Reloading your roof nailer magazine is straightforward, saving you time and keeping your roofing projects on track. Follow these simple steps to quickly and safely replenish your nailer, ensuring a smooth workflow and fewer interruptions on the job.
Hey there, fellow DIYers and aspiring roofers! Jack Shaffer here from Nailerguy, and I know a thing or two about making tools work for you. One little hiccup many of us run into when working with a roof nailer is figuring out the best way to reload its magazine. It can feel a bit fiddly at first, right? You’re up on the roof, the sun is beating down, and the last thing you want is to wrestle with a nailer that’s out of ammo or jamming up.
Taking a moment to master this simple task can seriously speed up your roofing jobs. Less fumbling means more nails driven, and that means getting your project done faster and with less frustration. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated at all! We’ll break it down step-by-step, so you’ll be reloading like a pro in no time.
Ready to make this a breeze? Let’s dive into how to effortlessly reload your roof nailer magazine and keep your roofing projects moving smoothly!
Table of Contents
Understanding Your Roof Nailer Magazine
Before we get to the reloading part, let’s take a quick look at the magazine itself. Think of the magazine as the feeder for your nailer. It’s the part that holds all the nails in a neat row, ready to be fired one by one. Most roof nailer magazines are designed to be robust and easy to access, but they do have a few key components that are important to understand.
At its core, the magazine is a long, usually metal or high-impact plastic, channel. Inside this channel, you’ll find a spring-loaded follower. This follower is what pushes the nails up towards the firing mechanism of the nailer. As you load nails, this follower gets compressed, storing energy from the spring. When the magazine is empty, the follower will have sprung all the way forward. Knowing this helps you understand why you need to pull back on this follower when loading new nails.
Common Magazine Types
While the basic function is the same, you might encounter a couple of variations in roof nailer magazines. Most modern roof nailers use a straight, side-loading magazine. This is generally the easiest type to work with. Some older or specialized models might have a slightly different loading mechanism, perhaps a top-loading slot or a more enclosed design.
However, for the vast majority of DIYers and professionals using common roofing nailers (like those for asphalt shingles), you’ll be dealing with the side-loading variety. These are designed for quick access and minimal fuss. The principles we’ll cover will apply to most of these.
Safety First, Always!
Before we even think about loading nails, let’s talk about safety. This is crucial, especially when dealing with power tools.
1. Always disconnect the power source: For pneumatic (air-powered) nailers, this means disconnecting the air hose. For cordless or electric models, remove the battery pack or unplug it from the power source. This is the single most important step to prevent accidental firing.
2. Point the nailer in a safe direction: Even with the power disconnected, it’s good practice to always keep the nose of the nailer pointed away from yourself and others.
3. Wear safety glasses: Protect your eyes from debris or stray nails. A sturdy pair of safety glasses is non-negotiable when working with any power tool.
Taking these precautions ensures that your reloading process is as safe as it is efficient.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reloading Your Roof Nailer Magazine
Now that we’ve covered the basics and safety, let’s get down to the actual reloading process. It’s surprisingly simple once you know how. We’ll focus on the most common side-loading magazine.
Step 1: Ensure the Nailer is Safely De-Energized
As we mentioned, this is the most critical first step.
For pneumatic nailers: Firmly pull out the air hose connector from the nailer’s air inlet.
For cordless nailers: Remove the battery pack completely.
For corded electric nailers: Unplug the power cord.
Double-check that the tool is not connected to air or power before proceeding. It takes just a second and can prevent serious injury.
Step 2: Locate the Magazine Follower
Look at the side of the nailer’s magazine. You’ll see a slot or channel where the nails sit. At the front of this channel, towards the tip of the nailer, is the follower. This is the piece that pushes the nails. It moves back and forth within the magazine.
Step 3: Pull Back the Follower
This is the core of the reloading process. Grab onto the tab or part of the follower that extends to the back of the magazine. You’ll need to pull this follower all the way to the rear of the magazine. You’ll feel resistance from the spring inside. Some nailers have a mechanism that allows you to lock the follower in the back position, making it easier to load nails. If yours does, engage that. If not, you’ll just need to hold it back with one hand while you load with the other.
