Max, Gaining skill with a hammer isn't all that difficult. It does take a little practice admittedly and perhaps because I have been blinder than you for a lot longer I have some advantage but I really doubt it.
Starting the nail is as it always has been, hold it there and tap a few times until it is well set. Now back your grip along the handle, your other hand rests near the nail with usually the index finger resting on the nail. With a fairly full swing tap gently on the nail while your finger is in place then stroke a second time but pull your finger back before contact. the result should be a sort of Tap bang Tap bang Tap bang a double rhythm. The finger is a helpful guide or target I suppose, the trick is to withdraw it particularly at the stronger stroke. With practice the rhythm and the regular flip of a finger to and from the nail becomes less necessary and of course the stroke becomes more confident and stronger. Hope this is helpful. ----- Original Message ----- From: Max Hearn To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 1:42 PM Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Porter Cable Palm Nailer This pneumatic and palm nailer thread may well coax me into the current century! I have a modicum of sight left and thought I was reasonably capable of using a hammer (last Spring). I took on the job of putting some sheathing on a small barn at my Moms during a visit. I usually attach things with screws, but after shopping and visiting the local Home Depot, came up short on supplies for a third time. At that point, my confidence, or frustration, allowed me to find the hammer and some 16 penny nails to have a go at putting up the sheathing. After several bashed fingers and thumb, I managed to get the job done. Sure makes me think of those nailers,though. Maybe Santa will take pity on my scarred and tender hands this Christmas Season! If Santa, and I doubt it, decides to bestow a gift of a nailer, I'll have to seek some basic information from those of you having experience with them. Best, Max in SC From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 12:46 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Porter Cable Palm Nailer The correct automated tool for framing is a pneumatic nailer of course. I can't imagine screwing any amount together except perhaps for something unusual or specialized. I am afraid I am still a framing hammer user though. There is something very satisfying about stroking big nails into framing. If I ever need to build anything of any size again though I will probably buy a framing nailer they are about half the price they were last time I took on a major project and of course money is worth about half as much making them pretty affordable these days. The old wrists tend to complain a little after a couple of hours of hammering. As palm nailers go, the Porter Cable looks to me to be the best and 90 bucks is easily the best price I have heard of for it assuming it is the model I have been eyeing covetingly. It is the only one I have seen which claims to be able to drive 6 inch nails. ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Hodges To: [email protected] <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 12:31 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Porter Cable Palm Nailer Does anyone on this list have a Porter Cable Palm Nailer and would you recommend it? Home Depot has one for 90 dollars and I am considering buying one. I'm doing a lot of framing and I'm tired of drilling pilot holes and putting three inch screws in. Any redcommendations? Tom Hodges Newport, Kentucky [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
