As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Some handy work requires great skill and precision, such as installing joist hangers. Therefore, a palm nailer is an ideal tool for the job.
The common question is, what’s the best palm nailer for joist hangers? Why? What do you need in this tool to make it fit for the job?
Contents
Top 6 Joist Hanging Palm Nailers
If you’re planning to pick a palm nailer, I’ve answered each and every relevant question. Depending on your needs, I’ve identified which palm nailer is best for your joist hanging project.
Top Pick: Bostitch PN100K Kit
With the Bostitch PN100K Impact Nailer Kit, you got all you need in one place. This means you can start working once you receive it. In addition, having all the accessories ready to be used facilitates the task for novices and DIYs.
Unlike the bare tools in the market, this kit contains three different magnetic noses. These different tips allow for driving different sizes of nails up to five inches long.
In addition, they firmly hold the nails in place until driven, which adds to the safety and precision of the tool. These tips are also made of tough steel for a stronger hold of nails and more durability.
Product Specs
- Kit Weight: 2.9 pounds
- Kit Dimensions: 11.2’’ x 3.4’’ x 12.5’’
- Operating Pressure: 70 to 100 PSI
Product Feature Highlights
- Ergonomic design for additional comfort.
- Three separate magnetic noses made of tough steel, which adds to their durability and efficiency.
- A complete package that includes: a leather glove, lubricant, O-ring replacements, as well as a three magnetized nose of different sizes. All of this comes in a hand storage case for easier transportation.
This product includes three nose sizes. There are standard and large, which are present in almost every nailer in the market, and then there’s the finish. The finish nose is particularly unique to this product because it allows you to drive very fine nails, such as brad nails.
The kit also includes two wrenches, a lubricant, O-ring replacements, and a leather glove. This allows for additional comfort and efficiency. Having all you need in one place can also be more economical than other models that require you to make further purchases.
In addition, all the contents come in a carrying case that facilitates storage and transportation; this can be especially beneficial to handymen who are always on the go.
The body of the Bostitch nailer is lightweight and compact, which can be an asset while working in narrow spaces.
Although its power rate of 70-100 PSI is lower than the Senco PC0781 Pneumatic Palm Nailer, this tool still offers excellent efficiency.
Pros
- With multiple magnetic noses, it fits a lot of tasks.
- Unlike most palm nailers, it can drive tiny nails like brads.
- Reasonable price, which means additional saving since it already includes all you need
Cons
- Doesn’t include the air swivel connector, which is expected in a complete kit like this.
- It can be a bit hard and time-consuming to switch between magnetic tips.
- It’s heavy! Your hand will tire over time.
Best Lightweight: Porter-Cable PN350 Palm Nailer
With a lightweight of 1.1 pounds and an ergonomic design, the Porter-Cable PN350 Palm Nailer is an ideal tool for attaching joist hangers in the hardest-to-reach places. This lightweight design also reduces fatigue and allows you complete control of the device.
This product can drive nails between 1.25’’ and 6.5’’. This range is narrower than those of the other products in this review. However, it still fits different sizes of joist hangers.
It features a front exhaust that prevents the air from hitting your palm and a swivel male connector to allow you to maneuver to the most challenging spots and angles without twisting the hose.
Product Specs
- Weight: 1.1 pounds.
- Dimensions: 8.9’’ x 7.1’’ x 3.5’’
- Operating pressure: 50–120 PSI.
Product Feature Highlights
- A multi blow function that allows the adjustment of depth
- A magnetic tip for safety and precision
- Drives bulk nails between 1.25’’ and 6.5.’’
The palm nailer also has a magnetized tip for holding the nails, which adds to comfort and precision. Moreover, the multi-blow function makes it drive into any length.
You have the option for an intense firing of 2300 BPM at 100PSI. This makes the Porter-Cable PN350 stronger than the other pneumatic palm nailers in this review.
Pros
- Small and light, with excellent balance and control
- Robust, capable of producing 2300 BPM
- Suitable for driving a variety of bulk nails
Cons
- Air leakage at lower pressure
- No rubber pad on the grip
Best Budget: Freeman PMPN Mini Palm Nailer
With dimensions of 2.75’’ by 5’’ by 4.375’’, the Freeman PMPN Palm Naileris one of the smallest nailers available, which makes it very handy when it comes to tight joist hangers.
Its weight is under one and a half pounds. That’s why you can hold it within your palms comfortably. In addition, the palm rest has a rubber layer for maximum comfort.
The mini nailer drives nails that range between 6D and 16D and up to 3.5’’ long. This way, it’s similar to the driving ability of the Hitachi NH90AB Palm Nailer and less than that of the Senco PC0781 Pneumatic Palm Nailer.
Product Specs
- Weight: 1.4 pounds.
