Hi, my name is Devin, and i work for a remodeler in beautiful northwest Washington. I have framed on and off for the last 4 years, and a good deal of the work I do now also involves some framing.. so, I decided it’s time I own my very own nail gun. I don’t know about the rest of the country, but here, pretty much the only framing gun you see on the job is the Hitatchi NR83.. and for good reason as i’ve been told. I’ve been shopping around, and there are a couple other guns that stand out to me, mostly because they are quite a bit cheaper. I know you get what you pay for, but I’ve only used the Hitatchi and have nothing to compare it to from experience. The other nailers I’m considering are the Senco 620, or the Bostitch (not sure of the model). I brought a strip of nails from home to the store to make sure they are compatable, but I’m a bit hesitant to buy a gun without being able to really try it out first. I would really appreciate any comments from people who own, or have used these guns. Thanks.
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you won't go wrong with the Hitatchie.. Don'r waste yur monet on the Senco...
can't help ya with the bostich..
>> I brought a strip of nails from home to the store to make sure they are compatable << Just because they fit in the gun doesn't make 'em compatible. When purchasing a gun first you have to decide if you want a full round head or a clipped head. Next you have to check the angle of the nails. I think it's getting where most nailers are "senco style". Many nail boxes say what they will fit right on the box. I think both Hatachi and Bostich use "senco style" nails.
I have the Bostich full round head - it's OK, but I'm not a full time framer, so I probably use it about once a week. On the up side is the way the depth of drive adjusts - no tools needed. Takes about 1 second. Really packs a punch too. On the down side, it seems to be not very smooth, so may produce more operator fatigue. The one I have is the one that is designed to drive Bostich joist hanger nails, which is a joke since no one sells the nails around here and they are like $100-$125+ a box. Ohter guys here say they can get the nails OK though.
Don't even think about a PC. I had one and called my $300 nail starter. They were more expensive back then. POS. I was glad when it finally fell apart. I sold it at a yard sail as a "basket case" for $5.
I have the same Bostitch and I am looking at my invoice for the joist hanger nails $32.50 for a box. I installed 94 hangers this morning and thought it was awesome. It takes the same nails as the full head hitachi 21-degree. I have been very happy with this tool.
Like I said, I never found a box to buy, so I guess I really wouldn't know What did you get for $34.50? a 1000 nails? Also, must of the hangers we use these days use those 3" toe nails. http://www.simpsonstrongtie.com/products/connectors/LUS-HUS.html I thought the Bostich nails were only available in 2.5". No HD galvanized nails either.
Looking around on the web this is what I found just now:
http://www.pricecomparison.com/prdtmain.php?corenum=151877
As much time as I've wasted looking for the special nails for that thing, I guess someone will have to give me a box or 2 to get me to like it, but until then I'll just keep trash talkin the whole situation. Maybe once the generic nail companies start making 'em...
Matt
My nails are 2" and the lumber yard that sold me the nails said that this is part of a special when I bought 2 guns a pancake compressor and three cases of nails. The Bostitch rep also threw in a yellow version of the flex eel. Hose was great but I let my father borrow it... He kept it.
I highly recomend the Hitachi. I also have a couple senco frame-pro nailer. I like them also. My favoraite right now are my Paslode power-masters. I will never buy or use another bostitch as long as I live.
Greg Werner- Werner Building & Remodeling
Huntingdon PA
I second Greg's opinion--if your locale allows use of "clip-head" nails, the Paslode Powermaster is the way to go--they are tough! The Bostitch framers (I've had three of them, all replaced/returned within six months) are junk.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Paslode now sells 'Round-Drive' nails for clipped head nailers. Full head, just offset so you'll still pass inspection. Haven't had any trouble with them jamming in my paslodes or sencos.Greg Werner- Werner Building & Remodeling
Huntingdon PA
Ya, we use the Roundrives a lot, especially for decks and plywood (if we're not stapling or using the coil guns). Speaking of Bostitch, I've got their newer roofing gun (RN46?) and it's great--shot great right out of the box. Hitatchi has never given me good results with anything--maybe I'm the exception?
When I went to buy my first gun, I looked at what I had used and what others were using--Paslode seemed to be the predominant brand and everyone here carries nails. I do have a PC RH gun though to shoot the boxes of RH nails I've accumulated--it works good, but not as smooth or powerful as the Paslode.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Since you brought up roofers, the majority of my roofing guns are Hitachi. The rest are sencos. Thankfull I don't need to use them much anymore.Greg Werner- Werner Building & Remodeling
Huntingdon PA
Didn't learn the first two times, eh? ;) I have always liked Hitachi, but learned to like the Paslode. Plenty of power. I have owned a Bostich and used it extensively for some time. Never had anything but good luck. A former buddy and employee cobbed it and won't give it back, so I hope your luck passes to him!!
I own a PC which I like, but don't use very often. I agree a factor is nail availability.Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail
Love my Powermaster. Real powerful.
The Powermaster doubles as a sledge hammer! I enjoy the shorter strips of nails compared to the Senco. They fit in your belt better and, with two strips per load, they supply more nails(Does that make sense?). It is not only lighter than the Sencos I've used, It is balanced better. Its nothing like the old boat anchor Duofasts.If the claw is sharp, who needs a saw?
Hitachi all the way. It's bulletproof, shoots the fastest of the other nailers, and is on sale for $315 at our lumber yard. The extra $50 is worth it. Easy to get parts for, easy to repair and get repaired, and never needs to be repaired.
Get the NR83A2 (same gun, but has a dial type depth adjustment) or the coil nailer version NV83A2. I love a coil framer. Never jams, in fact our Hitachi we bought last December (coil framer) has never jammed.
I bought a Stanely Bostitch N80 in 1994. It has lots of miles on it and still runs well. The nails are one of the few things I buy regularily at Home Depot because they have the best price and I don't need to rely on their delivery.
Have a good day.
Cliffy
I've got the Senco frame pro and love it, even though all the guys around me are using the Paslode, which is lighter. I've used the Hitachi and liked the punch it had, my only complaint with it was the plastic "collation" bits that flew like shrapnel most of the time. My vote is for Senco or Hitachi, in no particular order.....
If you aren't one of the one's I'm talking about,you shouldn't have any complaints....