Collated Nails
When selecting collated nails for any construction project, quality materials and manufacturing processes are just as important as choosing the proper size and collation method for the tools you'll be using and the task at hand. AFT is proud to offer our customers collated nails from Grip-Rite, one of the most well-known and trusted fastener brands. Grip-Rite guarantees that their collated fasteners will work jam-free in any matching tool, so you can build with confidence. Once you find the collated fastener you are looking for, click the request a quote button and you'll soon receive a competitively priced bid from our knowledgeable sales staff.
Types of Collated Nails and Collation Methods
There are a number of different collation methods, each with its own pros and cons. Coils contain large quantities of nails and are designed for high volume operations such as those found in the pallet and crate, fencing, furniture and construction industries. Collated coil nails can be joined by a plastic strip or welded onto a thin wire. Plastic strips are easy to clean up, but are susceptible to breakage, while wire weld coils are more durable, but can leave pieces sharp pieces of metal around the construction area. In addition, small bits of wire can get stuck under the head of an installed nail.
Framing and finish nails are collated in a stick formation. Because the construction industry demands light-weight tools, less nails are collated into sticks than in coils. Fewer nails means the tool is lighter. Nails are collated into stick formation via paper tape, wire welding or plastic. Paper tape collation is generally used for 30 through 34-degree framing nails and is ideal for a construction site as it leaves less debris because the paper is driven into the hole with the nail. Unfortunately, the paper can become soggy in wet environments. Wire welded nails are more durable and less affected by moisture. However, bits of the wire can get stuck under nail heads and left on the job site. Plastic strips generally collate 20 to 22-degree framing nails. The plastic breaks apart as the nail is fired. Bits of plastic can litter the work site and get lodged beneath a nail head. Additionally, the plastic can become brittle in cold environments. Both paper tape and wire weld formations require a clipped nail head to allow more nails to be collated together. Plastic collated nails are often preferred by the construction industry because they usually feature a fully rounded head, which offers slightly better holding power than clipped heads.
Small diameter finish and brad nails are generally collated in a stick formation with a light adhesive. They may or may not be angled.
