Roofing nailgun adjustment help

[easygo]

I'm about to start my happy adventure of reshingleing my house. I bought a used roofing nailer that seems to function just fine except that it does not drive the nails into the wood far enough. They need to be driven about 1/16 to 1/8" deeper. The nail gun is a Bostitch RN-45-1 and it seems like it is in decent shape (but what do I know really). I heard somewhere that there is a way to adjust the depth the nail is driven down but I can't seem to find any owner's manual online. The guy I bought it from had no idea how to adjust it either.
THis is not the current model Bostitch roofer as they make the newer version called RN-46 these days. I tried it with pressure ranging from 80-120psi and it made no difference. I put a shingle on a piece of pine board and the nails aren't pounded in far enough.

Could someone give me a pointer on this or may be a manual?

Thank you

 

[EddieWalker]

First, you don't want to nails to damage the shingle. Snug is really what you want. Too far into the shingle is like not having a nail on it since the nail just destroyed that part of the shingle.

I don't know your brand or model. Of the brands that I've had, they all adjust right below the trigger. There is a knob or wheel that you turn for depth.

If you don't have such an adjustment, maybe a shot of oil into the nipple that the hose attaches to will help with the seals and give you more power.

This also might be why the prrevious owner sold it???

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[rswyan]

Dunno if this is the correct manual for your specific gun or not - it's for an RN-45B. Got it off Stanley's website.

Even if it's not, it may be close enough to allow you to figure how to adjust yours:

 

[easygo]

Rswyan,
Thank you for the link to the manual. Unfortunately it does not say anything about that adjustment. I'm beginning to wonder if it has that option as my nailer is an RN45B-1. I'm puzzled over this.

Eddie,
The tool has plenty of lubricant in it but unfortunately no little of big knob to adjust anything.

I'm attaching a couple of pictures.

 

[rjkobbeman]

Dunno if this is the correct manual for your specific gun or not - it's for an RN-45B. Got it off Stanley's website.

Even if it's not, it may be close enough to allow you to figure how to adjust yours:

I found the same thing. (Great minds think alike!)

Anyway, in that manual it refers to a depth control kit. Here is a link to it: Stanley Bostitch :  DC6  -  RN45 Roofing Nailer Dial-A-Depth Fastener Control Kit

Why on earth a nail gun would not have depth control already is beyond me! Argh!

Of course, I have some Paslode staple guns that do not have depth control either... and it really irks me.

At least this one has a option.

 

[easygo]

So. If they offer the kit that must mean that adjustment is possible somewhere inside the dark belly of the nailer. That is good news in itself. I might have to take it to a local shop Tuesday to see what it would take to adjust the thing. From the looks of that kit the nailer would have to be taken apart a good deal.

 

[jpm]

it may be the guns ram is worn down from lots of use.i think there's a rebuild kit for it

 

[Freds]

I was thinking the ram, too. I've used these guns, but the nails were already provided... but can you get a shorter nail for it? I know coil nails come in different lengths, but I don't know if you can use different sizes in the same gun. Maybe it's something simple like too long a nail for the gun.

 

[easygo]

I tried some 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" nails ans they both were not driven in far enough. The range of nail length it supposed to be able handle is from 3/4" to 1 3/4" that appears to be standard with roofing nailers. I was told I should use 1 1/2" nails because I will be putting up architectural shingles that are thicker. I put about a half a coil of nails through it and it never jammed or failed to fire it is the depth adjustment that seems to be a problem.

 

[SimS]

If it isn't a mechanical problem/limit driving that is driving the nail too shallow, have you tried raising the air pressure? I know that sometimes my old Paslodes like a little more air pressure to drive the nail completely.


SimS

 

[Army grunt]

sounds like a pressure problem,shorten the hose length, run the compressor high pressure, oil the nailer. hold it (after disconnecting hose)so you can drip liberally straight down where the nails come out, then add a good squirt in the end where the hose connects, my gun has a roller type depth adjustment at the breach.(theres a part that flippes open to remove jammed nails)
oil is a really important part, are you doing a over-lay? if you arenot i don't see the reason for such a long nail. all the nail needs to do is go as deap as the wood, it dosent have to go through by alot, what would the point be?
good luck Army Grunt

 

[Duffster]

I tried some 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" nails ans they both were not driven in far enough. The range of nail length it supposed to be able handle is from 3/4" to 1 3/4" that appears to be standard with roofing nailers. I was told I should use 1 1/2" nails because I will be putting up architectural shingles that are thicker. I put about a half a coil of nails through it and it never jammed or failed to fire it is the depth adjustment that seems to be a problem.

1 1/4" will be plenty. If the 1 1/4" sticks through the sheathing there is no advantage to the 1 1/2".

 

[rswyan]

sounds like a pressure problem .....

The OP has already stated that he's tried 120 psi (which actually exceeds the pressure rating spec'd in the pdf manual I posted by 20 psi)

One issue mentioned in the manual is that air volume is as important as pressure ...... what size air line is being used ?

Another issue is a worn driver causing poor quality or loss of power - and there is a maintenance/adjustment procedure listed on page 11 of the manual.

 

[easygo]

Thank you for all who contributed. I see in the manual that adjustment of the nail gun is possible but it would have to be taken to a shop. So that is what I will do in the morning. Oh well. Live and learn.

Duffster,

I think roofers around here mostly use 1 1/4" nails but I was told I should use 1 1/2" because architectural shingles are thicker. I took the advice as I don't think it will hurt but also didn't know better. By the way I wish it was sheathing on the roof of my house. It is a bunch of old boards some may be well over 100 yrs old. My house dates back to the mid 1830's. It is not in the cards to replace all the boards for $ reason as well as they are not rotten at all.

 

[Duffster]

Thank you for all who contributed. I see in the manual that adjustment of the nail gun is possible but it would have to be taken to a shop. So that is what I will do in the morning. Oh well. Live and learn.

Duffster,

I think roofers around here mostly use 1 1/4" nails but I was told I should use 1 1/2" because architectural shingles are thicker. I took the advice as I don't think it will hurt but also didn't know better. By the way I wish it was sheathing on the roof of my house. It is a bunch of old boards some may be well over 100 yrs old. My house dates back to the mid 1830's. It is not in the cards to replace all the boards for $ reason as well as they are not rotten at all.

Architectural shingles are not enough thicker, unless you are using some extremely high end product, to be noticeably thicker than standard shingles. All of them that I have installed only called for 1 1/4" but suit yourself.

 

[rjkobbeman]

Architectural shingles are not enough thicker, unless you are using some extremely high end product, to be noticeably thicker than standard shingles. All of them that I have installed only called for 1 1/4" but suit yourself.

Agree. We used architectural shingles on our new home. The 1 1/4" nails are sticking through the sheathing in the attic.

I didn't notice them being any thicker. Granted, they could be a LITTLE thicker, but not much.

I would think the only way to need another 1/4" of nail is if you are laying shingles on top of shingles.

There certainly is an easy way to find out and put your mind at ease... Just get some sheathing, some tar paper and some shingles... then nail a few nails...

 

[nickel plate]

The fact that your nails are not quite reaching the surface of the shingle is far better than penetrating them. Have someone follow behind you and hand set the nails or stop at each course and do it yourself. Wood siding is also done that way.

 

[Duffster]

The fact that your nails are not quite reaching the surface of the shingle is far better than penetrating them. Have someone follow behind you and hand set the nails or stop at each course and do it yourself. Wood siding is also done that way.

LOL You might as well just nail it by hand.