I really don’t like to do roofs, but can’t seem to avoid them. After finishing a 10X35 porch roof last week, I swore on my aching back that I would get a nailer before accepting another roofing job. I didn’t expect that to happen too soon. Now I have accepted another job because the HO wants me to do the roofing and the foundation as well as the framing for the addition I have designed. I don’t like to do foundations either. At least I will start off with a level, plumb and square foundation. I would appreciate any recommendations or advice on roofing nailers. I used a Bostitch nailer about two years ago and liked it, but hate their framing nailers and the fact that you have to use their nails. I do not plan to go into roofing on a large scale.
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Les Barrett Quality Construction
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Replies
I've got a Bostich roofer and love it. No frills workhorse. Tough as all get out. I don't think you can buy a coil of roofing nails that won't fit in this gun. Good bang for the buck especially if you're not going to be roofing everyday. If I was roofing everyday I'd go for the Hitachi or maybe give the MAX a whirl.
I have an older Bostitch and a new PC. Bostitch drives the nail every time unlike the PC. The availability of Bostitch nails is greater than any other brand around here.
Thanks for the input. It looks like we are heading in one direction. I was looking at the PC too and found it to be $239 as opposed to $279 for the Bostich.Les Barrett Quality Construction
The Bostich is definitly worth the extra $. I have 2 Bostich and one PC, the low guy on the totem pole always gets the PC.
I have used many generic brands of nails in the Bostich, and have never found any that don't work.
Hitachi enough said.
Gotta vote Hitachi NV45AB
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
I SOMETIMES FIND MYSELF IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, GETTING ROPED INTO A ROOFING JOB HERE AND THERE. FIVE YEARS AGO OR SO I PURCHASED A
PASLODE COIL NAILER AND HAVE NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT IT. IT SHOOTS ANY COIL I'VE EVER LOADED INTO IT AND MAY SIT IDLE IN THE SHOP FOR 6-8 MONTHS, A FEW DROPS OF OIL AND IT POPS TO LIFE WITH NARY A HITCH.
Max, enough said!
You don't have to sell me on Max! I have a roundhead stick framing nailer, a coil siding nailer, and an joist hanger coil nailer. They are my first choice in their category, although the Hitachi joist hanger strip nailer is a close second. I just have not heard much about their roofing nailers. I have decided to cut the PC and consider the Max, Hitachi, and Bostitch. I have heard roofers swear by the Bostitch, and have seen them fondly using guns that looked VERY old. I have found the Hitachi siding nailer to be very close to the Max in quality, so I am naturally interested in a Hitachi roofing nailer. Actually, I have had a Hitachi plastic and metal cap nailer on my wish list at Amazon for a very long time. The Paslode is a dark horse. I did not know they made a roofing nailer and would be interested to hear more experiences. I have heard negative things about some of their products regarding durability, but have not formed my own opinion. To be fair, I have seen some negative reviews about some of the other nailers, but it is not my purpose to go there. I will buy something within three weeks, although my instinct is to go out and buy a new tool tomorrow. That may explain why I own three air compressors, even after giving one to DAV.Les Barrett Quality Construction
Les
I don't do any roofing anymore(keeping my fingers crossed) and the only reason that I bought a Max is because the guy at the tool store gave it to me for the same amount that I could have bought the Bostich, give or take a few bucks.
I had always heard good things about the Max so I thought what the hell.
If I was going to go out and buy another roofer, which isn't likely, than I would probably go for the Bostich. I would definitely avoid the PC, unless of course you only need it for a dog house or two.
Doug
Thanks Doug,
The one drawback with Max products seems to be their price. Their joist hanger nailer was very expensive, although worth every penny. The only problem is that the nail coils must be handled carefully until they are safely in the nailer (they are also expensive). Also, I am manually nailing the ACQ lumber with HDG nails until they come up with some in a coil. I am still leaning heavily toward the Bostitch for roofing. I would be interested to hear more about the Hitachi. I just haven't ever seen one in use, although almost all the siding nailers around here are Hitachi, along with a few Max's.Les Barrett Quality Construction
Les
If you dont do too much roofing than buy the Bostitch off of Ebay.
Theres dozens of them there.
BE well
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Les,
As Andy stated, check out ebay for the bostitch or hitachi roofer there. You can sometimes find some pretty good deals. I picked up my hitachi roofer there for around $80 if I remember right, and have had no problems with it. Ironically, it gets used the least for roofing ( more for hardi board and on windows with flanges).
Good luck
I will go there soon, hopefully today. Would still be interested in hearing what is good or better about a Hitachi vs the Bostitch. I saw both items at HD yesterday and compared. The loading mechanism for the Bostitch looked like it might be easier to use. It weighed in at 4.8 lbs vs 5.5 for the Hitachi. The spacing adjustment on the bottom of the Bostitch was toolless, while the Hitachi requires an allen wrench. In many other respects, they seem to be equal. I know the Bostitch can take a beating, but Hitachi siding nailers I have used don't do bad in that area either. The Bostitch was $279, and the Hitachi was $309.Les Barrett Quality Construction
I recently purchased a Bostitch. $150 on e-bay from a dist in Fla. The were all reconditioned at the/ a factory. Looks brand new. Was never fired. The guy had quite a few. Don't know if that is still true due to Charlie. The storm might have made the nailers a pretty popular tool. Check it out.
F.
Les: The Bostitch RN45 is a discontinued model, it was replaces by the RN46, which is lighter and as you said easier to load nails.Good luck
Les,
Sent you an e-mail but here's one on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42243&item=4318878256&rd=1
Thanks for the link. And thanks to everyone for the advice. I will be going web-shopping.Les Barrett Quality Construction
we have 2 bostich & one hitachi...
the new Bostich N46 is the gun of choice nowMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Thanks Mike, I think some greater force is telling me to go with Bostitch, and I will do that.Les Barrett Quality Construction
I have had my Hitachi for almost 9 years and it has smashed off concrete, been banged around and dropped numerous times ( not deliberately of course). I have serviced the gun with springs twice and replaced the broken plastic nail holder once for a whopping grand total of $15 in those nine years. I actually just bought another one but I let the other guys use the new one.