I think everyone is wrong about using a 4-inch nail for framing

I keep seeing guys at the yard and on jobs grabbing 4-inch nails for framing like it's the only option. For most interior walls with 2x4s, a 3 1/4-inch nail is plenty. The extra length just makes it harder to drive and increases the chance of splitting the wood, especially with cheaper lumber. I switched to 3 1/4-inch for a whole house project in Tacoma last fall and my nail gun jammed less, plus the walls felt just as solid. Why are we all wasting time and material on the longer nail when the shorter one does the job? Has anyone else tried this and seen a real difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

willowadams26d ago

Ever try 3-inch sinkers? I switched and the gun runs way smoother now.

dakotas5426d ago

Actually willowadams, those are probably 3-inch springs you're talking about, not sinkers. Sinkers are the weights in the gearbox. The 3-inch springs do help a lot with cycle speed though, you're right about the smoother run. I made that same mix-up when I first got into teching my own stuff. Glad the change worked out for you, it's a solid upgrade.

the_max19d ago

Mixing up parts names is my special skill. I once spent an hour looking for a 'tappet plate spring' before realizing the shop guy just called it the return spring. The 3-inch spring swap is a game changer though, makes everything feel less... crunchy. Dakota's right about the names, but the result is what counts. My gearbox is full of parts I only know by the wrong names.