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Bostitch Nailer Incident – N88RH

TammyinColorado | Posted in Tools for Home Building on July 18, 2006 01:52am

We purchased this nailer new in mid-2004 (went with this nailer primarily based on FH reviews of nailers in a past issue) and had minimal use until the past month (probably had 4 hours use total before this month).  We’re framing a house and earlier this week when the airhose was attached, the nailer emptied it’s nailer magazine/clip without any trigger activity and the head was not depressed (safety mechanism was not disengaged by pressing the head to a surface).  Replaced the trigger valve which seemed to solve the problem.  However, one day later, the exact same thing happened.  Plugged in the airhose, and the nailer self-fired the entire clip.

Did a complete check of the nailer to ensure there was no obstructions, bindings, or bends.  There was no incident (i.e., drop) prior to this happening.

What should we do to:

1) Report this very dangerous problem

2) Get the nailer replaced with new (we will not use this again, even if repaired – too dangerous).

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Steve Flanagan/Tammy Dudley

Aurora, Colorado

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Jul 18, 2006 01:56am | #1

    Wasn't this posted before? Or is Dejavu happening again.?

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    " I am not an Activist, I am, a Catalyst. I lay around and do nothing, until another ingredient is added"

    1. User avater
      dieselpig | Jul 18, 2006 03:31am | #2

      Yep.... two days ago she posted the same message but apparently didn't like the responses the first time around.  <shrug>  I dunno.

      http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=76100.1View Image

    2. User avater
      dieselpig | Jul 18, 2006 03:32am | #3

      LOL.... now I remember.... maybe she was pizzed at you guys hijacking it into a 'boogerin your car back together' thread.   :)View Image

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Jul 18, 2006 03:39am | #4

        And it is posted AGAIN today in Feedback i think too. She just never responds...oh well, I still say it is demonic possession.

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        " I am not an Activist, I am, a Catalyst. I lay around and do nothing, until another ingredient is added"

        1. MikeSmith | Jul 18, 2006 03:40am | #5

          i think the moderator moved itMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          1. User avater
            Sphere | Jul 18, 2006 03:45am | #6

            Nope..it is in Editors corner folder.

             

            edit: I saw a 3rd one somewhere here. I think one got the axe.

            Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            " I am not an Activist, I am, a Catalyst. I lay around and do nothing, until another ingredient is added"

            Edited 7/17/2006 8:47 pm ET by Sphere

          2. rez | Jul 18, 2006 03:47am | #7

            Well,regardless of anything, if it was you what would you do?

            Me I'd just take it back and exchange it for a new one and if hassled make them aware that if they don't they are going to be wishing that they had.

            be don't be had by bad

          3. User avater
            IMERC | Jul 18, 2006 04:03am | #8

            exchange it for a Hitatchie...

            why should she take chances....

            that's yur job...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

          4. rez | Jul 18, 2006 04:09am | #9

            Wait, that's the coil roofing nailer isn't it?

            I never had any trouble with mine outside of an occasional double hit.

            I wonder if she used Bostich nails?

            be nailed

          5. User avater
            IMERC | Jul 18, 2006 04:20am | #10

            she says.... "We're framing a house and earlier this week"

            and you think she's doing it with a roofing nailer?????

            she declared it to be an 88.......

            An inspector will be by shortly to check YOUR work...

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

            Edited 7/17/2006 9:21 pm by IMERC

          6. rez | Jul 18, 2006 07:53pm | #13

            That's ok, I got the neighbor's dog trained pretty well and ready to bite Mooney's azz as soon as he starts creepin' around.

            be da debil made me do it!

          7. User avater
            IMERC | Jul 18, 2006 08:10pm | #14

            get that nailer of her's...

            might be more fun....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

          8. rez | Jul 18, 2006 08:17pm | #15

            yeah, like a reality show acade game.
            Shoot the P.I.A.P.I.B.I.That'd be worth a couple rolls of quarters to see.

            be a carnival hawker standing with a top hat and cane pointing at the sign shouting "SEND 'EM TO THE MOON!"

          9. TammyinColorado | Jul 20, 2006 03:18am | #17

            BTW - it's not the coil nailer, it's the 88 round head.  No worries there!

          10. JohnT8 | Jul 26, 2006 05:25pm | #21

            I would certainly follow up on the Bostitch and keep after the company until they repair it. 

            If you ask the mob around here what framing nailer they like, you will get a variety of answers, but the by far leading contender is usually the Hitachi coil framer. jt8

            "A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love."  -- Saint Basil

          11. TammyinColorado | Aug 02, 2006 04:49am | #22

            Here's the diagnosis:

            It was indeed an o-ring.  Apparently there were some of these made with an o-ring that shrinks over time.  Bostitch/Stanley overnighted the repair.  Worked with it four days straight and no recurring attacks.

            Thanks to all for the posts (and advice on nailers),

            Tammy

    3. TammyinColorado | Jul 20, 2006 03:16am | #16

      True, true - different forum - I didn't think all folks would see all messages!  Sorry for the duplicate(s).

      These were plain ol' 16d nails spitting out... Porter Cable brand.  We actually did have a problem with double-feeds with some cheaper nails when we framed the garage, but nothing like this.  It's freaky, I say!  And pretty disconcerting.  What's scary is that the day prior to this first happening we were hoisting single and double TJs (for a 12/12 vaulted roof) so we had about 6 people on site (we're doing it ourselves, so that's a large workforce for us!) and both nailers going - I hate to think what could have happened in such close quarters.

      I've had no reply from Bostich - will call again soon, so thanks to the person who voiced their experience and result (Bostitch repaired it in their case).

      My primary concern was reporting it to see if others are having the problem - from a life/limb safety perspective.  I wasn't sure how to go about reporting it in case there's a need to recall.  And since FH rated these nailers a couple of years ago, I thought I'd direct the question there (I wrongfully assumed Editor's Corner meant there'd be a FH rep to help, hence the numerous posts - rapid fire effect, I guess, much like the issue at hand).

      So, a new nailer is on the horizon, one way or another.  I don't think we could ever use this one again with confidence.  Too spooked.

      Tammy

       

      Edited 7/19/2006 8:19 pm ET by TammyinColorado

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Jul 20, 2006 03:33am | #18

        Gotcha..call a priest. LOL

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        " I am not an Activist, I am, a Catalyst. I lay around and do nothing, until another ingredient is added"

      2. User avater
        zachariah | Jul 20, 2006 03:42am | #19

        It's a bostich!! If you want a real framing nailer get a hitachi coil nailer, less reloading, never had one self fire.Mine have been going strong daily for 6 years with no down time!!

      3. rfarnham | Jul 26, 2006 08:32am | #20

        I bought mine around the same time as you and have only had the occasional double fire (single fire trigger installed). Thanks for posting the issue. I'll keep it in mind.-Rich

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Jul 18, 2006 05:17am | #11

    I have the same nailer that had a similar - though different - problem.  On mine the gun would auto fire when hooked to air, but only one nail.  I called Bostitch, and although it was 2-3 years old (I bought it in 2003) they repaired it for free.

    Call them and get it repaired.  You have a machine gun and this isn't Bagdad, so it needs to be fixed before you unload the magazine into somebody.

     

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

  3. User avater
    McDesign | Jul 18, 2006 12:31pm | #12

    I think you must have the full-auto bolt installed.  That's illegal, you know.

    Darn gun control nuts

    Forrest

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