Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Aug 13, 2007 06:47pm | #1

   Yes, several companies have them now. Search for "positive placement"

    

    

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2. 
   FatRoman | Aug 13, 2007 07:48pm | #2

   Depending on how many you need to set, you can either get a positive placement gun as Piffin mentioned, or a palm nailer if you don't need/want a gun full of nails.

   Tools of the Trade just mentioned this new Grip Rite palm nailer as being particularly light to carry around. http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1509&articleID=536535

   http://www.grip-rite.com/grip_rite_pneu_tools.asp?Action=6

   (Scroll to the bottom of the page to see it)

3. 
   DDay | Aug 14, 2007 12:31am | #3

   Stanley Bostitch has a few, one that is similar in size to a 15g finish nailer, hitachi has one, I think max, plaslode does, etc. As piffen said, search for positive placement nailers.

   Make sure you have the fasteners available in your area before you buy.

4. 
   Sasquatch | Aug 14, 2007 12:40am | #4

   Max makes a very good one.  I have had it for three years, but use it rarely since I am semi-retired.  The only negative that I can attest to is that it takes a bit of practice to get the nail coils into the gun.  I would not be surprised if they have a better method of linking the nails than they did back then.  I do not know about improvements because I bought a few years' worth of nails when I bought the gun, which was about $450 at the time.

   I have also used the Hitachi strip nailer.  It is much easier to load and works almost as well.

   I don't know if anyone is making HDG nails for these guns now.  That would be really handy for decks.

1. 
   dieselpig | Aug 14, 2007 12:42am | #5

   HDG nails are readily available for PP nailers in several different forms of collation.View Image

1. 
   LIVEONSAWDUST | Aug 14, 2007 01:46am | #6

   bostitch has the "strapshot" ,works great, would hate to have to handnail after having had it. Cost was around 250.00, i think

1. 
   dieselpig | Aug 14, 2007 01:50am | #7

   Yes, I've had two of 'em for about a year now and agree with you wholeheartedly.  I've owned a few different PP nailers including the full size Bostitch and the Paslode and I like the Strapshot the best so far by a long shot.  I'm thinking of adding a Hitachi too though.... for times when a 2.5" nail is required.View Image

2. 
   CAGIV | Aug 15, 2007 02:00am | #19

   how do you like the Mini-Bostich nailer after using it for a while?

1. 
   dieselpig | Aug 15, 2007 02:16am | #20

   The Bostich StrapShot is a fantastic little nailer Neil.  It's about the size and weight of a 15ga nailer but sinks the Teco's no problem even in LVL's.  We've had them about a year now and so far they've held up very well.  IMO, if  you only need to shoot the 1 1/2" nails then the StrapShot is the one to get.  It's reasonably priced and performs very well. 

   I've found it to be important that a PP nailer uses the nail itself as the placement tip rather than a placement tip that's part of the tool (like the Paslode or the Bostich framer with the MCN).  The tips wear out faster than you'd expect on the ones that don't use the nail as a guide.  View Image

5. 
   vinniegoombatz | Aug 14, 2007 01:52am | #8

   palm nailer is cheap way to do it, gets into tight spaces

6. 
   justakid | Aug 14, 2007 02:14am | #9

   The best is made by hitatchi i think they call it a strap nailer. I use it every day for teko/simpson applications such as joist hangers.

1. 
   dieselpig | Aug 14, 2007 02:34am | #10

   So what makes the Hitachi "the best" in your opinion? View Image

1. 
   framerboy | Aug 14, 2007 03:10am | #11

   He is a west coast guy no doubt, pay him no mind. Your pals at Bostitch have recently introduced a Strap Shot nailer that handles 2-1/2'' nails. It is model #mcn 250.

1. 
   mike_maines | Aug 14, 2007 04:11am | #12

   Man, and I just got the 1 1/2" Strapshot!  Oh well, it's still tons better than the palm nailer.  Except when only the palm nailer will fit.

1. 
   jimblodgett | Aug 14, 2007 04:31am | #13

   I have a palm nailer with a magazine on it.  Talk about a sweet gun.  Light, compact because there's no piston, fits in anywhere a palm nailer would but you press on the handle paralell to the magazine instead of the top like you would a palm nailer.  I'm pretty sure it was under 2 bills a couple years ago.  Great tool.  Kind of looks like a nail gun with a very small piston. Huck said it first. I just agreed with him.

2. 
   Boats234 | Aug 14, 2007 05:58am | #15

   Palm nailer with a magazine?????????????? Sounds cool , never seen one. What type does it shoot? Got a brand/model#?

   I bought  a strapshot on ebay about 6 months ago... only about $150... love it, but have never used anything else. Only shoots 1.5" ... the new Bostich shoots both 1.5" and 2.5" a little trouble swiching between the 2 according to a review I just read. (JLC?)

   Great time saver IMO...although I would use my palm nailer before I went with the 250.

3. 
   jimblodgett | Aug 14, 2007 04:58pm | #16

   I just went out and looked, it's made by "Pneu Tools".  Model "Rap-A-Cap 150".  Takes a regular stick of hot dipped, paper collated hanger nails...maybe 25 nails? 

   When we switched to ACQ lumber my Bostich framer wouldn't handle the paper collating on the HD nails my local yard sells.  We live out in the boonies with just one yard within 25 miles and I do so many different types of work I am pretty dependent on using what they keep in stock.  That or keep ahead on inventory of every type fastener I might use and that would take WAY more energy and planning than I have.

   I bought that gun from the local Western Tool dealer, but last time I was in there I THINK I noticed the same gun painted with (maybe) Senco colors.  Maybe they bought the gun?  

   Anyways, it's a great tool.  Not much slower than a piston type gun and very light and compact, like I said earlier.   Huck said it first. I just agreed with him.

2. 
   dieselpig | Aug 14, 2007 04:32am | #14

   I'm actually a diehard East Coast Hitachi guy myself.  That being said....that post sounded a lot like...."yeah this is the only one I've used and it works, so it must be the best".  LOL.....

   That 2 1/2" Strapshot.... it finally came out, huh?  It seems like it was two years ago that I first read something about it.  I was just about ready to pull the trigger on the Hitachi (no pun intended) because I was giving up on 'em.  I love Hitachi nailers... love 'em to death... but their hardware nailers seem way over priced to me.  A few of their guns are overpriced in my opinion... not the framers, but in particular the coil siding nailers come to mind in addition to the hardware nailers.  I've got two of them (the siding nailers), mind you, but I still think they're priced awfully high.  Sometimes more than a full size coil framer.View Image

1. 
   Hiker | Aug 15, 2007 12:34am | #17

   Bought the Hitachi today (2 1/2")as we are installing about $2k worth of assorted Simpson strapping on the house we just started.  The strap guns are so much faster than the palm nailers.  Worth the money. 

   Nice tool but expensive.  Local supply house did not have the Bostich with the larger nail capacity yet.

   Bruce

7. 
   reinvent | Aug 15, 2007 01:56am | #18

   Read this: http://www.coastalcontractor.net/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=157