A coil nail gun is an invaluable tool for efficiency and speed in carpentry and construction work. However, properly loading the coil nail gun is crucial to harnessing its full potential. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to load a coil nail gun and start your project in no time!

Steps to Load a Coil Nail Gun

Knowing how to load a coil nail gun is important since this can affect your project. Here is a step-by-step guide for loading a coil nail gun:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before loading the coil nail gun, it is essential to have all the necessary materials at hand. You will need:

• Coil nails of the correct size for your nail gun

• Safety gear, including safety glasses and gloves

• The coil nail gun

Step 2: Prepare the Collated Nails

Collated coil nails are held together by plastic or wire strips that allow them to be fed into the nail gun smoothly. Before loading the coil nail gun, ensure the collated nails are in good condition with no collation damage. Ensure your coil nailer is disconnected from the power source (meaning unplug the air hose).

Step 3: Release the Magazine

Most coil nail guns have a magazine that holds the collated nails. The first step in loading your nail gun is to release the magazine from its locked position. This can usually be done by pressing or sliding a button on the side or back of the gun.

Step 4: Insert Nails into the Magazine

Once the magazine is released, insert the collated nails into the magazine post with the nail tips facing down. Ensure you load the nails orderly, aligning them with the feeder paw near the nose chamber of the gun. This is crucial as it prevents any accidental firing of nails.

Step 5: Close and Lock Magazine

After loading all the nails into the magazine post, and pulling the lead nails in the coil forward into the feeder paw with the lead nail in the nose chamber, close the magazine doors and lock it back into position.  

Step 6: Test Fire

Before using the nail gun on your project, testing it is always a good idea. This will help you ensure that the nails are properly loaded and the magazine has no jammed or misaligned nails.

Pro Tip: Before you start using a new nailer, testing it on some scrap wood is a good idea. This will show you how much kickback to anticipate before you go up on the roof.

How to Use a Coil Nail Gun?

Now that you have successfully loaded your coil nail gun, it's time to get down to business and use it for your project. Here are some tips on how to properly use a coil nail gun:

• Always wear safety gear, including goggles and gloves, when using the nail gun.

• Hold the nail gun firmly and keep your fingers away from the trigger until you're ready to fire.

• If possible, keep the gun at a 90-degree angle to the surface or material you are nailing.

• Avoid putting your hand in front of the tool's discharge port, as this can be dangerous.

• Practice proper nail spacing and placement to secure your project's hold.

With these tips, you can now confidently use your coil nail gun without experiencing any issues or accidents. 

Coil Nail Applications

Now that you know the proper way to load your coil nailer, here are some applications you can use coil nails:

Roofing

Coil nails designed for roofing securely attach shingles, providing durability in tough weather. It's noteworthy that collated roofing nails exclusively exist in a coil form, requiring a coil roofing nailer for use. Roofing nail boxes typically contain 3,600 to 7,200 nails. If your nail package falls below or above this range, it may be wise to explore alternative brands for your roofing needs. At FastenerUSA, we provide various quantity choices for our stainless steel nails, ranging from 600 to 7,200 nails.

Also, shingle manufacturers usually suggest using four nails per shingle in the central roof area and five nails per square in the initial row of shingles.

Coil Nails for Fencing and Framing

In fencing and framing, these nails offer enhanced convenience, thanks to their higher nail capacity compared to conventional strip framing nailers. This feature minimizes the need for frequent reloading, making them an ideal choice for these applications.

Coil Nails for Siding

In siding projects, coil nails play a vital role in securely attaching siding materials to the building structure. Hence, it can be affirmed that coil nails are an indispensable element in numerous construction and renovation endeavors. Similar to collated roofing nails, collated nails designed for siding typically come in coil form. A common question when siding if is that a roofing nailer can be used for this application, the short answer is yes! But is not recommended.

Find The Best Products at FastenerUSA

A coil nail gun is a powerful tool that can significantly increase productivity and efficiency in your construction work. By following these simple steps to load and use the nail gun properly, you can take on any project easily and precisely. 

Are you in need of quality roofing coil nails? At FastenerUSA, we offer top-quality coil roofing nails and other products at unbeatable prices, free shipping and immediate availability. Plus, take advantage of bulk discounts to save even more on your purchase. Get in touch with our team today for more personalized attention!