Simpson Strong-Tie CCN64 Collated Connector Nailer Review

Introduction

Most nailers are generalists. The Simpson Strong-Tie CCN64 is not. It is a pneumatic collated connector nailer designed specifically for installing metal connectors: joist hangers, hurricane ties, strapping brackets, and anything else that takes those small connector nails.

Anyone who has installed these brackets by hand knows the frustration. You have to hold the bracket, hold the nail, and swing a hammer, all while trying to keep everything lined up. The CCN64 removes that juggling act, and it does so with an unusual design choice: there is no trigger at all.

Who This Product Is For

This tool makes the most sense for builders and DIYers who regularly install metal connectors. A single strip holds 22 connector nails, which covers four Simpson-style connectors with four nails per bracket. If you only hang a bracket once a year, hand nailing is fine. If you are framing a deck or a floor with dozens of hangers, the difference is easy to feel.

It is also worth noting that this is a pneumatic tool. You will need an air compressor running between 90 and 120 PSI. There is no cordless option here, so factor that into the purchase decision if you have moved away from compressed air.

Main Strengths

The standout feature is the trigger-free actuation. Instead of firing in one shot, the tool hammers the nail in as you depress the nose against the work. That means you get incremental control: you can tap a nail partway in, check its position, and continue hammering until it seats flush against the bracket. A traditional framing nailer cannot do this.

That gentle hammering action is also safer and less likely to damage the surrounding metal, since you are not driving each nail with a single high-force strike.

Loading is deliberately different from a framing nailer. The tool must be set to the depth of the nail you are using. For the longer 65 mm nails, you move the positioning pin down and load the strip at the top slot. For the shorter 38 mm nails, the pin goes to the top and the strip loads further down. The nail always protrudes from the tip, which sounds odd until you realise it is what lets you locate the hole in the bracket before firing. Every nail also carries an orange tip, which makes lining it up against grey galvanized steel far easier than it would otherwise be.

Simpson Strong-Tie’s packaging habits deserve a mention too. Boxes of screws and nails are clearly labelled and consistently include the driver bit or drill bit you need, sometimes even the matching jig for the nailer. It removes that annoying moment of opening a box at home and discovering you own the wrong Torx size.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The nail depth system takes a moment to learn. If you swap between 38 mm and 65 mm nails, you have to reposition the pin each time, which is a small chore compared to a framing nailer that accepts mixed lengths at the top.

You also need to match your consumables to the job. The 38 mm nails suit the four corners of a standard connector, but some brackets, including certain joist hangers, also require longer 65 mm nails driven at a 45-degree angle so they pass through the joist and into the face of the supporting board. Those longer nails also come in strips of 22, four nails per hanger.

Finally, remember that you must choose the right fastener grade for your application. Connectors, nails, and screws are available in galvanized and stainless versions, and mixing the wrong grade into the wrong environment is a corrosion problem waiting to happen. Building regulations for connector installation also vary by region, so check what applies locally.

How It Works on Brackets and Ties

In practice, the workflow is simple. Position the bracket, tap the small nail tang at the top to tack it in place, then come back and nail everything off. You can do all the short nails across every hanger first, then return for the longer 45-degree nails at the end.

The same tool handles hurricane ties, which fit over the top plate of a wall and anchor rafters at whatever angle the roof requires. Like the hangers, these come in galvanized and stainless grades, and they have uses beyond rafters as well.

If you prefer screws over nails, Simpson Strong-Tie’s strong-drive structural screws pair well with the same brackets. They come with driver bits in the box, drive in quickly without pre-drilling, feature a large head, and are available in a wide range of sizes. Longer bits come with the shorter screws to help reach tight spaces, and shorter bits with the long screws that go in at an angle.

Buying Advice

The CCN64 earns its place in a kit when connector installation is a recurring task rather than an occasional one. Paired with a modest compressor, it turns a fiddly three-handed job into a one-handed one, and the controlled hammering action means you can be precise even in awkward positions.

Check which nail sizes your brackets actually require before buying strips, confirm whether you need galvanized or stainless fasteners, and make sure you have a compressor that can hold the required pressure. Do those three things and the tool is straightforward to live with.

Conclusion

The Simpson Strong-Tie CCN64 is a purpose-built answer to a genuinely annoying job. The trigger-free hammering action, orange-tipped collated nails, and thoughtful packaging make installing joist hangers, hurricane ties, and strapping brackets faster and more controlled. If your projects regularly involve metal connectors, it is an easy tool to justify.