# Compressed air/electric nail guns

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 16, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876 "2012-10-16T12:46:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876/21 "2012-10-16T17:25:18Z")

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> [@MonkeyMensch](#):
>
> …and in re-reading the thread **Sicks Ate** hit it one.

so you’re claiming he nailed it?

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**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876/22 "2012-10-16T18:04:35Z")

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Drove it and left a waffle mark! 🙂

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**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876/23 "2012-10-16T18:07:49Z")

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> [@MonkeyMensch](#):
>
> Drove it and left a waffle mark! 🙂

Check out the new guy, hasn’t even been around long enough to wear the milling off his hammer face 😛

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876/24 "2012-10-16T18:34:52Z")

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> [@MonkeyMensch](#):
>
> Drove it and left a waffle mark! 🙂

that’s not a roofing hammer.

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876/25 "2012-10-16T22:12:37Z")

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They could be doing all of the roofing by using hand tools. No air tubes, no battery replacements. Much quieter.

But it takes much, much longer to complete. Speed and efficiency with low-cost unskilled labor vs. time, money and accuracy with those who know how to use a roofing hammer correctly.

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**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressed-air-electric-nail-guns/637876/26 "2012-10-17T01:31:32Z")

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Pneumatic nailers also work at any distance from the compressor. The air for each nail is stored in the gun. Electric nailers would be limited by the amount of current delivered to the tool, meaning that the carpenter will need to use oversize extension cords or will have to work a limited distance from the generator.

Also, the standard 110V outlet is rated to provide less than 2-1/2 horsepower. An air compressor may be able to produce more continuous power, and the power can accumulate between each nail.

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