Replies

1. 
   Chris_T | Dec 17, 1998 08:59pm | #1

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   Senco has built a very good reputation over the years - their new models appear to improve on the previous ones. PC and Bostich are also good.

   I'd choose the brand that has a good, quick, and nearby service center. Many Senco service centers carry convenient repair kits. I'm not sure about the other brands.

   I have heard good things about Emglo compressors. Make sure you have enough HP to run two guns, roofing needs more HP.

1. 
   Erik_Klaproth | Dec 18, 1998 06:18am | #2

   *I have a Senco Sn 325+..have used it for everything from framing to hardiplank...and only had about 4 jams in 4 boxes of nails...Although I want to sell it and buy a finishing nailer now, i loved to use it, and it worked extremely well.

1. 
   pat | Dec 18, 1998 07:20pm | #3

   *I have used the Hitachi NR83A for my framing needs it is lite and toenails great . A friend of mine just bought a new Senco ,It is an improvement over the old ones but doesn't toe nail as well as the Hitachi, doesn't hold as many clips as the Hitachi. You can't go wrong with an emglo compressor.Pat

1. 
   Mike | Dec 19, 1998 03:35am | #4

   *Since you're looking for a compressor to run 2 guns, I assume that you want to continue using the Bostich. They make a good gun at a reasonable price and you only have to keep one kind of nails. Sooner or later someone will be the wrong nail in the wrong gun if you operate two brands.

2. 
   Guest_ | Dec 19, 1998 06:00am | #5

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   Erik.....hang onto your 325+....you will need it later anyway... we use them to install LP siding as well..

   Eric

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 19, 1998 06:03am | #6

   *Richard....Have over 50 senco tools... but have a great service organization to support them.... pick the brand of tool that has the best service... one that will come to the jobsite and fix your problems the same day you call.... love my emglo compressors... recomment the 1 1/2 Hp wheelbarrow style if going to run a framing operation... the small twin tanks do great for punch and trim work...Eric

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 20, 1998 11:48pm | #7

   *I use the Hitachi NR83a also and got it because the guy who sold a variety of guns said they had the least problem with them. I also like my Bostitch but overall prefer Senco. I'm also quite impressed with my Porter-Cable roofing nailer, for its price I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it is. I'd be curious to hear how some of those real cheapo plastic guns, Airy, do.

3. 
   Fred_ | Dec 22, 1998 10:58am | #8

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   I bought a Porter-Cable FR350(full head nailer) after testing several others in current manufacture. It is relatively cheap, reliable, tough and uses just about anybody's nails. I am fully satisfied and have a lot less money in the setup than if I had used the "traditional" brands.

   I need to run both off commercial power and a generator. I found a little Craftsman Industrial Pancake(On Sale) did just fine for nailers. I am big on saving money and this combo works just fine for the purpose.

1. 
   Jim_White | Dec 26, 1998 11:12pm | #9

   *am looking into puchasing a hand carried air compressor which works well for renovation framing and also takes a finishing nailer. Will run it off 15 amps. Currently thinking of stanley bostich 1.5 hp 4 gal compressor. Any recommendations?

4. 
   Guest_ | Jan 05, 1999 11:19am | #10

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   My gun stable (one man operation) has both senco and hitachi products...i love the hitachi framing nailer, wouldn't for a moment consider changing. One factor in this equation: do you need a full round head nailer? the sn 325 that others like is I believe a clipped head nailer, and the nr83a is a full round head nailer....makes a difference, believe it or not. Compare apples with apples, man! My Hitachi (pre theft ) compressor was a nice little unit, my makita is noisier, pulls more amps and has had more trouble. (shrug). Buy the emglo.

5. 
   Steven_I. | Jan 05, 1999 12:57pm | #11

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   Jim,

   I assume you are talking about the little twin-tank compressor? I use one of these for renovation work and it does fine. I wouldn't want to run more than 1 framing nailer at a time, but a couple of trim nailers is OK.

   It seems to me that there are dozens of companies out there selling the identical compressor, but with a different paint job. The heads on these units are the same (made by FIAC in Italy), and the compressors are shipped assembled (in italian boxes). So you might want to shop around.

6. 
   Guest_ | Jan 05, 1999 07:16pm | #12

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   For long term service, easy repair, ease of use go for a Senco nailer. For intermittant light to medium duty go for a disposable gun; some knock off of a Bostich. Can be had for under 200. See FHB #105 for review.

   Compressors: I used to have framing crews running 3 to 5 guns on a site. We used (2) marked down, scratch and dent Craftsman 3hp machines. Good old oil-bath piston pumps. Our expensive Emglo's died repeatedly. Still going without filters, undrained, uncared for except to add oil now and then for 9 years.

7. 
   Scooter_ | Jan 05, 1999 09:51pm | #13

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   Ditto on the Senco 325 and the Emglo Compressor.

1. 
   jim_coyner | Jan 06, 1999 06:51am | #14

   *I have used several brands of compressors but over 20 years I fined the Emglos the most reliable anything 2 HP and up can usually handle two framing guns My Senco gun have held up the longest but I dont use them much ( to heavy) I am using Bostitch a lot because you can get parts as necessary maybe some of the new Sencos are lighter I still use Senco trim guns my original gun is 15-18 yrs old and going strong.

1. 
   chris_elliott | Jan 12, 1999 06:52am | #15

   *I've used paslode's air clipped head nailer for the past 3 year and had only 1 jam not a bad gun for the money

8. 
   Richard_ | Jan 15, 1999 12:44am | #16

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   Thought I would ask for a little advice on framing nailers. I am presently using a Bostich nailer. Would like some advice on the purchase of another nailer. { Bostich, Senco, PorterCable} which
   of these will give me the the best bang for the buck, and reliablity. Also looking for an air compressor that will be capable run two guns all day.

9. 
   Guest_ | Jan 15, 1999 12:44am | #17

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   I use two Senco sn65 framing guns both tools have preformed great.Also if you do decks the full head nail looks better than the clipped head nail.As for a compressor I use emglo I curently
   use a 5hp gas comressor and a 1.5 horse air mate
   I have not tryed to run two guns with the air mate.I like the gas compressor as it save me from
   trying to find enough juice to run a compressor that can keep up with, two guns.