What’s the difference: Paper,Plastic,and Welded-wired Collated Framing Nails?
1. Paper-collated
Paper-collated nails are the most expensive option and have one major performance benefit.When the gun
is fired,bits of paper are pushed into the wood instead of flying around the site or into the nail-gun user.
Also,paper-collated nails won’t “flag”,or leave collation material stuck under a nail head,it can create
an uneven surface and prevent nails from seating fully.
Pros for paper-collated: Less flying debris; safer; cleaner; holds more nails per strip than plastic collations;
consistent nail penetration.
Cons for paper-collated: Moisture can ruin collation if water-resistant paper isn't used; more susceptible to
damage than welded-wire nails; typically the most expensive type of collation
Why use them: They're safer than other nails, require less cleanup, and let nails penetrate properly
2. Plastic-collated
Manufacturers often use the least expensive type of plastic possible to collate nails, which creates a
nail that performs poorly compared with other types. When fired, bits of plastic ricochet over the job
site or into the nail-gun user. Strips of plastic-collated nails are also more susceptible to breaking apart
from abuse on the job site. They will save you some money, but at a cost.
Pros: Least expensive type of collated nail
Cons: Brittle and the most susceptible to damage; more prone to jamming nail guns; becomes brittle
or gummy in cold or hot temperatures; tendency to flag; holds fewer nails than other collations
Why use them: They're cheap
3.Weld-wired collated
To keep each nail in proper alignment, some manufacturers tack-weld strips of thin wire to the side
of each nail. Welded-wire nails are highly resistant to the effects of weather and job-site abuse.
They aren't indestructible, though. Coiled nails in particular can bend easily. If a coil becomes misshapen,
it could be difficult to feed into a gun properly.
Pros: Resistant to moisture; unaffected by hot or cold environments; very durable in stick form and somewhat durable in coil form
Cons: Prone to flagging; ricocheting bits of metal are dangerous; more expensive than plastic; can become misshapen
Why use them: They're extremely durable in any weather and are typically available with high nail capacities.