Coop Build: To nail or not to nail?

[chickity-chick]

Hi everyone! Im about to start building a 5ftX12ft coop. I do not have a nail gun to put the frame together. My questions is if this is necessity or not. Do you have any suggestions to building the frame without having to purchase an expensive framing nailer that I cant afford? I want my coop to be safe but i also cant afford to dump 300+ dollars on a nail gun I will never use again. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

 

[DobieLover]

Hi everyone! Im about to start building a 5ftX12ft coop. I do not have a nail gun to put the frame together. My questions is if this is necessity or not. Do you have any suggestions to building the frame without having to purchase an expensive framing nailer that I cant afford? I want my coop to be safe but i also cant afford to dump 300+ dollars on a nail gun I will never use again. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

A good hammer is less than $20.
You could also use screws with a cordless driver. A cordless driver is a very handy tool to have around.

 

[black_cat]

I know that a lot of people on BYC prefer screws over nails, as they're harder to pry out or something like that. @humblehillsfarm recently got their coop ripped up by a bear, and is rebuilding with screws.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I love my impact driver!
That said if you don't have/cannot borrow or buy, a good hammer is not expensive at all.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I framed my 10x12 co-op with hammer and nails. It takes was long er but it did work. I recommend an Estwing framing hammer. No lighter than 18 oz but 22 oz would be best imo.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-22-oz-Milled-Face-Framing-Hammer-E3-22SM/100054288

 

[chickity-chick]

A good hammer is less than $20.
You could also use screws with a cordless driver. A cordless driver is a very handy tool to have around.

@black_cat

Ive read that screws are not good for framing because they will snap instead of bend with the frame during heavy weather and when there is a lot of weight in it? Is this going to pose a problem?

 

[chickity-chick]

I framed my 10x12 co-op with hammer and nails. It takes was long er but it did work. I recommend an Estwing framing hammer. No lighter than 18 oz but 22 oz would be best imo.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-22-oz-Milled-Face-Framing-Hammer-E3-22SM/100054288

Ok thank you--> how long did it take you to do all the hand nailing and framing? A full week? Or just a very long day?

 

[chickity-chick]

I love my impact driver!
That said if you don't have/cannot borrow or buy a good hammer is not expensive at all.

Yes I have an impact driver to use! I just worry that screws will snap instead of bend like what google says haha so I am hesitant to just use screws. I also worry that it will split the wood? If the wood splits with the screw going in can i no longer use that piece? Im sorry! Im new to this!

 

[TARDIS37379]

I’m an electrician by trade and not a carpenter. However, good wood screws are better than nails. A good battery drill and you’re in business.
I just built a stand for a large Formex coop and it was completely assemble with wood screws.

 

[black_cat]

@black_cat

Ive read that screws are not good for framing because they will snap instead of bend with the frame during heavy weather and when there is a lot of weight in it? Is this going to pose a problem?

Honestly, I have no idea I've never built anything, this is just what I've picked up on BYC.