Step 4: Select the Correct Nails
Using the right nails is super important for your nailer’s performance and longevity. Roofers typically use specific types of nails for attaching asphalt shingles, often referred to as “roofing nails” or “shingle nails.” These nails are designed to be long enough to penetrate the shingle and the roof sheathing (the underlying wood or plywood) without being too long that they cause issues or protrude dangerously.
Key characteristics of roofing nails:
Length: Usually around 1-1/4 inches to 1-1/2 inches for standard shingles. The exact length can depend on the shingle thickness and local building codes, which often specify minimum penetration depths. You can find general recommendations from organizations like the Building Science Corporation for fastener design principles.
Head Size: They have a wide, flat head to prevent them from pulling through the shingle.
Material: Typically galvanized steel to resist rust and corrosion, which is vital for outdoor applications exposed to weather.
Collation: Roofing nails are usually collated, meaning they are stuck together in strips or coils by wire, plastic, or adhesive. Roof nailers are designed to accept a specific type of collation.
Never use the wrong type of nail. Using nails that are too short won’t secure the shingles properly, leading to potential blow-offs in high winds. Nails that are too long can penetrate too far, damaging the underlayment, decking, or even creating hazardous protrusions on the underside of the roof. Always check your nailer’s manual for the recommended nail size and type.
Step 5: Load the Nails into the Magazine
This is where having the follower pulled back really pays off.
Take your strip of collated nails.
Align the nails with the channel in the magazine. The collated end (usually the wire or plastic band) should be facing towards the front of the nailer.
Carefully slide the strip of nails into the magazine, making sure they sit flat and flush against the bottom of the channel.
If your magazine has a locking mechanism for the follower, keep it engaged for now.
Step 6: Release the Follower
Once the nails are securely in the magazine:
If you locked the follower back, release it gently. You’ll feel the spring engage and the follower will move forward, pressing against the last nail in the strip.
If you didn’t have a lock, simply let go of the follower. It will naturally spring forward to hold the nails in place.
The follower should now be snug against the back of your nail strip. This tension is what feeds the nails into the firing chamber.
Step 7: Re-Connect Power Source
With the nails loaded and seated correctly, you can now reconnect your nailer’s power source.
For cordless nailers: Reinsert the battery pack.
For corded electric nailers: Plug in the power cord.
Step 8: Test Fire (Optional but Recommended)
Before you get back to your roofing job, it’s a good idea to test fire the nailer into a scrap piece of wood or just into the air (if your nailer has a contact trip mechanism and you point it away from anything valuable). This ensures everything is seated correctly and the nailer is functioning as expected.
Troubleshooting Common Roof Nailer Magazine Issues
Even with the best care, you might encounter a few snags. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
Nails Not Feeding Properly
Cause: The follower isn’t pushing the nails forward, or the nails are jammed.
Solution:
Ensure the follower is fully disengaged from any locking mechanism and is moving freely.
Check that the nails are properly seated in the magazine and not crooked or bent.
Make sure you are using the correct type and size of collated nails for your specific nailer. Different nailer brands and models use different collation angles and adhesive types. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) often provides guidelines on safe tool operation, which implicitly covers proper tool maintenance and material usage.
If the nails are stuck due to adhesive or bent collation, you may need to carefully remove the jammed nails. Try pulling the follower back as far as it will go and gently wiggling the nails out. Sometimes a dry, gentle tap on the magazine can help dislodge them.
Follower Gets Stuck
Cause: Debris, bent nails, or damage to the follower or magazine track.
Solution:
Disconnect power/air supply.
Carefully inspect the magazine track for any obstructions. Remove any debris or bent nail fragments.
Check the follower for any bends or damage. If it’s damaged, it might need replacement.
Occasionally, a small amount of lubricant (like a dry silicone spray designed for tools) applied to the follower track can help, but be sparing and ensure it’s tool-safe. Avoid oily lubricants, as they can attract dust and debris.
Nails Are Bent When Fired
Cause: This usually isn’t a magazine issue but can be related to improper depth setting or hitting a knot in the wood. However, if the nails aren’t sitting correctly against the driver blade due to a misalignment at the front of the magazine, it can also cause bending.
