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Maybe it’s me, but I can’t find a discussion of roofing nail guns. Lots of discussions on framing and finishing stuff, but not roofing.
So, what should kind of roofing gun do I want?
Also, there is plenty of discussion concerning compressors. From reading those, it sounds like I can’t go wrong with a Thomas. But the question is, how much compressor do I need to run two guns??
Thanks.
Rich Beckman
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Replies
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Rich,
Sorry I can't offer first-hand advice. However, this may help.
I do like Thomas' compressors.
Regards, Mongo
*I have a max roofing gun that i would buy again in a heart beat. I also have a paslode that I wish I never bought. I have also had many trouble free years with bostitch. My 2hp Makita stack comp has run 3 roof guns with no problem, it makes lots of air and even more noise!
*Rich: I also have a Max. It was used and beat looking when I got it, but has worked perfectly. Put 7 or 8 roofs on with it now and it has not jammed or misfired one single time. Likes any brand of nails.
*Rich...I picked up a used PC roofer. Don't do alot of roofing...so the price fit the bill. It's actually held up better then I'd hoped. I had a choice between the PC, and a Paslode. The used tool guy said the paslode was heavier duty...but finicky on nails......as the PC was what he called DIY-quality...but took any nail you fed it. Since I was only getting it for one definite job...and too keep on hand...I want with the more delicate but friendly one. I've probably only nailed about 50 square since I've had it....but it paid for it's self the very first time.....17 square myself....not one jam. Check for used at local tool service/repair shops if you aren't gonna abuse it much. Jeff
*Rich, like Jeff I don't do a lot of roofing, so I bought a used Hitachi, haven't used alot of others, so can't comment there. The Hitachi has worked well for me (only around 120 square so far). I also have a Thomas compressor and would recommend them. Another thing I recommend is good hose. I personally use 1/4" Parker Push Lock hose. Very light, smooth, and flexible. Have worked with others that only had some real cheap 3/8" braided hose - much more of a nuisance to drag around (stiff and heavy) and the braiding wore on the roof edge in spots.Best of luck on your new endeavor.Shoe
*About three years ago I looked into roofing guns, Rich, and at that time Senco had just introduced a gun with a revolutionary feature you might want to know about. On most guns there is simply a hole the nail passes through, sort of like the barell of a gun. That's how the old Sencos were too. But this new gun has a pair of clamshell shaped pieces of metal hinged over that hole so that the nail head stays straighter as it passes through that hole.I rented one of the new guns, an older Senco without that clamshell, and a Makita to use on a 42 square reroof I did at the time, and the three of us rotated guns every few hours so as to form opinions about them. All three of us agreed the new Senco was FAR better, less recoil, smoother, nails consistantly straight and set correctly. It was clearly a better gun.But it cost quite a bit more to buy new, and since it was new, I couldn't find a used one anywhere. So I bought a used Makita and it has served me well ever since. By now you might be able to find a used Senco with that clamshell, or maybe other manufacturers have replicated that design by now. Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there. I have a Campbell/Hausfield twin tank, medium size compressor - you know the one they sell at Home Depot that you can pick up in one hand? Great all purpose compressor for a one man gang and will run two roof nailers no sweat. Good, reliable tool.Hey! Aren't you getting a little long in the tooth to be starting a roofing career?
*rich,I've done most of my roofing with the Bostich and the Hitachi. The bostich is a tank. It will fight battles, and last from war to war. You will fight it all day, it's so danged heavy. It is easy to load but goes through a lot of air seals, a problem I don't like much, especially since it leaks most of the time before you decide to replace the seals.The hitachi is beautiful. It is so light I can't believe I dragged around the Bostich. That can be a problem though, it can be dragged off the roof easily by the weight of the air hose. The bostich was so heavy it tended to stay put better. But the bostich had no depth of drive adjustment. Hitachi has a knob, I use it all the time, and it allows me to shoot cement board for tiling, shoot on drywall corner bead and other applications where you need depth control as well as different roofing applications.The bostich is easier to load but I'd never get one now that I've gotten the Hitachi. I have not used the Senco roofing guns but I really like their finish guns the best. I haven't used Max for roofing either, but have heard they are excellent. I wouldn't buy a PC or Makita.Compressors-Among others, I used a Thomas for a while, it was great but extremely loud. I beat the devil out of a Devilbiss until it died. Now I have the Dewalt/Emglow. It's fantastic. Very fast recharge time, fairly quiet, reliable, not too heavy.MD
*rich... we use bostich & hitachi.. the hitachi is our favorite.. also we only shoot paslode roofing nails... the guns like them better.. pay more.. but no problems..got a PC 2 hp.. will run three guns... but likes 20 amp circuits.. also have an old Thomas pancake which can run on 15 amps..
