So I'm a little confused. It seems like 21 degree fullhead framing nailers are fairly standard.
According to the http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/content/2015-I-Codes/2015%20IRC%20HTML/Chapter%206.html
R602.3(1) Fastening Schedule Item #16, 16d nails are required to attach studs to plates (which there'd be a ton of when building walls).
But when I go to try and find some plastic collated 21 degree 16d nails, they are non-existant. Lowes only sells 4 different products at 3.5" (non of which are 21 degree), Home Depot only has one and it seems a little sketchy, and Amazon has a couple of products but the ones that are actually rated seem really expensive. Am I missing something? It seems like something that is required by code would be sold all over the place.
Best Answer
3 1/2” 16d nails are hand driven nails specified for Simpson connectors 0.162...many people make the mistake and think these are collated nails, but they are actually individual nails sold by the box. There is not a gun that will shoot them. If you refer to the Simpson manual, you will see the difference in the nails as far as diameter. As a former contractor and now an inspector, I still am amazed at the amount of “seasoned” framer that do not know the difference. Once, a framer brought me 5 different nails from his 5 separate crews, only one of them used the right nail. Most people think it does not make a difference, however the load factor drops significantly on the hanger being used, voiding the engineered product and causing failure. And yes, I have seen such failures in residential construction...