STRAP NAILERS – what works?
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We need to get us a positive placement nailer for all those straps and hangers. More added after every quake. All those holes…
I read the FHB archive articles on the topic for Due Diligence. Now, what do the people who own them and run them think?
The ToolBear
“Never met a man who couldn’t teach me something.” Anon.
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Replies
I can suggest the Paslode PP nailer.
I bought one and was amazed at how much faster hangers and straps could be done. I made money off my guys using it instead of them handbanging the nails.
I figured after three houses I broke even with the $280 gun cost, then at least 15 houses later it is still making money.
Nails are pricey. Much more than a box of hanger nails, so make keeping them dry a priority.
I have mine for 3 years and haven't had to send it in for a repair yet. Probably will next time I use it now.
Woods favorite carpenter
I can suggest the Paslode PP nailer. @@@My Paslode gas framer is now going on 13 years with the occasional cleanout, so I have Happy Camper feelings towards them. Would love the gas trim gun. Some day.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I can only suggest that one because thats the only one I have used.
I'm sure Hitachi and Bostitch both make good guns as well. I bought the Paslode on a tool special from a rep.
It shoots 2-1/2" -1-1/2" lengths. Fairly light weight, same size as their Power master framing gun.
Its great for more than straps and hangers, if you use the plastic ridge vent for roofing it makes quick work of that too. I use 2-1/2" nails for ridge vent.
I'm not sure if the nails are different for each of the manufacturers, check on that and availability of nails close to home.
Woods favorite carpenter
I can only suggest that one because thats the only one I have used. @@@It appears that the users are happy with what they have. No one yet has entered a Dis. That means choices. <g>The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Bought the Hitachi strap nailer this fall. Great gun and has capacity for 2 1/2 nails. It almost makes hurricane ties fun to do-almost.
It almost makes hurricane ties fun to do-almost.@@@Happiness is being in a garage nailing up shear panels with two palm nailers. There was a sudden interest in hearing protection. I had my muffs on.This was a Habbie job and we have been telling them - Work smart. You say you have $3,000 in metal in this house. Get a PP nailer and get 'er done. Don't hand nail every blood hole.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have 2 of the bostich guns that have the changeable nose to make them into hanger nailers. They are larger than some PP nailers but they work very well as framers as well as hanger nailers.
I bought the bostitch "strapshot" works well and is compact. nails are,as previously mentioned more costly but it is a no brainer compared to the time savings. My only wishes would be more nail capacity ( but that would make it less compact) and also I believe the max nail length is 1.25 "
You'll never want to hand nail again!
I like the Hitachi, no problems and shoots two sizes of nails. Put in over 8000 last job. Strapping over plywood requires the 2 1/2 inch nails.John
Edited 1/27/2008 8:03 pm ET by JohnCujie
I use the Hitachi NR65AK. I have four, one with the short magazine. Good guns with lots of power. They will shoot both the 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 nails. Recently, after some discussion on this forum, I bought a Bostitch MCN 150, AKA Strapshot. Very light and very compact. Good for those real tight spots. This model only shoots the 1-1/2 nails. Bostitch also markets a MCN 250 which shoots both sizes of nails. My Hitachis have many many miles on them and are very reliable. I have only shot one box of nails through the Bostitch, but so far so good. Both are worth a look.
I have a strapshot as well as two of the bostich nailers with the interchangeable nosepiece. All work great. Would get another strapshot in a heartbeat. Only problem I had was breaking the plastic trigger in the strapshot.
Scott
There may or may not be a review of them soon . . . .
After using them, if you need a gun that shoots both 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" nails, then you'll be happey with either the Hitachi or the Bostitch. The Hitachi seems to pack more punch at the same air pressure than the Bostitch, but the Bostitch has a hook that in my mind contributes to the gun lasting longer. Because it won't fall and hit the ground as often.
You may or may not be the author?....
but the Bostitch has a hook that in my mind contributes to the gun lasting longer. Because it won't fall and hit the ground as often.@@@Be nice if more of them came with hooks. Had to put one on the new Milwaukee roofing nailer (which is working out just fine). Can now hang it on the positioning rings on my harness.@@@ FWIW...Have been re-reading some of your articles in JLC (have about 2 yrs of FHB, JLC in the living room for reading over). You seem to have transitioned through the bags. If I can read the current photos, you're now using Oxy Stronghold framers and the Stil. TiBone hammer. Am I close?The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I've used Diamondbacks for about 6 or 7 years. I bought a new pair and started using them last spring I think. For some reason last summer I just got irriated with them. They felt like they were too long and big.
