Need some help - Metabo Roofing Nailer Nail Size Discrepency

[brianpgriset]

I recently purchased a Metabo HPT NV45B2 nailer from Lowes for a patio cover project for the roofing portion. I’ve had a few issues with the nailer driving nails sideways and bending them. I messed with air pressure, lubrication, etc. I then took a close look at the nail specification to make sure I had the right nails.

The nails I purchased were the 12111HPT 7200 count 1-1/4” bundle from Lowes which are listed as compatible per Metabo’s own website.

I checked the printed manual and online for the nailer which both list he minimum nail head size as 0.413”. Just to check, I measured the nail heads on the ”compatible” 12111HPT nails, and they are right at 0.340”, well under the listed 0.413” minimum.

My question
- anyone have the same nailer and have it run flawlessly? If so what nails did you use and what head size did they have?
- Am I missing something or is this a real discrepancy? Could the 12111HPT nails have been made incorrectly?
- Should I be doing anything else to get this thing to work right? I have zero interest in digging mis-driven nails out of my roof sheathing.

Included some pics (including the patio!!!!)

 

[The Cobbler]

I've got one of those guns, Hitachi, they are flawless . not sure what size nails I have used. sorry

 

[ArcReactorKC]

I have that same gun, it has roofed over 100 sheds without any real hiccups. We often use those exact nails. I can't really explain the issues your having.

I'm assuming you've swapped coils of nails from the box? I think you have a bum nailer. The metabo's are really hitachi guns, which when I asked over a year ago for everyday nail gun suggestions were the forum consensus go to. Between my son and I we have over 25,000 nails through our framing and roofing guns. With every day lube and good dry air we have had no **knock on wood** issues. I would never switch brands to another company after using these. I expected to have some issues by now but we've done great with them. I know lots of framers have 100's of thousands through theirs and put our numbers to shame.

I'd be trying to swap the gun out. These are usually the best on the market in my opinion.

 

[brianpgriset]

I ran about 500 nails through it and it seems to be getting better. Maybe it needs “broken in”?

Still makes me wonder about the nail head size. I am going to see if Paslode nails have a larger head.

Edit I mean Bostitch

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm thinking you have a flawed gun . something doesn't seem right. is the end of the driver smooth, & flat? are the nails sitting in properly lined up for the next drive?

 

[brianpgriset]

I did check the driver and it looks fine. The face is flat and smooth, no obvious issues. I also inspected each nail in the “chamber” for about 50 nails and didn’t notice any obvious issues. One of those 50 did bend over.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Just out of curiosity, what are you driving them into?

 

[The Cobbler]

Just out of curiosity, what are you driving them into?

good point. looks like solid 2x at least

 

[brianpgriset]

I haven’t started shingling yet. I’ve run it on some 5/16” hardie board Im attaching to the sub facia and also just test driving nails on plain old 2x dimensional lumber.

 

[kaymccampbell]

The concrete board might bend a couple, but 2 by shouldn't.
I will tell you that the only roofing nails I use are Bostitch, no matter the gun. I only get bends when I hit another nail dead on.

 

[The Cobbler]

Hardi board is probably to hard for that gun.... I'm guessing that's your issue