Yays or Nays on Bostitch N66BC-1 nailer/cap gun?
kenackr
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Dragging my feet & screaming my way into the 21st century I’m finally ready to get my very first nailer. I’d sure like to get your opinions of the Bostitch N66BC-1.
My application is: putting up OSB sheathing, then Tyvek house wrap (which requires caps), AND then nailing on Hardie Panel (4×8).
From what I’ve read, this coil nailer can shoot up to 2 1/2″ nails & with or without caps and has a 500# strike force. As a coil nailer, it can carry about double the fastener load than a stick nailer. Oh yeah it weighs under 5# too.
Has anyone used this unit and if so would you relate what you think about it? I don’t expect it to do anything but siding.
Let ‘er rip>
Ken
Replies
I don't have that model, but I have a cap stapler from Bostitch. It works well, but you do need to keep the mechanism that moves the caps cleaned and lubed properly or it will start to skip caps. The stapler takes a wierd size staple that is only used in their cap stapler (as far as I can tell) and can handle 3/4 inch ti 1.5 inch staples. I do wish they had made a cap stapler that worked with an existing staple size, like 7/16 or 1/2 inch crown staples. Make sure that the model you are looking at takes a readily available nail, and will take a nail that will fulfill local codes for siding/sheathing... If you want it to double as a siding nailer, also make sure it works well with no caps and has a good depth adjustment.Also, look at the front end and see how much bulk the stapling mechanism has. It can be ard to manuver into tight spaces when siding with a stapling mechanism on one side of the gun.
I also have a Bostitch F21pl (plastic coalated stick framing nailer). It has worked extremely well, and handles 3.5 inch framing nails all the way down to a 1.5 inch metal connector nail. It is a pain having to reload so often, but the gun has functioned very well with minimum maintainence. Reloading so often can be a pain, but you will develop a system. for 4x8 sheets of siding, I just add a stick each time I grab a new sheet of siding. My Brother-in-law just got a bostitch coil framing nailer and has been having really good results with that as well.
The caps are really nice for house wrap if you are not going to be able to side it for a while and you live in a windy area. If you are wrapping and siding pretty quick, just a hand staple gun or a hammer stapler will work fine. If local codes, mfg reccommendations require a cap, this gun might be really handy for you to have.
glacier fergus,
Thanks for the response!. I called Bostitch & they said no problem firing just nails without caps. Here's their spec on nails:
Fastener Range
1 1/4" to 2 1/2" Wire Weld and Plastic Inserted Coil Nails (.080" - .092")
Magazine Capacity
300 Nails & 100 Caps
It will take both smooth & ringshank. Texas Windstorm Insurance agency specifies 2" round head ring shank when fastening through OSB into the stud, so we're OK there.
There's no staple mechanism on the gun, it shoots the nails through the cap. I'll be on the lookout for skipping caps, but I feel the seven year warranty should deal with any problems.
I'm going to use Tyvek "Drain wrap" as the rain screen membrane and Dupont requires use of caps for that wrap. We are in a windy spot with average breezes blowing about 15 to 20 MPH. I'll want to get the siding on ASAP and certainly within 30 days.
Thanks again for your input,
Ken
I have the N66C siding nailer which is the platform Bostitch modified to make the cap nailer you're interested in. It's been solid and reliable for the 4 years I've owned it. I use it for cement board siding as well as nailing sheathing. The gun is light and well balanced for a coil nailer.
Thanks slykarma, I'm glad to hear it's been earning it's keep for you. I'm more at ease now with some positive comments. Nobody wants to buy a dogma. ;-)
Ken
n66bc-1
Did you end up using this gun for the job? I am faced with a similar situation and am curious how it worked.
rhino3,
Haven't done the job yet, it's been pushed back until we can get the roof undercontrol. Everything is streched out now so I haven't bought the gun yet, but I can't imagine anything at this time that would change the decision to get one.
Thumbs up from me
I also have the N66 that the cap nailer is based around, and have spent a decent amount of time playing with the cap nailer, too. I've had a great track record with Bostitch nailers in general and have no hesitation in recommending them to people looking for a new tool. If you did want to compare it side by side with some other models, you might take a look at this article we did recently:
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/tool-guide/articles/its-time-to-switch-to-cap-fasteners.aspx?ac=ts&ra=fp
- Justin
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