So I switched back to my old pair and that worked ok, but they were pretty much the same size. Then I decided to try the newer Occidentals and bought these http://bestbelt.com/product/toolbelts/9515-toolbelt.html
I didn't like them at first, but now I'm used to them. There isn't as much room for tools, but that is good and bad. Good because I don't need to carry much, bad because I feel like my calculator is scrunched a bit.
I'm pretty happy with them overall now that they've broken in a bit. The picture on this months JLC is those bags about 2 months old.
There isn't as much room for tools, but that is good and bad. @@@I guessed right. Have a pair of them. If I could modify their bag design, I'd put three stiff webbing loops on the inside of the "outside" so my dikes, needle nose pliers and one other tool could have their own position - not in a heap on the bottom of the bag. I've shifted most of the fun toys to the framer bucket to keep the weight down and that is usually close at hand. Other than that, they work fine. I use their leather and cordura suspenders and they are excellent. I've set up suspender loops on all my bags and just transfer the suspenders.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
if you really only want to use this gun for straps and hangers, don't get the bostich MCN that is also a framing gun by switching tips.
It's a really big gun.
I have it and it works well for me cuz I don't have to do as many you will.
I also use a palm nailer for hangers and straps. Did today as a matter of fact.
For doing both jobs, I've been happy with my bostitch f21pl so far. It's big for the straps, but it's a good framing gun, and it switches over to strap placement in a couple seconds. Only a few boxes of nails through it so far.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
Yours still have the sequential trigger in it? Mine came that way and I wonder if bounce firing is all that...
Do some guys use seq. triggers anyway for safety?
Mine has the "smart trigger" in it now. It works fine for bump firing and sequential firing for metal straps. Please don't sue me if you try to bump fire for hardware nailing. I probably won't ever use the sequential trigger again- the thing I like about this gun is the ability to go from bump firing shear nails to nailing off metal straps in just a couple seconds.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
"smart trigger?"
Is there another besides sequential or bump?
yeah, the new bostitch guns have a smart trigger (that's what they call them), rather than a bump trigger. If you pull the trigger, then depress the nose, you can bump nail. If you depress the nose, then pull the trigger, you have to release the trigger before it will fire again. So you won't accidentally double nail. Works well, actually. I suppose it's a bit more of a hassle than the switch between bump/sequential that some guns have, but it's great once you're used to it.zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
Smart.
I'd prefer that actually.
bear, I just hung it up a month ago. I got tons and tons of tools sitting here and me trying to decide what the heck to do with it all. One of them is a Paslode strap gun, and not very used. I'd part with it pretty easy, and shipping isnt a big deal. Make me an offer if you like. Or email me.
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
Still got the gun? I just bought the Bostitch mcn150 (have not received it) and after looking at the Simpson load charts I do not see any 2x8 hanger that calls out 10d 1 1/2 nail into header. May have been a mistake.
To all: For those using the 150 strapshot or any other gun using the 1 1/2" nails (or hand drive for that matter) the Simpson charts does not show using these in hanger to header, seems like there is a load reduction factor but did not go back and research it.
Do not really see why as generally in shear, can't see what the extra inch would give you except attachment through to next member. I was looking to maintain the 100#/sqft with my joists. Not a problem on this job as the bearing is on beams but if you were coming off a ledger to a beam then you might be surprised.
Edited 2/12/2008 1:18 pm ET by rasconc
Bump
Here is the conversion for simpson if anybody is interested.
http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/nails.asp#loadadj
This is one reason I do not care for the double shear nail versions.
Another vote for the Bostitch Strapshot. On my third box of nails now. The first one I had seized the driver in its first hour of operation (blown O-ring in the main cylinder), but the supplier had me out the door with a new replacement the same day, and this one has given no problems.
I was a bit concerned about the 1.5" max length, but in the time I've owned it I've only needed longer nails once, for a dozen or so angled rafter hangers. Those were driven with a palm nailer. The compact size more than compensates for the limit to 1.5", for my work anyway.
As someone else noted, no one seems to be unhappy with their choice, so perhaps the best move for you is to go with the brand that is best supported in your area. Warranty support and service are important, as is good range and availability of fasteners. Where I live, that seems to be Bostitch. That was the main reason I chose the Strapshot and things have gone well.
Another vote for the Bostitch Strapshot. On my third box of nails now.@@@How hard are nails to find? I notice that HD has them for the Paslode, not Bostitch. Amazon carries them.What do you hear about the Bostitch model with normal and MC noses?The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
My supplier (Home Hardware) carries generic nails that are labelled 'for Hitachi model xxxx' but they work fine and cost less; both are galvanized. I don't deal with HD so I can't comment there.
The strapshot looks a lot smaller than the interchangeable nose gun but I haven't had any experience with it. Lignum est bonum.
