jamming Bostitch N88WWB framing nailer
We just bought a Bostich N88WWB framing nailer and it is repeatedly jamming. I’ve used framing nailers before, but they didn’t jam anywhere near as often as this one. We’re lucky if we can shoot a half dozen nailers before it jams. The jam is almost always two nails coming out at the same time. We’re using clipped head 10’s and 12’s.
I’m a hobbyist rather than a pro. Can any of you experienced guys offer some suggestions? Thanks.
Replies
Return it. Sounds defective. No gun should jam that frequently, especially a new one. If too much time has elapsed to just return it, I've had great success contacting Bostitch and getting them to repair the gun. Use their Customer Service number.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Before you return it or call Bostitch and raise stink... just double check one last time and make absolutely sure that you're using the correct nails for your particular gun. A couple degrees in angle of collation can make a real mess out of the mechanics.
And even if you're using the correct nails... the nails could still be the problem. I buy about 20 cases of nails a month... every once in a while I get a bad box or even a bad batch and they jam up the framers.
Last summer my supplier sent out an "off brand" case of nails that he said were a couple dollars cheaper and just as good. I had always used Bostich nails and had never had a problem. After about twenty minutes of clearing jams, I climbed down and found a strip of Bostich nails to compare with this "bargain" nail. After comparing the "off" brand with Bostich, I noticed that the Bostich ran a collation wire down each side of the nail strip, one high, the other low. This kept them from twisting as they were forced forward in the magazine. The "off brand" ran wire on one side only, letting the nails curl to one side as they exited the magazine. Long story short, make sure you are using a quality nail, that matches your gun.
I second the notion to check your nails - Bostitch makes special ones for their wire-weld (WW) nailers. Use the genuine Bostitch brand. I haven't heard that they made any clipped head WW nails, but I've been wrong before.
Dusty and Lefty
Another vote to check on the nails - make sure they're the right ones. Dieselpig took the words right outta my mouth.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to reply to my post on the framing nailer. I had been helping a friend who bought this nailer to frame his basement and I'd never questioned his choice of nails (he thought he followed what the owner's manual and the Depot guy recommended - hah!). Well, I went over to check out the nailer again and sure enough, it specifies plastic banded nails with full heads. Problem solved. Thanks much.