I'm trying to figure out which framing nailer to get, 21° or 30°, here in Colorado. I noticed that local Home Depots have a lot more 21° nailers and a wider variety of 21° plastic collated nails compared to the limited selection of 30° paper tape nails, which are mostly from Paslode. I'm curious if the higher stock of 21° nails means they're simply more popular, or if the 30° options sell out quicker. Additionally, I know some local regulations refer to older ICC codes but don't specifically mention which degree of nailer to use. Given Colorado's wind conditions, I would lean towards 21°, but I also wonder about the environmental concerns over plastic collated nails. Any insights would be appreciated!
1 Answer
The choice between 21° and 30° nailers often comes down to regional preferences. It's true that 21° nailers are more common on the coasts while 30° nailers are favored in the Midwest. Since Home Depots in Colorado stock more 21° nailers, it seems they might be the go-to option here. Remember, what matters more is having the right type of head on the nail rather than just the angle. If you’re looking for versatility, the 30° nailers can be modified to use 21° magazines, though that might void the warranty. If you think you'll need to fit into tighter spots, go for the 30° and maybe order some offset heads online for those cases. Just make sure to get what’s easily available in your area!
And let’s not forget, Home Depot does carry some Paslode offset full head nails at least, which are 30°.
Also worth noting is that the full round head on the 21° nails is better for seismic activity, which can be a factor in parts of Colorado like the Rocky Mountain Forest Range.