Nail gun for shed build?

[Rob99]

Am planning on a couple of shed builds over the next 6-12 months, small one (2m2) for garden tools and a larger one (8m2) as a workshop. Intending to use 45x45 framing, OSB roof and shiplap or T&G cladding.

Will a second fix nail gun be better than screws, especially for the cladding?

[Nickfromwales]

48 minutes ago, Rob99 said:

Am planning on a couple of shed builds over the next 6-12 months, small one (2m2) for garden tools and a larger one (8m2) as a workshop. Intending to use 45x45 framing, OSB roof and shiplap or T&G cladding.

Will a second fix nail gun be better than screws, especially for the cladding?

I used a coil-nailer with round head nails. When I did feather edge with a 1st fix it killed the wood, so I tried my 2nd fix which just couldn't hold the seasonal changes in the wood, and just pulled the nails out or just through.

 

With one of those (coil nailers) you can have nails as short as 22mm iirc. I used 55's for the feather edge.

 

For the framing, just use screws and an impact driver. Much more forgiving as 45mm timber may otherwise split. Also a huge ballache if you need to take it apart after a mis-measure.  

[SteamyTea]

2 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

For the framing, just use screws and an impact driver. Much more forgiving as 45mm timber may otherwise split.

What is the reasoning that an impact driver will split timber less. The impact mechanism is to increase torque, not hammer the screws in.

[MPH243]

@SteamyTea I think he meant the nails are more likely to split timber as you have more control of a screw.

 

How about using cladding screws they are quite expensive you don't need a nail gun and only 1 or 2 boxes for what you need.

 

https://www.toolstation.com/tongue-tite-plus-stainless-steel-tg-screw/p36869

 

Edited August 24 by MPH243

[JohnMo]

Do you really need a nail gun for a 2m² shed.

 

I used a a DeWalt air driven nail gun (needs a compressor) built house, external cladding, decking and couple of sheds. Uses standard nail gun nail.

[Nickfromwales]

1 hour ago, SteamyTea said:

What is the reasoning that an impact driver will split timber less. The impact mechanism is to increase torque, not hammer the screws in.

Modern wood screws such as Velocity, my favoured fixings. 
 

Spearpoint tip with a slot to allow the wood to be cut as the screw goes in, partially threaded to prevent jacking, and ridges on the countersink to allow the heads to pull in without splitting the wood.

 

We’ve come a long way since cabinet screwdrivers

[Nickfromwales]

7 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Do you really need a nail gun for a 2m² shed.

 

I used a a DeWalt air driven nail gun (needs a compressor) built house, external cladding, decking and couple of sheds. Uses standard nail gun nail.

All my guns are air, which I set up for long stays on site. Coil nailer is air too, but a brilliant gun for cladding / feather edge etc. 

 

Got 2 Hitachi gas guns for ‘grab and go’ works.