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paslode cordless

| Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 15, 2003 03:33am

i am toying with the idea of buying the paslode trimmaster 18gauge nailer. i had to trim out just one window with finished maple casings and it was a pain in the butt to haul the compressor with the hose and gun two flights of stairs. if i don’t use the gun everyday does it drain the battery and if i like the gun a lot will i still use my several other senco guns? or should i just buy that thomas aircompressor that is so light and quiet? please help me make a decision .

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Replies

  1. rez | Mar 15, 2003 03:40am | #1

    They usually come with an extra battery and you can remove the battery from the gun easily when not in use for little if no loss of power.

    It is a handy tool but if you are using a lot of different guns often the money might better be spent on the light compressor seeing the versatility of those tools.

     

     

  2. Danusan11 | Mar 15, 2003 03:46am | #2

    Buy it you will not be sorry.  Just unplug battery when not in use.  Little fussy if you leave in cold and plan on using immediately. The only time I use compressor is when I need to shoot brads.  Buy extra battery.

  3. GUNN308 | Mar 15, 2003 05:39am | #3

    have had an old black framer for 8 years & trimmer for 4 couldn't live without them, quality tools & dependable just clean as necessary. I would pay the extra for the angled trimmer, mine is straight & toenailing into a corner is almost impossible but they are well worth the money

  4. vanderpooch | Mar 15, 2003 06:13am | #4

    Along these lines, has anyone tried the senco cordless nailers? i noticed they are quite a bit less expensive, and certainly would be in the long run (no fuel cartridge...)

    just curious.

  5. andybuildz | Mar 15, 2003 04:13pm | #5

    Just bought me a Paslode framing nailer new off of Ebay and love it for the job where I dont want to get out my compressor. Its loud but since when does that bother a carp? Huhhhhhh, whatcha say???

    I saw lots of Paslode trim nailers on Ebay as well for about a hundred bucks less than HD.

    Be portable

                Namaste

                          andy

    "As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is." 
    http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

    1. dustmonkee | Mar 19, 2003 11:17pm | #11

      Blue, is that you?

      1. andybuildz | Mar 20, 2003 09:18am | #12

        Aint Blue...nope...kinda happy actually"As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is."  http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

  6. McDonnel3 | Mar 15, 2003 04:25pm | #6

    Just bought and used the 18 g. on a casework job in a 32 floor highrise...............love it!       work great.

    1. Piffin | Mar 15, 2003 05:13pm | #7

      I hae the 16ga old black trimpulse and the newer straight 16ga.

      Does the 18 do OK for hard woods like the maple mentioned originally? I occasionally have a 16 fold up on me so it seems like the lighter gauge nail would not work well.

      As to the battery. I have to buy the extra one. I actuallu have about eight of the older straight ones, if anybody wants to buy a couple.

      If you remove the battery from the gun every night or for storage, it will hold a charge for months but just leaving it in the gun will drain it down in a couple of days.

      It's a great gun for trim. No dragging cord over finished stuff..

      Excellence is its own reward!

      1. rez | Mar 15, 2003 05:48pm | #8

        Now if they'd just move the 'on' green light to the other side of the handle so you could lay it down in it's case and see if it is on or not...

         

         

      2. McDonnel3 | Mar 16, 2003 04:35pm | #9

        Yeah,  All the trim work I do is either poplar, maple or oak. Havn't had nails fold up yet.

        1. Piffin | Mar 16, 2003 05:42pm | #10

          Most of mine is poplar or pine but I get some folds with hard maple.

          Excellence is its own reward!

      3. brianspages | Mar 20, 2003 02:36pm | #13

        hi piffin.

        what would you want for one of your guns?  any imcts?

        brian

        1. Piffin | Mar 21, 2003 03:08am | #14

          What is an imcts?

          It is the batteries that I intended to sell, not the guns. I just rebuilt the older black gun again and it is my favorite. The new orange seems stiff and unfamiliar.

          ;)

          If you want just a battery, E-mail me. .

          Excellence is its own reward!

          1. brianspages | Mar 21, 2003 04:36am | #15

            :-(

            i thought that you were referring to the guns...  imct refers to the orange gun model.

            brian

          2. Piffin | Mar 21, 2003 05:12am | #16

            Sorry to disappoint.

            Excellence is its own reward!

          3. andybuildz | Mar 21, 2003 11:59am | #17

            I got the imct from Ebay new for a hundred bucks less than HD sells em for so you might wanna take a look there"As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is."  http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

          4. User avater
            CapnMac | Mar 22, 2003 12:23am | #21

            eBay is where I got my (not angled) 16 ga. Impulse II.  it was cheaper than a box store, but what I got, I could have gotten from a local pawn shop for about the same price.

            The angled finish nails are about twice the price of straight--but the angled finish nailer has a depth adjustment that dials in (no tools).

