Framing Nailer Advice

[mcnitt]

I have used a Porter Cable framing nailer for about eight years with not one problem. Never a jam or misfire. It uses plastic strip full head nails. When I need the nailer in a remote area of my property (forty acres, hilly and heavily treed.) I haul my 5.5 hp gas wheelbarrow compressor, and a few times I resorted to hauling out the 5kw generator and the electric compressor. I have always thought about getting the Paslode, but decided I really don't need it. I also agree about the usefulness of the palm nailer. I bought one made by Rigid - None of them are particularly expensive. It lets me get into tight areas and it drives the nail very quickly.

I also own a Bostich finish nailer and a Porter Cable brad nailer. I bought a HF 1/4" stapler for a specific project about 6 - 8 years ago and it just won't die. It works surprisingly well.

Good luck!

 

[skipmarcy]

One more vote for the Porter Cable 350 - I've put over 80,000 8's and 16's thru mine in the past 4 years and haven't done a repair to it yet. Oil it regularly (every day), blow the linkages & magazine clean with air and spray a little silicone spray on them and keep on working. The only problem is with the plastic collation and full head nails it only holds 50 nails at a time but reloads are quick. At work I've used the boss's Bostich and it hasn't held up as well as my Porter plus I don't like the clipped head nails. For 18 ga. combo gun I have a Grizzly - it has been flawless too, although it doesn't have quite as many fasteners thru it as my framer.

 

[valley]

Sounds like people are having good luck with many different guns. Around here all the Pros use Hitachi. I use Hitachi NR83A2. I have two of them I bought them both used. I used them so much last year! When building a shed, it was just bam, bam, bam. I sure speeds up your work. Good luck.
Have you dicided what kind you would buy yet?

 

[Pops15]

This topic prompted me to look at framing nailers at Lowes today to see what's currently available. They had DeWalt, Bostitch, two models of Hitachi and both air and cordless Paslode.
I didn't pay much attention to the DeWalt because, well, its DeWalt. I didn't like the magazines on any of the air powered nailers. They're too long and bulky. I think most if not all of the new generation nailers are built like that. As far as I'm concerned whatever advantage there is to having a magazine that holds more nails is lost because the magazine sticks out where it can be damaged and it will be in the way in certain situations. None of those air nailers are balanced as well as the Senco 325+ but I suspect most of them are more powerful. Even my old SN4's are more powerful than the 325+. I wouldn't trade my 325+ guns for any of the air powered offerings I saw today because the 325+ is about the most comfortable gun around and thats a real consideration for someone that makes their living in construction.
The cordless Paslode is another story. Compact, well balanced and comfortable. It was also the most expensive. They're supposed to be reliable as well. I can see myself owning one someday.
One thing that struck me was how cheap the new guns are. Most if not all the air powered were in the $200-300 range. If I had to choose between the air nailers I saw today I'd go with Paslode followed closely by Hitachi and finally Bostitch.

As for finish nailers....I have two Senco SFN1 (I think, but could be SFN2). Compact, and reliable. If they have a downfall its jamming. Seems those guns have more than their share of jams, especially with generic nails. I don't know that I'd recommend the SFN1 for a DIY. I have a Bostitch 2 1/2" angled finish nailer. Don't know the model number. Its bigger and MUCH more powerful than the old Senco finish nailers. I think I paid around $170 for 3 or 4 years ago. I don't like the way jams are cleared but as cheap as it was I'm not going to complain too much. I have another Bostitch finish nailer. It shoots 2" nails. I don't really have an opinion on how it performs as I've never used it because no one around here sells nails for it! It was part of a compressor/nailer combo pack so I suspect its just a throw away piece like the compressor.

I realize that a weekend warrior is going to have different criteria than me. Most anything will probably be good enough for the limited use the OP talked about.

 

[J_J]

I have Paslode's finish and framing cordless nailers, and they both work as advertised. No air compressor required.

 

[clemsonfor]

HF sells about 3 different framing nailers, the like 6 n 1 an da 24deg. a 30 deg and like a 34 deg. those may not all be the degrees not sure, the 6n1 will shoot all their nails i buy them at HF. I think certain models they have will shoot the nails from lowes. Get the local sales ad store sales differ from online which rarely has sales and they are not as good of a deal as the store. You can almost always get a 20% coupoun if one is not on sale.

 

[valley]

What powers the Paslode?

 

[jejeosborne]

I too vote for the Paslode cordless. I have owned one for about 10 years and still on the first set of seals. I converted it to the newer round head nails two years ago. Been through 4 batteries and two chargers but the gun is still going strong. I clean it a couple of times a year with brake cleaner (pasolode rep said that is basically what their cleaner is) and lube it up.

To answer the question on how they work, they are basically an internal combustion engine with a spark plug. An electric fan flushes the exhaust and cools the unit. They run on a butane type fuel. I think it will shoot around 1000 nails per tank of fuel. They do smell a little when using them inside and are loud so hearing protection is required especially when shooting plywood.

