Propane Paslode Framing Nailer Wisdom?
BilljustBill
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
As I’ve looked through the Propane powered Paslode nailer, it discusses maintenance showing take-down and cleanup procedures.
Have you used one of these “cordless” nailers? Any helpful hints or tips on usage or maintenance, should I choose to get one of these?
Thanks,
Bill
Replies
Have a framer and a finisher... love them. I certainly don't maintain them scrupulously but when they need overhauling I do it. Not a big deal and for smaller jobs, or where you can't drag a compressor they're golden.
PaulB
I own a framing nailer and it was the best investment I have ever made. Maintenance is not hard with the step by step pictures they show. It takes a good amount of the cleaner to clean your gun. Depending on how often you use it, depends on when you should clean it. We frame a lot of houses and the fans get full of saw dust. You would be surprised at what they look like after you haven't cleaned them for a few thousand nails. Just take care of them.
I used mine for 3 years before finally cleaning it. A Paslode rep was at our lumberyard doing cleaning and repair demos. He said the biggest thing is don't be cheap with the spray cleaner, his rule of thumb was one can per gun. It's relatively easy and takes less than an hour.
My framer & straight finish nailer are about 6-7 years old and are going strong.
-Norm
Sounds like all of us need to be cleaning them more often!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
The fuel is actually Butane.
I have had two and like them, except for the flaws built into the original black one...
It depends how you work and if you already have a compressor. They are best at smaller, remo, and back-up framing, not full production. doing away with the hose is nice, but they don't pack quite the puch for say, pressure treated lumber or LVLs. Nor are they as fast as pnuematic.
Cleaning is important but not hard.
The other drawback is that it does not work below 20°F and works poorly because of bad combustion power at slightly higher temps. Also, they say to keep it out of the rain, but I use it in slight drizzles. Basicly, if it is so cold or wet that the gun won't work, I don't care to be out framing anyway.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Have had one for 4 or 5 years. Probably shot 200,000 nails, great for my diy projects.
A couple jams. Stopped working once and I had to clean it...once.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Todd
I haven't had a problem with PT myself, but have replaced O-rings on a couple and seen plenty of (rare) quirks. I still love it though. Think about all the money you spend on gas over the years! The new tool-free depth adjustment and belt hook that swings into a rafter hook (and rubber grip) all look awesome. I called Paslode about a retrofit and they said the hook should be no problem, the depth adjustment they weren't conclusive with - not available as a kit, several parts, and he was thinking something might have to be machined, maybe not. i was going to call my local shop but still haven't. anyone done the retro fit yet?
I'd be happy with just the hook, managed to lose it the one time I cleaned the gun. The no tool adjustment would sure be nice, though.Todd
my only complaint is the batteries. The clip that locks them in doesn't for the most part. I have taken to using a small metal framing screw to hold them in on both my framer and angled finish.
And mine is the opposite where the battery fits so tight.
For a while I had to use a nail or screwdriver to push in the tab to release the battery till it finally loosened enough to where I can press in with the thumb pressure to free it.
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.
Parolee # 53804
We had the 18 angled finish at the company I used to work for. I was working on the seventh floor of an apt. building (very old Building) Holding up casing by window, set the gun on the sill, bumped gun out window. We were so far up I had time to look out window and yell nooooooo! as it was falling. Landed on plastic municipal dumpster lid and the force pushed the lid in. No explosions, the nail slide was just a little off kilter, battery and gas ejected themselves. Also missed the bum that was digging through said garbage container 5 minutes prior. You should have seen the look on the faces of the Paslode reps, at the next trade show I was at.
I looked through the instructions about storing for extended periods and didn't see anything. I removed the battery, but what about the fuel cartridge? Can I leave it in?
If it wasn’t for the Bank Payments,
Interest, Taxes, Wages, and Fuel Costs,
I wouldn’t have to charge you!!
Many leave it always engaged but I always disengage the gas canister from the pin housing and turn it sideways resting in the gun when being put away overnight.
Reason being is then the cylinder can return to it's more resting state without having the gas pressure on the sealing gasket of the gun.
Might not mean a nevermind either way as long as the battery is disconnected to save the output from the blinking green but thrn again some leave the battery connected also.
Would depend on how constant the use of the gun is.
Edited 7/30/2007 10:45 pm ET by rez
The gas cartridges won't loose pressure when taken out of the gun?
If it wasn’t for the Bank Payments,
Interest, Taxes, Wages, and Fuel Costs,
I wouldn’t have to charge you!!
ya, I figure something the equilvilant of a single shot at removal.
Unless you're speaking of a activated canister after being removed from the gun losing pressure which I doubt.
Edited 7/30/2007 11:11 pm ET by rez
There is absolutely no beneficial reason to remove the fuel cell from the gun. The cell does not have any type of pressure on it except when the nose has been depressed and the gun is about to fire. Any pressure on the sealing gasket (or O-ring as I like to call it) is released when the gun is fired. You are not taking any pressure off the gun by removing the cell. If you were you would hear the pressure escaping when the cell was removed. TO THE OP.....Gas guns are great if you baby them. Do no oil them like an air nailer. The gas contains oil and the guns (paslode) are literally self-oiling. Now there is a need for oiling after cleaning and the instructions will tell you specifically where. I have 2 framers, one 16ga. and one 18ga. Love em all and hate compressors.
ya, I can get a bit compulsive when it comes to my Impulses. snorK*
But your term 'absolutely no beneficial reason' is a pretty strong use if the owner's manual says to disengage for whatever reason. Maybe it is some sort of safety concern and they are protecting themselves from a liability
But now, looking back it seems the inlet pin of the gun's fuel system does just rest in the fuel canister's plastic carb mechanism until the gun's nose is depressed which moves the pin into the carb releasing the fuel,
so removing the fuel cartridge should have little in any impact on the cartridge itself, I would think.
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.
Ok..... say if the fuel cell was to explode, and it was left inside your gun, it could blow your gun up. But if you take it out, then I guess there is less of a chance that your gun could blow up. So I guess there is at least one beneficial reason. I'm betting (hoping) mine won't blow up though.
Edited 8/1/2007 10:01 pm ET by Brady T.
ya, you know how it is.
I saw a disclaimer on a box of screws once that said not to put them in your mouth as they have sharp points and could injure you.
be no lie, read in with my own four eyes
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.
I have an old box of carpet tacks that says they are sterilized! One less thing to worry about if you should accidently swallow one.
I think the instructions said to take it out every time. I did that for about the first year. Now I leave them in and don't really notice any difference.
I leave it in.You would have to take the carbuerator off to prevent it from leaking out if there is a problem anyways.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
That is what I figured as well. As I say, now I always leave the fuel in the gun as well.
Just reporting that I did get the new belt/rafter hook part for about 20 bucks and switched out the old belt hook, no problem. Haven't tackled the tool free depth adjustment yet.
I take the battery out after each days end but I never take the cartridge out. I dont know if thats right but its the way I do it!
Doug