Which round head frame nail gun?

Ches · Dec 17, 2003

Been looking to purchase a round head (stick) framing nail gun. Have narrowed my choices to either a Porter Cable or a Bostich. There is only twenty dollars difference. Is there much difference in their quality? Which would you buy? Will be only for ocassional use (building pole barns, sheds, lean-to's, etc). I had almost bought a Senco (clip head) that was on sale, but as I researched I learned that local codes are requiring full round head nails. So I decided to look at the full round head ones. Any suggestions? Thanks

Junkman · Dec 17, 2003

I have a Bostitch and it has been great ever since I bought it a number of years ago. I don't know what you are referring to when you refer to "clipped head", because the Bostitch uses a nail that has a small half moon clip taken out of the head where it lies next to the next nail in the clip. There are two models available. One is a continual nail pattern that puts a nail in every time that you trip the nose as long as your finger is on the trigger and the other one is the trigger needs to be pulled to reset before the next nail will be driven. I have the constant feed type.....

Hoosier_Daddy · Dec 17, 2003

I have Senco. Two of them. One a framer and one a finisher.

Can't believe there is a code that says the little half moon is a problem.

Do they realize that folks with nailers use more nails that the folks with a hammer?

Inspector507 · Dec 17, 2003

Clipped head is definately a no-no in some areas

Glenn9643 · Dec 17, 2003

"Have narrowed my choices to either a Porter Cable or a Bostich."

I have the Porter-Cable but it's a "D"head or clipped head nailer. I wouldn't think there would be a lot of difference between the two that you mentioned. Mine has really saved me from a lot of nights with sore shoulders! I would chalk it up as one of my best purchases. I bought it as a package with a pancake compressor and it's great also. I have a shop compressor, but the compressor that I got with the nail gun is light and can be carried where-ever you need it. They "get you" when you buy nails though. They're pretty expensive compared to buying common nails in 50# boxes.

wroughtn_harv · Dec 17, 2003

I have a Bostich stick nailer and a coil nailer. I also have one each Hitachi. There is no comparison, coil or stick. Hitachi is ten times the machine Bostich would like to be. Hitachi is lighter, more comfortable to use, and seems to be more durable.

I got the Hitachi coil nailer because of it's adjustable head feature for nailing Hardy Board and Hardy Plank. I was so impressed with it that I went down and bought the stick nailer on pure plain common sense principle. It was a good move.

BTW they both use Paslode or generic nails without a problem so far.

Dozernut · Dec 17, 2003

The only problem with the full head nails is they are not commonly available at all of the box stores and lumberyards (at least in my area). I had no trouble finding the clip head nails locally, I have to order the full head nails and wait for them to be shipped.

dmccarty · Dec 17, 2003

Ches,

Are you going to using metal connectors/plates/post caps/post
bases? Some nail guns are specifically designed for finding the
holes in the metal to get the nail in the right spot. There are a
couple of models out there that allows the nail gun to go from
a postitive placement nailer to just a plain old "hammer" nail
gunl

Later,
Dan McCarty

DIYGuy · Dec 17, 2003

I have put over 10,000 nails through the Porter Cable (FR350 I think) without a problem. It is a big gun and you have to respect the recoil.

Nails are easily found at Home Depot and Lowes.

FWIW,

DIYGuy (MarkS)

HalseyGreen · Dec 18, 2003

I also have the Porter Cable FR350 and I love it. Have put over 15k nails through it and haven't looked back.

kevincook · Dec 18, 2003

I've had a Bostitch framing gun and finish nailer for about 8 years and they have never given me any problems but I'm not a contractor and don't use it every day.

I would go look at your local hardware store and see what type of nails they carry. I know I like the fact that if a store carries nails for a nail gun then I know they will have the ones I need. Around here I am sure you can get nails for the Bostitch and Senco guns everywhere. Many other guns are probably interchangeable with those but I'm not sure.

BTW, the framing nailer can be dangerous if you don't know how to use it.....DO NOT loan it to someone for a weekend project unless you are sure they are extremely capable of using it. I have only loaned mine to two people (both guys that work in our maintenance department) that I trusted. They have both bought the same gun since then since they found them so useful but they also both commented on having to get used to the gun the first time they used it. It will shoot nails FAST.

The first time I tried out my gun I was a little nervous and was holding the gun firmly against the wood just to be safe. When I pulled the trigger there were four nails in the wood before I could blink. You need to let the recoil from the gun push the gun away from the wood so that you don't drive multiple nails. When I bought mine they the finish nailer came with either a silver or black trigger indicating whether it would be a continuous fire gun or a single shot. I think the framing nailers come that way now and they may actually come with both triggers....look into it. It would definitely be safer to start with a single fire gun until you feel comfortable but it is much slower after you become comfortable using it.

Good Luck,
Kevin

mathey · Dec 18, 2003

I'll add a positive vote for the Porter Cable FR350...

Junkman · Dec 18, 2003

the Bostitch nailer's have always been available with both triggers and they are field replacable.....

Henro · Dec 18, 2003

Well...I have to report good performance from a Porter Cable FR350 too...

I don't think it misfired even once when I was building my tractor shed.

I agree with WRharv...Hitachi does make some nice air nailers though...I bought thier coil roofing nailer after researching the subject a bit.

My FR350 I just bought at Costco or Sam's club...without much researching at all and I guess I got lucky there. I did prefer the round head over the clipped head. Sam's had one, Costco had the other if I remember right.

