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Paslode Finish Nailer

| Posted in General Discussion on November 13, 1999 04:23am

*
I agree with the info from Charles. It’s the best tool I own. I have two so that if one needs cleaning or isn’t ready, the other one always is. So many times used when didn’t feel like hauling/hooking up air compressor/hoses/generator,etc. Handiest thing to have at the ready but not without its quirks.

MD

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Replies

  1. Reno | Nov 13, 1999 06:57am | #6

    *
    Good deal, Good choice....Good gun!

    1. george_eberle | Nov 13, 1999 07:09am | #7

      *paslode is awesome. wouldn't operate without it now. only drawback, be careful, i've shot myself twice and my workmate andy has shot himself. we now refer to the paslode as the widow maker. good luck and i strongly recommend the paslode.

  2. Guest_ | Nov 13, 1999 10:50am | #8

    *
    I'm always surprised that there is any debate anymore about these Paslode Impulse guns. They are at the very top of my list of favorite tools.

    1. Guest_ | Nov 16, 1999 08:05am | #9

      *Speaking of "widow makers" there is a medical case history of a guy who shot himself in the neck with a nail gun - complete with x-rays at:http://www.mdacco.com/meded/surg-med/Cases/nailgun.htmlHowever, for you guys that have made a practice of shooting yourselves (did you pick this up from the S&M crowd in San Francisco?), it appears that you haven't quite been doing it right. Ran accross the following reference to someone who has recently successfully sued Senco for some $2 million. Just aim a little differently and perhaps you could be living in the lap of luxury - although the old lap may never be the same again...Actually, I would be interested in just what they felt was the negligence on the part of Senco. Perhaps Andrewd could do a little quick perusal of West's and give us a clue:http://www.publications.ojd.state.or.us/S44110.htmThis citation is not particularly exciting for the non-legally minded, it only dicusses whether the award should be reduced by the amount the plaintiff was also negligent - the only really pertinent paragraph is:"John Lakin and Ann Marie Lakin (plaintiffs) brought an action at law against defendant Senco Products, Inc. (Senco) seeking economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages for personal injury and loss of consortium arising out of allegations of negligent failure to warn and strict products liability. The jury returned a special verdict finding Senco liable. The jury's award included $2,000,000 in noneconomic damages to John Lakin and $876,000 in noneconomic damages to Ann Marie Lakin. Lakin v. Senco Products, Inc., 329 Or 62, ___ P2d ___ (1999)."

  3. Mad_Dog | Nov 17, 1999 05:07pm | #10

    *
    Great. Now my Senco AIR tools (I consider them the best)
    will cost even more.

    M

    1. george_eberle | Nov 18, 1999 03:49am | #11

      *He, we're not looking to sue anyone just telling everyone to be careful. And for crying out loud keep that thing pointed in a safe direction.

  4. Guest_ | Nov 18, 1999 05:42am | #12

    *
    I can't for the life of me figure out how someone could "shoot themselves" with an air nailer.

    I own 11 various nail guns, from brad nailers to air staplers, to framing guns, and everything in between. Every single one of them (and they are a wide variety of name brands)has a safety that prevents this. I cannot hold up my guns, pull the trigger, and have anything happen. The guns must be held firmly against an object for them to fire.

    Unless someone has a type of gun I have never heard of, or it is really, really old, then the only thing I can figure is that they have disabled the safety on these guns. Bad thing to do, and really stupid.

    I do not know about the Paslode, but it would be impossible for any of my guns to shoot you simply by pointing them at someone and pulling the trigger.

    I have, however, seen many people get a nail through their hand by holding the backside of a board, and shooting too long of a nail into the wood. It penetrated out the back, and right into the hand.

    I have also seen a nailgun shoot a 2" or larger framing nail right through plywood, and out the bottom. The nails ricochet off the concrete below, and you had better duck, or else. This happens when shooting nails into decking (roof or subfloor) and missing the joist. Great reason for being careful. Also great reason to be somewhere besides "below" a crew shooting nails into decking.

    Maybe someone can enlighten me on this situation.

