Replies

1. 
   JohnSprung | Apr 29, 2006 02:03am | #1

   The classic is the old discontinued Senco A-9.  Get one used if you can.  Avoid their A-20, a cheap import version of the A-9.

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

2. 
   dieselpig | Apr 29, 2006 02:21am | #2

   I have sh1t luck with palm nailers, so I say buy cheap and buy often.  I've spent big coin on Senco A9's when they were available and I've bought $30 Cambell Hausfield palm nailers and I've got about the same service life out of all of them.

   Before PP hardware nailers caught on we used palm nailers for all our hardware.  We'd get about six months out of them before the seals would blow.  I'd take them apart, clean them, and put them back together and squeeze another month out of them.  Do it again and get two weeks.  Again and I'd get a day or two.  Then I'd chuck them.  Maybe it's me, but sooner or later they'd all just piss air out the vents and quit on me.

   So I say buy the cheap one!  And I think that's the only time I've ever recommended buying a cheap tool.

   View Image
1. 
   JeffBuck | Apr 29, 2006 07:36am | #4

   did U try Bostitch?

   I bought mine for the simple fact it was one of the few choices that came with a case.

   I haven't abused it much ... but so far ... it's been a tank.

    

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   dieselpig | Apr 29, 2006 07:42am | #5

   Nope, don't think so anyway.  I've owned about six of them total, but I don't recall any of them being Bostitch.  Happen to recall what you paid for it?View Image

1. 
   JeffBuck | Apr 29, 2006 08:05am | #8

   just checked amazon ...

   it's $69.99 at the moment.

    

   sounds about right.

   10% off ... hurry up! doesn't say anything about a case this time though ...

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

3. 
   Framer | Apr 29, 2006 02:36am | #3

   Just curious as to why you would use a palm nailer for 16d's?

   Joe Carola
1. 
   danski0224 | Apr 29, 2006 02:40pm | #9

   In my area, 16 ga straps at top plate cutouts for HVAC and plumbing are code.

   The straps must be fastened with 6 16d nails on each side of the cut. Both sides of the framing must have these straps if the wood is cut all the way through. The strap is used only on the top piece of lumber, not both top plates.

   Each full cut opening requires a total of 24 16d nails. There could easily be 20 such openings from the HVAC guy alone.

   I do not get it, because so many nails splits the wood. I have had chunks break off the back side from so many nails.

   I would like to meet the idiot that came up with this.

   Anyways, I am also considering a palm nailer for this purpose. It has the potential to save a lot of time if they work, but I have never actually used one.

   I looked at the Bostitch, but the business end is centered in the body.

   Anyone know of an off center nailer? One made in the USA? Will it work for the situation described above?

1. 
   JulianTracy | Apr 29, 2006 03:39pm | #10

   I picked one up for a bathroom job last year in which I had to sister in some floor joist replacements due to water rot.I just picked up one of the Senco's at HD at the time and it literally saved my butt. No possible way I could have done the job without one.Sounds like it would be the ticked for you as well. If you've never used one then you'll be pleasantly suprised at how easy and quick they work - actually kind of cool.JT

2. 
   QCInspector | May 04, 2006 11:34am | #12

   "Anyone know of an off center nailer? One made in the USA? Will it work for the situation described above?"You could try an air hammer (the kind used to cut mufflers off) or rivet gun. But you'll need to come up with a way to stay on the nail. Might have to rig up a spring loaded sliding tube at the business end. If your going to try it, get a cheap import to mess with. If it works out then spend the bucks on a North American made one if you like. If it doesn't work you've only lost an hour or two of pay instead of a couple days worth, although you may still find some value in it's metal cutting functions. Get ear protection because it's going to be loud.

1. 
   chile_head | May 04, 2006 04:20pm | #14

   It's actually kind of suprised me that nobody has made a "chisel" for air hammers that holds nails. No money in it, I guess.

2. 
   markwills | May 05, 2006 08:44pm | #15

   over 16d

1. 
   Framer | May 06, 2006 02:33am | #16

   "over 16d"What would you be using nails over 16d's for?Joe Carola

1. 
   Farmsome | May 08, 2006 04:09pm | #17

   We use 20d's for pole building construction.

4. 
   user-146689 | Apr 29, 2006 07:47am | #6

   I use bostich goes for about 60 bucks is indestructable.

   I oil it  every morning and at lunch. 

5. 
   framerboy | Apr 29, 2006 08:01am | #7

   If you have not already done so, have a look at the Danair brand palm nailers. They have been at it since the late sixties and are based in Elko, Nevada. I currently have four of their palm nailers, the oldest two are about 15 years old and work well. I don't use palm nailers much anymore since investing in Hitachi hardware guns but they do have their uses. Worth a look. Last number I had for the corporate office is 1-800-232-6247.

6. 
   JohnT8 | May 04, 2006 09:18am | #11

   Let us know how that grizzly works out for you.

    

   jt8

   "The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell

1. 
   Farmsome | May 04, 2006 03:32pm | #13

   Out of the box, the grizzly works fine. For $20, i was definitely impressed. It has the leather glove/cover, which surprised me. I was surprised how fast it sank a nail, but, I;ve never used a palm nailer. I'll let you know how it holds up.

2. 
   markwills | Nov 29, 2007 07:18pm | #20

   18 months and 1700 square feet of house later, and the palm nailer is still going fine. I did all the joist hangers, hurricane ties, mistake, and little places you can't get a nail gun. That nailer helps out in a lot of tight places, like cutting in the header when we added a door.

1. 
   JohnT8 | Nov 29, 2007 08:03pm | #21

   I ended up getting the PC one.  Works like a champ.  Fantastic tool.

    

   View Imagejt8

   "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it." --Upton Sinclair

7. 
   NovusAdGustum | May 09, 2006 09:42pm | #18

   For what it is worth, the reviews for the Porter-Cable are good. Of course, the reviews do not always speak to the longevity.

   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006411G/qid=1147199639/sr=1-20/ref=sr_1_20/104-4872060-6404742?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013

   
   

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   Edited 5/9/2006 2:43 pm ET by NovusAdGustum

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 10, 2006 02:56am | #19

   I have that PC palm nailer, and I think it is terrific, mainly because it comes with different attachments for different types of nails/spikes.You can use it like a conventional palm nailer -- and it is especially useful for joist hangers. Just today, I used it to toe nail some supports in a space that was too small for either my framing nailer or a hammer. But you can also change the tip for big spikes -- what you would use to join big landscape timbers. Then, there is a smooth head attachment, which I have used to bash sheetrock that is proud of the door/window jamb so the casing would fit. ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-