Framing nailers

knucklehead · Jul 24, 2003

I'm looking at framing nailers. I appreciate the tutorial I've gotten ghosting coversations on other air tools here on TBN, so I figured I'd start a thread here. I'll post over on CBN, too.

I've got a couple projects to do - a shed and a garage rebuild. We have great sources of local green lumber at good prices, so I'll be using rough stuff, green or dry. Football and foolishness have resulted in knees and elbows that tire soon - even forcing a week off or so if I push too far. So I'm starting to look for help - that's why we finally bought the Ford last Summer.

There are as many brands as there are colors - but I am looking at Porter Cable, Bostitch, and Senco....the local lumber yard is holding up the Senco as best (as is dear old Dad) - they also sell the other two I mentioned. I gave them my needs - build two buildings and then just homeowner work - and they suggested the Senco FramePro 751XP.

Anyone have any opinions? Experience? This model is new, I think. Locally it is around $370.00; I've found it on line for $289.00 with free shipping. The second question is does anyone have experience with Nailzone? They the lowest prices so far. I'm searching Google now, looking for business opinions of them.

cowboydoc · Jul 24, 2003

I've always used Paslode and have had great luck with them. They would be my recommendation. If you're truly just doing framing that cordless Paslode is one great unit.

yellowyj · Jul 24, 2003

I use mostly Duofast nailers and staplers. We have had a Duofast framing nailer for about 10-15 years. It is a great gun. I have also used a Porter Cable framing nailer a few times. I thought it was a good gun.

The nails are a lot cheaper for a Porter Cable then they are for our Duofast.

I have never used a Senco but it looks to be a well built gun.

knucklehead · Jul 24, 2003

Quick response, Doc - thanks! I was wondering about those cordless units. One of those is about the same as this Senco - mid $300 range. Reading your other posts, I know you're a busy beaver in a lot of different things - do you have a lot of time on that Paslode? Have you had to have it worked on? One of the things I am being told is that local repair is a plus - and this yard does on-site repairs on Sencos - usually seals wear out with normal use according to the sales guy. I am thinking a nailer could be a higher wear tool due to the violent reaction of the mechanism, so I am leaning toward following the advice I am being given.

My brother went to the Big Orange Box and got a Bostitch to save a few bucks - a little different model number than the usual Bostitch models - probably a HD special run. Dear Dad asked them what the difference was, other than Bostitch leaving half the parts out to maker it cheaper. It's kinda fun, shopping with my Dad. The HD Bostitch seems to be working fine so far.

Thanks, Doc

knucklehead · Jul 24, 2003

Yeller - thanks & welcome to TBN. Hey - that Nailzone is listed as being in Muscle (sp?) Shoals - do you know anything about them? Check them out if you are interested.

Thanks for the info. Do you have to rebuild your nailers every so often?

RobS · Jul 24, 2003

I've had the standard Bostitch model for several years now. Typical homeowner use and it's held up well. A couple of jams in thousands of nails but they are easy to clear. I've also got Bostitch finish nailer, brad nailer and now roofing nailer. Nails are easy to come by.

I've bought all my nailers at Lowe's using their 10% price match to Menard's prices. Always been a good deal (you'd think Lowe's would be onto Menard's pricing by now). I'm sure there are better nailers but I've been happy with these /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

knucklehead · Jul 24, 2003

Thanks, Rob - I used a Bostitch N60, (I think) coil nailer to do the upstairs dormer in '92 - still have 14 coils of 2" - 3" nails of various types left over. If I had to do this "blindly", I'd go either Bostitch or Porter cable; probably Bostitch since I had no problems with them, either. I thought the coil nailers had advantages in holding more nails, but I see "everyone" runs a stick now, though.

My father has been redecking a 12x28 deck with pressure treated 5/4 decking, using galvanized nails in that stick-nail Bostitch of my brother's. He's about half done & has a raw patch rubbed on the big knuckle of his thumb from bearing on the head of the nailer. He's got to hold that thing down hard to get the head to set (yes, it's set for the depth, but maybe it's the hardness of the PT stock - Southern Pine, I think). Guess I'll be wearing a glove with my green 2" stock.

I'm leaning hard to the Senco as it's what all the local contractors are using - never even knew they existed until last week.

SageBrush · Jul 24, 2003

Don't forget Home Depot for the rebuilt units. I use all Senco and love the older guns. The HD's around here sell the used stuff for about 50% of retail. Pawn Shops are great to, just found a good working framer for $50 bucks. I bought it, expecting to rebuild it, but it actually works fine /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JohnMiller3 · Jul 24, 2003

I have a couple Craftsman and Bostitch (some since the 80’s)… and have never ever had a lick of a problem with any of them… no fatigue, lightweight, no jam problems, fast reloads, rapid & single fire, everybody and their brother carries cases of nail loads dirt cheap with a selection of penny sizes galore… /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

(find out the cost & availability of the consumables in your area before you buy anything…!) (Craftsman emulates the Bostitch, which is the number one in my area)

yellowyj · Jul 24, 2003

I am not familar with Nailzone. I will have to check them out though.

We have not had to rebuild any of our nail guns or staplers. That is even with most of them being used daily for about 10 years in a cabinet shop we used to own. They are now used at least weekly in a remolding business my dad runs.

The good thing about Duofast nailers is if the break or you have problems withthem you carry them to a Duofast dealer and they fix them for free /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I guess you pay for it up front though /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

The most important thing to remember with any brand is to oil it daily, or before each use.