Nail gun for cladding wall

lausp

Hi all,

Planning on cladding part of my garden wall (4 inch block) in the summer with 4x1 treated timber on 2x1 battens.

The plan is to use concrete screws for the battens, however a nail gun seems to be the ticket to attach the 4x1 to them.

I've been looking at various options and it looks like an 18 gauge nail gun is too light? Is 16 gauge suitable? What is the best option to go for at a reasonable price?

Lumen

Are you sure you should be using a nail gun for this?

There's details on recommended fixings on p11-12 of this document.

https://www.woodcomponents.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MTS-Cladding-Detail-and-Design.pdf

lausp

I've watched a few examples online and it seems to be the preferred method and certainly a lot faster.

Any reason it would not be the way to go?

Lumen

lausp wrote: »

I've watched a few examples online and it seems to be the preferred method and certainly a lot faster.

Any reason it would not be the way to go?

It depends on the cladding. What width and type of wood are you using?

lausp

Lumen wrote: »

It depends on the cladding. What width and type of wood are you using?

4x1 treated white deal.

Seanergy

Would a 16g not split the 2x1?

If the section your nailing ain't overly long? why not treat yourself to a 1st fix Eastwing hammer.

Lumen

lausp wrote: »

4x1 treated white deal.

Assuming you're using 18-22mm cladding over 2x1.5 (47x35mm) battens, I would double nail that at quarter points with 50mm sheradized/stainless ring shank nails.

That gives you the required 2x penetration without running out of batten depth.

Or you could use 50mm stainless cladding screws, e.g. Spax. 40mm will do with 18mm cladding. Pre-drill to avoid splitting.

inox.ie or Screwfix (if in stock and collecting) are good for stainless fixings. Builders providers tend not to do them.

I wouldn't use regular nails for various reasons. Dunno about nail guns, I've put in thousands of nails in an afternoon with a hammer so don't see the need.

Others may have different opinions.

lausp

Seanergy wrote: »

If the section your nailing ain't overly long? why not treat yourself to a 1st fix Eastwing hammer.

I've always wanted one of those!

Have about 80 lengths of 4.8M to put up, so was looking for a faster option.

lausp

Lumen wrote: »

Assuming you're using 18-22mm cladding over 2x1.5 (47x35mm) battens, I would double nail that at quarter points with 50mm sheradized/stainless ring shank nails.

That gives you the required 2x penetration without running out of batten depth.

Or you could use 50mm stainless cladding screws, e.g. Spax. 40mm will do with 18mm cladding. Pre-drill to avoid splitting.

inox.ie or Screwfix (if in stock and collecting) are good for stainless fixings. Builders providers tend not to do them.

I wouldn't use regular nails for various reasons. Dunno about nail guns, I've put in thousands of nails in an afternoon with a hammer so don't see the need.

Others may have different opinions.

Thanks, I do like Screwfix!

I might just use the trusty hammer by the sounds of it then. I was thinking the nail gun might be handy as I was thinking of doing some paneling inside after too but no point in having expensive tools sitting in the shed.

Fine Cheers

Did a similar wall cladding project last year using a mixture of 4 x 1 and 2 x1 treated red deal. Used the trusty hammer and 50mm lost head stainless steel annular ring shank nails from iinox.ie. Not cheap but great job.

Bonzo Delaney

Hire a first fix nail gun for a weekend
Either a gas powered paslode or the battery driven dewalt nailer using 50mm ring shank nails.
To buy a gun for a one off job your looking at spending about 700e
Or else hire a compressor and air line gun

lausp

Fine Cheers wrote: »

Did a similar wall cladding project last year using a mixture of 4 x 1 and 2 x1 treated red deal. Used the trusty hammer and 50mm lost head stainless steel annular ring shank nails from iinox.ie. Not cheap but great job.

Sounds good. Did you use 2x1 battens or 2x1.5?

Fine Cheers

Was actually fixing to 4 x 4 posts bolted to wall as I have piers and wanted all cladding to be flush.

Lumen

1" battens are a bad idea because you won't get enough penetration even with a ring shank nail or screw.

Fine Cheers

Agreed and remember you will probably drive nails below surface of timber cladding so leave yourself a buffer. 2×1.5 battens at least and maybe check timber thicknesses before ordering nails as sizes can vary and not exact depending if planed or rough etc.

Calahonda52

use 2 by 2 rough on the wall and you have plenty room

looking here
https://inox.ie
whats the difference?

A4 / 316 Stainless Steel
A2 / 304 Stainless Steel
A1 / 303 Stainless Steel

Lumen

A2 = normal.
A4 = marine.
A1 = less corrosion-resistant than A2 but easier to machine.

As I understand it A4 is only required if you're getting actual salt spray on the thing, i.e. if you live right on the coast.