Please give me advice- best framing nailer?
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Replies
I have a large Hitachi plus a large Milwaukee for the wife. The Hitachi is more durable in that it's all metal, but the plastic Milwaukee is significantly lighter. Both shoot round-headed galvies through 16d and 3 1/2" and are excellent choices. Having two allows shooting both the 16d and 8d nails without fussing with reloading between end and toe nailing.
I have another Hitachi that shoots TICO nails for hangers and hurricane straps that's also handy.
Edited 12/10/2007 9:04 pm by BobSmalser
Bob-
Thanks for the info. Do you know the model numbers of the two guns?
Thanks in advance,
Terry
The Hitachi is the NR-83a.
Not familiar with the Milwaukee.
As of 2 years ago the Porter Cable FR-350 was a good gun. The Hitachi is the favored gun in this area with pro's.------------------------------------
It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore
"Thanks for the info. Do you know the model numbers of the two guns?"Hitachi NR90AC3 and Milwaukee 7100-20.I wasn't going to buy one at all, as I still prefer hand nailing. Three factors changed my mind. 1) Nailers today are reasonable in cost and made to take "real" nails, ie hot-dipped, round-headed galvies. 2) A project with hundreds of closely-nailed steel tiedown straps and sheer walls.3) Watching my wife use a framing hammer.
Edited 12/11/2007 8:11 am by BobSmalser
The round head Hitachi gets good reviews. I've been using the Orange "cordless" Paslode framing nailer that uses a battery and a canister of eather or propane. Got mine when Lowe's ran a 15% off tool sale and the Home Depot gave me Lowe's price, plus an extra 10% Off....and charge it with no interest for a year.....
No hose has it's advantages, plus with the 2x4 hanger on the handle, it'll stay where you hang it if you're up nailing on those high rafters. The down side is the Orange Paslode Framer weighs about 8 pounds. I've been using mine since May, so the right side of my body has more muscle than my left....;>) It has two limits... If you use the galvanized, .131 x 3" ring shank nail, in really small print in the manual, it doesn't recommend using that nail on Pressure Treated wood. The denser chemically filled wood leaves the nail standing proud a 1/2" tall. The old framing hammer has to go back and do the rest.... The other downer is that it doesn't like wet weather. The thing won't fire if it gets wet...I guess the spark wire shorts due to the water. When it dried out, it's work fine since.
I like the Paslode to the extent that when the rental zone of Home Depot had one of their rentals marked for sale, I paid $150 for it,the Orange carrying case, safety glasses, battery, and charger.
Thats a loaded question. Depends some on how much you're going to use it, how much you want to spend, and I suspect to some degree how and where you're going to use it. Do you need to get into tighter spaces, hang it from the rafters?
I'm over at BT about 100 times more than here and I can say I do hear a lot of guys real happy with Hitachi in general. Like any tool discussion, there's the hodgepodge of other brands listed as well, and the jokes, like PC.
Senco for years really had the public opinion polls won on air guns but two things happened. They started catering to a lower cost market with alternate versions of their tools sold through some venues like the box stores, and Hitachi decided they wanted to grab some market. You can still go to a Senco distributor and get the real deal, but for my money, when my Sen finally quit, I liked the features and the power of the Max better, and its a heck of a great gun. Honestly its the only one that pretty much not only flushes the nails the most consistantly but will do that even in LVLs. It would be darn hard to use anything else now. And while those are a little more than the other offerings out there, the comparison isnt like Dewalt vs Festool or Fein, their $300 gun might be $375 for the Max. Worth a look.
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
You need to make sure what type of nail you need to use in your area. If you're in the midwest, chances are that it will be a clipped head market while the coastal regions will require you to use a full round head (FRH) for code. If you buy a FRH framer in Ohio you may have a tough time finding nails. In same respect, if you live in Florida and buy a clipped head nailer, you'll never find nails to fit your tool as Florida is required to use FRH nails under their building codes.
mvflaim makes an important point.I have an older Hitachi that just won't quit, and this year I bought a Makita AN942 clipped head gun on a whim. Actually, it was a total impulse buy because I got it new for $150 and I have a pretty high regard for Makita tools.The Hitachi is a workhorse that won't let you down. You simply cannot go wrong with this gun. The Makita is nicely balanced and lighter than the hitachi, but not in a way that sacrifices durability (so far). It's a tough gun. It's super powerful and really compact, which is nice for getting into tight spots with it. The switch for bump or trigger nailing is nice. The problem is that the clipped head nails are tough to find around here and when I do get them I cringe at the cost, but I do like the paper back 31 degree setup. While it calls for clipped head, the only nails I've found are the Paslode Impulse (?) nails, which are 30 degree offset head. I'd recommend the Hitachi without hesitation, but if you can get the clipped head nails then the Makita would also get the nod.
Woodman41,
The Paslode nails you bought to fit your clipped head gun are called Roundrive. Senco makes them too but they call theirs Round Strip. It's a specially designed FRH nail that fit in 30 degree clipped headed tools. Basically both companies realized the market is moving away from clipped head tools to FRH (basically because of building code changes) so, they both developed a nail that the contractor can use without having to go buy a new tool. It's a good thing to know in case someone has a clipped headed tool and feels like they can't use it anymore because of code reasons.
Edited 12/11/2007 8:17 am ET by mvflaim
That's good info... can you recommend any online sources that won't take me to the cleaners on shipping?