*I forgot about the compressor Q. Any name brand 1 1/2 HP to 2 HP with say a 4 gallon tank will do. I have the Thomas ST2820......it's a stacked/2 tank model with 2 pistons. That upgrade makes it one of the most powerful/fastest recovery....and quietiest comp's I've worked around. I also was looking for a comp to do it all....and be quiet enough to have running in customers homes. It was one of the most expensive I looked at. I also was set on oil less.....less maintenence/less mess/ less toxic stuff dehind the driver seat stinking up the van! At the time....all I had was an oil less Senco finish gun.....so it was a matched set. If I went oiled.....I'd go Emglo. As said above......get a good quality hose. I have one good 50' hose.....blue and light and never kinks......then I have 3 other that I picked up at HD or Lowes. The good one cost about $50....but is always used first....unless I gotta run thru snow and mud and around a house....then the cheap ones get ran....with the good one hooking up to the gun. Get a compressor that runs off a 15amp circuit. And....spend a few bucks and get a good think 10 gauge extension cord.....keep it short......like 25' or so....definitely not 100'....and make it as compressor only....so it's always there for ya. Always look for ways to run more hose and less cord. And I'll leave the compressor in the van....corded and hosed...if possible to save from carrying the damn thing around. Here's a tip one van guy to another.....buy a good hand truck/2 wheel dolly....and strap at at the back doors. That's how my compressor rides around the job sites! Jeff
*Mad Dog Maglin had a nice jig he built published in Tips & Techniques about a year ago that is like a garden hose reel, that he has his pneumatic hoses on. Said he usually leaves his compressor right in the truck and just rolls out as much hose as it takes. That would be slick when you could get away with it.Last I heard that danged guy was head over heels in love with a Russian gal. Anybody heard from him lately? Good guy.
*> Last I heard that danged guy was head over heels in love with a Russian gal. Anybody heard from him lately? Good guy. I don't think he's posted at all for a few months now. I have wondered about how he's doing. I think I'll start a tavern thread asking.Rich Beckman
*As far as the compressor goes, I would stay away from extension cords unless you have no choice at all. Use longer hoses instead.
*when are they gonna invent a cordless compressor?
*They do sell them, don't they? Can't you buy compressors with gasoline engines?
*Battreeees Jim, battreeees!!!! (yes I've seen the gas powered wheelbarrow monsters)
*Compressors with gas engines??? madness I say!...next thing you'll be telling me is that Porter Cable will make some sorta trim gun with a little engine on the back of it! Boy...think how goofy that thing would look???And Rich.....that's another reason to conside the Thomas.......they are "extension cord safe"....says so right on the tag! But I still wouldn't push it past a 10 gauge/25' cord. More hose is always better. And from what I've heard...the single piston version of my two piston comp is quite louder....if the money's not there to go all the way(think mine was over $400)....maybe the emglo would be a better option(more bang for the buck). Jeff
*Well, I've never had one, but I'm thinkin' those gas powered compressors gotta be noisy and noxious. Might be just the ticket when you work for Chatty Kathy. Bring that sucker right into the kitchen..."morning, Kate..." fire that baby up and go about your business. I wonder if she'd notice your weren't shooting any nails...might have to leave a petcock open to keep that thing recycling, too...this has potential...
*I'm thinking yer on to something there.....just run the hose out the window....then go about the drywall mudding! Jeff
*Crazy Legs- Found a used Senco roofing gun w/the clamshell nosing for $150, SEEMS to be in good shape. Aren't they about $350 new? Will probably take it to Coastal Nail to check out before buying. -Ken
*Yeah, that sounds about right, Ken. I haven't shopped them in a few years. Those are some sweet guns, man.
*I'm in with you, Jeff.The old T150 is a helluva lot noisier than the 2820. The "redesigned" 150...which is the 200 Renegade...is still a lot noisier than the 2820.I think the 2820 is a pretty nice setup.
*Thanks everybody. I'm leaning to the Max guns and the Thomas compressor. Final decision is still a three weeks or so away. I'll let you know what I do.Rich Beckman
*Extra tank for compressor. I think I saw an article in FineHomebuilding where someone had used a portable 10 gallon air tank to give "more lungs" to a 4 gallon compressor...can anyone commment on how to plumb this configuration and if there are any safety concerns?
*Plumb it inline. Use a tank that is rated for your pressure. That's it.near the air stream,aj
*One configuration is to put your pony tank close to where you are working and give its own output pressure regulator set lower than the regulator on the compressor, then the compressor's job becomes to keep the pony full.
*I use the system Phil describes except I only run about 4 feet of hose from the comp. to the extra air tank.