Air nailers

I used to be a general contractor and after framing 200+ houses and owning 25 nail guns over my life I learned the following about framing nail guns: buy a major brand such as; Paslode (they make some Sears, Makita, Dewalt and the newer Hitachi), Hitachi, senco, Porter Cable, Craftsman or Bostitch. Why? Because you can obtain a rebuild kit for them. Over time the valves and seals have a problem with wearing out, drying out etc. Try buying a rebuild kit for HF?

However, before you buy a nail gun think about the nails, there are four types of nails, and they are not interchangeable, they are 21 degree, (plastic collated), 28 degree (some guns use paper some wire), 34 degree (paper), and coil (wire).

Note: roofing guns use a different type of coil nail (roofing and framing are different animals altogether, two different guns two different nails).

The higher the degree the more the clipped head, some building depts. won�t allow clipped head nails. Nail prices very between the different degrees also, I�ve always found the plastic 21-degree to be the most cost affective. And coil nails not much far behind.

Rebuilding a gun usually takes less than a half hour and about $25 for the kit.

Since I am no longer a GC I have found that the guns generally disappeared rather than broke.

I currently own a porter cable framer and an antique Hilti Framer, a craftsman roofer, a porter cable 16 ga finish, a senco 16 ga finish and a sears 18 ga brad. Plus some staplers and flooring nailers.

With the exception of 2 all of the nail guns I have ever owned were bought from pawnshops (I love to haggle); the smallest finish gun was $8, three years ago and has worked great.

I store all guns in a cabinet (less dust), and oil on every use.

I like to regulate at the gun, instead of at the compressor, less walking, more control.

I have mistakenly dropped a bostitch framer and a hypoid saw about 40 feet, the gun went back to work, the skill saw went to the dumpster.

I have also seen nails mistakenly? Shot through ankles, fingers, hands, feet, toes, legs, and ricochet through the back of an ear. I�ve watched a smart framer spend 2 hours digging a piece of plastic out of his eye ball because he didn�t have time to get the safety glasses out of his tool box.

I hope this helped

Dave

I guess you have to decide what's going to be your most common use and go from there. The big Bostich, about $400. The Porters $250 - $350 range. Senco about $250. All depends what you're buying - even the cheaper priced aren't cheap.

All of them are good, all beat a hammer, all make me fatter, but are even better and more expensive ones. But no matter what you decide on, don't forget the Marvel Oil to keep them lubed up. And stay away from Tool Shop (Menards made in China junk).

Mark

sam

i worked in a "box shop" for ten years, making pallets and skids, and made approx..250 pallets/day or 175 skids/day, and we used strictly paslode air nailers. we tried bostitch but just couldn't handle production...I don't think theres another gun out there that could match what we did with the paslodes for speed/accuracy/safety..

i like my bostitch framer also...i dont need the speed so it performs just fine for framing jobs i do....hope this helps anyone looking...

Mark

Mark

I did a basement remodel project last year that incorporated tongue and groove boards and I shot nearly 8,000 nails with a bostich finish gun and a bostich brad nailer. I never had a jamb and I was really pleased with the depth control. I have been looking at a framing nailer and settled on a Porter Cable gun #FR350. This has full head nails and will pass all building codes. Two weeks ago I saw it at Sam"s club for $149.00 which was a reduced price from the $230.00 that it was at in the summer. My guess is that it is a close out price.

I would not buy a low grade gun. Once you get used to having them they become indespensable and if it fails it spoils your day. Depth control can be everything and poor quality guns have issues there.

Later,

Mark

I splurged and bought a Bostich coil framer when I agreed to build a deck for a neighbor. I was so tickled with that, I went right out and bought a coil roofer and a stick finisher. Don't use 'em but 2 or 3 times a year, and wouldn't part with any of 'em.

Like any tool, I advise buying the best you can afford.