I’m looking for a full head stick framing nailer for weekend projects (remodeling, decks and sheds etc). My other nailers are Porter Cable (finish and brad nailers) and I’ve not had any issues with them.
I’m looking for something that is reliable and is not prone to jam and can easily find nails at the borgs.
Nailers I’ve used in the past or have looked at are Bostitch, Proter Cable, and Senco.
Suggestions?
Thanks
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Replies
I had the PC full head framer for about a year, and finally one day i threw it into the weeds. Bought a Ridgid cuz the Depot was the closest place and I had a time issue, it has been a good performer.
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You might want to check out the Bostitch F21PL as it's quite powerful and has a positive placement tip for nailing hangers and straps. I have the previous generation(N88RH MCN) and it's been reliable. Reconditioned it's an especially attractive deal.
http://www.cpobostitch.com/nailers/framing_nailers/f21pl-r.html
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
For weekend projects the Paslode IMCT works well. The nails are available at most tool places and the big box centers.
The advantage is no hoses to drag and no compressor to fire up.
The disadvantage is that the fuel cells are time sensitive and have a short shelf life.
Jim
Go with the Paslode. Even with it's problems it's the easiest to use on the types of projects you mentioned.
I've had the PC clipped head magnesium for about 5 years now and absolutely no complaints. Some weeks see constant use. Tens of thousands of nails shot from it and no repairs to date. It's nice & light too.
Full head? Dunno, PC maybe, I hear Pasload & Hitachi are good.
Well, since you have not filled in your profile, we have no clue weather or not clipped head nails meet code in your area.
Clipped heads are not allowed in all areas, Cali for one.
I reccommend the MAX...yikes! what a sweet gun!
Edited due to lack of reading original post, sorry.
I bought the new smaller Max full-head framing gun. It's a great gun and reasonably priced.
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Edited 6/6/2008 12:42 am by Fishrite
If you are talking about California, then clipped head nails are OK and always have been. This is some kind of urban legend. Some misguided architects spec round heads but there is no ban on clipped heads. I guess they like the way they look.
Other companies only order one kind of nail and all the framers use the nails and the compatible nailer that their company specs.
Go to Senco website for an explanation on the relative strength of the nails. There is no difference in holding power. Please back up your claim with some real facts other than internet gibberish.Mike Callahan, Lake Tahoe, Ca.
Hey Guys - Great feedback. I'll take a closer look at the Bostitch, Senco, and Makita. I think the Max may be more than I need for the amount of use I will get out it. I've seen some of the Bostitch with the positive placement head. That would be very useful for me with my current deck project and nailing hangers.
Dont know where your located but the Lowes by me has the Hitachi full head frame nailer on sale for $200. Might be worth checking out.
Live by the sword, die by the sword....choose your sword wisely.
If you are talking about California, then clipped head nails are OK and always have been. This is some kind of urban legend. Some misguided architects spec round heads but there is no ban on clipped heads. I guess they like the way they look. Other companies only order one kind of nail and all the framers use the nails and the compatible nailer that their company specs. Go to Senco website for an explanation on the relative strength of the nails. There is no difference in holding power. Please back up your claim with some real facts other than internet gibberish.
Mike, no need to be so caustic.
My information came from the salesmen of Senco, Max, etc.
When I sold tools, we only carried the fullhead nails and nailguns. Could be they were just trying to sell more expensive product.
Please post a link to your info. I would appreciate it. I always heard it was a siezemic (sp?) issue thing.
I am sure you know better than I do.
BTW, how is your work going? Been busy after the fires?
Christopher Robin got up in the morning, the sneezles had vanished away. And the look in his eye seemed to say to the sky, "Now how to amuse them today?".
Although I don't live in California, I have friends that do. As far as I know, clipped heads are not allowed in some areas. Whether this applies to the whole state, I don't know. I believe Washington State also does not allow the use of clipped head nails for seismic reasons as you stated.
For example.
Chapter 18.11AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 23 OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE; WOOD
2304.9.2.2 Quality of Nails. Mechanically driven nails used in wood structural panel shear walls shall meet the same dimensions as that required for hand-driven nails, including diameter, minimum length and minimum head diameter. Clipped head nails are not permitted.
This page of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 08-6, passed May 13, 2008
Edited 8/12/2008 9:38 pm ET by pobrecito
Thanks.
Well that's what I understood, but apparently Mike knows better. I am sure he will come up with the documentation. He's a pretty sharp guy, even if he is a little on the crabby side.
;-)
Christopher Robin got up in the morning, the sneezles had vanished away. And the look in his eye seemed to say to the sky, "Now how to amuse them today?".
