Milwaukee 21 and 30 degree Framing Nailers use the same nails?
Both 21-degree and 30-degree Milwaukee framing nailers come in equal nail sizes. But the nails are different, and their magazine angle is entirely different. For a 21-degree Milwaukee framing nailer, the nail shank diameter is 113″-148″.
On the flip side, a 30-degree Milwaukee framing nailer has nails of 113″-131″ nail shank diameter. The higher limit of nail shank diameters is different from each other. A 21-degree framing nailer takes up a slightly larger space inside a nail magazine.
Another reason for the low nail capacity of the 21-degree framing nailer is its collation angle. The magazine supports the nail with a 20-22 degree collation angle. But, for a 30-degree framing nailer, the value increases to 30-34 degrees. You can’t use one nail as an alternative for another nailer due to these core differences.
Which nailer is highly transportable?
A nailer’s transporting convenience depends on its weight distribution and dimension.
Milwaukee 21-degree framing nailer weighs 11.58 pounds with an optimum center of gravity. Besides, its dimension is 16.5 x 15.5 x 6 inches, which are better than many conventional framing nailers. Though it’s slightly bulky, it’s comfortable enough to hold for a long time.
However, the Milwaukee 30-degree framing nailer comes with only 9.6 pounds of weight. Its dimension is 13.3″ x 14.1″ x 4.7″, even better than the 21-degree version. Compared to these two nailers, the 30-degree Milwaukee nailer is easy to transport.
Are both nailers accessible to difficult angles?
The 30-degree framing nailer is accessible to difficult angles only. Their nailing angle is much more than a 21-degree framing nailer. The rule is- the more nailing angle, the more access to the critical spaces. Though both nailers perform similar activities, a 30-degree Milwaukee nailer is more reliable in this case.
Which nailer comes with more user-friendly features?
As they come from the same company, they have indifferent extra features. These extra features make the framing and other woodworking projects more precise. Here are some user-friendly extra features of 21 and 30-degree Milwaukee nailers.
- Included no-mar pad to save the machine along with the nailing surface
- Tool-free nail depth adjustment option to drive the nails accurately in the desired location.
- The dry fire lockout feature prevents misfiring. So, you get the extra safety and it saves the nails from being wasted.
- A reliable rafter hook supports both nailers extremely.
The pros and cons of Milwaukee 21-degree framing nailer
Pros
- The presence of zero-delay even while bump firing is active
- Rapidly fires 3 nails in a second
- Its dry fire lockout prevents misfiring
- Tool-free depth adjustment ensures precise countersink of nails
- Quality no-mar tip ensures zero stains on the surface
Cons
- Slightly bulkier than conventional framing nailers
- Can’t perform nailing in the critical spaces
The pros and cons of Milwaukee 30-degree framing nailer
Pros
- The lightweight feature of this nailer makes it portable anywhere
- For being pneumatic air-powered, no hassle of charging
- Fires perfectly both in sequential and contact firing without jamming
- The 30-34 degree nail collation angle makes it selectable for tough angles
- Its easy on/off button provides convenience to newbies
Cons
- This nailer makes sound pollution
- Its compressor is heavy and takes up extra space for its storage
Along with Milwaukee, there are some other 21 degree and 30 degree framing nailers worth trying. You can check them out.
When should you use Milwaukee framing nailer 21 vs. 30?
Both 21-degree and 30-degree Milwaukee framing nailers are used for framing purposes. In major building projects, both 21 and 30-degree framing nailers are widely used. Framing nailers are also used in fencing, deck building, sheathing projects, sub-flooring, and others.
However, depending on the framing applications, the degree of a framing nailer gets selected. For tighter spaces, 30-degree framing nailers are more suitable than 21-degree framing nailers. When dealing with normal space, a 21-degree framing nailer is good to go.