Brian,
I know you have the cordless Hitachi framing nailer. I want to know your opinion. The review in FHB a few months back was questionable. My lumberyard salesman is selling them for around $180. It’s a promo through Hitachi. It would be for occasional use and i do have a compressor and framing gun, but I do a lot of small jobs and punch list stuff.
I would greatly appreciate your feedback as well as anyone else. Have a great weekend.
Discover a concrete-free foundation option that doesn't require any digging.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
A buck 80? Holy ####, that's a good price!
I have the clipped head one. I like it. Bought it due to the review in Tools for the trade. Also, didn't want the Paslode. Saw it as a 'Me Too' tool.
'I've got a Paslode.'
'Me too.'
'Me too.'
They're pretty much the same. Should have hooks on both sides.
Well worth $180.
Glenn
It's worth the $180 all day long. I think I paid close to $400 for it when it first came out.... don't think I'd do it again at that price. It's about the same as the Paslode... no better, no worse, IMO. I bought the FRH version because that's what we normally shoot and I didn't want to have to stock another type of nail.... that's why I never bought a Paslode.
Punchout or quickie in and out jobs.... perfect. Too finicky for full time use once it gets dirty....or your battery dies.... or your fuel cell is empty....etc. They've still got a ways to go with the engineering behind these things... both Hitatchi and Paslode.
But for a $180..... yeah I'd take her for a dance.
Thanks for the info Brian. I think I'll pick one up next week. I use FRH too! Thanks again for the feedback!
is this the model? http://cgi.ebay.com/Hitachi-Air-Tools-NR90GR-Round-Head-Gas-Framing-Nailer_W0QQitemZ230167018771QQihZ013QQcategoryZ50378QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
you ever buy from ebay?
Thanks for your response. I picked the gun up this afternoon. Of course they were all out of fuel cells! He should have more tomm. So, once i give it a whirl i'll let you know what i think.
FWIW, you can use Paslode fuel cells as well.View Image
That's interesting to know! So, i assume you use the paslode fuel w/no issues? They told me I could only use the Hitachi fuel, which nobody seems to stock. Thanks for thew heads up.
bri,
The posting that the Hitachi could use the Paslode's red framing fuel cells caught my attention...
First of all, check your local Lowes, they are closingout the Paslode box of 6 cells for Framing and the lowest clearance price I found for a full box was $10.49.
Secondly, I bought the Paslode in a 15% off sale that Lowes had and Home Depot matched the price PLUS the additional 10% off.... I've found that the Paslode's manual...in small print...says it doesn't recommend using the 3" ring-shank nails in Pressure treated Wood. From my lengthy experience, it just won't drive the .131 nail without leaving 3/4" to 1" sticking out. Even the smooth shank, 3-1/4", galvanized, .131 nail won't go all the way in plain SYP if it gets damp. So, you windup getting out you hammer and banging in all the tall heads....
I'd be very interested if your Hitachi manual and your future experience with ring-shank nails in Pressure Treated lumber matches mine. Please let us know.
Thanks,
PS. You'll find that using the "Cordless Nailer", your first weeks will cause your right arm and righthand grip to be tired and weak. After the first month, you will greatly improve your strength as you continue to lift and swing either of the 8lb. gas guns!!
Bill
Edited 9/11/2007 11:14 pm ET by BilljustBill
Edited 9/11/2007 11:19 pm ET by BilljustBill
Bill, Thanks for the heads up on the sale, i'll check it out. Also, next week I will be toenailing some wet PT 4x6. So, I'll let you know how it goes.
Bill,
I finally got a chance to use the nailer this week. I was using it to sister up 2x6 KD joists to old dried framing lumber. I shot about 5 strips of nails and never had one nail that wasn't fully set.
Brian
Brian,
The Paslode company rep. said the framer was best used on KD lumber...
Where I had the problem and concern was it shooting the 3", .131, Ring-Shank nails in pressure treated wood or fairly wet KD lumber that got a rain on it... The nails stood up 1/2"-3/4" above that kind of moist wood and I had to bang down almost every head....
When you nail some lumber with those qualities, give me a hollar as to your success, will you?
Also, a bit of a story I heard while at HD.... One of the Home Depot employees working the tool and nail gun area was called over to the HD rental department due to a non working Paslode Framer.
When they looked it over, the past renter had returned it with the "Yellowish" fuel cartridge instead of the RED cell it uses. When they discovered the wrong cell, they replaced it with a RED one, and the nailer fired every time. Apparently the finisher model's fuel isn't as stout as the framer, so the framer gun won't work on the wrong fuel.
FYI.
Bill
Brian,
Used my new nailer this week. Very happy with the purchase. So far i've driven about ten strips of 16d common. I've had no jams, all the nails have fully set, and I was toenailing with no problem.These were all things that people reported as problems the reviews I read.
The gun has good balance and is fairly light compared to my porter-cable pneumatic framer. It's so nice not being attached to a hose. The rafter hook is pretty handy too. I'm glad I took your advice and jumped on the deal. Final price was $215 with a fuel cell two pack. The nailer paid for itself the first day I used it.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Brian
I got the Hitachi because of reviews, as well. I am completely satisfied. Just put an attic floor in a house and not having to lug a gun and air cord around is priceless, as they say. I just make sure I take out the battery when I bring it back, and I always have an extra fuel cell. Otherwise, couldn't be happier. For $180, I'd buy a couple of 'em!
"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program" -Ronald Reagan
Edited 9/11/2007 12:33 pm ET by unTreatedwood