Replies

1. 
   JTC1 | Jun 18, 2005 02:18am | #1

   My first gut reaction is yes, worthwhile.

   Second thought asks -- are appropriate nails for ACQ lumber readily available in your area to fit whatever nailer you buy?

   If gun nails not readily available consider a palm nailer for this purpose -- any nail can be driven with a palm nailer -- galvanized, SS are usually available loose but not necessarily in the particular collated form you need to fit XYZ nailer.

   I have a Bostich palm nailer which has given good service.  I like to start nails with a hammer to control the angles a little better, then finish with palm nailer, slower than a positive placement gun.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

2. 
   quicksilver | Jun 18, 2005 02:20am | #2

   I have the Paslode. It sure is nice, You can get a conversion kit to make it into a regular stick nailer. With this option I don't know why I don't see more of them. The nails are pretty expensive around 90 dollars per box. We drive lots of stub nails. The building I'm working on now has roughly 500' of 16'' lvl ledger, and facemount hangers. What a timesaver . . . . what a finger saver too.

3. 
   dieselpig | Jun 18, 2005 02:58am | #3

   If you're not sure how much use you'll get out of it, consider buying the Bostitch.  It comes with a nose piece for hardware and a nose piece for regular framing nails.  Takes all of two second to convert and doesn't require any tools.  Just push in the release button and pull the nose out, click the new one in.

   I had the Paslode and didn't like it all.  Maybe we just had bad luck, but it jammed a lot and broke down twice in the six months I owned it.  It also weighs a ton and you are inevitably going to use a positive placement nailer over your head. The Bostitch we have now is dedicated solely to hardware nailing and has been great for the year we've had it.  Not one jam and no service yet.  We don't use it for regular framing because I keep the sequential trigger on it for hardware,  and framing without bump-fire is just too slow for my taste.

   Whichever one you choose, you'll probably like.  The amount of time they save is just rediculous.  The amount of bashed fingers they save is probably even more impressive.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/17/2005 8:01 pm ET by dieselpig

1. 
   JasonPharez | Jun 18, 2005 05:32am | #4

   I have both the Bostitch and the Paslode...I've been through two Bostitch guns (I broke the first one), but it's light, handy, and works as a regular framer (like Diesel said). However, nails for it are hard to find in my area. The Paslode is a brute, but HDG nails are readily available for it here and it seems more heavy duty. For sometimes use, the Bostitch is better, but for everyday, in and out use, the Paslode will take a bigger beating (I've also been through two of them). The Paslode's way more expensive too, and the conversion kit someone else mentioned is a PITA to convert back and forth.

   Either one will pay for itself shortly.Jason Pharez Construction

      Framing & Exterior Remodeling

2. 
   ajbendik | Jun 18, 2005 10:50pm | #7

   which bostich are you refering to?

   I didn't know they had a PPN.  Or are you talking about a palm nailer, because somebody did suggest that.

   Thanks.

1. 
   dieselpig | Jun 18, 2005 11:24pm | #9

   I'm talking about the Bostitch PPN/Framing nailer.... it's both.  And the conversion takes all of two seconds... literally.  Without the use of tools....

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009K76M/qid=1119125954/br=1-6/ref=br_lf_hi_6//002-2954922-8848035?v=glance&s=hi&n=552702

   So that you can comparison shop.....

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009LI4P/qid=1119125954/br=1-7/ref=br_lf_hi_7//002-2954922-8848035?v=glance&s=hi&n=552702

   and

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005Q7BO/qid=1119126065/br=1-4/ref=br_lf_hi_4//002-2954922-8848035?v=glance&s=hi&n=552702

   and

    

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004TRCK/qid=1119126173/br=1-9/ref=br_lf_hi_9//002-2954922-8848035?v=glance&s=hi&n=228414

   How's that for service?  Now wait 'til you see the bill.  ;) 

1. 
   daFarmerDave | Jun 19, 2005 05:12am | #10

   Are PPN's a pneumatic nailer that lets you hit a pilot whole?  What's the chance it would shoot a 20d? 

    Big Macs - 99 cents

1. 
   dIrishInMe | Jun 19, 2005 05:44am | #11

   Yes and none.

    Matt

2. 
   joeh | Jun 19, 2005 06:24am | #12

   They shoot hanger nails only, the whole thing is made to do one thing only and that is fill the holes in hangers with the correct nails faster and with less bloody fingers.

   Joe H

4. 
   Timuhler | Jun 18, 2005 06:43am | #5

   We have the Bostitch, Paslode and the Hitachi.  The Paslode is about 5 years gold, Hitachi 8 months, Bostitch about 2 years. 

   The Paslode is the best by far for us.  It rarely jams and the tip works really really well. 

   The Hitachi is nice and small and light, but it is is hard to place the nail sometimes because this gun uses the nail itself as the tip and sometimes that is hard to see.

   The Bostich works well and if you do it just right, you can order 3 1/2 x .162" framing nails and nail off straps, but I don't recommend doing this.  We've done it in the past, but then Simpson came out the a Tech bulletin that showed 2 1/2" x .162" nails are allowable in their hardeware.

   Of the 3 guns, I've found that nails for the Paslode and Hitachi are easiest to come by (same angle magazine).  I try and buy Paslode brand.

   Is a PP gun worth it?  Absolutely.  You should have one if you are building decks.  You will get spoiled really quickly :-)

1. 
   ajbendik | Jun 18, 2005 10:54pm | #8

   If you had the model numbers handy for me to compare, that would be great!

   Thanks.

5. 
   joeh | Jun 18, 2005 07:24am | #6

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages/?msg=59561.1

   I posted this last year, this year? Got one question and that was it. It's still here somewhere if you want one.

   Joe H

6. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Jun 29, 2005 03:49am | #13

   I have a hitachi ppn. When it works, it works good, but basically, its junk.

   I just tried out my first full headed nailer (a demo). It is the best hanger nailer that I've ever used and it's not a ppn. I think it is a Hitachi, full round head nailer.

   blue