Last fall, Paslode introduced the CR175C gaspowered roofing nailer. Not aiming to be a production tool, this nailer is better suited for small jobs (installing drip edge or ridge vents; capping ridges and hips; or making repairs) where an air hose either reduces your mobility and gets in the way, or takes too long to set up.

Feature: This nailer has an old-school hexscrew depth-of-drive adjustment, which I thought I’d be constantly fussing with as on regular roofing nailers. I was surprised to find that once set for the shingles and roof underlayment, this tool fires pretty consistently. The nailer shoots 1-1⁄4-in. to 1-3⁄4-in. nails and drives 900 to 1200 nails per fuel canister. A fully charged battery lasts about two fuel canisters. For reference, it takes about 320 nails to lay one square of shingles when using four nails per shingle and 480 nails if using six nails per shingle.

Flaw: Competing with pneumatic models that are in the neighborhood of 5 lb., this 7-1⁄2-lb. model is heavy. On the plus side, there’s no hose to contend with. Also, as with other gas-powered nailers, performance diminishes as the temperature drops. Above 50°F, the tool fires fine. Between 50°F and 35°F, expect some misfires. Below freezing, leave the tool at home; it’s not worth the trouble. Paslode sells nail and fuel-canister combo-packs with one fuel cell and 720 nails (six coils) for about $13. Compared to standard name-brand roofing nails that sell for $35 per box of 7200, you’re looking at four times the price for the fuel and fasteners to keep the Paslode up and running.

Bottom line: This nailer is not one of those tools that screams “gotta have it,” but over the past nine months, I’ve found it to be handy. If you keep its drawbacks in mind, especially that it’s not a production tool (it fires only two nails per second and doesn’t allow bump-firing), it’s still useful in prepping and wrapping up full roof jobs.

The CR175C sells for anywhere between $400 and $600. For comparative shopping, Paslode’s sister brand DuoFast offers an identical tool (DFCR175C). For additional photos and feedback on this tool, visit FineHomebuilding.com/toolhound.