Replies

1. 
   dieselpig | Apr 14, 2007 05:37am | #1

   You just can't go wrong with an NR-83 man.  I've got one in my hand just about all day every day.  Plenty comfortable and they're like the Energizer Bunny.   Next to circ saws they're the tool we use the most.  And they're the ones that are in the shop or replaced the least.

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   Edited 4/13/2007 10:38 pm ET by dieselpig

2. 
   framerboy | Apr 14, 2007 06:21am | #2

   What dieselpig said to the third power.

3. 
   Jointerman | Apr 14, 2007 09:38am | #3

   Rea,

   I stopped by my favortie tool store, Tooland in San Carlos, today and the Hitachi reps were there in an outside tent show with all of their cool tools. I asked them about the NR83A2 and NR90AE and the über NR90AC3. The new NR90AE has a lot of technology behind it such as the titanium top plate and rear loading magazine. It was amazingly well balanced in my hand, somewhat more so that the NR83A2 and it made the large NR90AC3 seem unwieldy. I admit that I have absolutely no need for one of these since I have professional framers framing my house, but have just always wanted one. But I just couldn't get myself to "pull the trigger."

   BTW: In case you don't like the new Hitachi look, the rep claimed that they are unlikely to ever change the color scheme of the NR83A2 or NR90AC3.

1. 
   REA | Apr 14, 2007 06:26pm | #4

   How I wish I could have been there to talk to the reps.  Did they maybe indicate how durable, etc. the newly designed NR90AE is compared to the much popular NR83?  What else did they tell you about the new line of nailers.  I'm also needing a 2" 18ga brad nailer to round out my collection of Hitachi guns (1 1/4" brad , 1 1/2" stapler and 15 ga angled finish nailer).  Lowes said they can longer get the older style/looking  brad gun.  I can still find the old style 2" brad online but is running a lot more $$, so not sure if there is a corelation of cost vs quality ( I would think if the new line of guns was superior then some really good deals on the older guns could be found).  About the only big improvement I can see on the new 2" brad nailer is a quick-clean nose piece which iI believe  the older style did not have.

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1. 
   Jointerman | Apr 14, 2007 09:59pm | #5

   REA,Now I wish I had spent more time talking with them. But the nailer did feel as if it was built to be used without being overbuilt like the NR90AC3. If I were to buy one, I would get the NR90AE, but then again, it would be something I have no need for. I would not recommend the older style 18ga brad nailer. I bought my wife one for her Birthday a few years back and ended up exchanging it for the Porter Cable. The reason was that their was no "no-mar" nose-piece on the old 18ga brad nailer. It left a pretty good sized mar on her birdhouses.

1. 
   Stilts | Apr 14, 2007 11:35pm | #6

   I returned one of the older style brad nailers for the same reason.  And the older style tip was so large you couldn't see what you were shooting very well for smaller some of the smaller stuff.

4. 
   jc21 | Apr 15, 2007 12:09am | #7

   I've got the clipped head version, the NR90AD and like it. Feels lighter, better balanced and seems to have less recoil to me than the NR83. Friend who runs a NR83 tried it and liked it. The 90AD's had a couple of issues when they first came out- rep said they've been rectified; I've had no issues with mine. The NR83's are well proven and tough to kill. For these arthritic old paws of mine the NR90AD was the better choice.

5. 
   Timuhler | Apr 15, 2007 12:58am | #8

   I saw a few of the 90AE's sitting behind the counter at the lumberyard and asked the guys if they aren't that reliable.  They said that they've gotten about 10 out of the 100 they sold back.  I think it was something to do with the driver.

   I liked the gun when I had it for awhile, but I prefer coil framers.  The 2 NR83's we have are both over 10 years old and have always been reliable.

   You might check out the new Max too if you are serious about the NR90AE.  It is nice too.