Bosch unveils pneumatic nailers

comments (5) April 16th, 2009 in Blogs

Justin Fink, Senior Editor

29 users recommend

Add Comment
Print

Pneumatic nailers have been around for almost 50 years, but it wasn’t until Tuesday, during a press conference at their North American headquarters outside of Chicago, that Bosch officially joined the competition. I saw and learned far more than I can fit in this short blog entry, but here are the basics:

The tools:

Roofing nailer
Both full- and clipped-head stick framing nailers
15 ga. Finish nailer
16 ga. Finish nailer
18 ga. Brad nailer
18 ga. Stapler

How will they stand apart from the competition?

All of the nailers are built around a unique air chamber design that Bosch is calling “Full Force Technology.” When you pull the trigger on a typical nailer, a portion of that air is reserved in order to return the driver to the “ready” position. Bosch has re-worked this design, allowing their nailers to utilize 100% of the air for driving the nail. A second burst of air, which you can’t even detect during use, then retracts the driver. This allows the nailer to be smaller (20% reduction), and more powerful (10% increase).

They also backed up their new nailers with a series of air compressors:

3 electric hot-dog style hand-carry air models (ranging from 2-5 gallon)
A wheelbarrow-style 8-9 gallon model available in both electric and gas-powered.

The framing nailers are technically “released” as of yesterday, but don’t expect to see them in stores until June. The remainder of the pneumatic lineup will be available this Fall.

Stay tuned for more...

I had a chance to play with each of the new tools (my first impressions are very positive), and ask lots of questions about design, details, and development. But I encourage you all to send in your thoughts on this new Bosch category and let me know what you are curious to learn. I'll take your questions to their engineers and see what we can find out.
Fine Homebuilding readers can expect a full report on these tools as soon as we get our hands on some models to test in the field. Stay tuned to this blog, and to the Tools & Materials department of our regular issues for more information. In the meantime, visit the Bosch website for more information.

The competiton

If you’re interested in seeing some of the competition Bosch faces, check out Rick Arnold’s video roundup of the top 16-ga. finish nailers currently available, including models from Bostitch, Milwaukee, and Ridgid.

Justin Fink,
FHB Tool Editor

Build Like a Pro: Trim Carpentry, 2nd Edition
by Clayton DeKorne Expert advice from start to finish $19.95 more info...

posted in: Blogs, remodeling, finish carpentry, framing, roofs, nailers, compressor

Add Comment Print

Stiletto Hammers: Trade-in...Trade-up

Back to List

Comments (5)

Flye_Farm writes: Bosch is following suit with the other major tool companies. B&D/DeWalt has a similar line-up, with limited success, as does Milwaukee Electric Tool. My experience first hand has been with the Milwaukee pneumatics, which are good units, but in the age of cordless nailers, and strong brands like Senco, Bostitch, and Hitachi, the Milwaukee product haven't seemed to gain acclaim in this area. Incidentally they have the same line-up as the new Bosch guns, and I am sure DeWalt's offering is similar. I am curious to see if the Bosch guns have the grit to be better than the rest. I am also curious to see where the tools are being manufactured, who is building their compressors, and are they getting into the nail business also?
Posted: 10:28 pm on April 20th

winston49 writes: Any high pressure products on the way? That's the trend in this category.
Posted: 11:45 am on April 20th

JFink writes: The 4th picture is showing the backside of the framing nailer. Bosch built the entire nailer out of aluminum, but I believe the back piece is steel (don't quote me on that) as it's expected to be used to bump lumber into place for nailing. The exhaust is not adjustable - but it comes out around the sides of that backplate - I think mostly (if not completely) towards the topside.
Posted: 9:35 am on April 17th

vanderpooch writes: Hmmmm,

Who nails through the top of a handrail anyway?

They look nice enough. I'll be psyched to check out their 18g. I still haven't found one I really like.

- Kit
Posted: 8:47 pm on April 16th

FastEddie writes: The 4th picture, with the 20% line, what are we looking at there? Can you rotate the air vent so it doesn't blow in your face? Does it have the swivel air line connection like the Rigid? Cost?
Posted: 4:51 pm on April 16th

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.