- Dimensions: 2.75’’ x 5’’ x 4.375’’
- Operating pressure: 80 to 100 PSI.
Product Feature Highlights
- Ergonomic design.
- Rubber-coated soft palm rest.
- Drives nails between 6d and 16d that are up to 3 ½ inches long
For your convenience, this product comes with a lubricant and a selection of wrenches. This provides you with most of what you’ll need during operation, which makes it more economical than the Hitachi NH90AB and the Senco PC0781 that come as bare tools.
Moreover, it has an ergonomic design and a soft rubber padded grip, which gives you complete control and reduces slippage.
The PMPN has a magnetic tip that traps the nail in place. This feature adds precision and allows for driving nails in small spaces and corners.
With the Freeman PMPN tool, you shouldn’t worry about maintenance. It features an internal filter that automatically blows out debris. In addition, there’s a hose cap that keeps dust from getting inside the hose during operation. These two features are distinct to this tool. None of the palm nailers in this review have either.
This tool is made of metal alloy, which makes it not only durable but also compact. It’s only 1.38 pounds. This lightweight is considered a comfort feature because it allows for extended operation time with minimum fatigue, if at all.
Pros
- The package includes an oil lubricant and several wrenches.
- Has a seven-year limited warranty
Cons
- No security features.
- The loader is tiny. Sometimes, it doesn’t fit 16D nails. They’d still work but might jam the loader.
Best Value: Hitachi NH90AB Mini Impact Palm Nailer
The Hitachi NH90AB Mini Impact Palm Nailer has another name, Metabo HPT. They both are the same great tool, just a new name.
This tool accepts 2.5’’–3.5’’ bulk nails, which makes it fit for different tasks. With a 360-degree swivel fitting, this palm nailer offers more maneuverability and ease of use than other nailers. The rotating head increases accuracy and reduces cord obstruction.
This product is very lightweight, which makes it easier to use and fit in one hand. This lightweight makes it ideal for attaching joist hangers and other similar applications.
Product Specs
- Weight: 1.3 Pounds
- Dimensions: 3’’ x 2’’ x 4’’
- Operating Pressure: 80-100 PSI
Product Feature Highlights
- 360-degree swivel fitting, which allows it to reach the tightest corners and edges
- A magnetic tip for safety and precision
- A rubber grip palm for comfort while working
- A front exhaust to keep air off your palm for maximum comfort
For great precision and ease of operation, the Hitachi Palm Nailer has a magnetic tip to hold nails for accurate placement. This feature also reduces the risk of injury.
This product also features a front exhaust that keeps the air off your palm. This reduces distraction, allows complete control, and improves accuracy.
This tool offers some comfort and safety features. It has a rubber grip to secure it in your palm and provide comfort when you’re working. Moreover, it comes with a pair of safety glasses to ensure your safety.
The Hitachi NH90AB comes with a five-year warranty, which allows you to get the most out of your purchase.
The one drawback to this model is its low operating pressure. The operating pressure of the Hitachi NH90AB Palm Nailer is less than that of the Senco PC0781 Pneumatic Palm Nailer.
Pros
- A rotating head for best reach
- It has a magnetic nose that keeps the nail until driven
Cons
- Not as powerful as other nailers
- Sometimes leaks air, which can be a problem while working
Best Operating Pressure: Senco PC0781 Palm Nailer
The This product features some safety measures. It has a magnetic tip that traps the nail in its place, which eliminates the risks of injury and allows you to reach the tightest spaces. Moreover, this tool is very comfortable to use. It has a leather grip to secure the tool in your hand and reduce slipping and injuries. It also features a rubber pad for extra comfort. This allows you to lodge nails in all hard edges and corners with the most accuracy. The Senco P0781 comes in handy with many jobs because it can deal with bulk nails between 5D–70D. With the optional guide tips, you can drive nails from 2’’ to 7’’ according to your needs. This makes the Senco Nailer fit more tasks than the Hitachi NH90AB Palm Nailer because it works with a wider variety of nails. This tool requires very little pressure to be activated, which has two benefits. It reduces the amount of dimpling that might occur using a traditional hammer. In addition, it allows for faster and more precise fastening and installation. Unlike most other pneumatic palm nailers, the Senco PC0781 has a magnetic guide to make driving nails faster. With this tool, you don’t have to drive each nail individually. The This tool drives different nail sizes ranging from 6D to 16D. It also features a magnetic tip to secure the nail for more precision and comfort. Milwaukee tools are always known for their high power. With a strong motor and impacting mechanism, this nailer delivers 2700 BPM, which makes it the highest power among most other pneumatic palm nailers. This allows you to easily drive