    James DuHamel

    1. Guest_ | Nov 18, 1999 06:04am | #13

      *I remember reading of one case where someone had their nail gun set for bump fire and was lowering in down from a scaffold just as someone stepped out from underneath. If I remember correctly, the unfortunate individual was rushed to the hospital and the nail was removed with no lasting ill effects. I think he said he hardly felt it go in, was just like a bump on the head. The following discussion of three nail gun accidents is taken from:http://www.eig.com/smos/smo95016.htm CONSTRUCTION SAFETY - NAIL GUN SAFETY By Paul KingRecently, three injury reports described the details of accidents that occurred while employees were using pneumatic nail guns.One injury resulted in an employee shooting himself through the thigh. The nail was a Ring Shank and it embedded itself in the employee'sfemur (large thigh bone) which was shattered by the impact. Surgery was required to remove the nail.Another case involved an employee who shot himself in the groin area.In the third case, an employee injected a nail into the fleshy part of his thigh.All three investigations revealed that the nail gun safety spring, which holds the nose guard in the extended position, was not in place. Thisallowed the gun to discharge when the trigger was depressed because the nose guard was easily slid back when the gun was placed againstthe worker. The nose guard being depressed is like cocking a gun. Pulling the trigger with the gun "cocked" will fire it.A nail gun is not designed for rapid fire. Trying to alter the rate of fire by removing the safety spring or keeping the trigger depressed willeventually end up in a jammed gun, or worse yet, accidents like those described above.General Safety Rules for Nail Gun Use:1. Never use a nail gun with the nose guard safety spring missing.2. Be sure that when you carry a nail gun out of the work area, you do not carry it connected to the electrical or air power source.3. When you are moving about the work area - keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. Make sure you have only placed thenose guard against the material you are going to nail together.4. Never rest the gun against any part of your body, or try to climb a ladder with the gun cradled against your body. 5. Remember that a nail gun is a labor and time saving tool -- but it cannot save the time lost to an accident. Use it safely!!!

      1. Guest_ | Nov 18, 1999 10:00am | #14

        *One more little nail gun story.....last summer on a job I was at, one of the carpenters was on some kind of scaffolding, reaching out,(trying to put fascia on by himself) when he slipped and shot a 3" nail right into his knee cap. That's not the good part of the story though......It was sticking out about a half inch and no one would pull it out for him, he was handed some pliers and told to pull it out himself if he wanted to......he couldn't do it either......still not the good part of the story.....he was brought to the emergency room...the guy that brought him there was sitting in the waiting room when over the hospital p.a. he heard "would somebody from maintenance please bring a pair of vice grips to the emergency room"(I have only shot myself once in the thumb, bounced off a knot...that was about 12 years ago and I'm still more carefull because of it)

        1. Guest_ | Nov 18, 1999 11:22am | #15

          *I've known 2 guys who shot themselves with nailguns, so it can't be that unusual.Just got my first nailgun myself today, Paslode Impulse via UPS, but that's another story...The first guy, Brian, was working on a volunteer project for a local environmental center. Earlier in the day, was supposidly telling someone how you have to be certified on these things, because they're so dangerous. Later in the day shot himself in the upper thigh, right into the bone, with his own nailgun. The doctor had to pull it out. Makes one cringe. Not sure if they used vicegrips, I thought they used a claw hammer. Just after that the environmental center deceided they'd better get some worker's comp insurance they were required to have.The other, John, shot himself literally in the heart. Saw him some months later. He claimed it bounced off concrete if I remember correctly. Although it seems more likely that he could have accidently brushed it against his chest getting off a ladder or nailing up high, but that's just speculation.

  5. j_menz | Nov 23, 1999 05:52am | #16

    *
    I recently took my Paslode finish nailer in for service, no spark. The serviceman told me he didn't think the part would be available from the factory because "it's as old as the hills." How old is that - "94. So consider no support for a five year old tool. As it happened it didn't need the piezo and I got out for $90. Later that day I saw a P C vendor and he said thay have every part back to their first belt sander in 1921. All said, I'd rather have my Paslode over the P C Bammer; yeah it's good.

    1. Mad_Dog | Nov 23, 1999 06:18am | #17

      *I'm pretty sure your dealer can get the parts. The trouble is, some of the repairs are pretty costly, to the point where you'd be better off buying a new gun. Keeping my fingers crossed.

      1. HammerChick | Nov 26, 1999 05:06am | #18

        *We have had both the Paslode Cordless finish nailer, which worked poorly at best and the paslode pneumatic (sp?) nailer which works great as long as you keep it happy with lots of care and oil. We also have the Paslode cordless framing nailer, it works very well. The cordless finish nailer not only leaked gas but mis fired constantly (it is quite possible that ours was just a fluke lemon) I do recommend the pneumatic nailer though. Watch it though when you use the 2 1/2 finish nails they have a tendency to go wild and have been known to shoot out the top or side of whatever your nailing into.

  6. Guest_ | Nov 27, 1999 08:40am | #19

    *
    I wanted to thank all you guys for your responses. I bought one last week. Shot about 500 nails on one charge. I probably could have shot more but ran out of time. It works like a dream. The only drawback is the smell from the fuel. I will put up with the smell instead of bringing out the old compressor and hose. Incidently, Paslode has a video on the servicing of the nail gun. It is free when you register online. So now I'll wait for the video, and give it a try when I have to service it. The manuel seems a bit confusing. Thanks again,
    Neil

