Framing Walls with Hikoki's Nail Gun: On-site Review

I bought Hikokis Framing Nail gun after quite a few recommendations and tested it out while building some walls for a frame I am currently doing.
This is a different type of video to what I usually do, and I enjoyed chucking on the go pro and filming some snippets of a regular workday.
I am preparing to do an in-depth comparison video on a range of battery nail guns, so I bought this gun.

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

This is a very different style of video, filming onsite, using a go pro and the pace of the video is also a lot slower. Had some fun making this and am curious about what you think of this type of video

[@aberba]

That's how I film my videos on the GoPro. I look crazy talking to myself 😅. Also like I'm running out of breath 😂 . The good side is it's easy to show what you're doing without moving the camera around. I like how you combine with the tripod

[@deanstewart7377]

Enjoyed mate. Picked up a few tricks. 🤙

[@nunyabisnus5479]

I have the several of the metabo nailers. The guys love them. There’s pros and cons to all tools. All these cordless nailers don’t compare to the speed of an air nailer but the power of these guns is incredible, especially in LVL and engineered lumber. We found that if you unscrew the depth adjustment a few turns you can drive a nail at pretty much any angle and the nail will still drive full depth in most cases. Also these Metabo/Hikoki/Hitachi nailers have been out for several years so actually I think Milwaukee is the knockoff in this case. When these need to be refilled with air it’s much easier to access and you can buy a regulator to do it yourself. Takes literally 5 min. These are actually lighter than the Milwaukee nailers as well. We’ve had some issues with ours but once you get the bugs worked out and have taken one apart to fix it’s honestly a pretty simple tool. It’s not a huge production tool but for mid sized and small jobs it ok. Stick with the multi volt batteries. They last longer and the firing rate is much faster.

[@a-carpenter9229]

I have the 18v version of this nailer, when toenailing with it the nailer will sink the nails deeper on the same side the motor is on so when you're pointing down it'll be on the right side, they have more of the nose piece cut away. I took the big rafter hook off my nailer and put two hooks from their trim nailers on it so I can hook it over a rafter or joist when not using it. You may also want to dial the depth of the nose back a bit so it's not set to full depth, seem like at times when you depress the nose it causes a misfire even when nailing straight. Set it to the first or second line and it may even help when nailing on an angle

[@paul-57]

It might sound a bit dumb but I would be interested to know how it would feel if you added a little weight to the battery to help the balance. Would the better balance and comfort offset the added weight?

[@marine9583]

Bro, never heard of the guns brand name, but I have a few questions. Is the exterior wall single wall construction? At 1:29, do you always shoot your nails do close together? I woukd think the wall would be weaker and it wouod allow the studs to twist more than usual, then allow for drywall screws to pop, and seams to crack. I know you mentioned when installing the center blocking(fireblocking), to shoot the botom first, pull their hand away then shoot the top nail, but you sould say that when nailing the plate to the studs at 1:23. Also you should mention when nailing studs to plates, to keep ones hands 5 or 6 inches away from the plate; Prime example at 1:49..

[@zephyr1408]

If your a framer ( I am not I do finish carpentry so I like a 15 ga Milwaukee) I would run a hose and tank w/ a high pressure gun ?

[@PabloEskimofo]

Great vid. I have a lot of favorite KZbin carpenters that edit their videos really well, but the slow pace is a nice change for once. As far as the Hikoki nailer goes, it’s a shame you can’t shoot it at an angle. I feel like that’s where Paslode has its advantage. I know everyone can’t stand the idea of fuel + battery, but I feel it’s the superior choice if you’re already invested in a brand that has a subpar framing nailer (DeWalt)

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

Thank you! It seems like something that can be such a simple fix as the battery guns to have enough power. You’re right about DeWalt, I’ve tried (and gone through) 2 of their battery framers, and they’re definitely one of the worst battery framing guns

[@olgajoachimosmundsen4647]

I have the Hikoki. The only thing I struggle with is that it's feeding mechanism is a little weak in the power it uses to push the nails in, which easily leads to misfires. It seems to happen even more frequent on angled shots. The nose like you said could be more aggressive. Misfires are mostly solved by spraying rinsing liquid into the magazine. A smaller minor thing is also that the gun gives you too little time to align things before you have to make the shot (5 secs ish). If it was 10 secs it would have been perfect! The hook is also really stupid, but I believe the 16g nailer hook can be used on it. I've used my nailer for a bit over a year, and fired probably 20-30k nails, mostly panel-nails and 90mm nails. In Norway Hikoki will refill their nailers for free. I've done it twice so far. Otherwise the nailer is good. With the nose-piece you have excellent adjustment for depth-setting. The power is also great!

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

I agree with all your points! Been having trouble with the 5 second time to shoot today, I’m trying to install and skew trusses and sometimes it takes a while to get them in the right position.

