Favorite Framing Nail Gun??

[cashishift]

Looking for a new one... what do you guys like?

Would prefer pneumatic, but might consider a electric one. Not really interested in a gas type nailer.

Preferences on nails? Current gun uses full head plastic collated 21 degree.

Current nail gun is nearing end of life, so parts are hard to find if at all.. and its heavy.

 

[The FIB]

I have the BOSTITCH F21PL, love it. It's 2 nailers in one (framing and joist hanger),
never jams, and drives a 3-1/2" nail like its nobodies business.
Shoots a 21 degree plastic-full head like your current gun, so nails are readily available.

 

[jetdawg]

Hitachi is the king of framing guns. There are so many in circulation for a reason and we repair ancient ones all the time which keep going strong. I'd buy from a specialty tool shop instead of HD which sells an inferior version.

 

[joe_padavano]

I've has a Porter Cable FR350 for over a decade; built several barns and outbuildings, lots of four-board fence, my garage, and rebuilt a porch. No complaints at all. This gun got dropped from the peak of my 36x48 storage building, and other than a broken air fitting, it was unscathed.

 

[bcradio]

Hitachi is the king of framing guns. There are so many in circulation for a reason and we repair ancient ones all the time which keep going strong. I'd buy from a specialty tool shop instead of HD which sells an inferior version.

Agree here with this

 

[CNGsaves]

My brother is carpenter who builds houses and Senco is what he's used for decades. Tough old beast and can be rebuilt with new O-rings.

Big 3 brands at contractor level quality are Hitachi, Senco & Paslode.

For DIY use . . . Bostich, Porter Cable, etc all good as well.

 

[Catadj78]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3-1-2-in-Round-Head-Framing-Nailer-R350RHE/100348524

I have a ridgid 21° full head and I love it. 7lbs I think

 

[jetdawg]

Senco used to be great but not so much these days. If the gun is still made then parts will be available which is invaluable in a professional setting.

 

[cashishift]

The Senco's look really nice.. I'm not tied to the nails I have, as I could sell what I have left to a friend.

But just want something durable as my Duofast is just starting to grind my gears.. been in for repair multiple times and while its there it magically feeds nails.. well i went to use it this past weekend and the piston will not retract enough for the next nail head to get under the piston rod. Guy told me it was a lack of lubrication, which he poured a ton of Senco lube in there.. and I just can;t imagine it needs more.. but maybe so?

 

[jonjon1]

I use my paslode gas fired units and love them, built many houses with them babies and they just do what they do...

I have this one, but 2 older ones too, that you could never add up how many nails went through them things...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006W4FB8O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also have a couple of the paslode 350s air nailers and they work awesome, great for when inside and the compressor is already setup.
thy also work awesome, and I have seen them dropped from roofs, driven over with wheel barrows, stepped on, dropped of ladders, etc.. brush them off and go back to work...


If I had to choose between a pneumatic and a gas/battery I would go gas because its just easier, I get over 1000 nails {I think its 1300} with 1 gas cartridge and the battery can get charged once a week, I don't think I ever killed one dead, I always just plug it in at the end of the day or when I remember to do it... the down side is the fumes {don't really bother me since I keep my face away from the gun, and they are louder than an air gun, but I wear ear protection with both of them so don't notice it at all...

 

[skruft]

I have not a framer but have used three types occasionally, all the stick type. I see people using coil types more now.

Bostitch full-head (the model before the current one) worked well but the trigger seemed to be delicate and needed replacement sooner than it should. It's simple to change but I would keep either a spare part or a spare gun around. HF that shot the cutout heads, whatever they are called, was junk, worked OK for occasional use but it leaked badly and I had to exchange one and change the gasket in another. Obviously they had not tested them at all, even just with pressure. This was long ago so I don't know today. Spotnails full-head was cast aluminum, like a rock, but heavy.

