Boy did I make a mistake. I bought a Porter Cable FR350 framing nailer and not only is the magazine designed to self destruct in a short period of time, when I took to the repair facility they told me it some time takes 2 months to get the parts.
I’m strongly considering buying a different nailer (pneumatic) and selling the PC when I get it back.
Anyone have a suggestion on a better choice. I considering either Senco or Bostich.
Thanks!
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Replies
I like the Bostitch nailers, have had great luck with them, and I am lucky enough to live where they come around a couple of times a year to service them for nothing.
The builders that use Senco will swear by them, too.
There are also some staunch Hitachi users here, too.
One of the things I would consider is which is easiest to get serviced in you area.
Enjoy picking out a new gun. Give yourself a few minutes to get the feel of it, and be careful.
Actually the guy at the shop I took the PC to recommened the Bostich because he doesn't see to many of them.
Thanks for your input.
One more thing....
The Bostitch N88 RH uses the same nails as your now defunct PC
the Bostitch N88 WW uses clipped head wire collated nails, the two will not mix.
Only mention it because, the question has come a couple times here at BT
That's pretty interesting about the nails being interchangeable. I've stayed away from Bostich, only because of having to buy their nails (I hate proprietary stuff). I do like the punch their nailers pack... And I also like full round head for decks and such, where the nails are gonna show.
I looked up the N88RHh in my Tool Crib catalog and $250 ain't bad.
Matt
We almost always use Primesource, (generic), nails.
Never a problem with the N88.
Use them in a PC350, also. No problems there either.
Do you eBay? There are several new ones for sale right now. $200 will buy them.
Just a thought. I buy tools on eBay all the time. never had a problem.View Image
Paslode
I second the Bostich N88WW. I bought it and wow does it pack a punch..No heavier than any other nailer (but a little bit larger than some.. two years old and just about flawless.. As for the nails, I've bought generic (Amazon .com) and will any time they are cheaper than I can get Bostich locally.
I also bought a Bostich trim nailer.. (18 gauge) it uses PC nails which seems to be the same kind of nails most 18 gauge trim nailers use so generic isn't an issue.
However for the 15 gauge trim nailer I bought a Hitachi.. every single person who had one swore by it.. couldn't say enough nice things. It has a leaking seal that occasionally leaks and someday I intend to fix it.. still works great tho..
I went with the Hitachi stapler too for the same reason.. everyone who had one loved theirs.. I can see why.. compared to most it's faster and a lot more reliable..
For what it's worth I also use a Bostich palm nailer.. a lot!
I bought the PC FR350 last month ... I've had no problems ... actually quite happy with it. How is it failing, exactly? What should I be watching for, is there any special handling to avoid the failure? Thanks, Bill.
Those in the trades call a porter cable a nail starter, not a nail gun.. far too often you need to pull out your hammer to set a nail that the porter cable left proud. Go ahead crank your compressor up and run 130 psi thru it in an attempt to stop the problem..
Now you've created two problems.. the compressor will fail sooner and the gun will start to fail quicker..
With my Bostich N88WW I can, without cranking up the compressor, drive nails into oak that are flush! That's because the Bostich packs 1000 pounds of impact while the porter cable is rated at 780 and acts more like 600 (most other brands are around 880)
To keep your porter cable together as long as possible don't run more than 120 psi thru it and if you crank back to 90 psi it would be evan better.. (you will however find yourself reaching for a hammer a lot tho.) Use the proper oil in it every day,, let me repeat myself. EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!
Edited 11/12/2003 3:07:12 PM ET by frenchy
I was mostly happy with mine. No problems setting nails and I run right around 90 lbs. The problem is the pusher bearing falling apart and then nails don't feed properly or at all, amd course then jams half fired nails started. Got to the point I had to keep hand pressure on the pusher to make it feed at all.
11/13/03
I must add: I wrote to Porter Cable via their website and much to my surprise I got a phone call today. They promised to contact the repair facility and expedite the repair. If PC starts giving the kind of service I have always received from Milwaukee I will purchase from them again.
Edited 11/13/2003 7:10:24 PM ET by mike