What gun to install fibre cement nails for James Hardie Axon panels?

[AbhiS]

Hi,

  I need to install James Hardie axon cladding, based on my reading on internet, I can use brad nails or fiber cement nails. If I prefer fiber cement nails, i am not sure do I need any specific gun for that, I found that fibre nails are available in nail packets, even not sure how they can be used in gun. I have not used any gun before and not able to get my head around which one to choose.

I will prefer to invest in gun which can do range of jobs like, installing axon panels, cornices, architraves, light work in renovation project.

Looking for suggestions. 

TA

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @AbhiS. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about fixing Axon cladding.

From your description, it sounds like a brad nailer would best suit your other work. You can use it to fix the Axon cladding with 50mm stainless steel brad nails. These brad-style nails are suitable for plenty of other light renovation projects. The alternative style is a framing nail gun, which shoots long, thick nails, and they are only really suitable for timber framing and construction work.

Those 50mm stainless steel brads would need to be ordered into a store for you as they are not a stocked line. I recommend speaking with the Special Orders team at your local store.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[AbhiS]

Hi MitchellMc,

Thank you for responding to my message. Could you please guide me on which nail gun I should purchase to use 50 mm brad nails for installing JH panels? Is there a specific gauge I should consider?

Thanks,
Abhi

[MitchellMc]

Hi @AbhiS,

Most brad nail guns will be capable of using 50mm brad nails. Something like the Ryobi 18V ONE+ 18GA Brad Nailer would be a great choice.

The specific brad nails you need are 14 gauge x 50mm ND 304. I'd recommend you speak with the Special Orders team at your local store to ensure we can order these nails in for you. They are a little specialised so I'd order them before purchasing the nailgun. The other option would be to hire a framing nail gun for the job.

Mitchell

[AbhiS]

Hi Michael,

  Appreciate your answers, since you mentioned I can use Ryobi 18V ONE+ 18GA Brad Nailer,

  However, wont be this gun only used for 18GA brad nails, and I need to use 14GA nails. Just wondering 14GA nails will fit into this Ryobi 18V ONE+ 18GA Brad Nailer gun as well. 

Thanks,

Abhi

[JacobZ]

Hi @AbhiS,

Thank you for the follow-up question.

The Ryobi 18V ONE+ 18GA Brad Nailer is a great nail gun that would be perfect for the cornices, architraves and light work in your renovation project that you've mentioned above, but it will not be suitable for installing the Axxon cladding.

Just so we are on the same page, James Hardie has two methods of installation where brad nails can be used, direct fix to timber frame and cavity fix to timber frame. The specific method of installation will determine the fixings you'll use. See the below image for details.

In the direct fix to timber frame method, you can use a Paslode Impulse 14/16G Straight TrimMaster with Paslode's 14-gauge x 50mm ND stainless steel nails (product code B20665 - Paslode Brads). These nails are not usually kept in stock, but they can be ordered through your local Bunnings Special Orders or Trade Desks.

If you are using the cavity fix-to timber frame method, you can attach your battens with the Paslode 65 x 2.87mm Amor Galvanised Dekfast Impulse Nails which can be fired by the Paslode FrameMaster Nailgun or Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP™ Brushless AirStrike™ 30-34° Framing Nailer. 

You can then attach your cladding with Paslode's C 16-gauge stainless steel brad nails (product code B20650 - Paslode Brads) which can also be ordered through your local Bunnings Special Orders or Trade Desks. They can be fired by a Paslode Impulse 14/16G Straight TrimMaster or Ryobi 18V ONE+ 16GA Brad Nailer.

Let me know what you think and if you require further clarification, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob