Framing nailers

[dmlehmann]

Hello,

I am in need of a framing nailer (full head). I have read some threads/reviews on the subject and could use a little more info.

1) How important is depth adjustment? There are a couple Hitachi models that get consistently good reviews. One is fixed depth (AR83) the cheaper model (NR90) is adjustable. Any other thoughts/comments on the two models?

2) Some nailers use paper collated nails and others use plastic. Is one better (more reliable, less jams) or cheaper compared to the other?

Thanks


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[Notgrownup]

Is it for work or a diy project? Reason is I used a Harbor freight 21 degree framing nailer to build my garage and it worked really well....if for work then I would get something like a Hitachi or Paslode etc....By the way I don't know **** about nailers so this was just my own experiences...

 

[Playwme]

Dunno about the depth adjustment but I've never wished I had any with my Paslode gas nailer. It uses the paper nails and I've never had a jam with it.

 

[rslaback]

If you are planning to use it to put down roof sheathing try to avoid plastic collated nails. I have a Duo-Fast gun that uses them and the bits of plastic end up on the roof like little ball bearings which can make for an exciting few moments sometimes.

 

[soapii]

My Paslode F350S uses paper strips and I have never had an issue. As for depth adjustment........while I have never needed to adjust the depth, I could by just adjusting the input PSI.

--Joe

 

[Conner]

I just bought the NR90AF in the last month and I love it. I've only used it for one project which was nailing down subfloor but so far so good. No jams or misfires in around 600 nails. Nice and lightweight. Easy to load and operate and adjust.
The AF uses full headed wire collated nails. After some research thats what I settled on because paper collated aren't full head and plastic collated (I read) result in more litter flying around and under the driven nail heads.
It was less than $200 from Amazon.

 

[George-V]

http://www.cpoworkshop.com/porter-c...reconditioned-framing-nailers,default,sc.html

 

[Zeke]

My Paslode F350S uses paper strips and I have never had an issue. As for depth adjustment........while I have never needed to adjust the depth, I could by just adjusting the input PSI.

--Joe

Depth adjustment is a good feature to have as air pressure adjustment to the light side will leave a lot of nails high when they hit hard grain. I haven't shopped lately but I think most guns have an adjustment on the nose.

 

[readhead]

Depth adjustment is for when you want the nails flush. Such as siding, fascia and shear sheeting. Adjusting the pressure is no guarantee that the nails will be flush.

 

[Falcon67]

http://www.cpoworkshop.com/porter-c...reconditioned-framing-nailers,default,sc.html

Have one of those, great gun and not much $$.

 

[brycez28]

I have a bostitch framing nailer. It uses collated nails. I've shot over 3000 nails since I got it this year with no jams. I'm young and decided to spend a little extra money on a good nailer to start with.

 

[cashishift]

I have an old DuoFast CN350b I got from a friend who was having problems with it.

I got it repaired, and it works great. It's built like a brick *********.. lol. Heavy, but solid as a rock, rarely jams.

When it was in for repair some guys asked if I wanted to sell, and I asked why.. apparently this nailer is one of the few left that will shoot nails into freshly hardened concrete.

It still works so I'll keep using it.

 

[cnk]

I just picked up a Porter Cable FR350b from Home Depot for $99 when they were doing their contractor special last week. It's sufficient for a DIY'er as I intend to use it for a shed and basement refinishing in the future. Not sure how important the depth adjustment is as I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but I figured it's better to have it than not.

As for paper vs plastic collated, the general consensus that I've seen is that paper is not so great if you have to work out in the elements, i.e. rain/snow, as the paper can get wet and tear. Plastic seems the better choice, but you have to be careful with eye protection as the plastic bits fly all over the place.

 

[wnstwolf]

To me this is a tool that will be like an heirloom you pass on to your grandkids. Sure you can go cheap but I see impact guns, nailers, and the like, unless you’re a pro and go through them like underwear, as an investment worth making right.