            I've never (so far) needed a hose-less framer, but I have to admit to being tempted a time or two.

            Batteries haven't been a problem for me, it's the fuel.  I either need too little, or more than I have.  (But I haven't trimmed more than one room in a good while, too.)  For installing cedar closet lining, either Paslode is the best choice--but some hearing protection is a good idea.  HOs seem to like not having the compressor waking the baby (or the dog), and not having not-quite-clean-enough pneumatic hoses run through the house seems to be another plus.

  7. Shoeman | Mar 21, 2003 04:29pm | #18

    I've got the Framer, 16 guage angled, and the 18 guage.  Great tools all around.  Really like the angled for getting into tight spots.  Batteries seem to hold up fine.  I would say go for it - you will be glad you did. 

    1. User avater
      Timuhler | Mar 21, 2003 04:35pm | #19

      We've had the Framer for a couple of years.  It is a great tool when it's working.  We had a guy leave it in the rain and it had to be repaired.  It makes pickup work a breeze.  Combine that with the Bosch 24v kit with saw,drill, and recip saw and some framing pickup can be done in no time.

      We've thought about picking up the 18 guage nailer, but don't know whether to get the straight magazine or the angled.  It seems that I read a thread (that rhymes!) and one of them tended to have problems.  I'll search for it.  Which do you guys like better?

      1. flintin | Mar 22, 2003 12:03am | #20

        Hey I have one of the Senco Airfree 25 cordless nailers. I don't know how I ever lived without it. I seem to be able to use it everyday without all the hassles of hauling a compressor and hose around.

        I looked into the Paslode Trimaster and discarded the idea of it because I would always be buying fuel cells. To get the fuel cell that fits you have to buy the Paslode nails.

        With the senco there is no fuel cell to buy and the reliability has been fabulous. There is no comparision

        1. Piffin | Mar 22, 2003 12:30am | #22

          " To get the fuel cell that fits you have to buy the Paslode nails."

          Huh?????????

          I buy the fuel cells and nails separately.

          I can use generic nails.

          I can interchange fuel cells by changing carbeurators.

          Are you saying that there's a retailer that will refuse to sell fuel cells unless you buy the nails from them too?.

          Excellence is its own reward!

          1. flintin | Mar 22, 2003 01:32am | #23

            Obviously you don't own the Paslode Trimaster.

            I spoke to the supplier and they told me that when you buy the nails for that nailer yopu get the fuel cell with it. Supposedly it will last for the entire box of nails.

            Why bother with fuel cells when the Senco nailer will work better with just a battery.

          2. rez | Mar 22, 2003 03:46am | #26

            Man, that's the first I'd heard of that. Glad I got the straight trimmer.

            In my book that's a negative marketing ploy by Paslode.

            I really like my straight trimmer and the framer but that marketing strategy stinks and will eventually backfire on them.

            Strike one.

             

             

          3. flintin | Mar 22, 2003 03:53am | #27

            Thats why I bought the Senco

            You are always buying fuel cells and have a 2 hour charger. I have 2 batteries and a 1 hour charger.

            Senco has a whole line of Airfree nailers

            Too bad you bought Paslode

          4. rez | Mar 22, 2003 04:19am | #28

            Ha, been about three years now tho'. Good machines.

            Sounds like senco finally got a toehold in the airless market.

             

             

          5. flintin | Mar 22, 2003 07:56pm | #31

            I'm just going by what my local home centre was able to find out for me.

            I got the Senco Airfree and have been VERY happy with it. No problems and I have been working it on everything. I know at HD you can buy fuel cells separately but why continually lay out money when you don't need too.

            We don't have a HD in our town just the smaller local homecentres. People in my neck of the woods are blown away by what my Senco Airfree 25 can do!

          6. notagain | Mar 22, 2003 09:11pm | #32

            I've got the Paslode framer and the Paslode straight nail trim gun. Never had a problem buying fuel cells. And hey, if Paslode OFFERS them like that, this is a free market, right? Doesn't mean you have to take them up on it.

            From what I've seen of the Senco, I'm still very happy with my Paslode. Isn't there a delay with the Senco? Almost like you have to wait for it to charge up before you can pull the trigger again.

            I saw the Senco being used on one of those home improvement shows on tv. Literally sounded like a wind up toy to me. Just my opinion.

                                                                                                                    Rod

          7. Paulgern | Mar 22, 2003 09:16pm | #33

            hi flintin, you are the first guy i have heard about who has had good luck with the senco airless. several guys on the forum have tried an returned theirs. our senco supplier here wont even carry them anymore cause every one he had sold got returned. seemed they worked for 2-3 weeks and then started failing. hope yours holds out. i have the paslode( 6 years old and still working perfectly)and was thinking about going to the senco cause of the very thing you mention- no more fuel cells-but reliability is more important. keep us posted as to how the airless holds up?

