Which type, then brand of framing nailer?

[newbury]

Thread wrap up -
Bought the Hitachi NR83A3. Not the "S" as sold at Lowes.
Forcing factors -
Advice from here
Full head nails
Great penetration
Lowes stocks the nails.

Thanks guys for all the advice!

 

[tman1020]

Sounds like a great nail gun I'm sure you'll be happy but I'm just curious why did you decide to stick with air instead of going cordless?

 

[EddieWalker]

Since this is the only one you have, there is no way for you to compare them, but from my experience and having had quite a few different brands, you'll find the Hitachi to be as good as they get!!!! I oil mine before using it every day, otherwise with a couple drops of oil into the air line. I also like to drain my air tank at the end of the day when I'm done to get all the moisture out of it. Then I close the valve in the morning before starting it back up.

I did a quick search online and didn't notice what the difference was between the model you bought and what they sell at Lowes. I bought mine at Lowes and it's performed flawlessly, and better then any other brand I've ever had. Did you pay $269 for it? That seems to be the going price, but I didn't search very hard for anything better then that.

 

[newbury]

Sounds like a great nail gun I'm sure you'll be happy but I'm just curious why did you decide to stick with air instead of going cordless?

Although I have a significant investment in DeWalt 20v max the reviews indicated some problems with penetration, especially on hard dry wood. Dragoneggs wrote about it on TBN. On my first project I'm going to use a bunch of "recycled" 2x8's which will be old, dry, and hard. I plan on carrying a hammer but don't want to use it. Discussion in another thread convinced me I could run an airline 200 feet so I decided air was best for me. Also it required clipped head nails.

Since this is the only one you have, there is no way for you to compare them, but from my experience and having had quite a few different brands, you'll find the Hitachi to be as good as they get!!!! I oil mine before using it every day, otherwise with a couple drops of oil into the air line. I also like to drain my air tank at the end of the day when I'm done to get all the moisture out of it. Then I close the valve in the morning before starting it back up.

I did a quick search online and didn't notice what the difference was between the model you bought and what they sell at Lowes. I bought mine at Lowes and it's performed flawlessly, and better then any other brand I've ever had. Did you pay $269 for it? That seems to be the going price, but I didn't search very hard for anything better then that.

Lowes now sells the Model #: NR83A3S, I bought the Model #NR83A3, it has a "depth" adjuster built in and was $300. Don't know if I'll need it but it sounded useful.

After using the nailer briefly my son now has two more projects for it

 

[dragoneggs]

Although I have a significant investment in DeWalt 20v max the reviews indicated some problems with penetration, especially on hard dry wood. Dragoneggs wrote about it on TBN. On my first project I'm going to use a bunch of "recycled" 2x8's which will be old, dry, and hard. I plan on carrying a hammer but don't want to use it. Discussion in another thread convinced me I could run an airline 200 feet so I decided air was best for me. Also it required clipped head nails.

Yeah I have the pneumatic Hitachi finish nailer and I think the quality is top notch. When playing around with with framing nailers for several remodels, I tried the DeWalt and Paslode because I really wanted the portability. Unfortunately neither had the power or adjustment on the 30 year old dried wall studs and sills in my house so I returned both. I am sure they would be fine for fresh wood but since I have fair amount of dry wood to work with, the cordless versions weren't going to 'cut' it.

 

[PILOON]

Good choice, you will not regret it.
Basically an investment. Use it to 'death' and you will most likely get most of your investment back.
Full head nails are the best.

Bought mine used for $200. and so far ran no less than 60-70 cases of nails thru it without a hick up.
I squirt some WD40 into the intake every so often and it seems to really like that.
\Have used from 1.5" to 3 1/4" nails with no problems.
Mine is sequential which is fast for all rough work.

 

[PILOON]

Eddie gave good advise, drain your tank daily as when you compress humid air a lot of water will collect in the tank.
For my shop air I even installed a separator which is very necessary if you spray paint but healthy for all your air tools.

 

[toddbailey]

Paslode no compressor needed perfect when working on something where power us not around, nails propellant etc.. Are carried by every lumberyard and hardware store in this area!!

 

[Barnbuilder]

I've been using Hitachi guns for 19 years. I've had better luck with them than Bostitch.

 

[PILOON]

Hitachi is a manufacturer while Bostich is a brand made by someone else, therein is a major factor.