nails for cleat/plywood fastening

[schulzr]

I plan to buy 1 1/4 ring nails for a Bostich N57 air nailer to fasten 3/4" cleats to 3/8" plywood......(shoot at an angle)....I need to make D6251 Type III Class 2 Style A boxes.

Is that pretty standard? Seems as though not many nailers will shoot 1" nails.


Roland

[The Cratinator]

Why don't you use staples? I've never seen ring shank nails that short, but staples are the standard. An issue you could have with the nails is splitting at the ends and you would need to stager the direction that you drive them in.

With staples, you can use 1 1/4" divergent or clinching staples. use the clinching only if you have a steel table. These will give you a good hold.

I would think your fastener supplier would loan you guns for free. Even if you use a low volume of fasteners, they always have spare guns. The less you use it, the less he has to service it.

[The Cratinator]

There's a point that I missed. By staggering the nails you have to swing the nail gun back and forth so it's harder on the wrist. With the staples, you can go straigt down rows or if you go side to side you can twist your wrist in a way that doesn't wear out your arms as much.

I'm not explaining this too well but I think that when you do it, you'll get the point.

[schulzr]

Thanks I'll look into that also. The boxes we happen to be purchasing have Bostitch ring nails 1 1/4 long. What stapler and staple are you using? (or would recommend).

[The Cratinator]

I think it depends on your local reps. Who comes to visit and the cost is probably more important than the brand of fastener. (reference back to the free loaner nail guns)

My guess is that in the US and Canada, if it looks like the fastener is OK, then it probably is. I would just take one and squeeze the legs to see if it feels strong. I'm sure ASTM has a spec for it or see the specs here on the site. There may be a mil-spec listed that can give you a good idea.

[schulzr]

We will not be making alot of these boxes and my company, (Aerospace Mfgr), has got enough cash to purchase whatever I say we need. What I'm doing is resurrecting our box shop which has been idle for over 10 years now. I also have been looking at replacing some of our other old equipment, such as our radial arm saw and panel saw. The Grizzly "Jump Saw" looks nice for cutting cleats to length, safely and efficiently, I also like the adjustable stop. I can justify that one just on safety alone. (Our company is real BIG on safety). Any thoughts on that?

Roland