          8. flintin | Mar 22, 2003 10:01pm | #34

            I'm not sure how old this design is or what previous luck Senco has had with airfree nailers but all I know is what I have experienced. I have had the opportunity to use the Paslode system in the past and wasn't overly impressed.

            The delay some speak of is the same in my opinion.

            I know of one other guy in Ontario that has gone with the Senco Airfree 25 and I'll talk to him and see how he is liking it. I haven't had any problem. I even use it on MDF and that can be hard on nailers.

          9. Piffin | Mar 23, 2003 02:49am | #35

            "I know at HD you can buy fuel cells separately"

            Now you've got me wondering....

            Why did you say that you HAVE TO buy them together if you knew that it wasn't true? .

            Excellence is its own reward!

          10. flintin | Mar 23, 2003 06:03pm | #38

            My comments about them coming with fuel cells and nails were what my supplier provided for me info wise.

            I know you can buy fuel cells separately at HD but are the right size for the new Trimaster?????

          11. andybuildz | Mar 23, 2003 06:05pm | #39

            I  looked through the booklet in my Paslode case but dont see how to care for it. I bought the spray that cleans it and I sprayed the area the nails go in as well as the tip and squirt some oil where the nails go as well but I'm only guessing thats right,,,,,,is it?????

            Be a squirt

                          Namaste

                                      andy"As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is."  http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

          12. rez | Mar 23, 2003 06:17pm | #40

            Andy, didn't they give you a video with the gun?

             

             

          13. andybuildz | Mar 23, 2003 07:06pm | #41

            nope"As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is."  http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

          14. rez | Mar 24, 2003 01:41am | #42

            that's alright.  Been two years and I have yet had need to open it.

            Bet if you contacted them they'd send you one free of charge as good PR.

             

             

            Edited 3/23/2003 6:42:39 PM ET by rez

          15. Piffin | Mar 24, 2003 02:44am | #43

            Andy,

            I'd bet they have a website with the instructions.

            http://www.paslode.com/products/tool_catalog/IM250II.html#cleaning

            yep, they do. Download it from this page.

            All my Paslodes came with instruction manual and cleaning instructions. my last one came with a postcard to fill out to recieve a free cleaning procedure video. It is in their interests to be sure everybody knows how to clean it because that is the main reason for malfunction or misfiring which leads to dis-satisfied customers and bad PR.

            Rez,

            You really ought to clean it. The inside is a cylinder just like an internal combustion engine. Without regular service, here are some things that can go wrong,

            dust and varnish from burnt fuel can build on the cylinder walls, creating hot spots that pit the sleeve, eventually making it hard to clean and possibly loosing compression.

            The O-ring needs oil desparately. The first sign I have that I need cleaning is when it gets stiff depressing the work contact tip, because the O-ring is sliding into place at the same time.

            The fan shaft needs oil, too. I have replaced one fan motor.

            The spark plug fires better when clean.

            Frankly, I am suprised yours is still working after this much time with no spit and polish!

            Cleanliness is next to Godliness,

            be a Holy Nailer!

            ;{o).

            Excellence is its own reward!

          16. rez | Apr 06, 2003 01:14am | #50

            Pif-I don't use the gun everyday. Approximate how many nails would you guess you should shoot between cleanings?

             

             

          17. Piffin | Apr 06, 2003 03:08am | #51

            That's going to depend on some variables like ;

            A - How much finer dust I'm working around - the air cleaner gets fouled with dust and the gun can't breathe good, plus some more dust will get throughg with a dustier environment and a dirty air cleaner.

            B - How cold the working environment is - the butane doesn't fire at all below 28° ande burns less cleanly at 28-40°F so you get more varnish build up at cold temps.

            C - What my work pace is like and when I get a chance to clean it.

            So if I am working the trim gun in a lot a sanding dust and sheet rock dust, I may clean it every saturday. The framer can go for a couple of months working in moderate temps and outside away from fine dust.

            But if I am doing a lot of fast firing like nailing off roofs and sheathing on hot summer days, I want to be sure that I'm oiling it well so it doesn't overheat and can't disperse that heat.

            Be sure to use their oil because the O-rings can suffer from some other oils and other oils will burn off in the cylinder more quickly. Theirs is formualted to cling and last under fire while being compatible with the rubber O-ring

            The brochure I linked you to has a recommended cleaning schedule, I think. It's in my print version anyway.

            .

            Excellence is its own reward!

          18. Piffin | Apr 06, 2003 03:11am | #52

            I guess I didn't answer your Q how many nails.

            I have just run three boxes of framing nails through my framer and am ready to clean it now..

            Excellence is its own reward!

