Best Siding Nailer For LP Smartside
Kaniz Shahnaz
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When you’re installing lap siding, choosing the right LP? SmartSide? installation tools will help lead to a faster, easier process, and you’ll likely avoid common siding installation mistakes along the way. Once you’ve chosen engineered wood as a substrate, match it with the right type of nails to use for siding made from wood strands.
?Nails for lap siding, such as LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, should be 0.113-inch smooth shank diameter hot-dip galvanized nails. A minimum 0.092-inch smooth shank diameter nail may be substituted depending on wind pressure, wind speed and wind exposure category limitations in APA Product Report PR-N124 or ICC-ES Report ESR-1301.
Hot-dip nails are among the best nails for wood siding because they are treated with zinc to resist rust formation. The aforementioned sizes of lap siding nails represent good basic options for most siding applications.
Top 5 Best Siding Nailer For LP Smartside
2. PacTool Gecko Gauge LP Siding Tool
3. PacTool SS724 Snapper Shear Pro
4. Metabo HPT Framing Nailer
5. BOSTITCH Coil Siding Nailer
1.Freeman PCN65 Pneumatic
So, I own at least 10 nail guns - from trim to roofing nailers. I was in need of a new coil siding nailer after losing my Hitachi. Yet, I was hesitant to spend $350 again for a job I don't do often. So I come across this at 60% of the price.
My first impression of this gun was mixed. It had better features than the Hitachi and Dewalt I have used such as bump fire, rafter hooks, adjustable exhaust, and single or automatic firing. That is, most of the professional brands don't include these or have an awkward handicap that prevents you from using them - like a fixed hook, trigger installations, and locked exhaust.
However, it is apparent that this gun isn't made for continuous daily use when you look at the trigger, coil gaurd, and depth adjustment. The trigger is probably the weakest and cheapest one I have ever used. The coil guard won't survive a hard fall. The depth adjustable is hard to use. It also isn't as balanced as most other nailers and is significantly larger in size.
As to how well it performs, well I am more than satisfied. It shoots nails just as well as the Makita, Hitachi, and Dewalt siding nailers I have used. From fiber cement to hardwood. The results are great - most of the time. The biggest issue is that this gun is a lot more prone to double firing than most.
Double firing is a significant issue. It can crack your fiber cement or split your hard wood. This gun is very prone to double fire when you are using smaller compressors. To better explain, you shouldn't be using pancake compressors or compact low cfm (>5cfm@90) anyway. Coil and roofing jailers use significantly more air due to the nature of their work as siding and shingles use a lot more nails per area. Yet, most people and professionals don't care. So this if for you pancake users out there - don't buy this gun or you will have trouble.
This gun will double fire when you are are driving a lot of nails and your compressor does not have enough air to keep up with the demand.Weird huh? Most guns don't fire or they dry fire when the pressure is too low or their isn't enough air (volume) to meet the demand.
I discovered this after trying it out on all 5 of my compressors - pancakes, engine driven 6 gallon, 25 gallon, and 60 gallon. No surprise, it double fired often on my pancakes and engine driven but never once double fired on the 25 or 60 gallon. From there on out, I have only used in on my 25 gallon and rarely double fired.
As far as the jamming, all coil nailers do it. It is just the nature of this mechanism. Wire fasteners bind and adhesive builds up. This gun jammed just as often as all the others I have used.
Overall, I would recommend this gun to most consumers and those professionals who do siding on the small scale like repairs or touch ups.
2.PacTool Gecko Gauge LP Siding Tool
I did a siding job with these and there are some pro's and con's. Pro's are that you can do a lot of work with just one person (for the most part). They can hold boards for you as you nail, and they will space out the boards evenly. Cons are that they don't hold the boards all the time. sometimes they slip down because a gap is created when you tighten the grip to the previous board. The gap is almost always present so it's something to work around and be aware of.
One more thing to think about. I was doing a repair of the bottom half of the siding and the boards were previously not evenly spaced. That made matching them with these very difficult. They are still a helpful starting point, but not 100% foolproof.
3.PacTool SS724 Snapper Shear Pro
I bought this tool to cut Hardie Plank because I didn't want to deal with the nasty, dangerous dust you get with a saw, and I'm glad I did. A saw might give a perfectly clean cut, but the need to use a vacuum, SERIOUS dust mask, and tight goggles would have negated that advantage. (note: Some will say that you don't need to go all space-suit when using a saw, but you'll be sorry if you don't)This shear/nibbler takes a little practice, but after a couple of cuts, you're getting very nice results. It's not difficult to produce cuts to within 1/8th inch, and often to within 1/16th inch accuracy. You can also do respectable curve cuts if needed, and the amount of dust produced is minimal. The slightly furry edge of the cuts can be smoothed, if needed, with a small sure-form rasp. Remember to prime all cuts before installation - Cement Fiber absorbs water, and caulking, where used, will adhere much better to primed material. The Pac Tool shear won't be as durable as a $400-$500 dedicated nibbler, but it's held up very well during my one-off siding project, still cutting like new after about 100 planks, including several long rip cuts.
