N80
Super Member
Got a two different Porter Cable brad guns and a compressor about 10 years ago. Light use only. The smaller brad gun has stopped working. When you pull the trigger there is a slight puff out the exhaust port but it does not drive the brad. There is no hissing or evidence of air leakage. I went to YouTube and there are plenty of DIY repair videos. Everything looked pretty good inside mine (except that most of it looks like plastic junk). For failures with no obvious air leakage there is a plastic ring on the piston that tends to fail. Mine appeared to have spread a little and was leaving a little gap. I figure that might be the issue so I went on line to find one. No problem. Except, Porter Cable charges about $8 for the ring and $10 for shipping. It is about as big around as my thumbnail and comes in an envelope. After a little searching I was able to find another source and got one for $12 total. Still outrageous.
Installed it. Lubed everything up properly. Got one halfway decent strike (brad went halfway in) and then same as before. Pull the trigger, slight puff, nothing else. But, I also noticed that the striker did not return to the 'cocked' position.
So, I have a few options:
1) Someone here knows exactly what the problem is and tell's me how to fix it for very little additional money.
2) Get the refurb kit from P-C. It comes with the piston tube and various o-rings etc. They want about $65 for it.
3) Toss it in the trash and never buy P-C tools again. Or I might light it on fire and never buy P-C tools again. That would make me feel better.
So, if there are any ideas I'd love to hear them.
As an aside, my son is in the wholesale hardware business and he says that Porter Cable isn't what it used to be and their tool quality has taken a nose dive. When I was getting out on my own and learning to do stuff on my own I tried to buy good tools. Always thought P-C was the top of the heap. Not too impressed at this point.
So the next question is: What brand would you buy right now if you were purchasing a small brad gun if price was no object?
Installed it. Lubed everything up properly. Got one halfway decent strike (brad went halfway in) and then same as before. Pull the trigger, slight puff, nothing else. But, I also noticed that the striker did not return to the 'cocked' position.
So, I have a few options:
1) Someone here knows exactly what the problem is and tell's me how to fix it for very little additional money.
2) Get the refurb kit from P-C. It comes with the piston tube and various o-rings etc. They want about $65 for it.
3) Toss it in the trash and never buy P-C tools again. Or I might light it on fire and never buy P-C tools again. That would make me feel better.
So, if there are any ideas I'd love to hear them.
As an aside, my son is in the wholesale hardware business and he says that Porter Cable isn't what it used to be and their tool quality has taken a nose dive. When I was getting out on my own and learning to do stuff on my own I tried to buy good tools. Always thought P-C was the top of the heap. Not too impressed at this point.
So the next question is: What brand would you buy right now if you were purchasing a small brad gun if price was no object?