I have not yet put 5,000 nails through mine though...

jwstewar · Dec 18, 2003

I bought the Porter-Cable FC350 about 6 weeks ago. It is a clipped-head nailer, but it has an adjustable trigger from bounce to sequential. If I knew what I know now, Sam's Club has the FR350 for the same price I would've gotten it there as I really wanted the full head. Our Lowe's carry both nails so that wasn't a big deal. Love the gun so far. We've probably used 500 - 1000 nails so far with it and no problems.

Ches · Dec 18, 2003

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like I can't go wrong with either of the three brands mentioned. Guess I'll just have to spend some time handling one and then the other to see if my arm/wrist/hand/fingers have a preference. Definitly have some respect for the gun...have heard some bad stories. Don't plan on shooting through any metal plates/caps/etc., would do that by hand for the amount I would do. Checking to see which nails are readily available is a good idea before purchasing. Thanks again.

accordionman · Dec 19, 2003

SIR,
i have a DUOFAST CN 350 full head nailer. as the man said the nails
are pricey. i found a place that sells generic nails, at a good price, and
it does fine. you have to shop around for a place that sells generic nails.
accordionman
wlbrown wright city, mo.

rlk · Dec 19, 2003

I'm glad to see several people have had good experiences with the Porter-Cable FR350. I must be the odd ball, as I have had a horrible experience with one. I'm adding the same words below that I posted on CountryByNet in September.

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Guys, I also have a Porter Cable FR350. Have had it about a year, and have always been concerned because it will, at times, double fire. When I say double fire, it will shoot two nails in a fraction of a second. About 3 weeks ago it double fired again. The first nail was driven correctly. The second nail tried to go into the head of the first nail. Of course the second nail can not penetrate the first nail's head, so the nail gun was forced backwards. Unfortunately for me, I was working in a tight area, so when the nail gun was forced backwards, the back of the gun hit the index finger on my left hand. The last bone on the index finger, right under the finger nail was crushed. The gun cut my finger along the back of the fingernail, and along both sides. The end of my finger from the back of the finger nail forward was just hanging on.

Spent about 6 hours in the emergency room. The doctor took the nail off, put in 6 stitches under the nail, then put the nail back on. Used 3 stitches through the top of the nail into the finger to hold the nail and the keep the cuts closed.

Because of the bad cut, I had to have a tetnus shot, as well as an IV antibotic, followed by 7 days of antibotics. A week later, I had to see a hand surgeon for a follow-up. He told me I would lose the fingernail within 30 days, and it would take approximately 6 months for a new nail to grow back, assuming the nail bed was not damaged too bad. If the nail bed is damaged, a new nail will not grow back.

A week later, had to return for him to remove the stitches holding the nail - the ones under the nail will disolve. Since the accident, I have had very little use of my left hand.

Since this is a safety issue, I contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I told them I think the nail gun is a hazard, and should be recalled. They have not decided if they will do anything with my claim or not. They claim they are getting so many complaints that they just don't have enough investigators to handle everything.

I'm posting this here to inform you of the problems I had with the Porter Cable FR 350, and to remind you to be very careful. If you have one, keep one hand in your pocket and one on the nail gun.
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Just today I received a copy of the investigation the CPSC did on my accident. The report I received was from a Durham, NC CPSC field representative who interviewed me; took pictures of the nail gun; copied the instruction manual; got copies of my medical records; and compiled everything into a 44 page document. He does not know if CPSC will get the nail gun recalled or not.

As far as the injury, my finger nail has started growing back. It is about half the size it used to be. The tip of the finger tingles now, like when your leg or arm has been to sleep and is waking up. I can not use the finger to put any pressure on anything. For example: can not use that finger to change channels with the remote control. It does not bother me when typing, but can not use it for anything else that requires pressure on the tip of the finger.

Since I bought mine, I understand Proter-Cable has redesigned the trigger assembly somewhat. I sure hope they did, as I still feel my nail gun is very dangerous. I have stopped using it.

I have found one other person whose gun does the same thing as mine, but fortunately, he has not had an accident with his.

Whichever one you decide on, BE CAREFUL. While in the emergency room, the nurses told me plenty of stories about people nailing their hands to walls/boards. Several have done this and have not been able to reach a hammer to pull the nail out. Some have fainted, fallen down, which pulled the nail through their hand. Others have had to stay in that position until they could get someone's attention to bring them a hammer.

Again, be very careful with these things. Keep one hand in your pocket or out of the way when using the nail gun. Also, make sure your hammer is close by!

Bob

Yankee · Dec 27, 2003

Get a Max. It's more expensive, but consistently rated as the best stick gun when included in reviews (check Fine Homebuilding, for example). Max makes air tools for the other manufacturers but only puts out premium guns under their own name.

I think you can get it in either full round head nail or clipped head versions. (I have the round head because the holding power is better) Home Depot and Lowes carry a lot of clip head nails, but not a very good selection of full round - probably because the clip guns run cheaper. Sales volume, I guess, as the clip-head sticks have more nails. If you're in an earthquake area you may not be allowed to use a clip head gun.

The Max has a dual-mode safety trigger. It can only single fire if the nose is depressed first. You can bump fire by holding the trigger first. No trigger change-over needed. It also has a jam clearance door at the nose, tool-less depth adjustment, a swivel quick-disconnect, and a self-cleaning filter. If I didn't have the Max, I'd probably buy a Duo-Fast.

Yankee Bill