Hose size for framing nailer?

[CThomp]

Do I need a 3/8" or will a 5/16" suffice?

[Rich]

I've always used 1/4".

[TnAndy]

I've always used 3/8"......you'll know if it's too small, you'll be leaving nails part way out, but the compressor isn't running.

[CThomp]

I've been leaving nails 50% out with the 5/16".

[TnAndy]

I assume you have the output pressure up in the 120lb or so range ? ......if so, you just ain't getting enough volume....hose too small for your nailer.

If your compressor is running a lot, then it likely isn't big enough to keep up.

One last thought.....if the nails sticking out are mostly at the time JUST BEFORE the compressor kicks on, the setting on the "on" side of the pressure switch may be too low......the compressor is waiting until it gets in the 50lb or so range before it kicks in.....take the cover off the pressure switch and tweak up the setting so it kicks on about 80lbs or so. Compressor will run more, but that should help your nail setting problem.

[CThomp]

The compressor is a pretty old one. 20+ years probably. So there's a good chance it might just not have the strength I need. A buddy has a good compressor. I'm gonna have to borrow it.

[CThomp]

Yeah we were running the psi up to almost 120psi. I have a feeling it may be the compressor.

[Cole]

Yep, new you need a new toy.

[CThomp]

I'll be borrowing a compressor. I friend has a pancake compressor I can borrow for as long as I need it. He bought all sorts of fancy tools to build his house and now they just lay around. Not for long!!!

[TnAndy]

A friend with tools is a friend indeed !

Just ran down this morning and borrowed my neighbor's JCB 4x4 backhoe to dig a little ditch where I needed a french drain.....of course, when he needed a set of kitchen cabinets built, my shop was availiable to him as well.....

[CThomp]

It was the hose. My framing nailer works like a champ. I'm gonna be a framing, sheathing mo-fo this weekend.

[rabadger]

Maybe you have a knot in the hose? Have the wife move the lawn chair off of it? Move the beer cooler off the hose?

As you can tell, I don't know anything about them.

[CThomp]

LOL. The hose was just to small. Or the compressor was. I don't really know either. I do know that it works like a champ with a 3/8" hose and the new compressor. Thats good enough.

[Vector]

You know, 120psi is 120psi. It doesn't matter how old the compressor is, if it can put out 120psi and has decent volume (not cycling constantly), it wasn't the compressor.

And I've run my framing nailer off of 1/4" hose very effectively. I think that your hose must have had a restriction in it somewhere, maybe something that wasn't visible damage from the outside.

[CThomp]

Must've been. It works now though. And my father and father in-law are both talking about getting bigger hoses.

[Dragon]

Ok, first off, turn your compressors up so that they START at around 120psi or higher, and shut off around 140psi.

Then use a regulator. You will get constant air pressure to the hose and tool that way.

Also, keep in mind that you will lose (for any practical purpose) about 8psi for every 50 feet of hose you run.

[CThomp]

I'm using a 20ft hose. I have a 50ft but I think it can wait until I get to the soffit and fascia.

I've got mine set at 110 psi for the sheathing and I cranked it to 120psi for the framing. I was having some difficulties with depth adjustment for the sheathing. So I backed it off a bit.

All was well in the end. It worked like a champ for the framing. Sheathing will take a bit more practice with pressures and what not.

[Dragon]

Get a small in-line regulator and attach it at the nailgun. That way you can adjust on the fly without having to make trips back and forth.

[Crash13]

Dragon, where do you get one of those regulators?

[Don_P]

Adjusting depth of drive with air pressure is probably not the best way to get consistent results, adjusting the nose is better if its an option. Having plenty of volume and good pressure to the gun is essential. I'd agree with the others and lean towards the cut in pressure being set too low on your old compressor CThomp.
One horror story as you crank up the regulator or the high cut out. A typical gun's head isn't made for much over 100 psi... yes I've cranked well beyond too. A furniture shop employee accidentally plugged into a two stage compressors unregulated line, probably around 170psi, it removed the guns head and his. I hold those things at a respectful angle the first shot or 2 after a drop. If you read about an old carpenter with a head up his ...

[Dragon]

Don is correct, adjusting the depth guage, if your gun has one, is best.

Crash, you can get an in-line regulator at Lowes, almost any parts store, hardware store, they are all over.

I use one a lot when roofing, to get the nails to set properly at the correct depth, on the fly, because conditions can change so easily as the day warms up or cools off.