The term refers to the angle at which collated nails are held together to form a strip or coil for use in a pneumatic fastening tool designed for structural construction. This angle dictates the compatibility of nail strips or coils with specific tool models. For instance, one tool might accept nails collated at 21 degrees, while another is designed for 30-34 degree collation.
Proper collation angle selection is crucial for tool functionality, safety, and optimal performance. Using the incorrect nail collation can cause jams, misfires, and potential damage to the tool or workpiece. Over time, manufacturers have developed varied collation angles to optimize nail capacity, tool size, and accessibility in confined spaces within wood framing.
