Best Framing Nailers for Woodworkers and Handymen in the UK

Hitachi is one of few companies that stick to its strategy and principles from the very first day of establishment. The company's desire to make our lives easier has always driven them to develop new technologies and improve solutions that already exist. Team specialists spend hours on research and implementation of products that can meet customers' needs and enhance their experience. If that was not for such deliberate approach, Hitachi wouldn't be now where it is. Importantly, Hitachi strives to manufacture products that not only would be affordable but also environment-friendly. This all makes the company one of the catalysts of the global technological changes.

The advantage to using gas nailers is that they are mobile and independent from cords and hoses. When the battery's charged, the magazine's loaded and a fuel cell attached, the gun is ready to use. Nevertheless, you should be wary of the exhaust gas that emits during operation and frequently air the place when working indoors. It is also not recommended to operate the gas-powered framing nailer in the cold, as too low temperatures may cause the tool malfunctioning. Regularly clean the gun from the soot, which may build up inside the fuel rod. And if you notice that the nails start jamming, make sure to thoroughly clean the tool from inside out. So doing, you will be able to extend the life of the tool significantly.

Based on the power of the brushless motor, the DeWALT DEW-DCN692N can be used for a variety of applications. It benefits from two speeds which allow it to fire 90mm nails in softwood and 63mm nails in hardwood with ease. The DeWALT DEW-DCN692N offers the sequential operating mode that provides operators with higher precision during work and the bump mode that increases the productive speed. This all makes the DeWALT DEW-DCN692N versatile and suitable for a wide variety of tasks both light-duty and high-volume. 

For carpenters assembling and upholstering furniture, we could recommend using a finish nailer. In spite of its quite high performance specifications, it is well suitable for indoor repairing works. It doesn't vibrate nor produces much noise, unlike many other similar tools.   

When it comes to convenience features, the DeWALT DEW-DCN692N offers quite a lot of them and then some. It is fitted with a non-slip ergonomic handle, with the battery compartment being placed right underneath it, and features a thumb wheel depth adjuster for regulating the depth that should be achieved. Despite the fact that the tool is quite heavy, it's not too big on the whole. Most users find it easy to hold it in hands and operate even in tight places. The option to adjust the magazine enables you to fire both clipped head and round head nails at angles between 30° to 34°, which all makes this tool incredibly practical. The DeWALT DEW-DCN692N doesn't have a carry case but it comes with a reversible hook making it easy to hang the tool on your belt when not in use. Like most of the nailers presented on the market, the DEW-DCN692N features a lock-off mechanism which gives users an opportunity to prevent accidental nail discharge. All these features make the DeWALT DCN692 worth your close attention.

Made of heavy-duty aluminium, the Silverline 282400 is able to withstand the harshest workplace environments, which makes it perfectly suitable for use both indoors and outdoors on job-sites. It'd be fair to say that durable construction cost the tool some extra weight. However, we do not consider these few additional ounces in weight as a deal-breaker given the price of the nailer. At half the price of similar nailers produced by leading brands, it offers just as good performance. The tool accepts most nails with the width of 3.33mm and the length of 50mm - 90mm and can hold up to 90 nails to allow for it longer runtime. It features a depth adjuster which makes it easy to adjust the firing depth without any other tools. So basically, this framing nailer has all the features and functions of costly models but it isn't that expensive. This way, if the brand name is the least of the things you want to pay for, there's nothing to lose buying the Silverline 282400. The tool is designed with all the same capabilities and complies with all quality and safety standards.

Like many other nailers, the Silverline 282400 has a catch that prevents nail shooting until you pull the trigger. Having said that, there are still some safety measures that should be taken to ensure comfortable and safe work with the tool. To exclude the risks of injuries, there shouldn't be any gap between the gun and the air compressor. If the hose goes loose, you should consider using a special adapter. When disconnecting the tool, always switch the compressor off first. Wearing safety goggles is also important in order to protect your sight from damage.

Among such a diverse range of framing nailers, the BOSTITCH GF33PTU is one of the few that is so popular both with regular users and with professional engineers. In addition to excellent performance characteristics that bring it on a par with more professional-grade tools, the BOSTITCH GF33PTU stands out for its convenient features making the tool's utility an easy task. Like we've mentioned earlier, the BOSTITCH GF33PTU comes supplied with two batteries so it can be used for a considerably longer time without recharging. The recharging time, though, isn't long. In fact, it's pretty fast compared to many other similar tools. In less than one hour, the battery charge will be fully complete. Along with the nailer, the box includes a carry case for tool's storage and transportation. It also has a rafter hook for attaching the tool to your belt or on a wall when not in use. Not like that's something unusual but we still would like to highlight that the BOSTITCH GF33PTU, similar to the other nailers reviewed in here, has a serrated tip that prevents the nose from sliding over the work surface and allows for high precision while shooting nails.

All gas-powered nail guns stand out for their efficiency, performance, and power. Using the fuel/air mixture, they force the piston into the wood at the increased speed, which makes them suited for a wide range of projects. The only obvious disadvantages to using gas-powered nailers are that they emit exhaust gases and that they require often cleanups.

Battery-powered nailers don't deliver as much power as their gas-powered peers, but they offer some other advantages that should be considered. Unlike gas-powered models, battery-powered framing nailers produce very little vibration making it easy to use the tool for an extended time. As they've got no gas to freeze, they can also be used safely all year round even when it's freezing cold.

Both gas-powered nail guns and battery-powered guns offer flexibility, mobility, and ease of use. However, if power is crucial to you, we'd recommend you to opt for the gas-operated nail gun. For all other jobs, it will be enough to use a battery-powered tool.

The mechanical operation of the tool makes it a great alternative to a regular hammer. Whether you need to assemble furniture or you simply need to affix some decorative items on walls, the Tacwise 400ELS will fit for the purpose. Of all the tools we've seen so far, this one is the easiest in operation you can find out there. That being said, it's widely popular with professional carpenters who often need to work at awkward locations.

Tacwise has got a wide range of high-quality and affordable nailers on offer. If you are involved in construction jobs, you may want to consider some other great models we've presented in our review on brad nailers. The 191ELS is a fine example of versatility the Tacwise company incorporates in all of its tools. Unlike the biggest majority of framing nailers, the Tacwise 191ELS is designed to accept both nails and brads up to 15-30 mm long. For occasional DIYers needing a tool for household use, we'd recommend turning attention to the Tacwise DGN50V. The distinguishing feature of this tool is its feather-like weight making only 1.2 kg.