If you're only doing one small-to-medium sized siding project, rather than an entire LARGE house, this tool should do the job to your satisfaction. I'm glad I bought it.
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4.Metabo HPT Framing Nailer
I bought this for one job and may need it again in the near future so renting wasnt worth it but its a great tool that you might not need often as a DIYer. its light, easy to handle and once you realize it loads kind of from the back (for some reason that stumped me for a minute) super simple to use and very powerful. glad I bought it. safety first though, these staples are long, thick, strong and with a full tank would probably go through most body parts pretty easy.
5.BOSTITCH Coil Siding Nailer
This is the first framing nailer I've owned. I owned and used brad nailers previous to this. I've been entirely happy with this nailer. I haven't used it for a big project yet. I'll likely start one in another month. I've used it several times over the 3 or 4 months that I've had it for small project such as adding shelving in a storage building, building a base for a large miter saw and installing a mantle in my daughter's house. It's well made (US made)and has been completely reliable. I pull the trigger and it fully drives the nail. I have not yet used the special nose that allows driving the special, hardened rafter hanger nails but I will use that feature in a project next month. It comes with a bump type trigger but I elected to leave the sequential trigger in place as I feel it's safer to do so. It's easy to use, does what I bought it for very well and I got it at a very reasonable price from E-commerce site.
After nearly a year of using this nailer I am still very pleased with it. I did use it for building a wood patio cover for which I used the hardened rafter hanger nails. It worked very well for this - to the point if I didn't line up the nose in the bracket hole, no problem. The nailer slammed the hardened nail through the metal bracket and into the wood. That's not the safest thing to do and it wasn't intentional. Actually it's very easy to line up the nailer with the holes using the included nose piece for this purpose. This weekend I completed another project using 2 X 12's and nailing some angles that would have been very difficult with a hammer. It worked like a champ. 1/3/08 DLT.
Buying Guide: Best Siding Nailer for LP SmartSide
When installing LP SmartSide or any other engineered wood siding, using the right siding nailer can make a significant difference in the speed, ease, and quality of your work. A high-quality siding nailer will help you drive nails with precision and prevent damaging the material, ensuring a long-lasting, secure installation. But with a wide variety of siding nailers available, how do you know which one is best suited for LP SmartSide?
What is LP SmartSide?
LP SmartSide is a brand of engineered wood siding that offers durability and versatility. It's typically used for residential and light commercial applications and is known for being easier to install than traditional wood siding. However, to get the best results, you need the right tools, especially a siding nailer designed to handle the material's unique characteristics.
Key Considerations for Choosing the Best Siding Nailer for LP SmartSide
1. Type of Siding Nailer
Siding nailers generally come in two types: pneumatic (air-powered) and cordless (battery-powered). Both have their advantages:
2. Nail Compatibility
Not all siding nailers are designed to handle every type of nail. LP SmartSide typically requires specific types of nails—such as galvanized or stainless steel—depending on your region and the local weather conditions. Make sure the siding nailer you choose can accommodate the right size and style of nails for LP SmartSide.
3. Depth Adjustment
Proper nail depth is crucial when installing LP SmartSide. A good siding nailer should have an adjustable depth setting to ensure the nails are driven flush with the surface of the siding without going too deep and damaging the material.
4. Magazine Capacity
If you’re tackling a large siding project, you’ll want a siding nailer with a high-capacity magazine. A larger magazine will reduce the frequency of reloads and keep you working longer before needing to stop and reload nails. This is particularly helpful for high-volume work.
5. Ergonomics and Weight
Installing siding can be a physically demanding task, so choose a siding nailer that’s comfortable to use for long periods. Look for features such as a padded grip, balanced weight distribution, and a lightweight design. A heavy, poorly balanced tool can lead to fatigue and reduced precision.
6. Durability and Build Quality
Given that siding installation is an outdoor job, you’ll want a siding nailer made from durable, corrosion-resistant materials. Aluminum and magnesium bodies are common in high-quality siding nailers, providing both strength and a lightweight build.
7. Brand Reputation and Warranty
Choosing a reputable brand is important. Look for brands known for their quality, durability, and customer service. Many brands also offer warranties, which is a key factor when investing in a tool for heavy-duty use.
Conclusion
When selecting the best siding nailer for LP SmartSide, consider factors like nail compatibility, ease of use, weight, and whether you prefer a pneumatic or cordless model. For professional siding contractors or anyone handling large projects, a pneumatic siding nailer like the Bostitch N66C-1 or Hitachi NV65AH2 would be a great choice. For DIYers or those needing portability, the Paslode 905600 cordless nailer offers a fantastic blend of power and convenience.
Whatever your needs, investing in a quality siding nailer will ensure that your LP SmartSide siding project is completed efficiently, securely, and with professional results.