 

[Casey69]

HF that shot the cutout heads, whatever they are called, was junk, worked OK for occasional use but it leaked badly and I had to exchange one and change the gasket in another. Obviously they had not tested them at all, even just with pressure. This was long ago so I don't know today. Spotnails full-head was cast aluminum, like a rock, but heavy.

i had the full head harbor freight gun, which worked well for ~30 minutes, then quit nailing & i took it back. borrowed a buddy's bostich framing nailer which worked great (clipped head, wire weld), but decided i wanted my own & got a hitachi from menards when they were on sale for $160.

 

[PugetDude]

Anything but the Senco 325+ without a doubt the most disappointing new tool I've ever purchased. Leaves 'em proud every time. (Been rebuilt twice by a Senco dealer, they finally conceded it was junk)

Seriously, a 5-ounce tack hammer would be better at driving framing nails than this underpowered *************.

My experience with this nailer completely soured me on Senco products.

Hitachi is hard to beat....

 

[joeysh03]

Hitachi!!!! I have used the Dewalt 20v though its 3 times the price of the hitachi it was a nice gun and doesnt use a gas cartridge(i dont think)

 

[woody 73]

Just my two cents I own several porter cable and they are nice, I had a chance to use a Hitachi and they are the kat's meow; if mine ever break I will replace them with Hitachi.

 

[Cruzomatic]

I have a Hitachi that has almost a case of nails through it now and not a single miss fire. Love it.

 

[ADSR]

Bostich 28*

 

[bob15]

Bostich stick and coil guns. Round head. Have one of each. I prefer the stick for longer nails, but the coil last longer (more nails).

 

[GuyllFyre]

I always look at the Hitachi and Bostich models as I've always liked them but they are out of my price range.
I'm always on a budget and ended up with two different types and degrees of nails to drive.
3.5" framing nails with plastic and 2" ring shank with wire weld, 21 and 28 degrees.
I bought and returned a Husky, had bought the framing nails with it. It wouldn't drive the nails more than 3/4 of the way in.
The only ring shank nails I could find were Bostich 2" because they are superior for underlayment and using OSB as wallboard.
I ended up with a Harbor Freight 3-in-1.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-gauge-3-in-1-air-framing-nailer-98751.html

It still may struggle a little with the 3.5" nails but it at least drives them in, and then I can seat them with a framing hammer. It blasts the 2" ring shank nails in like nothing. I have to be gentle with those.
Don't let it get down to the last 3-4 nails and it almost never jams and double fires are within reasonable limits.

I'm only a DIY homeowner. This is not a daily use item but when it's used, it's all day for at least a few days at a time. I keep it oiled and it's worked out very well.

 

[RivennHewn]

I deal with framing sub-contractors all the time, and I've never seen a framer use anything but Hitachi.

 

[flippin]

For what it's worth, up here in the great white north, Hitachi is also King. Only reliable gun in freezing temperatures. As said by others, readily available parts allows for bullet-proof rebulids.

 

[JVB]

I see lots of hitachi and porter cable on jobs around here.

I use a porter cable myself based on the price I got it for used.

 

[DRhodes]

Around here, the vast majority use Paslode. I have always been happy with mine, but I don't use it professionally.

 

[burnedzr2]

I have had my Hitachi NR framer for 20 plus years. Built a ton of houses decks additions with it and only had to replace the driver 1 time and the trigger seal. The paint is worn off it looks old and beat, but it is ready to work anytime I need it. I would say they are the best. Senco used to have the best finish guns, but since they went cheap that's what they are, I have some of the oldest senco finish nailers to the newest I have at least 15 of them. And now I have moved to Hitachi finish guns still made to last.

