Yesterday I bought the Bostitch N88RH from Sears on closeout. Had my heart set on getting the N88RH-2MCN because it switches to the metal hanger connector, but the price was right on the regular gun.
All last night and today I think about how handy that other gun would be since I have a lot of sidework on decks coming up this summer, so I take back the N88RH so I can get the 2MCN. But then I realize that the 2MCN doesn’t come with a bump trigger, only sequential.
Here’s my question: I’ve only been on crews that used guns with bump mode, and we can really fly. Will I lose that much speed with a sequential tip? Second question: Is there a way to swap the trigger to a bump mode one without going overboard on price?
Thanks guys and gals,
Derek
Replies
Yes, you can replace the sequential trigger with a contact trigger. I would not recommend it, do to lining up the hole for the strapping or joist hangers. IMO you will not loose that much time with sequential trigger, after a while you will get use to it. The chances that you will drive a nail in to a metal connector while lining up the guide for the nail is MUCH greater if you change the trigger. ThinkSafety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Derek, you might be able to swap out the nose on your gun to convert it over for metal connecting. The n88rh-2mcn is just the 88 with a sequential trigger & interchangeable noses. Maybe contact bostitch to find out if you can buy the nose & a sequential trigger- it shouldn't be too expensive.
To answer your question re. speed, I don't know if you'll notice a big difference when using a seq. trigger, unless you're a production framer, or nailing off sheathing all day long.
Okay so I'm not a pro but I have a 2MCN and really love it.
When we did our deck I was able to get the double hot-dipped connector nails for it and wow did it make nailing off all those joist hangers easy. Heck it was fun almost. Then you just change out the nose and nails and away you go framing. For me it was definately worth the extra money.
Did I mention that I love this gun? It is the first gun I've ever owned (now I have a couple of Senco trim guns) and I am not a pro but FWIW.
Daniel Neuman
Oakland CA
Crazy Home Owner
derek... any bostich dealer ... or bostich .. can get you the sequential trigger & the metal connector nose..
we retrofitted our first one after they came out witht he metal connector nose..
then we bought our 2d RH88 with the nose.. so 2 is better than one
Exactly the reply I was hoping for.
Thanks everyone.
Derek
i looked into getting the metal connecting nose to convert an nr88 to an nr88 mcn (or whatever it is) awhile back, think it was 50 bucks but i could be wrong, also if you are friendly with a bostich rep, you might be able to find the nose for cheaper.and about the triggers, they usually send them for free. I think that in some markets they havto sell them with sequential but they know that alot of folks like the bump fire better.and about bump fire vs sequential, personally, if you dont own a gun that can switch back and forth on the fly, id go with bump. Just my opinion. Sequential is nice somtimes but man its annoying when you're nailing off plywood or osb______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
I have an older Bostich framer, and had it converted from contact to sequential -- cost was under $20. Once you have the trigger, it's an easy diy operation to switch back and forth.
If you are proficient with the contact tip, I think the sequential would probably drive you nuts. I switched (to the sequential), since I don't use a framer that much, and I always had problems with double firing.
********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Edited 5/24/2005 10:49 pm ET by nikkiwood
I have the bostitch N88 MCN gun and love it. I would not recommend changing the trigger if you intend to use the MCN feature though. I think bostitch will tell you not to also. There is too much risk of double firing with bump triggers to use with metal connectors. You could be injured by flying nails.
I don't think that you will find any of the dedicated metal connector nailers bump fire. If you aren't doing enough framing to own a separate gun for each purpose you can probably do just fine with the sequential trigger that it comes with. Just a note about bump / contact trip guns, I've seen 2 people with nails in them because of carelessness with these. Yes, the nails do attach to bone as firmly as they do to wood. The risk is not worth the marginal gain in my opinion.