Let me know your zipcode and I can tell you a good dealer/distributor in your area that can special order them for you. The trick is going somewhere that stocks Paslode so when the dealers gets their regular prepaid freight stock order in, they won't have to pass the freight on to you.
Edited 12/11/2007 8:40 pm ET by mvflaim
mvflaim,
Thanks, I got off my butt and used Google... as it turns out Amazon not only carries them but ships free with Supersaver. I bought a box (2500 nails) of 3 1/4" for $26.
I'll chime in but I think it's obvious to the OP which to buy.The Hitachi NR83A is by far the best. Made in Japan and very reliable, light and maneuverable.
Careful, and check what's used locally.I suspect eventually you'll drop one onto concrete from 8 feet and have to find someone to fix it. Buying local, or better yet, buying from the local jobber certified to repair them, is a wise choice. Around here that eliminates two makes recommended above.
I've seen more houses built with the Hitach NR83a2 than any other. I have one and it is 100% reliable.
On a whim I bought the new Hitachi NR90A3 this fall and I hate to admit it but I reach for it first. I like full head over clipped head for no particular reason. Love ring shanked nails.
Had some isssues with the new gun and the thinger that pushes on the nails ... fixed it easily with needle nose pliers and all is good. About to build a garage (yeah, I know, couldn't I have done this when it is WARM?!) and I'll post in-depth feedback.
Short answer: Hitachi, period.
Dear Teach,
OK, as a contractor, I advise the following:
Air:
1) Paslode
2) Hitachi
3) Bostich a distant 3rd
4) All others
In that order
Gas:
1) Paslode, no question
Best,
John
thanks!
Terry
I bought the Northern Tools $100 adjustable framing nailer about a year ago and have driven almost an entire large box of 3" framing nails and couldn't be more pleased. It will take three different angle nails and full head or clipped head.
There are a couple of negatives - it uses lots of air, and I have a tendency to double trip it shooting two nails (or trying to shoot two nails quickly) if I don't release the trigger fast enough due to the bump and nail feature.
It is an absolutely great bargain and perfectly suits my requirements, however, I probably would not want this gun if I had to earn a living with it. I'd want a Senco or some other brand that I could have serviced locally.
Link to the gun: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200323117_200323117
Hitachi stick nailer is the best.
teacherterry
What you don't know or aren't saying is where you will use it.
Or more accurately what kind of wood..
If you are going to stick frame typical FPS (Fir Pine Spruce) then hitachi is a good reliable durable nail gun
If you will be using it for gluelams or thick TGI's or hardwood then the Bostich is better..
Almost all nail guns hit with 880 foot pounds, Bostich hit's with 1000 pounds and no! increasing the air pressure does not make them hit harder! (Not to mention the fact that they then need frequent repair and overhaul)
When I built my shop I opted for the Porter-Cable FR350 clipped head over the paslode or senco because of the price and it was a one time building shot. Only had two double shots and that was my fault.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I'm believe that clipped nails do not meet code for framing.
It all depends on local codes, OK in Geauga County Ohio. I have no problems with using coated ring shank cliped head nails. The people who write those codes should try to pull one out or seperate two 2x'S. Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I use the Paslode rounddrive nails, which are offset head as opposed to clipped. Work perfectly fine in my clipped head nailer.
One word, Hitachi .
Tony
I own a few Hitachi guns. They are good!
but they have only 880 pounds of impact. Bostich N88WW on the other hand has 1000 pounds and is better at hardwood and TGI's or Glue lams..
Teacher Terry,
My best advice on framing nailers is get one that is not a rapid fire.
One nail per squeeze of the trigger is the safe way to go.
John
Dear Teach,
Although I seem to have developed a reputation for "pushing the envelope", or just being reckless, I want to comment upon the phenomena known as the "double nail". For the uninitiated this is when the gun fires two or more nails in rapid succession. The danger is in the recoil and the correction. First the recoil as I have seen people get hit in the face with a gun this way. Not overly dangerous unless one is on a ladder but it is somewhat entertaining to the rest of us. The danger in the correction is that the typical instinct when the gun recoils rapidly and unexpectedly is to fight the recoil and push the gun back towards the work surface. This is an ideal way to begin a self crucifixion, beginning with the hand that is not on the gun. The other option is burying a nail in one's thigh or other body part as one loses control of the gun. Back "in the day" the Bostich guns were notorious for double nailing. It is the gun that I learned on and therefore developed the habit of almost always having two hands on the gun. It is also what made me switch to Paslode, which almost never double nail. Except for the gas guns, all of the guns that I have used are "bump-fires" as they should be. Using a quality gun (Paslode/Hitachi) one can work safely and quickly with these guns, just learn to respect that trigger.
Best,
John
I call this a double tape and I have an old Senco clip head nailer which has that problem. What I found is don't pull the trigger with your finger wrapped around the trigger. Just pull the trigger with the tip of your finger and let it slide off to the side while you pull the trigger it will reduce the double taps almost all together.
By the way I also have a Ridgid and I am not happy with this gun, its not Heavy Duty. I should have paid the extra for a better gun.
I bought a Bostitch N80CB full head coil framaing nailer a few years ago and it has been great. Used it to build my workshop. Used it to help my brother build his house. Resided my father-in-laws' and grandfather-in-laws houses. Recently used it to build a barn for my wife's horses. It has been excellent and is still going strong. Maybe if I did construction for a living I would have worn it out but it seems like it will last me as long as I want to keep building stuff. Came with a trigger kit to switch from bump nailing or not.
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