Air nailer question

[MikeD74T]

Tdog, Considering what you're going to build, is the savings in time,which may not be much unless you're used to gun nailing, going to be worth the extra $400 dollars you'll have invested in the gun & gun nails? If you don't need it almost daily you know what happens next, you'll loan it out & it'll come home broken. MikeD74T

 

[asylum575]

There are several excellent choices for framing nailers. I would say you can't go wrong with Duofast. Senco, Hitachi and Max. Bostitch and Portercable are more affordable and excellent tools. I have a Bostich N80 stick. Also have the Bostitch N60 finish nailer. Happy with both. My brad gun is a Porter Cable, but I have heard the Harbor Freight brad gun is good for occasional use. I'd stay away from used, unless I knew the tool and user. In pneumatic tools, used goes along with abused. I use to repair tools. and I can tell you, they get abused. It's not the guy coming in to get it repaired, it's all the do- dos he has working for him. " Hey Jim, pass me the nailer". Then you hear a clunk after the tool is flung 50ft from a 30 foot roof.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Purchased a Porter Cable compressor / Frame Nailer combo about 4 years ago for DIY projects. Have since added PC Finish Nailer and PC Floor Cleat Nailer and lately some air tools. So far all tools have performed flawlessly, although admittedly, not a lot of overall use.

One of the things I really like about the nailers is that it increases accuracy when building, since there is relatively little movement when the nail is driven as compared to possible movement from hammering. Also a lot easier to get a nail into a postion that could be real awkward using a hammer. With Finish / Brad nailers you don't end up with hammer marks or have to use nail sets.

Once you have a compressor there are all kinds of handy toys out there that can be added. Suggest checking the specs on some air tools like grinders / impact wrenches etc and make sure the compressor has enough SCFM to run things you might purchase in the future.

 

[sperry]

I have the Paslode gas framer and it's a great tool! A regular cleaning inside the piston and igniter area has been needed over the years, but well worth the money. I have seen the paslode framer gun go cheap on eBay over the last year. I don't use my framer very often, it's nice to just grab it and only it and go. Bigshovel said it well "BE DONE WITH IT" Paslode finish nailer is even handier but thats another topic.

 

[Tdog]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. My first thoughts were to buy from Northern Tool or Harbor Freight - - I still might go that way. Can you buy nails for these tools locally? Or will I have to order from NT or HF?

Does anyone have a Campbell Hausfield nailer - - I see Sears has those on line at a pretty low price.
I'll probably do something this week.

 

[EddieWalker]

I used to like sears tools, but about five years ago, and probably earlier, their products really took a dive. I won't buy any more Craftsman products with any sort of motor in them. Hand tools are still OK, but nothing special.

I consider Makita to be my favorite and most reliable name for power tools. Next, DeWalt, Bosch and Milwakee have been good, but I have had issues with both. After that, Porter Cable, Rigid, Ryobee, Skill, Craftsman and a dozen others all fall short in heavy use and reliablity.

I've bought two Hitachi tools recently. A 2hp aircompresor and a 1 9/16 SDS Rotary Hammer. Both have impressed me, and I'll buy other Hitachi tools in the future.

If you figure out what you want and the model number, you can still find some of the best prices on Ebay.

Eddie

 

[Charlesaf3]

I agree with Eddie - Makita is a great line. I also like bosch and Hitachi a lot.

I have a lot of dewalt, but as I've posted elsewhere I won't be replacing it with new dewalt when it breaks.

I like the Porter cable brad and finish guns a lot. Could be heavier duty, but the form factor just rocks, really light and easy to get into tight spaces.

 

[jdmar]

I have the Porter cable and Paslode framers. The PC is great but does not have the power of the paslode or of some of the more expensive corded framers. I love the PC and it always works great...it just can't drive a 3-3.25 inch nail into older framing material ( I used to do a lot of rehabs) or LVLs. If you do not need to do that it is affordable and you can get 30-34 degree nails everywhere.

The paslode is awesome. I love the freedom (and safety) of no cord. They do like to be kept clean though. It is worth pulling off the back end and cleaning the piston area..can really make a difference. The only thing I do not like about the paslode is the fuel cells. They are about $5-6 a piece unless bought in 24 packs. And they only drive about 1000-1200 nails. That adds a bit of cost to a box of nails when you get 2000-5000 nails per box depending on size. It is not a terrrible cost..it's just that I am cheap!

I will complement Paslode on support though. I emailed them when I had one of their fuel cells leak after I "snapped" the top on to activate. They immediately responded and sent my FOUR replacement fuel cells and a car charger! Can't beat that for support!

Look on ebay for a gun for sale near you. That way you can check it out and get a "better" gun for a great price. Just an idea.

Peter

 

[MikePA]

Can you buy nails for these tools locally?

Yes..

 

[Tdog]

Just a follow up on this - - I finally decided against HF & NT & bid on a Milwaukee that was on ebay. It came today. The 1st thing I learned was that the air intake was 3/8" but my adapters are 1/4". So I'll need to go from 3/8 on the tool to 1/4 on my hose.
And I need nails. Any suggestions there? Off to Home Depot/Lowes tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks,

Jack