Solution:
Ensure the front-most nail is sitting perfectly aligned with the driver blade and the nose of the nailer.
Check the magazine for any slight bends or misalignments at the tip where the nail exits.
Make sure you are using the correct nail length and type as specified for your roofing material and sheathing.
Magazine Door Won’t Latch
Cause: The follower is not fully retracted, or there’s an obstruction preventing the latch from engaging.
Solution:
Ensure the follower is pulled back completely.
Check that no nails or debris are preventing the latch mechanism from seating correctly.
Inspect the latch mechanism itself for any damage or wear.
Maximizing Efficiency When Reloading
Reloading shouldn’t slow you down significantly. Here are a few tips to make the process as quick and efficient as possible:
Keep Nail Strips Accessible: Don’t bury your extra nail strips under other supplies. Keep them within easy reach. Tool belts or dedicated nail pouches designed for roofing nailers can be a lifesaver.
Use a “Locking Follower” if Available: Many modern nailers have a mechanism to hold the follower back. This frees up your other hand to load the nails, dramatically speeding up the process. If your nailer doesn’t have this, see if an aftermarket accessory is available, or simply practice holding the follower back consistently.
Reload Before You’re Completely Out: Anticipate when your nailer is getting low. Reloading when there are still a few nails left is often easier than trying to deal with a fully empty magazine, especially if the follower has sprung all the way forward with no nails to hold it.
Practice Makes Perfect: The more you do it, the faster and smoother it becomes. After a few reloads, you’ll instinctively know how to pull back the follower and slide in the nails without much thought.
Keep Your Magazine Clean: Dust and debris can make the follower stick or cause nails to jam. Wipe down the magazine occasionally, especially if you’re working in a particularly dusty environment.
Choosing the Right Nails for Your Roof Nailer
We touched on this earlier, but it’s worth reiterating because it’s so important.
Nail Specifications and Types
Roofing nailers are specialized tools, and using the correct nails is paramount. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know:
| Nail Characteristic | Description | Importance for Roofers |
| :—————— | :———————————————————————————————————————————————————————– | :————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Collation Type | The way nails are joined together. Common types include wire collation (nails are welded to a thin wire), plastic collation (nails taped or glued with plastic), and adhesive collation. | Must match your specific nailer. Using the wrong collation can cause jams, damage the nailer, or prevent proper feeding and firing. |
| Collation Angle | The angle at which the nails are set in relation to the collation strip. Typically 15 degrees or 20 degrees for roofing nails. | Must match your nailer. Your nailer is built to accept nails at a specific angle. |
| Length | The length of the nail shaft, usually measured in inches. Common lengths for asphalt shingles are 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″. | Affects holding power and code compliance. Too short = poor hold. Too long = damage to sheathing, leaks, or hazardous protrusions. |
| Diameter | The thickness of the nail shaft. Common diameters are around .113″ to .120″. | Affects withdrawal resistance. Thicker nails generally offer better hold but can be harder to drive. |
| Head Diameter | The size of the nail head. Roofing nails have large, flat heads to prevent pull-through. Typically 7/16″ to 3/8″. | Essential for securing shingles without damaging them. Too small a head can pull through the shingle, compromising weatherproofing. |
| Material | Usually galvanized steel (hot-dipped galvanized is best for longevity) or stainless steel. | Crucial for corrosion resistance. Roofing is constantly exposed to moisture and the elements. Rusting nails can cause leaks and shingle failure. |
Understanding these specifications will make shopping for nails much easier and prevent costly mistakes. Always check your nailer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for the exact specifications. For instance, Bostitch, a popular brand, specifies collation types and angles for their roofing nailers.
Why Using the Right Collation Matters
This often trips up beginners. If your nailer is designed for wire collation, and you try to feed it plastic-collated nails, they won’t feed smoothly. The plastic might not break away correctly, or the nails won’t line up properly. Conversely, if your nailer expects a specific angle of collation (like 20 degrees) and you feed it 15-degree nails, they may also jam or misfire. It’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole – it just won’t work reliably.
Maintenance Tips for Your Roof Nailer Magazine
A little bit of care goes a long way in keeping your roof nailer magazine working smoothly.
Clean Regularly: After