I have an older Bostitch 1.5-3.5” angled nailer at least 15 years old. Built my house and barn with it and it has literally thousands of shots fired. Never an issue. Oiled at each use and only dropped a few time a year. Dropped from roof rafter nailing so these are the big ones not the fall off the bench drops. I would highly recommend the Bostitch line.
This said I picked up a Passload airless framer and love it. No hose and packs a good punch. Not sure I would want it for full house building but for the occasional partition or deck job it is the cat’s meow.

 

[allenb12]

I have used Bostitch, Senco, Spot Nail, DuoFast, and Paslode. All will get the job done. Senco being my favorite. I prefer the paper nails. The plastic ones you have stuff flying everywhere.

 

[67carl]

If you are not using this for your job (meaning it will be for stuff around the house) look at buying a used nailer and save some $. I got a deal on a used Bostich and it's never failed.

 

[joe_padavano]

I just picked up a Porter Cable FR350b from Home Depot for $99 when they were doing their contractor special last week. It's sufficient for a DIY'er as I intend to use it for a shed and basement refinishing in the future. Not sure how important the depth adjustment is as I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but I figured it's better to have it than not.

As for paper vs plastic collated, the general consensus that I've seen is that paper is not so great if you have to work out in the elements, i.e. rain/snow, as the paper can get wet and tear. Plastic seems the better choice, but you have to be careful with eye protection as the plastic bits fly all over the place.

X2. I've had an FR350 for about a decade and used it to build two barns, a garage, a storage building for my vehicles, horse fencing, and now major home remodeling. I get an occasional jam, but that's usually due to damage to the plastic strip holding the nails. Mind has been dropped while nailing trusses to 12ft high side walls and hasn't missed a beat (the quick connect air fitting did get broken).

And yes, while I like the plastic strip nails, they do leave plastic shards everywhere. That's what a shop vac is for.

 

[dmlehmann]

Thank you for all of the suggestions.

As I expected, lots of favorites. It seems like paper, although vulnerable to moisture issues, is more popular. I also appreciate learning that the plastic collated nails can produce some shrapnel - gotta protect the eyes. And, not everyone needs/uses a depth adjustable nailer. Maybe that isn't too surprising since some of the higher end professional midels don't include that feature. I would love to have one of the cordless Paslode nailers, but too expensive. Maybe there will be a sale/coupon that knocks a couple hundred bucks off. I can dream... Looks like I will either get the hitachi Nr90 or the porter cable. It is a bit of a decision because the Hitachi gets good reviews, but I haven't had a good experience luck with their tools. My lithium cordless Hitachi drill didn't hold up well at all. The batteries failed as soon as the warranty expired.

 

[Hobbit]

I bought a used Paslode 900420 gas angle framer ten or so years back on the interweb & have used it on many projects including habitat builds. I have rebuilt it once and astoundingly the original batteries still work. Nail depth setting is usually not an issue when framing given how soft wood is these days. On older remodels I have had depth issues when dealing with older more dense wood.

 

[CraigD]

Don't go cheap, as in HF. I bought one from them 3 years ago and is scares the heck out of me. Shoots doubles 20% of the time. Had a friend helping me build a shed one weekend and he refused to use it. Next day he brought his Bostitch over and it was great. Can't bring myself to throw out the HF but I no longer use it.

 

[RickP]

Thank you for all of the suggestions.

As I expected, lots of favorites. It seems like paper, although vulnerable to moisture issues, is more popular. I also appreciate learning that the plastic collated nails can produce some shrapnel - gotta protect the eyes.
...
Looks like I will either get the hitachi Nr90 or the porter cable. It is a bit of a decision because the Hitachi gets good reviews, but I haven't had a good experience luck with their tools.

Those Porter Cable and Hitachi nailers are good choices. I went with the Bostitch because I use 1.5 inch framing nails for thin plywood. (Bigger nails will destroy lauan plywood.) I like the metal collated nails -- no long-term storage problems and the wire is driven into the wood with the nail. The Bostitch is a little more $$, but having one tool for two jobs (framing and plywood) was worth it for me. My only repair in 20 years was a new trigger valve ($14).

- Rick