    1. Guest_ | Nov 29, 1999 12:41am | #20

      *The newest Impulse guns are great....They have improved them several times and pretty much have liitle left to change...All the internal electronics and such have been made into modular and easily replacable units, etc...And don't be afraid to use your head either when you purchase...MY framer made a buzzy fan noise when I bought itr and to me it sounded like the fan bearings weren't right frome the get go...I went in to the store and tried another off the shelf and sure enough it sounded much better...Well I met the engineers of all at a JLC trade show booth...told them my story...They ended up giving me their bus. cards and said when I get back to my Woodworkers Warehouse to call them and they would make sure my unit was replaced and that I would also receive the latest model with the latest fixes built in...Their was a problem with the battery connections failing in the early orange models...So if you have tool trouble you all might want to do what I do and just dial up the company and ask to speak to the troubleshooters and engineers...love my guns, and know how to clean them!!!aj

      1. Guest_ | Nov 29, 1999 07:03am | #21

        *AJ,I'm sure we all trust (and hope) that you're not cleaning them by dropping them into that stream (or lake) of yours.Rich Beckman

        1. Guest_ | Nov 30, 1999 04:50am | #22

          *I can't understand how anyone can't be happy with a paslode gun. I would sell my wife before the gun. I have had it for 3 years with no problems. I haven't even had to clean it yet (although i keep promising myself I will next weekend). Mr. Duhamel, you do have to be pretty determined to shoot yourself with a nail gun. Like running around with your finger on the trigger waiting for the guard to hit something and fire. Also if you hold back the guard you can fire nails at squirrels. A member of my crew showed me this on a bathroom renovation with the homeowner home no less. He no longer works for me.

          1. Guest_ | Nov 30, 1999 05:38am | #23

            *When you do clean it, count on usin a whole can of that spray cleaner. Some days I'd trade my wife just for a case of fuel for it.

  7. jason_good | Nov 30, 1999 07:25am | #24

    *
    I recently bought the Paslode pneumatic finish nailer and have been breaking it in on shimming window and door jams. The problem that I am having is that the nails will not set all the way. I have increased psi to 120 the guns max. and still no luck. I can not find any adjustment on the gun at all. I did take the rubber contact off and it did shoot better but scars my wood. does anyone know a secret that I don't? The manual is useless.
    Jason

  8. Guest_ | Dec 01, 1999 09:04am | #25

    *
    Take it baCK AND PURCHASE THE IMPULSE...

    1. Guest_ | Dec 01, 1999 09:39am | #26

      *WaTCH OUT FOR THAT "CAPS LOCK" KEY NEXT TO THE "A", JACK!

      1. Guest_ | Dec 01, 1999 09:53am | #27

        *Tanks

        1. Guest_ | Dec 06, 1999 06:03am | #28

          *I have just finished my first two projects since buying my impulse. Used to have a PC Bammer. (piece of crap) The only way I'll give up my paslode is when they pry it from my cold dead hand. (Saw that on a bumper sticker once.)

  9. Guest_ | Jan 04, 2000 11:55pm | #29

    *
    I am considering buying the Paslode Finish nailer. I have read various replies in previous posts, but isn't that part of owning tools, upkeep. I would to hear from you all about durablity. Does it overheat? Do the fuel cells leak? Does the depth driver move from vibrations? I spoke to the salesmen, but you know salemen. Thanks for your input.

    1. Guest_ | Nov 12, 1999 07:03am | #1

      *Neil - The Paslode can be a little cranky but overall I think it's a great tool. I wouldn't part with mine.

      1. Guest_ | Nov 12, 1999 06:46pm | #2

        *NielIts all you want it to be 3/4 to 2 1/2 inch nails -- I've had mine for 4 yeras droppped it and it works fine -- my cells do not leak. Its worth the money - I call it my extra pair of hands -- I could never hold something up that was awkard and get a nail in with a hammer --- If I can get it up I can secure it becasue I can ususally hold most things with one hand and the gun in the other. Best part is no hoses.

        1. Guest_ | Nov 13, 1999 12:19am | #3

          *Had one a couple of years ago. No problems as far as function of the gun. No hoses or compressor, or compressor noise. More maintainence than air gun, not as fast in some applications,more cost per shot,some smell from the gas,batteries to recharge,fuelcells to have on hand, and even though its well made it wont hold up like my senco. It really depends on what you do and how often you have to set everything up whether it worth it or not. I seem to always have my compressor out anyway so I use the airguns. There are many days that I wish I still had it though.

          1. Mad_Dog | Nov 13, 1999 04:23am | #4

            *I agree with the info from Charles. It's the best tool I own. I have two so that if one needs cleaning or isn't ready, the other one always is. So many times used when didn't feel like hauling/hooking up air compressor/hoses/generator,etc. Handiest thing to have at the ready but not without its quirks.MD

          2. Guest_ | Nov 13, 1999 05:54am | #5

            *Thanks for all your help. I will pick one up this weekend. Found a good deal for 399.00. At least I hope it's a good deal. Everywhere else has been 499.00 Thanks again to one and all

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