Replies

1. 
   sschefer | Apr 12, 2002 08:16am | #1

   f_g thats called a double fire... Check to make sure you're not shooting two nails instead of just one. As for the water bleed fiting, just run the tank down to a low pressure first then bleed it off. Water is heavier than air so even without any pressure it will run out.

   If the gun is double firing on you, then something is not right. My Bostitch has never double fired on me... Hummm... maybe I did get the better one after all... Remember the previous thread? Hope all is well....

   Until we differ again...Shoot have we ever...LOL

   Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 12, 2002 08:32am | #3

   Hi Steve.  It's not the water bleed dealie-bob (which is at the bottom of the tank).  It's the valve on top, with the little ring on it, that you pull to let the bulk of the pressure out (it's also a safey valve, which will activate should the pressure try to go over max for that unit).  Scared the living daylights out of me the first time -- got a huge blast right in the face, wow!

   I'll check to see if it double-fired.  When I looked at the piece I was working on, I didn't notice that, but those brads are so small, it could have been easy to overlook.

   Did you ever get to look at those Bies. splitter pics?  I got the link to show up.  Let's see if I can repeat the feat (is that a "re-feat"?)

   http://www.islandpastimes.com/Wood/Splitter

   It's going to be a busy weekend -- hope to drop in at least once.  Have a good one!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   Danford_C_ | Apr 12, 2002 08:26am | #2

   Forest_girl,

   FWIW, I have the same gun....yes adjusting the pressure has an effect and is adjusted depending on wood type.  For example at 100 psi you could send  a 5/8ths brad through 1/4 in luan, nailing into a softwood like Hem Fir.  Mess around with different scraps to get an idea.

   The double "phitt" comes from double bumping or bounce.  The nose has a sliding safety mechanisim that prevents a brad from being fired unless the nose is held against the work piece.

   Don't have an answer for you on your PC compressor but, on mine I don't use the release valve; I use the drain valve when I roll up....

   Dano

   "Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 12, 2002 08:51am | #4

   Hi Dano!  re: the double-phtt and your info, does that mean the gun is double-firing (see Steve's post to me)?  I understand (and appreciate) the safety mechanism, as I'm very leary of flying nails.  But am having a hard time grasping how it relates to the double-phht.  I'm holding the gun firmly to the surface.  Practice I guess.

   Just to finish the cat thought (even if you don't care :-), he was a semi-wild barn cat who was a beautiful, black long-haired guy-kittie.  When he got old, I sort of turned him into a house cat.  He learned to enjoy being a lap-kittie, but the lap and its attached human had to behave just so.  If we did something he took exception to, he'd say "Phhtt"  If it was seriously objectionable, he'd say "Phtt, phtt" and if we did something reallllllly bad, he'd jump down, trot across the floor with his fur bouncing and his ears laid back, saying "Phtt, phtt, phtt, phtt, phtt!!!"  It got to be ROFL-type funny.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   sschefer | Apr 12, 2002 09:07am | #5

   Hey ya girl what the heck are you still doin up at this late hour... well anyway, Dano is probably right about the double Phttt. Mine doesnt do it but yours is probably different. As for the relief valve.. Why pop it in the first place. Just leave the air for the next time you use it. The idea behind the valve is safety so it shouldn't blow off in your face unless your just curiously yankin on the ring. I there is a problem, its likely that you wont be standing over the top of the valve when it happens.Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   Danford_C_ | Apr 12, 2002 09:28am | #7

   Steve,

   A compressor should always be "bled" after use, condensation forms in the tank causing rust.  This is especially critical if the compressor is also used for spraying on finishes, moisture in the tank and lines cause major headaches.  While I don't spray very much any more, I also installed a "bowl" to totally eliminate the moisture that can collect in one shift from entering the lines.

   Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright

2. 
   Danford_C_ | Apr 12, 2002 09:19am | #6

   Forest_girl,

   Well, a double fire is pretty obvious as the nail hole will be larger or if you hit the first brad dead on, the gun will jam.  I've never had the problems you describe and I don't have the manual in front of me but, as I recall the trigger works in conjunction with the slide, so if it is held down it won't continue to fire.  So, a double bump can happen if the trigger is released and the nose is backed off just slightly, I believe there is an adjustment for this.  Also, the little bumber at the end of the nose can cause this to happen if it is loose.  Unless it is actually double firing, I wouldn't be too concerned, you'll learn to develop the "rythem".

   If you don't mind, I would like to make a comment or two in regard to your compressor.  I don't recommend that you get in the habit of using the pressure release valve to relieve the tank of it's pressure, for a couple of reasons.  The first being safty, as you found it does give quite a blast, if there had been a sliver of wood or other debris around it, eye injury could result.  The second reason, would be that this valve is really a "check" valve and is set to release excess tank pressure automatically.  Constant use of this valve will cause excessive wear and could cause it to fail.  Granted, I'm not familiar with your particular compressor but, any one I've ever used or owned, the manuals all recommend using the drain valve.

   As to cats, I'm always interested in "cat stories", we have seven in addition to two dogs; very interesting "group".....

   Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 12, 2002 07:07pm | #9

   Hi Dano, thanks for the additional info. When you say "a double bump can happen if the trigger is released and the nose backed off just slightly" I think that's probably it, as there's no evidence of actual double firing. It will just take time to find the rhythm as you say.

    The manual specifically says to use the safety valve to get the tank down to about 20lbs, then using the drain to get the rest of the air and water out, but I think I'll call them. I really don't like using it in its current orientation (which I do, by the way, wearing my safety glasses as I don't relish the idea of my contact lenses being permanently bonded to my eyeballs!). Good point about the sliver of wood or other debris. It could be that one reason they want people to use it is that it helps ensure the safety valve gets checked regularly, 'cause they make a point of this also.

   G'day, and thanks again!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   Edited 4/12/2002 12:09:27 PM ET by forest_girl

1. 
   SCFrankland | Apr 12, 2002 08:28pm | #10

   My gun allows you to hold the trigger in and then every time I press the gun into the work it fires. It allows me to rapid fire the gun for driving a lot of nails. It could of be that you had the button pushed in that allows you rapid fire and when you shot the first the nail the gun recoiled and when the gun hit the wood again it fired again.Scott C. Frankland

   Newfoundland Wood Worker

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 12, 2002 10:18pm | #11

   This gun doesn't have that feature built in, although I believe there's an option available for free from PC for a similar feature.  Thanks, though.

3. 
   Radish54 | Apr 14, 2002 06:31pm | #12

   Forest Girl-

   I have the PC Pancake that came as a set with the 18ga Brad nailer. As Dano said it should be relieved at the end of the day to prevent moisture and scale from developing in the tank. If you have the pancake too, you can just barely crack the knurled knob at the bottom and relieve the tank s-l-o-w-l-y. Seems to work here (although I have learned not to bleed the thing at all until the lacquer I've sprayed has set up to totally dust-free tack before I stir up the air in my workshop-paint room-garage!)

   Best to all

   Rad

4. 
   forestgirl | Apr 14, 2002 07:48pm | #13

   Hi Rad, yep, I have the same one.  I'll try doing it that way.  I'd think, though, that when the pressure does get down to around 20, it helps to open it wide -- I can hear the water spttt'ng out.  Hope that lacquer lesson wasn't too expensive for you!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   TERRE5 | Apr 12, 2002 04:26pm | #8

   Your PC brad nailer should not be double-tapping, if it is a newer model.  It should have a red trigger and that is a selective fire trigger.

   If it does not have the red trigger, call PC service center and explain to them that you would like a selective fire trigger.  They should send you one.

   If it is a red trigger that double fires, call them and they need to make it right.