Hammer vs nail gun - what's your go-to?

Even a slight reduction in weight can save your arms after hours of use.

I get the point about battery size, but honestly, once you're up there balancing awkwardly, even the lighter nail guns can feel clunky after a while. For tight spots or quick overhead fixes, I still prefer the hammer - less bulk, more control.

Fair point, but have you tried a palm nailer? They're compact, affordable, and way easier to maneuver in tight spots. Honestly, mine's saved me from hammer fatigue more times than I can count...worth checking out maybe?

Interesting, hadn't really considered a palm nailer before - how's the power compared to a regular nail gun? Does it handle bigger nails okay, or is it mostly for smaller jobs and tight corners...?

"Does it handle bigger nails okay, or is it mostly for smaller jobs and tight corners...?"

Used a palm nailer a few times - great for tight spots, but honestly, bigger nails can be a bit of a struggle. I'd still lean toward a regular framing nailer for heavier framing tasks.

Palm nailers can actually handle larger nails better than people give them credit for, in my experience. Couple quick points:

- I've sunk plenty of 16d nails into tight joist hangers without much fuss. Sure, they're slower than a framing gun, but they get the job done fine.
- They're surprisingly powerful for their size - just takes patience and a steady hand.
- That said, wouldn't want to frame an entire wall with one...but dismissing them outright for bigger nails isn't quite fair.