Diesel Pig,I have questions. I have 12 NR83A’s, great gun, I have been using this model for over 20 years. Kinda of partial to Hitachi nailers myself. I would like to try a coil nailer and need some advice because coil nailers for framing are hard to come by out here in Ultra Violet Land. Do you use .131 x 3-1/4 coil nails in your NV83’s and if so where do you buy them? Do you like the balance better with a coil nailer over a stick nailer, why do you use both? What is the advantage of a Supco magazine over the factory one? I would also like to have a light coil nailer for pickup and such, so will the NV75 have enough power for our framing lumber? We use Douglas Fir stamped S-GRN for almost everything. And while the factory rep and Hitachi Corporate have been somewhat helpful, I like to ask the guys that have actually used the tools I am interested in. So, what say you?
Edited 4/15/2007 1:49 am ET by framerboy
Replies
Hey, I'm honored. But you've got about twice as much experience (20yrs) with Hitachi nailers than I do!!! Since you asked though, I'll do my best to answer your questions.
1. I don't use the .131 x 3 1/4" coil nails. We only use the coil nailers for sheathing and strapping so we're usually using .113x 2 3/8" R/S coils. But I could use the nails you mentioned if I wanted to. I buy all my nails from a local tool store who is an authorized Hitachi rep and offers job-site delivery and tool repair services.
2. No, I don't like the balance of coil nailers over stick nailers and that's actually why we still use both. I find coil nailers to be bulky and heavy. Just my opinion. But that disadvantage is outweighed by the big advantage of not haveng to reload every minute or two when nailing off sheathing and such and flying through nails. I also find that stick nailers are far more likely to have jamming issues with 2 3/8" nails than with the 3 1/4". The coil nailers hardly ever jam on us and if they do, they're easier to clear because the loading door give you great access. And my stick nailers hardly ever jam with the 3 1/4" nails. I really prefer the balance and size/shape of a stick nailer so that's why I still use them for the larger nails. I can also always be sure that my guys are using the correct nails from the other side of the jobsite just by looking at what gun they're using.
3. I swap out the factory stick mag of the Hitachis for a Supco magazine because it's simply a superior magazine. The magazine on the Hitachi stick nailers is their achilles heal. The reason being is that they're a 'clam shell design' with two halves folded on each other. Where they meet is the slot for inserting nails. I find this always would end up either pinched tighter or somehow spread open further than they should be. This would always lead to nails either piggybacking and jamming or or getting stuck and not feeding. The stock Hitachi magazine was the one thing I found myself replacing on the stick nailers on a fairly regular basis. On a whim I tried a Supco magazine one time when I needed a replacement since it's an exact match for the Hitachi as far as installation goes.
It only took one day of using that Supco mag for me to go home and order a bunch more for the rest of the stick nailers. These magazines just have a slot in the top of them for feeding the nails in and it makes them far sturdier. In three years and four Supco magazines, I've had to replace just one of the return springs for the feeder (a $5 part) and that's it. None of them are bent and all of them still feed nails as well as the first day I bought them.
4. I think you'll find the NV75 a little bit lacking in power. That's the trade-off for it's size. The only time we really use ours for framing is with short nails and lots of overhead work and it's a pretty rare occasion. I purchased it when I actually needed another NV65 for exterior trim, but they were out of stock so I grabbed a 75 instead. It's a little big for trim and a little small for framing. But would be a nice gun for someone who only did framing/siding/ex trim on a rare basis and didn't want to have to buy two or more nailers. It's definitely a compromise as a result of it's dual purpose design.
This is just what works for me man. Everyone else's mileage may vary. But I'm really happy with our system and tools. Some might find it a PIA but like I said, it works really well for us.
Where did you get the supco magazines?
I bought a like new supco roofer off ebay for cheap. It's a nice gun, made in Taiwan though.
I used to get the magazines from Master Tool Repair online, but they don't seem to stock them anymore. In the meantime I turned my jobsite tool salesman on to them and his store now offers them as an upgrade replacement when guys need new magazines. So now I've got a 'hook-up'. ;)
I'm not sure where they're getting them from, but I'd guess it's right from Supco. I've never even seen a Supco nailer of any sort to be honest. I just took a shot in the dark on the internet one time at the Master Tool Repair site figuring it was worth a try since I wasn't having any luck with the Hitachi mags anyway. I got lucky I suppose.View Image
The nailers are cheesy looking, but the one I have works well.
One of these days I'll get around to Googling a Supco framing nailer just to get a peek. Add it to the list. ;)View Image
You can get one for $249. Maybe try one and let us know if it's any good. You can always use the magazine if it doesn't work out.
http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/product_info.php?products_id=1405
So they are still selling them on that site huh? Good work. I'd always just used a link saved in my favorites that took me right to the page with just the magazine on it. They must have just moved the location of them on their site. It ain't hard to confuse me, BTW.
I think I pay the same.... around $100 - $110 for the magazine. I can't think of any reason to try one of the nailers though. Pretty happy with mine.View Image
>>swap out the factory stick mag of the Hitachis for a Supco magazine
I'm glad you said that. Love the nailer, don't love the magazine... where do you get yours?
Check out that link a couple posts above that Mark provided for the full Supco framing nailer. Scroll down and you'll see the magazine alone listed for sale at about $109 IIRC. That's the same website, Master Tool Repair, that I used to buy mine from until my tool guy started stocking them to shut me up. :)View Image
Ok, DUH... I see it. $105. I wonder if money would be better spend on a coiler. Someone let one go on eBay for about $30, which seems more like it.
Thanks for the reply and the education. Haven't replaced but one factory magazine in 20 years. Must be something to do with the nails we use. Who knows? Guess I'll be holding off on the coil nailer too, doesn't sound like what I had in mind. Thanks again.