nails into engineered or solid lumber. For more comfort and safety, this tool has a hand strap for a better grip and total control of the device. It allows you to perform any task with one hand. The device has an onboard fuel gauge that allows you to monitor the charge precisely to reduce downtime. Another distinctive feature of the Milwaukee 2458-20 M12 is its built-in LED light that illuminates the work surface in dark locations. This makes it a tool for every time and place. Installing joist hangers requires precision and a tool able to work in narrow spaces. That’s where a palm nailer comes to the rescue. Palm nailers offer you the best precision and are compact enough to be aimed at tight corners. Therefore, they’re the ideal tool for the task. When choosing a palm nailer for joist hangers, there are several features to consider. These features include: The main benefit of a palm nailer is reaching tight spaces. This tool is specifically designed to be used with one hand and with minimum force. Therefore, the weight and size of your palm nailer should be the first thing to consider. That said, a palm nailer that’s compact and lightweight is your best option in most cases. There are two types of palm nailers: pneumatic and cordless. A pneumatic palm nailer is hooked to a compressor that powers it with air. On the other hand, a cordless palm nailer has an internal power source, such as lithium-ion batteries. Cordless palm nailers are portable and, therefore, more convenient. However, they’re more costly and require regular maintenance. Pneumatic palm nailers are more common. The compressor’s battery powers them just fine. They’re also more practical and economical than cordless palm nailers. However, they need an air pressure of 50-125 for maximum output. In short, if you need a nailer for in-door and outdoor use, choose a cordless design. Some palm nailers come with interchangeable heads. These come in handy if you do a variety of tasks that require driving nails of different sizes. They allow you to drive nails between 5D and 70D. Installing joist hangers requires longer and broader nails. Therefore, opt for the palm nailers compatible with nails from 6D to 16D with a length of 2.5’’ to 3.5’’. Remember that you’re using one hand to do the job. Therefore, you need to be as comfortable as possible. Choose a palm nailer with a rubber grip to prevent wrist fatigue. Or, you can choose a nailer with a wrist strap. The comfortable rubber grip not only reduces vibration but also eliminates the chances of slipping. On the other hand, the hand strap, especially if adjustable, helps you use the tool in different positions. Installing a joist hanger requires a good driving force because joists can be very thick and lumbered. Pick a palm nailer able to produce 18-20N of force with 2,000-2,300 BPM hammering. It can be risky to use your hands to adjust the position of the nails. Therefore, a magnetized tip that holds the nail can be a safer choice. It can also provide faster and better results. Unlike a traditional hammer, palm nailers don’t require much energy to use. All you need to do to drive a nail into any material with full force is: A palm nailer is a small nail gun. It gets its name from the fact that it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Despite its miniature size, a palm nailer is a very powerful tool. It can drive nails accurately, quickly, and safely into any material. Palm nailers are very compact, making them ideal for driving nails in tight spaces and hard-to-reach spots such as hanging joists. Palm nailers can also more accurate than a traditional nail gun. They can typically drive nails ranging from 1.5’’ to 3.5’’. However, some models can drive nails between 2’’ and 6’’. Still looking for the best palm nailer for joist hangers? One thing you must keep in mind is the nature of the job. Joist hangers, in general, require precision and a light tool to reach the tightest of places. The best pneumatic palm nailer to install joist hangers is the Bostitch PN100K Nailer Kit. It’s a complete kit that comes with all you require for the job. More importantly, it comes with three different magnetic noses to drive different nail sizes. However, if most of your work is outdoors, the Milwaukee 2458-20 M12 offers you the cordless freedom you require.Product Specs
Product Feature Highlights
Pros
Cons
Best Cordless: Milwaukee 2458-20 M12
Product Specs
Product Feature Highlights
Pros
Cons
Joist Hanging Palm Nailer Features to Consider
Power Size Weight Compatibility Pressure Bostitch Air 11.2″ x 3.4″ x 12.5″ 2.9 lbs Up to 5″ 70-100 PSI Porter Cable Air 8.9″ x 7.1″ x 3.5″ 1.1 lbs 1.25″ – 6.5″ 50-120 PSI Freeman Air 2.75″ x 5″ x 4.38″ 1.38 lbs 6D – 16D;
2″ – 3.5″80-100 PSI Hitachi Air 3″ x 2.75″ x 4.5″ 1.3 lbs 2.5″ – 3.5″ Bulk Nails 80-100 PSI Secno Air 4″ x 3.25″ x 5.8″ 2.5 lbs 5D – 70D 50-125 PSI Milwaukee 12V 8″x7″x3.5″ 3.5 lbs 6D-16D 2.2 ft lbs blow energy Weight and Size
Power
Interchangeable Heads
Compatibility
Ease of Use
Driving Force
Magnetized Tips
How to Use a Palm Nailer
FAQs
What Is a Palm Nailer?
What Does a Palm Nailer Do?
Conclusion
