Nail Guns

diymarkw · Post by **diymarkw** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 9:58 am

I will be installing a 40metre feather board fence in my garden.
I would like to purchase a budget nail gun just for this job and wonder if anyone can tell me if a Brad Nail gun would be suitable for fixing the Feather Boards?

Looking at the Einhell TE CN 18

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 10:15 am

forget "cheap" there is no such thing what you show-is18 gauge - anything less than 16 gauge [18/21 ]has no chance even 16 will not last as no heads
you need angled nails with heads so probably 15 gauge

random example
https://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/senco- ... ing-nailer

diymarkw · Post by **diymarkw** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 10:18 am

Thanks. What about staples?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 10:25 am

You need to do it the traditional way with a hammer and ring shank nails, the heads on pin guns are so small the board will pull out easily. To make it easier predrill a pilot in the boards so you can push the nail in and seat it. A few hammer blows and it is home. I know this sound laborious but it is the easiest way to do a good job that will last.

DWD

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Fri Mar 14, 2025 10:34 am

random link to what you need yoo need about 6omm nails with heads
https://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/senco- ... ing-nailer

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 1:33 pm

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Fri Mar 14, 2025 10:25 am You need to do it the traditional way with a hammer and ring shank nails, the heads on pin guns are so small the board will pull out easily. To make it easier predrill a pilot in the boards so you can push the nail in and seat it. A few hammer blows and it is home. I know this sound laborious but it is the easiest way to do a good job that will last.

DWD

40 metres with say a cover of 4 1\4 inches gives around 370 boards , 3 nails per board assuming 3 rails gives around 1100 nails which might sound a lot but it really isn't that bad so I'd follow this advice , it's how I have done it anyway. If you are still keen on the nailgun approach how about just hiring one. A nailgun suitable for this is going to be expensive to buy and if you're not going to be using it afterwards it seems a waste to buy one.

diymarkw · Post by **diymarkw** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 1:58 pm

Thank you. I have 520 boards x 100mm. The Senco Nail gun recommended above looks good. If I decide to go for it I could probably sell it afterwards for a fair price. Hiring is about £45 a day locally, and I don't really need or want to do it all in one day.
I was quoted £5500 by a fencing company for the job, and doing it myself will come in under £1800!! With Durapost metal posts which will last a lifetime.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 3:21 pm

The important point is the nail head size. All fence panels will take a lot of wind and weather and over time this will soften the wood to a point where it is easy to pull a pin-type nail head through the board. This is especially important if security is an issue. So make sure that the nail head is at least 3/16" wide to give you the best chance of longevity. I used a pin nailer once on fence board repairs and it was useless. I had to redo the boards a year later as they were flapping in the wind.

As a comparison my estimate for a twenty one 6 foot by 5 foot close board panel and concrete post fence is £2500 This is the panels which with concrete posts, gravel boards, and Postcrete will come out at that figure for materials. Same post-hole digging, but stronger and longer lasting. Do a complete material and work comparison.

DWD

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 5:17 pm

diymarkw wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 1:58 pm Thank you. I have 520 boards x 100mm. The Senco Nail gun recommended above looks good. If I decide to go for it I could probably sell it afterwards for a fair price. Hiring is about £45 a day locally, and I don't really need or want to do it all in one day.
I was quoted £5500 by a fencing company for the job, and doing it myself will come in under £1800!! With Durapost metal posts which will last a lifetime.

it wasnt an actual recommendation as such more the type needed hence the comments" random link " please do your own homework before committing

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 6:01 pm

The concrete posts are easier to do as you do a bay at a time, the Postcrete goes off quickly whilst you dig the next hole. The gravel board acts as an accurate spacer so as you put the post in you can slot the panel and gravel board in without any lifting. I use hardcore tamped around the base of the post and put the Postcrete on top, the hardcore holds it all remarkably straight. The tools you will need are a posthole digger https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Post-Ho ... 20Products and perhaps an SDS breaker for any rocks you find. Both tools under £100.

DWD