 

[cashishift]

Gonna bump this thread.. looking at this one now:

http://www.cposenco.com/senco-4h010...rt=3&cgid=senco-framing-and-sheathing-nailers

 

[cashishift]

I have had my Hitachi NR framer for 20 plus years. Built a ton of houses decks additions with it and only had to replace the driver 1 time and the trigger seal. The paint is worn off it looks old and beat, but it is ready to work anytime I need it. I would say they are the best. Senco used to have the best finish guns, but since they went cheap that's what they are, I have some of the oldest senco finish nailers to the newest I have at least 15 of them. And now I have moved to Hitachi finish guns still made to last.

The good Hitachi's are too rich for my blood.

I need something to finish a basement with and other random framing.

 

[sam.coll]

Hitachi NR83 is what you want you really cant beat them, I also have a Senco framepro 601 gun is tough as hell also although a little heavier

 

[vmusch]

I have an old Craftsman that was handed down to me, I have used it for several basements and projects for 20 years. I may use it several times a year at the most. A contractor neighbor saw me putting up a tree house and brought over a PASLODE, its a game changer. I could not justify purchasing one but for the slow, one person DIYer all I have to say is wow. I really found it to be a nice tool and would recommend it.

 

[MushCreek]

I bought a Hitachi NR83 off craigslist that didn't look like it had ever fired a nail for $80. The guy bought it new and never got around to using it. (I know, I ****!) It's a beast, and never misfired building my entire barn and house. I was gonna sell it once the construction was done, but it's too handy to part with. I bought all of the nails for my house on-line for about half what the big box stores get.

 

[cashishift]

Found the hitachi reconditioned for 219... if i could rig their system I might be able to get it cheaper.. hah

 

[rodm1]

Hitachi is the king of framing guns. There are so many in circulation for a reason and we repair ancient ones all the time which keep going strong. I'd buy from a specialty tool shop instead of HD which sells an inferior version.

What models just the Hitachi NR83?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Bostich 28*

Love my 28 Degree Bostitch...I love wire weld nails...don't end up with 2 garbage pails of plastic bits all over the place.

My brother is carpenter who builds houses and Senco is what he's used for decades. Tough old beast and can be rebuilt with new O-rings.

Big 3 brands at contractor level quality are Hitachi, Senco & Paslode.

For DIY use . . . Bostich, Porter Cable, etc all good as well.

I think you got that wrong.... Bostitch #1, Porter Cable #2, Other Brands #3, and the Hitachi, etc are the DIY Guns. I NEVER NEVER NEVER See Hitachi used anywhere....Same with Paslode.

But in all honestly, Air-Nailers are HIGHLY Regional.. Whats #1 here may not be over there...My dad is a Senco guy, borrowed his Senco Construction Stapler when I did my ceiling, and I had a heck of a time finding staples for it locally...my local lumberyard was the ONLY place that had em in stock, and even then my options were limited....all the Pro's use Bostitch so you can get ANY Nail, at ANY time. Where I'm from and my parents live is well served by Senco, so Senco makes sense there.

I'd suggest getting whatever is popular in your area...

 

[sam.coll]

Love my 28 Degree Bostitch...I love wire weld nails...don't end up with 2 garbage pails of plastic bits all over the place.



I think you got that wrong.... Bostitch #1, Porter Cable #2, Other Brands #3, and the Hitachi, etc are the DIY Guns. I NEVER NEVER NEVER See Hitachi used anywhere....Same with Paslode.

But in all honestly, Air-Nailers are HIGHLY Regional.. Whats #1 here may not be over there...My dad is a Senco guy, borrowed his Senco Construction Stapler when I did my ceiling, and I had a heck of a time finding staples for it locally...my local lumberyard was the ONLY place that had em in stock, and even then my options were limited....all the Pro's use Bostitch so you can get ANY Nail, at ANY time. Where I'm from and my parents live is well served by Senco, so Senco makes sense there.

I'd suggest getting whatever is popular in your area...

Actually you are wrong, the Hitachi NR83 is by no means a DIY gun in fact it sets the benchmark against what all other framing guns are measured against. I do agree with you though it all depends on where you are and what's available local