I purchased a Bostitch Strapshot nailer this summer for nailing joist hangers on decks. The lumber I use is pressure treated so I buy ACQ-rated nails. The first box of nails worked very well except the nailer misfires near the end of each stick. The second box of nails caused frequent misfires. This second batch also looked very different from the first. The galvanizing was bronze- colored whereas the first batch were bright silver. The second batch of nails had blunt and uneven points and they were about 1/16″ longer than the sharper silver ones.
I suspect the second box of nails were made on a different line because the lettering on the head of each nail is slightly different.
Unfortunately my supplier had only the inferior bronze nails in stock and he couldn’t help me with my predicament. I had the nailer checked for quality and was assured it was not the problem. Bostitch is aware of this issue, but they haven’t helped.
Has anyone used this tool and experienced similar problems with the nails?
Blair
Replies
I bought this nailer used from a friend of mine who was getting out of the business this past summer (paid $100 for it so it was a no-brainer). I've bought about a dozen boxes of nails and all of mine have been the silver galvinization and have worked pretty well.
The only "problem" I've had we when we were nailing hurricane straps. Since they don't have a raised section to activate the safety, you have to "help" the gun activate the safety. Amazingly, I've actually never experienced the misfire at the end of the strip. Hope I don't ever experience that because that can get frustrating.
By the way, the "other nails" that you bought - were they Bostitch brand or some other brand. Just curious so that I'll know whether I need to open every box before I buy them.
Thanks.
Jimbo,
Thanks for the reply. Both boxes of nails were from Bostitch and they both had the same bar code. I just noticed today that the better silver nails were made in taiwan, and the problem nails were made in canada.
Blair
Dang, You always get such cheap, poorley made junk coming from Canada.
Nextthing youknow they'l be putting Maple Syrup in our pet food!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!
Tu stultus es
I had a problem with my strapshot the first day I bought it, very similar to the issue you are having. Turned out they were the wrong nails, straight from the guy who supplied me with the gun.
Hold up the nails from the box you had no probs with to a clip from the "bad" box. Mine had a different angle.Both in a Bostitch box
Bing
I have a bostitch that has a weak feeder spring. I took it to the local tool guy and 2 weeks later He said he didn't get the new spring, he had the other guns fixed. I have to help feed the last of the nail clip. I like my hitachi better.
I think yer on to something. The poor nails were the color of maple syrup.
dekbros
I own one of those bostitch nailers and have had no trouble with misfires as of yet. I have put at least 10 boxes of nails through it so far. I use Paslode or Hitachi Strap-Tite nails in it. Haven't tried the Bostitch nails. Might be worth a try.