Brad nailer problem

[BigBlue1]

Not sure if there is a better section than this, but since this site has a lot of really knowledgeable folks I figured I'd ask...

I have a Craftsman 18ga brad nailer. It may be 15 years old but it has been used very little, well cared for, always oiled in the line and is basically like new. Went to use it for a project recently and after the first nail it now fails to fire. It seems like the ram/hammer/striker is being pushed out as soon as air pressure is applied and it will not retract. I took it apart far enough to pull the piston/hammer out and clean the piston & cylinder, the hammer itself and the grooves it rides in. Everything looked great. Not dirty at all. But same situation after re-assembling. It's like pressure is going right through and not allowing it to reset. As a side note, when I took it apart I really didn't see any spring that would be used to reset the hammer. Maybe that's not how things work. Maybe it is all done by air pressure?

Anyway, if this sounds familiar and anyone has an idea of how to fix it please share.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[/pine]

With the air hose disconnected...try rapping the nailer heel down on a solid wood surface...sounds like the piston is stuck from lack of use...

 

[BigBlue1]

With the air hose disconnected...try rapping the nailer heel down on a solid wood surface...sounds like the piston is stuck from lack of use...

I had the piston out though. It wasn't stuck. I oiled things back up and put it back together. With no air pressure the piston/hammer slides up & down with minimal force.

 

[JasperFrank]

These have plastic parts that deteriorate over time. Most likely its the Head Valve Number 10 in the diagram: a 5 dollar plastic part. You are correct that there is no spring to return the driver. The cycling is all done by air pressure. Had this exact same issue with my Porter-Cable gun last month. Now fixed.

 

[BigBlue1]

These have plastic parts that deteriorate over time. Most likely its the Head Valve Number 10 in the diagram: a 5 dollar plastic part. You are correct that there is no spring to return the driver. The cycling is all done by air pressure. Had this exact same issue with my Porter-Cable gun last month. Now fixed.

View attachment 632373

Good call! I hadn't taken that part of the head apart the first time. Did now and I see that piece is broken.

Thanks!
Rob

 

[PILOON]

In my area for some reason Brad Nailers always seem to be used as lost leaders with prices down in the $10-20 range si I simply toss it when it starts burping.

I prefer any tool by Hitachi or Makita and try to stay there.
I have owned and abused both brands for years and they never let me down.
My Hitachi framing (and was purchased used at a flee market) nail gun has shot mamy cases of 3 1/2 nails (like 4-5 home constructions) without a burp. and my Makita roofing gun probably a truck load of shingles.

 

[BigBlue1]

Just to update this thread, the replacement head valve part resolved the issue and the nailer is back in action. Thanks JasperFrank!

Rob

 

[two_bit_score]

Just to update this thread, the replacement head valve part resolved the issue and the nailer is back in action. Thanks JasperFrank!

Rob

:thumbsup: