Cabinet and Millwork Installation

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Anyone using composite nails (like Raptor?)

10/17/16       
Matt

Just asking around if anyone is using composite nails in any part of their cabinet manufacturing and general woodworking.

We're considering using them for a few purposes in the shop, mostly in places where we would want to avoid steel (such as parts that might get cut with holesaws, tablesaws, etc) and possibly use them when fastening some items down to the spoilboard of our CNC.

We are looking mostly at using a 15 gauge, 1-1/4" nail. I actually have a sample box on hand, but didn't realize that these were designed for straight nailers rather than angled nailers. I can't even find a cheapo version of a straight 15 gauge gun to test these out. My only option would be to buy the $300 gun they sell (which is probably a nice gun either way).

Just looking to see if anyone has tried using this, such as nailing two layers of particleboard together (laminate countertop) or for fastening small items down to your CNC spoilboard. Looking for experience/advice.

Thanks,
Matt

10/17/16       #2: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
John McGinnis Member

Website: http://www.TGCabinets.com

I have the gun and the nails. They are both junk IMO. You can't fasten anything down to the spoilboard with them. And for $300 I expected to have a higher quality gun. Don't waste your money

10/18/16       #3: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Matt

I have some samples that I got (had to pay for them of course) that I thought would fit our 15 gauge Senco (the most common style of 15g nail).

Turns out, I was unknowingly ordering straight sleeves rather than angled sleeves.

I found that if I spoon fed them to the nailer, i could test it out. I actually was able to nail 3/4" plywood together (poplar core) but MDF was just too dense, every nail shattered before it even began to penetrate further than the dimple left by the gun's hammer.

These were 1-1/4" nails going through 3/4" doubled up.

10/21/16       #4: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Andrew J. Coholic  Member

Website: http://www.joecoholiccustomfurniture.com

Hmm, I have a 15 gauge Omer gun, and lots of Raptor nails from 1/2" to 2" IIRC. I mainly used 1 1/4 and 1 1/2.

Before I went to a universal vacuum on my CNC router, I used the Raptor nails to pin down a lot of plywood, some hardwood etc and it certainly worked just fine. I used to shoot the nails through 3/4" hard maple often.

Now I just use the gun in the shop to pin things I will have to machine later on. I can shoot and set a nail in solid hardwood. MDF, ply etc is absolutely no issue. Dont know why others might have had issues. I run 100 PSI in my shop air piping.

10/23/16       #5: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Steve Member

I have the 17P.32 and it won't pin two 3/4" 2 sided melamine together with the 1-1/4" raptor nail. Maybe the larger gun they offer will, but not the smaller one that I have.

In order to use it on my CNC I have to drill locating holes in the material to break the top layer of melamine. Then it penetrates into the spoil board. It has a tendency to lift the material slightly off the spoil board if the material is 2 sided melamine.

Andrew must own the larger gun.

10/23/16       #6: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Andrew J. Coholic  Member

Website: http://www.joecoholiccustomfurniture.com

Yes I do have the larger gun, that takes up to 2" fasteners... I believe the one you have is for up to 1 1/4"?

I never did much research. Just knew that the other CNC guys I talked to also used this gun and went by their recommendations.

I know I can fire a raptor nail all the way into solid red oak- which was the last thing I did with it. To pin some end checks I glued in some milled boards before they went through the shaper for baseboard.

10/24/16       #7: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Matt

Interesting, Andrew, thanks for sharing that. I wasn't aware that there were two different size guns available.

We would definitely want the larger gun, but it's good that you are having success with it.

I think I'll pursue this, they seem to have a fair "trial" policy.

11/7/16       #8: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Steve

Andrew, I would like to know if you are able to nail two sided 3/4" melamine to MDF, such as a spoil board?

LaDonna at 'Raptor' sent me some 1-1/4" nails that have a 'diamond point' instead of the 'chisel point'. I tried them and they performed a little better, but not always pinning the material to the spoil board.

She said she will allow me to trade up to the bigger gun, but their R/D department says that there is no difference in gun performance, just nail size. Could you run a test with two side melamine 3/4" to tell me if you have success.

11/7/16       #9: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Matt

I'm very interested in seeing the results of that double-layer of 3/4" stuff as well.

I will say that Raptor seems to have a reasonable trial policy. They've told me that as long as we open an account with them (meaning, we've demonstrated that we actually pay our bills), that they can send us a gun and some nails to test, which can be returned.

That's more hassle than I really think we should have to go through, but at least it's an avenue to explore. I really think this technology, if it works, is a fantastic addition to any shop that does CNC or needs fasteners that can be cut, sanded, painted, etc.

11/11/16       #10: Anyone using composite nails (like ...
Steve

In a prior post i said that the 'diamond' point raptor nails did not perform well when pinning 2 sided 3/4" melamine to my spoil board.

By breaking the top layer with a 1/4" drill bit and applying a 'diamond' nail in that area, thus avoiding having to 'break' through 2 layers of melamine, I find that the newer nail does perform well in fastening the 3/4" material to the spoil board.

In a real production run I would need to 'mark' the sheet stock where I would want to put the raptor nails before I cut the panel, thus avoiding any nails inside of a finished part. I do this by programming the machine to 'mark' the sheet as its first cut, 'park' and wait for a 'resume' while I pin the sheet to the spoil board.

By using these nails I will be able to use the raptor gun to pin 2 sided melamine.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)