Here is the complete amendment below... The new code as of 27Nov07 only specs that clipped heads are not allowed for sheathing. That is news to me I have to admit. It does not say that for all other kinds of framing that clipped heads are not allowed.
Back in 04 I bought about a half a pallet of assorted closeout Senco cliphead nails at the local lumber yard for 10 dollars a box. I am still using them now and no one has said a thing. I do have round head nailers and that is what I use for shear. My engineer specs those fattie 2.5" 10ds for shear. They don't come in clip heads.
As for those fires last summer.... I don't go to south shore for work. I will not drive past Rubicon Bay. (30 Minutes) North shore and south shore are kind of like northern and southern California. One is more rural and the other is too crowded. I have a life and work is only a small part of it.
Here I am having Funhttp://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/mycijor/skijoring/Mike_Callahan_Chester_2.jpg18.11.010 Subsection 2304.9.2 is Amended.
Subsection 2304.9.2 is amended to read as follows:
2304.9.2 Sheathing fasteners.
2304.9.2.1 Installation. Sheathing nails or other approved sheathing connectors shall be driven so that their head or crown is flush with the surface of the sheathing. (duh)
2304.9.2.2 Quality of Nails. Mechanically driven nails used in wood structural panel shear walls shall meet the same dimensions as that required for hand-driven nails, including diameter, minimum length and minimum head diameter. Clipped head nails are not permitted.
(Ord. 07-10 § 2, 11/27/07)Mike Callahan, Lake Tahoe, Ca.
Edited 8/19/2008 10:02 pm by MikeCallahan
I have a Bostich F21PL. No problems.
Seriously consider this gun http://wis.max-ltd.co.jp/int/muc/pshow.php?productcode=KN95200 It has gotten great reviews and that is the gun I'd buy if I used stick nailers. Its small and compact and light and for occasional framing I think you'll be happy.
Steer clear of Porter Cable. It just isn't worth buying that gun. I would stick with Max or Hitachi.
Hitachi.Although the Bostich w/ placement tip is a good gun for the price, not as light as the new Hitachi but gets the job done
Weekend projects? I really don't think you need the Max, although they make fantastic nailers. I'd take a look at the Makita AN922 stick framer.... I got one reconditioned for less than $200 to have as a back-up to my four Hitachi stick nailers and one Max. It's been a great gun. I'd probably buy another next time I need a replacement.... and thats saying something. You'd save about $100 over the Max or most other big name brands. Great magazine design on this nailer.
http://www.toolking.com/Makita_AN922R.aspx
Edited 6/8/2008 9:51 pm ET by dieselpig
Hitachi - takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. Investigate "lightly used" if you can find one. There may be some decent ones showing up in your local pawn shop.
Porter Cable - may be a good enough gun for your applications / uses.
Full round head, stick nails are rarely an issue to find as are almost a universal fit.
Jim
The Hitachi 83 guns are at my local Costco stores new on clearance for $169.Julian
One other question. Would you buy a reconditioned Bostitch nailer (F21PL) from CPO Bostitch? The only concern I'd have is with the 1 year warranty vs. the regular warranty. Are the tools normally in good shape? The price is around $150.
The F21PL has the positive placement head which I'd use a lot on this deck project. I have a lot of hangers to do and a few of them are in a tight area under an overhang.
Mike I buy a lot of reconditioned tools and have had great luck with them. Usually the tools look brand new, but occasionally they'll have a small ding or two. Nothing worse than you'd expect to see after a day's use. I tend to think that with the reconditioned tools you have the benefit of knowing that another set of eyes has looked over your tool before it gets to you. I wouldn't let the 1 year warranty worry you. Not a whole lot that can go wrong with a framing nailer... and if something does go wrong it'd probably be something you'd notice after the first time using it. After that it's usually just rings and drivers that wear out on them.
I've owned that Bostitch with the positive placement attachement. It's a pretty nice gun. If you think you'll use the PP attachment (and who wouldn't really) then I'd say go for it... especially at $150. That's a good deal in my book. It was hard for me to find the PP nails for the Bostitch locally though. But that's most likely a regional thing. They use a different PP nail than most of the other PP nailers (including Bostitch's own Strap Shot) because they have to be plastic collated to fit that magazine. Check around and make sure you can find the PP nails easily enough before buying. The framing nails should be readily available most anywhere.View Image
I just ordered the reconditioned F21PL from CPO Bostitch. I should have it by Thursday. Just in time to work on my ledger boards this weekend for the deck.
On the way into work this morning I stopped at Home Depot to check on nail availability. It seems that the Ridgid uses the same 21 degree plastic coat nails as the F21PL. That should mean good availability for me. The only issue is with the metal connector nails. I should be able to get those at my local lumber yard or worse case is I'll order them from Amazon.
Thanks for everyone's help.