Campbell Hausfeld stapler failed - what to replace it with?

[dalepres]

Two things. First, my Campbell Hausfeld pneumatic staper/finish nailer quit on me today. It can use 18ga, 1/4-inch, staples up to 1 1/2 inch long or 18ga finish nails up to 2 inches long.

One staple it worked; the next only penetrated half-way, and then it just quit. It blows air out the exhaust, l ike it should, when I pull the trigger with the contact element against the wood. I don't hear any other air or leaks; it just doesn't hit a staple

I have a second of basically the same machine - same model number but later version - so my project was not blocked. That means I have some time to find the best replacement.

If I get time over the weekend, I'll do some disassembly to see if it ca be fixed. Any suggestions on where to look, or what to look for?

Second part: if I have to replace it, with what make/model do you suggest? Thinking that Bostitch is the best, I looked at theirs and the recent models don't have great reviews. I want to buy something that will last.

 

[ForrestT]

When mine did that years ago, if I remember right, I unbolted the top 4 screws on the top cover plate and found the o ring came unseated. I either used the same o ring or one I had in my box of o rings that was the same and put it back in place. Bolted her back up and has been fine ever since. Hope that helps. They are nice little guns. Wish Menards still carried CH.


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[dalepres]

Thanks; I'll check that out.

 

[ForrestT]

You’re welcome. A month ago I acquired a gently used paslode 18 gauge Brad nailer at the flea market. Very impressed so far with it. My brother and I got our dad a DeWalt 18 gauge Brad nailer years ago as well. Nice unit as well. I got the Campbell Hausfeld and have been happy with it too over the years. I do not have combo CH unit that you have. They looked nice, but I instead opted for the CH narrow crown stapler when I was ready to use narrow crown staplers.


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[Lincoln33]

Last summer I needed to buy a couple pneumatic nailers for a building project and since I didn't want to end up with junk equipment I did quite a bit of research on the net and a couple construction forums. I went with Hitachi nailers, they had very good reviews on multiple forums.https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-3-5-in-21-Degree-Framing-Nailer/3020227

 

[The Cobbler]

sorry, new generation Hitachi brad nailers & 1/4" crown staplers are pure junk . I even had the chat with salesmen at a trade show, they agreed the new doesn't compare to the old . 3 or 4 years ago, the older generation Hitachi staplers & brad nailers were selling for as much, or more than the new line was . that has to tell you something.