          19. briank | Mar 22, 2003 08:58am | #29

            last time I looked, Home Depot sells both the long and short fuel cells seperately from the nails.  I know that other brands of 16g nails (Hitachi) fit the straight gun, not sure on the angled one.

          20. Shoeman | Mar 22, 2003 05:31pm | #30

            Flintin, seems you might have gotten some bum info. 

            Paslode does offer a package with fuel cells and nails combined for their 18 guage nailer - never seen it for the 16 either straight or angled.  I buy the short (yellow) fuel cells in a four pack from a variety of places.  The short (yellow) cells work in both the angled 16 guage and the straight 18.  Have been using Paslode angled nails in the 16 guage and Porter Cable straits in the 18 guage - work fine. 

            How long you had that Senco Airfree?  I was tempted to buy one while they had the $50 rebate and 2 month trial thing going on - might still be going on, but, when I got to the store and check them out, they where so much bulkier than the Paslodes I have, I decided to pass.  Really like the idea of not having to buy fuel cells though. 

            Keep us posted on how the Airfee works - sure there are many interested.

          21. flintin | Mar 22, 2003 01:34am | #24

            the fuel cells for the trimaster are smaller than regular fuel cells

          22. Piffin | Mar 22, 2003 01:45am | #25

            I see! Sounds like a manufacturers marketing ploy.

            Thanks.

            Excellence is its own reward!

        2. finishcarp | Mar 23, 2003 06:05am | #36

          Just wondering- can you use generic nails in the Senco? And are the brochures right about the number of nails you can drive before the battery needs recharging?

          1. flintin | Mar 23, 2003 06:01pm | #37

            Yes you can use generic nails in the senco nailer.

            I have gone a week on one battery. I haven't the number of nails used but i know i used it all week and didn't have to get the second battery out until friday afternoon.

            It comes with 2 batteries and 1 hour charger.

            Has been working perfectly for me

  8. splinter26 | Apr 06, 2003 12:12am | #44

    I've got 2 black paslode framers w/cases I'd like to trade for an orange trimpulse. I bought a newer model charger and had them rebuilt but just don't use them as much as a trim nailer. They're great if your crawling around in an attic or crawl space. If anyone is interested, let me know. Not sure I want to do the E-bay thing.

    splinter



    Edited 4/5/2003 5:15:00 PM ET by splinter

    1. andybuildz | Apr 06, 2003 12:20am | #45

      splinter

              I did the ebay thing with fantastic results on the Framing nailer and 24 other items I bought. 

      "Understanding yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth"

      Alan Watts

      http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

      1. splinter26 | Apr 06, 2003 12:30am | #46

        If you don't mind me asking, what is the going price for the Black Impulse nailers on E-bay? I'm not sure when they stopped making them and changed to the orange, but a Paslode rep said they had taken some "stuff" out of them to make them lighter and less expensive.

        Thanks for the reply,

        splinter

        Edited 4/5/2003 5:33:22 PM ET by splinter

        1. andybuildz | Apr 06, 2003 12:37am | #47

          splinter

                 Sorry, but I bought the orange cordless Framing nailer so I don't remember the price of blacky although I do recall seeing many of them there so go check it out.Paslode Impulse Finish Nailer I know this is the finish nailer but if you go there..hit BROWSE then where it say SEARCH type in Paslode framing nailer and GO

          Be black

                   Namaste

                              andy

           

          "Understanding yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth"

          Alan Watts

          http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

          Edited 4/5/2003 5:43:38 PM ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)

          1. splinter26 | Apr 06, 2003 01:00am | #48

            Andy,

            Thanks for the info. I'll have to visit there more often. Lots of neat toys!

            splinter

          2. Piffin | Apr 06, 2003 01:03am | #49

            so, did you get it cleaned?.

            Excellence is its own reward!

          3. andybuildz | Apr 06, 2003 02:41pm | #53

            Piff

                 Thanks for that download. I E-mailed the company as well and they sent me directions that seemed easier to print along with nice pictures to go by.

            Yeh, I cleaned it. What a pain in the arse though, although I imagine after I do it a few times it'll become that much easier.

            I'd love to use it to wood shingle my entire roof so I better keep it clean daily.

            Debating on hand nailing or trying the Paslode with either SS nails or galvies. SS are a bit expensive...veryyyyyy expensive.

            I've never seen galvie ribbed box nails fail or bleed especially when covered withthe next course of shingles with a 5" exposure using 24" Royals. Thats a pretty hefty shingle. I just did a small reroof on The Henry LLyod House Museum last week....circa: 1711 (I'll post pics next week).

             By the way..I spent a lot of time examining the attic there where the beams are pegged to each other with no ridge beam. No swag on that house......lol

            BE well

                   Namaste

                                andy

             

            "Understanding yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth"

            Alan Watts

            http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

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