I have a Bostich stick framing gun, N88RH that won’t cycle completely after driving a nail. The nail drives fine, but the driver remains extended and the gun won’t fire again unless I disconnect the air hose and reconnect it. Disconnecting the air hose allows the gun to cycle and the driver retracts and will fire again. I haven’t used the gun a lot and I have always kept it lubed with Bostich lubricant (a couple of drops each day). The weather is not particulary cold (in the 50’s). I am using an airless compressor with the pressure set at 110 lbs. Any Ideas?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The "She Build" initiative is empowering women in Seattle, WA by ensuring they have safe, healthy homes.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I am using an airless compressor with the pressure set at 110 lbs. Any Ideas?
LOL.... I'm guessing that was a typo... if not, try using a compressor with some air in it. ;)
Just busting your chops.... sounds like it's time for a ring job on your nailer. How old is it?
The nailer is only a couple of years old, and has been lightly used.
Should have said "oiless compressor"...
Edited 11/4/2007 10:25 am ET by Saltworks
I know what you meant... I was just having fun. Didn't mean to insult you or anything. I've commited worse offenses in invoices! LOL...
Anyway, regardless of age or use, it's probably still leaky seals at the rings. I don't know about Bostich framers, but a set of rings for a Hitachi nailer (what I use) is about $20 and takes all of 15 minutes to install. Fresh rings make a big difference in the power and performance of a nailer.
If your nailer went without being used for a spell, it's entirely possible that they dried out a bit too. It's not always just use that can make 'em go.... some times it's a lack of use.
For $20 or so.... I'd start there.View Image
No offense taken. I was too ticked off at the gun to type straight. I'll replace the rings as you and others have suggested. Thanks for the advice. Interestingly it has been working after a fashion today. After each nail it takes from 2 to 5 seconds to cycle. Not the most efficient nailer!
Have you been oiling it when in use & prior to storage?
I haven't used in nearly a year, but I had been oiling it pretty regularly. I just took it apart and it seems that the cylinder and O-rings have a pretty heavy coating of what appears to be grease (fairly heavy viscosity). I don't know if that is normal or not, but it appears to be considerably thicker than the oil that's been going in. There are no apparent tears in the O-rings and I've cleaned the piston and O-rings up. I'll try it tomorrow to see if it responds better than today.
I have the same gun and experienced the exact thing. Mine was only a couple months old when it started "sticking" so I took it back to the dealer who replaced the rings. This fixed it for about ten minutes of work and it started sticking again. again took it back and this time he gave me brand new gun which has worked flawlessly for about two years now. This new gun has seen all kinds of weather and no problems yet. Probably about time for a new set of rings but...
If it ain't broke, DONT MESS WITH IT!
Aaron
Same thing happened with my Bostitch finish nailer. I had been over oiling. Got a rebuild kit, took it apart and cleaned all the gunk out thoroughly. Worked fine. Now I oil sparingly.
Thanks to all who replied. I tracked down a rebuild kit today in Traverse City, MI and put it in. So far it seems to be working pretty well. 10 nails or so without pause. Tomorrow will be the real test. If this doesn't work there's a Hitachi in my future...
I saw this happen with the framing crew for our house... all the young noob carpenters would uncouple air hoses and drag them through muck, gravel, and sand and them hook them back up. It blew all kinds of #### through the lines and into the guns causing the O-rings to tear. Lesson learned.
Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.â€
Sounds like you may be getting too much moisture in the gun. Oil + water under pressure makes a scummy mess.
Have you/do you drain your tank regularlry and or do you have a filter/drier on the air line?[email protected]
I have the same gun, had the same problem and the solution was as diesel pig has suggested.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Check your supply lines and make sure you are supplying enough air VOLUME to fully cycle the piston. If the lines have too many couplings, you may be restricting the air flow.
I've had this problem with cheap nails. Cured it with expensive nails.
Liberty = Freedom from unjust or undue governmental control.
American Heritage Dictionary