My supplier (Home Hardware) carries generic nails that are labelled 'for Hitachi model xxxx' but they work fine and cost less; both are galvanized. I don't deal with HD so I can't comment there.@@@Only ones I can find at HD and Lowes are for the Paslode - paper collation. Will have to try White Cap next time I get by there.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
So HD sells the Bostitch gun but not the nails for it????
The "Hitachi" nails I'm using are paper collated but there is some kind of fibre mesh in there as well - tough as hell compared to the fall-apart paper nails I've seen in the past.
Lignum est bonum.
Edited 2/8/2008 11:22 pm by slykarma
So HD sells the Bostitch gun but not the nails for it????@@@@It would appear so. I see the 21 model on the rack, but no ammo for it.Of course, nailing metal connectors is not a big niche. They have plenty of standard strip nails which the gun will shoot.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Our local Lowes has the nails but not the gun, they are the flagship "smaller" store. They are not very cheap though.
Our local Lowes has the nails but not the gun, they are the flagship "smaller" store. They are not very cheap though.@@@Perhaps Amazon has the best price.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Amazon was 22/26/31 for the non gal/.131/.148. Have not been back to Lowes to see which they had, but it was 33 IIRC. I have amazon prime and free end day ship, it would be free ship anyway if they still do the 25+ free. The tax would probably be the deal breaker. So Amazon would win, still have about 150 in Amazon credits.
Thanks
Second reply rather than edit so others could see. Fastenerusa has a selection. If you want to spend the big bucks stainless for $280/1500 nails. (no decimal in that $280). Their 3000 hot dips for $69 looks like the cheapest so far.
http://www.fastenerusa.com/products_c75885.html
Bump, I noticed that the Paslode is 30 deg, the Bostitch are 35 deg, Hitachi 36 deg. Does anyone have any experience with using the Paslode and Hitachi in Bostitch Strapshot? Bostitch advertises that theirs will work in all three.
Bump, I noticed that the Paslode is 30 deg, the Bostitch are 35 deg, Hitachi 36 deg. Does anyone have any experience with using the Paslode and Hitachi in Bostitch Strapshot? Bostitch advertises that theirs will work in all three.@@@@I looked it up. The F21PL gun wants a 23 dg plastic collated full round head nail in lengths of 1.5 or 2.5" in diameters .131, .148, .162.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Second reply rather than edit so others could see. Fastenerusa has a selection. If you want to spend the big bucks stainless for $280/1500 nails. (no decimal in that $280). Their 3000 hot dips for $69 looks like the cheapest so far.@@@@Thanks for the URL. I'd love the stainless, but Habitat might not. <g>
Got to get them to get a gun first. With the single shot trigger for MCN, it might be just the thing as it will do double duty. Anything that bump fires should be kept out of the hands of Saturday volunteers. A single shot gun that lets them place the nose on target then break the shot - and only one shot - would do well.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have the Bostitch framer with the special nose attachment that allows you to shoot precisely into strap and hanger holes. Every now and again it is too large to use in a particular location, so I switch to a palm nailer. But even a dedicated strap nailer is going to be too large for a particular location at times, and you will have to break out the palm nailer anyway. I would rather not carry a framing nailer, a palm nailer, AND a dedicated strap nailer to every job (not to mention the added expense)so I am happy with this setup. I carry the special nose (1 ounce) in my tool belt. It takes less than ten seconds to switch noses so I can go back and forth between framing and strap nailing as necessary without changing a hose or coming down off of a ladder. The nails are relatively expensive, but they have a high-tech coating on them and have the feel of a quality product (if you can say that about mere nails). Good luck.
I was looking at the Bostitch nails and noticed they have three versions, one does not appear to be double dipped, one says galvanized and is .131, then a thicker .148 gal.
Did not see anything on Boss. site saying acq approved but did see it on the box at Lowes. Would expect that the cheaper one is for inside non PT use only.
My situation was similar but I have the older coil framer and a couple of the Paslode impusle framers. Was looking at Paslode and Hitachi strap. Some good looking buys on ebay. The strapshot was new, the others I saw were used to various degrees.
Edited 2/10/2008 9:37 am ET by rasconc
I have the Bostitch framer with the special nose attachment that allows you to shoot precisely into strap and hanger holes.@@@Hope I can persuade HFHOC to get one. The palm nailers were running loud at this project yesterday. I carry mine in my framing bucket. I bring such joy to the folks trying to bang in nails with 15-20 whacks when I hand them the nailer. The ladies love it. I have them set a line of nails, then run down it with the palm nailer.These walls were prefabbed in March 07, stored in containers for months, then used. I don't think anyone is sinking nails in two whacks. This stuff is rather dry at this point.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.