[@topg4399]

​@DaveDoesCarpentry this guy is rough as guts

[@s.91.a]

Great vid. Only a few months into my apprenticeship & one of the things I was really looking forward to become I started was stick framing. Unfortunately it seems most of framing our mob do is prefab & they’ve told its most likely always going to be prefab. Enjoyed your video mate. Cheers

[@ryanwilson4406]

I bought the same combo when my paslode crapped out, watched a few videos before I purchased but quickly realised how awkward it is to use, really not practical for framing with its size. Also I hate the fact that the batteries stop working even when they have two bars left it’s super annoying . I don’t think you can beat how nimble and the usability of a paslode , the dewalt is the only one size wise that is a close competitor. If the battery models could get the balance right they could be a real winner in the future 👌

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

I really don’t get how the battery stops working at 2 bars, it’s so frustrating. I think we’re getting close to battery guns passing Paslode! I love a Paslode, but the gas prices are becoming too much to justify using them

[@alessiomarin1218]

I used this gun doing work experience. I thought it was feature of battery (non-gas) guns in general (not being able to skew them as much) and didn't realise that the HiKoki one is especially bad at certain angles, even more so than other battery guns. I've only ever shot Paslode and HiKoki.

[@vukaius5294]

Do you guys have any type of gloves to avoid splinters and sharp edge of the wood ? i plan to learn the trade, just wondering if i gonna need kneepads and gloves ? thanks

[@PabloEskimofo]

Nice, cheap leather 3 pack cause you’ll wear them out quick after some rainy days. They’re great for general use: material handling, demo, etc. And a pack of the latex dipped gloves for extra grip when handling windows and metal, gives you the grip you need without taking away a lot of your dexterity in your finger grip. Don’t be stingy on knee pads. Worn through a couple cheap pairs to realize it’s worth getting nicer ones, but they too will get worn through with time.

[@strictlymitch]

Let your hands get nice and thick skin. You'll get much less splinters and if you do it will come out easier

[@hyvemynd605]

That subfloor is wild

[@ArcherBrumby1862]

Good stuff dave

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

Thanks mate!

[@shelbyconstructions7256]

You should always gangnail the top of the wall 1st before shooting the bottomplate. If the last stud is bowed or junction blocks are poking out abit, you will really struggle joining the top plates without a gap which then makes your walls out of plumb.

[@raife3844]

I used DeWalt and it is lighter but I tends to Jam more then the milwaukee and has a bit less power

[@chuppareal5280]

You reviewing your skills or the gun?

[@azzman1769]

If only they swapped to a more aggressive nose like the paslode it would make firing so much easier. Rating the go pro footage on site mate! 👌

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

It’ll be such a huge improvement for the tool! I don’t understand why more brands don’t have a similar nose to paslodes! Thanks mate!

[@garybowers6497]

Someone needs to offer an aftermarket replacement nose. I need a mate who can TIG weld and see if they can modify the current one

[@Giblitzky]

I live in Canada and have the Metabo version of this nailer, and it absolutely rocks! Fires faster than any other cordless nailer I’ve used. I have a two shorts on my channel if anyone wants to see how fast it can go into LVL

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

I haven’t seen much of the Metabo nailer. I’ll have a look at those shorts now!

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

I didn’t realize the Metabo and Hikoki were the same gun! I’m impressed with its power into the LVL’s!

[@Giblitzky]

@@DaveDoesCarpentry I believe it may be slightly different than the one from your video as the hook on yours is very different, maybe they’re different depending on where you are 🤷‍♂️

[@jamesross9214]

how much do you get paid for a frame??

[@BinJuice1630]

I have tried the Hikoki, Milwaukee and DeWalt. I believe the DeWalt is better in almost every way. Highly recommend it.

[@chuckleaf8027]

I already hate it.......... I dropped my 15 degree Metabo finish nailer (cordeless) on the first day and it wouldn;t sink the nails after that. Returned it the next day. I love my Metabo air guns tho..

[@mccollapiaries]

I think the paslode has the perfect profile, weight, nose, and all round design. The only real flaw is the necessity for gas and regular cleaning. I personally enjoy cleaning my paslode as I find it similar to the maintenance you would have with a soldier and his gun that adds a layer of connection. The battery powered nail guns aren't really viable in Canada where the guns aren't able to operate well in freezing conditions. If I lived in a warm climate, I could see the appeal to go battery powered.

[@DaveDoesCarpentry]

You’re definitely right about the padlode. I’ve been installing trusses today and going between the paslode and hikoki, and the paslode is the better gun in every category (apart from needing gas) I’ve heard that gas canister can freeze and seize up in cold environments, have you ever had a problem with this?

[@mccollapiaries]

@@DaveDoesCarpentry Yeah they do have their limits in the bitter cold, I think they aren't rated for bellow 20 F. Generally try and keep them as warm as you can in the truck before use but same idea with batteries. Paslode generally works better in colder temperatues is all.

[@oyehvisualarts]

hi, Dave. Could you take a video of my artwork? hope to work with you.

[@BlaizeCapstick]

Keeping ur frames square with a nail line on a subfloor is cowboy , no square when cutting , come on mate

[@Sgten01]

this gun is a pos, I got one thinking it was good watching people on KZbin, big mistake. Paslode is where it's at, undisputed #1.

[@MrDeano-eu9rg]

I run a carpentry company and do all aspects of carpentry...this is an oversll bad gun. As mentioned its shit on any angle, its much heavier than it gas ones and the batteries are shit, 2 out of 3 bars means empty half the time. Its more powerful than gas ones but overall not worth it.

[@paulunderwood8960]

I've got several of the DeWalt cordless nailers and I've never had a problem with them especially when it gets really cold the condensated are in the compressor freezes up can't use them