These guns make the job site much safer in my opinion. Anyone who has stepped on a hose or tripped on a hose when sheeting a roof will know what I am talking about. They are also light enough to just hang from your belt and climb around the rafters.

 

[RadarTech]

Folks,
I am in the middle of looking for a framing nailer..
and I found this website:
Framing Nailers for sale at ToolKing.com

If it works out-- this Dewalt nailer looks great with a price of $129..
DeWalt D51844 Factory Reconditioned Framing Nailer for sale at ToolKing.com!

anyway...

thoughts?

J

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I finally decided.

I bought this one. The main reason I went with Senco is because it's a brand the local hardware store carries. They had one of this exact model on the shelf for about $100 more. Thanks to all who recommended checking out local nail supplies. I wouldn't have thought of that one on my own.

CPO Senco had another one about $20 cheaper, but I picked this one because it's a little better built according to the guy at the hardware store, it's a little shorter to fit into tighter spots, and the air consumption is less.

 

[radioman]

I used a Harbor Freight framing gun for a few years. It really surprised me. It stood up well to my occasional use. When I built the decks I thought that I needed something better. I got a Paslode cordless and it's one of the best purchases I ever made. These days is mainly used for repairing and rebuilding the board fences around the house and the pastures. I may still have to haul the generator out to power the saws but no more compressor. It's magic.

My father was given a HF framing nailer. I consider them to be junk. They seem to work for one project, but even so, the paper that holds the nails together always seems to jam the gun.We shot maybe 3000-6000 nails with it. I borrowed it for my garage expansion project and shot only a hour worth and ended up doing the rest by hand. Maybe if my father bought one with warranty and replace it after each project, it might last long enough.

 

[Pops15]

Folks,
I am in the middle of looking for a framing nailer..
and I found this website:
Framing Nailers for sale at ToolKing.com

If it works out-- this Dewalt nailer looks great with a price of $129..
DeWalt D51844 Factory Reconditioned Framing Nailer for sale at ToolKing.com!

anyway...

thoughts?

J

What's so appealing about that gun other than price? I don't think you'll find many pros that have much good to say about DeWalt. Spend a little more and get a Paslode or Senco.

 

[Pops15]

My father was given a HF framing nailer. I consider them to be junk. They seem to work for one project, but even so, the paper that holds the nails together always seems to jam the gun.We shot maybe 3000-6000 nails with it. I borrowed it for my garage expansion project and shot only a hour worth and ended up doing the rest by hand. Maybe if my father bought one with warranty and replace it after each project, it might last long enough.

Even after reading about your experience someone on here will still buy a HF nailer.

 

[mojoinco]

Several years ago I decided to replace my 'starter' pawnshop gun (one of the ITW brands: Duo-fast; Paslode is another) as it was pretty worn out and I was tired of un-jamming it.

I bought a Bostitch (N?88; the dual head unit that does the metal hanger nails). I missed one detail that was important (besides round head nails): tool less jam clearing. That's where the head can be popped open.

Anyhow, I used Tyler tools in Texas.

In my research the non-'A' Porter Cable round head nailer (xx350A) had issues, otherwise it was as mentioned: local supply sources (on demand -- most can be ordered). One thing that can be of value is some nailers use a steeper angle on the nail strip. This should mean a shorter overall length.

I talked to my son (framer in Kalifornia) first. He liked the Hitachi for one reason: Home Depot stocked the rebuild parts. He had no other particular reason to like one over another (that he saw on the job site). He did mention that the gas operated (Paslode?) unit was real nice when they had cleaned up for the day but had a couple of nails to put up yet -- the hoses stayed away.

I have the Senco 41XP 15ga finish nailer. Bought it when Home Depot had it marked down. NO oil.

I bought (a couple of years prior) a Bostitch combo brad/stapler (xx100). Some sort of special deal (cordura briefcase style bag and airhose) for the normal price. Works well, but requires oil.

Bought a seized compressor (can't remember the name -- but a brand name for this sort of work) for $5 and a refund if I couldn't get to work (it's former owner forgot to check the oil). A couple of hours with a file, hone (a dowel with wet/dry wrapped around it), and some synthetic oil I had sitting around (the big end of the rod and the crank had seized). It's still running 3 years later. Compressors aren't very complex nor too critical (no combustion going on, and in the few I've been into, no bearings).

On the tool brands, Milwaukee is definitely going the China route since the Japanese company bought them. The new LI-Ion compact drills are made there, and it appears they are making them for Sears as well. Dewalt has mostly continued to be made in Mexico, while the non-professional PC tools are being made overseas (I think the nail guns have been made in Taiwan for some years). Hitachi are almost all made in China now, as I believe about all Makita are too. Dewalt is supposed to be coming out with a new line of Li-Ion tools, and are making backwards compatible batteries to fit the older non-lithium tools (you have to buy the lithium type charger though). So if you bought any in the last couple of years, you ought to be able to keep them for a long time.

Speaking of drills, it is hard to find battery powered drills with the rear handle. I keep limping along with my old PC 12v for that reason (batteries are available, but not replacement chargers). Sorry, of topic.