Need framing nailer recommendations

[75gmck25]

I need to buy a full round head framing nailer to use for my basement and garage finishing and I'm looking for recommendations on a reasonably priced product. It will only be for personal use.

The Porter Cable FR350B seems to be a good product in the $200 price range, and the Hitachi NR90AF is about the same price and has similar reviews. I could also step up to the Hitachi NR83A3 for about $270, but I'm not sure what extra capability I get.

Any insights or suggestions?

Thanks

Bruce

 

[theoldwizard1]

Some local codes do not allow "clipped head" nails.

 

[75gmck25]

Yes, that's why I'm looking at full round head (FRH) nailers.

There does not seem to be a significant price difference between the two types, so FRH seems to be the better choice.

Bruce

 

[MoonRise]

The 'big' Hitachi is the one to get and not look back.

The PC is OK, the other Hitachi I don't remember, but the 'big' Hitachi was the only one IIRC to shoot full length (3-1/2 inchers) into LVL beams, full-depth with no issues or 'proud' heads.

And yeah, FRH is the way to go. No 'worries' about code issues or what-not. IIRC, clipped-head gets a few more nails in each 'stick', but some 'codes' don't allow clipped-head.

YMMV, etc, etc.

 

[Falcon67]

I use a FR350 Porter-Cable and it works really well. Used it to refurb the old house and it built my new shop. CPO sells refurbed units which is where I got mine. I also bought a refurbed roofing nailer. Made that job go fairly quick. As quick as one guy can do 14 square...

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

 

[Toolfool]

Been using the Hitachi NR83A3 for 25 years.

 

[bochnak]

I bought a Paslode F350S used on ebay for 115. I framed my basement, built my shed, borrowed it to others. I love it. Nails can be bought at the big box stores.

http://www.paslode.com/air-nailers/pm-plus/

 

[MagKarl]

I bought the Porter Cable last year. Works great in my opinion.

Just bought a Bostitch F21PL, this one has two tips, one for framing, the other for connectors. The second tip is supposed to be "positive placement" for shooting nails into holes in brackets such as joist hangers. My brother is a builder and says this one is the one to get if you do many brackets. Paid $200 on Amazon.
http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp...esc=21°+Industrial+Framing+Nailer+System

 

[jwicker]

I bought the MAX SN883RH2 from Amaz*n:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055TF31M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

So far it's been great.

The brand was recommended to me by my professional house builder brother in law.

 

[rippered]

Been using the Hitachi NR83A3 for 25 years.

I bought one like Toolfool's used for $50. So that is what I would do

 

[67carl]

I bought a used Bostich and it's never failed. If you don't plan on using it for your job (i.e. just infrequently around the house) think about getting a used one for less money.

 

[Gerald O]

I got one of these. It's been working fine, but I've only run a thousand or so nails through it so far. No bump trigger--which is probably a good thing for DIY.
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-gauge-3-in-1-air-framing-nailer-98751.html

 

[Angelfire]

I really like my Bostitch F21PL. Works well for standard framing and is very helpful for attaching connectors. The framing crew next door borrowed it one day to attach a bunch of connectors.....had to work them pretty hard to get it back!

 

[75gmck25]

I appreciate all the recommendations. Based on availability I think I've narrowed it down to the Hitachi NR83A3 ($270), Bostitch F21PL ($220) and the Porter Cable FR350B ($200). The MAX SN883RH2 ($200) is also still a contender.

Home Depot carries the Hitachi and Porter Cable models in the store, where I can get a 10% military discount, but the others I would have to order through Amazon.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[bullnerd]

Hitachi here.

 

[NUTTSGT]

While I believe my PC is a clipped head nailer, I'm very happy with it. I also have a Porter Cable roof nailer.

 

[Full Throttle]

Hitachi here.

and here as well

1 is about 18yrs old and I just bought a new one this past winter for S&G's

 

[gml1998]

Paslode cf325 cordless. shoots offset fullhead nails. Did I mention its cordless.

 

[Cruzomatic]

Hitachi here.

x 2 I like Hitachi....have their framing nail gun and have shot 1000's or rounds though it with never a glitch.

 

[BDBLK2K3]

Check out big sky tools . reconditioned hitachi .

I have got a compressor and all my guns there looked like new ,

Bob

 

[87jeepwrangler]

The bostitch is awesome. Works flawlessly. Available at all the stores, as are the nails.

Trigger can be switched to suite you (trigger then tip contact, vs tip contact then trigger).

Some of the best money I ever spent.

Edit: easy nail height adjust too. No tools needed. I know the paslodes need an Allen key to adjust height (I adjust it all the time depending whether I'm toe-nailing, normal framing, or putting up sheathing).

 

[oltruckag]

When I built my shed I used the campbell hausfeld kit from Lowes - I think I paid $129, looks like it's $91 now on the website. My store doesn't show stock, I wonder if this is even available any longer...

While I wouldn't use for framing if it was my day job, it is certanly up to the task of DIY framing projects.

Tyson

 

[lbperry]

Angle on Framing Nailer

Not to try to steal your thread; but what's the significance in the head angle in a framing nailer? They seem to vary from ~20 degrees to ~45 degrees. Will be using it for typical DIY construction. Appreciate any input.
Thanks

 

[strnge]

Go to a Pawn Shop. They are all over the place there and you can get them cheep.

 

[bad_idea]

I bought a Duo-Fast CN-350b used for $12 that needed a rebuild. The o-ring kit cost $14 and about 2 hours of me swearing at this thing (should have only taken 20 minutes). Getting the rebuild right was a PITA, seeing as I have never rebuilt one. BUT, now that I got it working good, it works great. Best $26 I have spent in a while. What I'm getting at, shop around for a used one. They are easy to rebuild and since you are using it for home use, you have the time to fight w/ it if it gets stubborn.

 

[Backlight]

I also have the FR350B - works just great, no issues. I've had it for about 3 years, use it around the house and cottage.

 

[My Old Tools]

All of my nailers are Senco, and I have a bunch. I've been happy with all of them.

 

[KANSASBOY]

I bought the Porter Cable FR350B because of the trigger it has the Selectable trigger with trigger lockout for restrictive or contact actuation mode .This helps when you doing a lot sheeting .

 

[mtmgtz]

Porter Cable used to be a real quality tool (routers, sanders, etc.) prior to them being bought out by Black and Decker. Now it's mostly chinese/mexican junk. Hard to find anything that isn't chinese though these days.

I'd buy a Paslode, Hitachi or Senco. I've used Bostitch framing nailer (I have a Bostitch finish nailer which is fine) and it was a pile compared to the Paslode. We only used the Bostitch when we nailed on brackets since the Paslode we had didn't have that capability. The Hitachi roofing nailer was the best of the three roofing nailers we used.

 

[cashishift]

I bought a Duo-Fast CN-350b used for $12 that needed a rebuild. The o-ring kit cost $14 and about 2 hours of me swearing at this thing (should have only taken 20 minutes). Getting the rebuild right was a PITA, seeing as I have never rebuilt one. BUT, now that I got it working good, it works great. Best $26 I have spent in a while. What I'm getting at, shop around for a used one. They are easy to rebuild and since you are using it for home use, you have the time to fight w/ it if it gets stubborn.

I have the same thing.. I got it for free, and my father has paid for the repair twice.

Next time though, we might be forced to get a new one. As some parts are becoming scarce.