Trouble with a Bostich N12 roofing nailer

[biggziff]

My uncle gave me an older, well used Bostich N12 roofing nailer. He said it leaked air, which it did. I ordered a full rebuild kit (O-rings, cylinder seal, exhaust bumper, etc) It arrived and I tore into the nailer. The old cylinder seal and bumper were like old wax, broken and in a bunch of pieces so I figured, great! I'll replace this stuff and the O-rings and be good to go. Nope. It's all back together and air just leaks out the nose. If I try to shoot it, it does cycle the driver, but very weakly. I took it back apart, but everything looks correct based on the crappy parts diagram included with the new parts. O-rings all lubed, 90 PSI air pressure, etc.

Ideas?

Pic of the old cylinder seal and exhaust bumper. Ugh.

 

[Colonel Clank]

7 years later…did you ever get the roofing nailer sorted out? I just got one that doesn’t cycle very well. -Kevin

 

[Vinny]

Well, for future people who might see this thread, less oil is better in this case. Too much oil prevents proper sealing. Don't soak the o-rings, just get a little oil on your fingers, rub the ring until it shimmers, and you're good to go.

 

[dnschmidt]

These types of questions always amaze me. I have a Duo-Fast framing nailer that acted up so I took it to Banner Tool Service here in Phoenix, payed my $100, and now it's as good as new. Why screw with this **** when you can hire somebody that knows what the hell they're doing to fix it for you. I know how to build integrated circuits, I don't know anything about fixing air nailers.

 

[finn]

These types of questions always amaze me. I have a Duo-Fast framing nailer that acted up so I took it to Banner Tool Service here in Phoenix, payed my $100, and now it's as good as new. Why screw with this **** when you can hire somebody that knows what the hell they're doing to fix it for you. I know how to build integrated circuits, I don't know anything about fixing air nailers.

I disagree.

My Bostich sheathing stapler developed a leak at the air valve.

i ordered a valve for $10.00 (at the time), spent fifteen minutes tearing into it and replacing the valve, and it was good to go.

 

[The Cobbler]

These types of questions always amaze me. I have a Duo-Fast framing nailer ........Why screw with this **** when you can hire somebody that knows what the hell they're doing to fix it for you. I know how to build integrated circuits, I don't know anything about fixing air nailers.

I suspect you weren't born knowing how to build circuit boards, but rather you learned that .
I fail to see your rationale here

 

[Rinspeed]

These types of questions always amaze me. I have a Duo-Fast framing nailer that acted up so I took it to Banner Tool Service here in Phoenix, payed my $100, and now it's as good as new. Why screw with this **** when you can hire somebody that knows what the hell they're doing to fix it for you. I know how to build integrated circuits, I don't know anything about fixing air nailers.

Pnuematic tools are a fairly simple device compared to most.

 

[MovingAlong]

Why screw with this **** when you can hire somebody that knows what the hell they're doing to fix it for you.

Sure, if you enjoy doing that - do that.

But there are still a few of us that enjoy the satisfaction that comes from figuring things out for ourselves.

 

[dnschmidt]

I suspect you weren't born knowing how to build circuit boards, but rather you learned that .
I fail to see your rationale here

I still don't know how to build circuit boards, I know how to manufacture integrated circuits which I'm sure somebody subsequently puts on circuit boards.

 

[finn]

For the long gone op, Bostitch had two similar, but different air valves. They both fit, but one had extended nose. If the short valve was used where the long one was supposed to go, it would leak.

The much vaulted “Pro” air tool repair guy gave me the wrong one.

I ordered the right one online. This was several years ago. Still only took a few minutes to change.