Advice on Framing Nailer purchase

SMJoinery

SMJoinery

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Nov 17, 2013
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Got a couple of projects about to start that need the addition to the fleet of a framing nailer(s).
I've resisted thus far only hiring when required.
Jobs are 2 large summerhouses and a biomass boiler housing and a timber frame extension stick build I tried to talk my way out of!

Any recommendations would be gratefully received.
The tool suppliers I deal with have different ideas on paslode and dewalt but I want to hear all options, pros and cons and your opinions on what best route is.
Many thanks.
Scott
 
The dewalt is way in front of the paslodes. Yeah I'm probably a bit biased as I got one free just before they were released. I can honestly say though that it's never let me down unlike the old paslodes especially in the cold.

Only bad points are its slightly heavier and sometimes (very rarely) it doesn't knock a nail right in. This is only really when using long ring shanks on tuff wood.
 
joiner1970 said:
The dewalt is way in front of the paslodes. Yeah I'm probably a bit biased as I got one free just before they were released. I can honestly say though that it's never let me down unlike the old paslodes especially in the cold.

Only bad points are its slightly heavier and sometimes (very rarely) it doesn't knock a nail right in. This is only really when using long ring shanks on tuff wood.
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I've just been reading all those threads back when you had just got it.
One of the local dealers I know has gave me a good price for the dewalt with the 5ah batteries, I think it's the P2? 
I have the dewalt brad nailer since it was first released and hasn't let me down but had to replace batteries recently.
I was hoping there would be a combo deal now to share batteries between frame and finish nailers but haven't seen anything advertised.
It's looking dewalt route at this point as I don't fancy hoses and feel gas would be a step back from battery only.
I can't see my trying to shoot 90mm nail into hardwood!!
 
Yeah the 2nd version has two speeds now and 5ah batteries so even better I should think.

Theres a new 16g nailer coming out soon , I didn't get one free this time :(.
 
Battery only framing nailers? Is that a thing now? Wow.

I bought a Hitachi gas nailer a couple of years ago as the "designer from Paslode left and went to work at Hitachi" (apparently) and it has worked very well for me. I'll be shifting it on soon enough as I no longer have a need for it, and if resale prices are anything to go by, I'll do alright on it.

Worth considering anyway.

Powertool World were the cheapest I believe at the time.

http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/hitachi-gas-nail-gun-nr90gc2-first-fix-90mm-nailer.html
 
I've been waiting for Senco to get its act together with the Fusion and produce a viable frame nailer ... nope!

I'm not a Dewalt fan, but I am starting to think that a Dewalt is the go for a battery only frame nailer at the moment. Why can't anyone else get this right? Needing gas to drive a nail seems so "old tech" [sad]
 
The Dewalt framer gets my vote as well.
It's especially good if you don't use a framer all the time, I can quite often go a month or so without needing to use one. There is no gas going out of date and the Dewalt has always fired straight out of the box for me.
I see the Dewalt 16 gauge finisher has been released in the UK, anyone got to use one yet? As soon as it gets released down here I'd like to get one, just hope they release it bare.
 
Thanks for all the replies and comments so far.
I'm lying here in a very warm & sunny Cyprus at the moment so had loads of time to browse here and online generally.
I haven't seen any mention yet of new brad nailer but as soon as its released if get one so it makes sense to get the latest dewalt battery framer and get the brad as bare unit.

Got to say the FOG makes for good reading whilst relaxing on holiday, I've only read 3 books this week, priced 3 jobs, material take off for 2 and designed a couple of cabinet installs.  [big grin]
 
Our company uses Hitachi NV83a2.  They are coil framing nailers.  They hold about 250 nails.  We have had great luck with the Hitachi's and they are very reliable.  The weight of the coils nails are worth it to us.  Instead of carring extra nails in your pouch they are in the gun.  Which ever nailer you buy, check out www.toolhangers.com  they have spring hooks that make hanging the nailer really convenient.  Max nailers are also very good as well and offer stick and coil nailers.
 
SMJoinery said:
Thanks for all the replies and comments so far.
I'm lying here in a very warm & sunny Cyprus at the moment so had loads of time to browse here and online generally.
I haven't seen any mention yet of new brad nailer but as soon as its released if get one so it makes sense to get the latest dewalt battery framer and get the brad as bare unit.

Got to say the FOG makes for good reading whilst relaxing on holiday, I've only read 3 books this week, priced 3 jobs, material take off for 2 and designed a couple of cabinet installs.  [big grin]
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Awesome. Are you in the North or the South? Must be in the 40's this time of year?

I have the Dewalt and much prefer it over the Paslode, especially the absence of gas given the Scottish weather ;)
 
In the south just outside Ayia Napa and yesterday its roastin!
Easily in the high 30's but absolutely gorgeous.

Yes I think that's another reason for Dewalt. Had issues in the past with paslode with our temp and just old gas as it won't be most used in our kit.

To be honest I could be convinced to screw the whole lot..#SPAX
 
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Ordered the Dewalt P2 this morning from our local Tool guy (Festool dealer).
Great price, service and bought locally.
 
I find the paslodes to be highly overrated. Senco  used to be the name of the game but these days I find myself just screwing everything together with my impact gun. Fastener cost is higher but the adjustability of the framing is invaluable.
 
Are you looking specifically for a "cordless" framer, or are air guns in the mix as well?  (if you mentioned this and I over looked it, i apologize)

For pure production, a "cordless" gun can simply not compete with an air gun, in my experience.  I have used both extensively, and cordless guns just dont cycle anywhere near as fast as a good air gun.  For subfloors, roof sheathing, etc......gas guns are MUCH slower and more expensive to shoot.

for air guns, I find it hard to beat the paslodes.  I have used the bostitch coil guns a little, and they seem to be solid guns.  For my taste I thought they were a bit heavy and "awkward", but that is only my opinion.  I know others that have liked that style very much.  But for production work, I'd buy an air paslode over and over again.

I do have the newer paslode li-ion gas gun as well, and it is a very solid performer for smaller jobs when you dont want to drag around a compressor and hose.  However, I have not used the dewalt battery driven gun, so i do not know how they compare.
 
If you are not in the trades, going for air and not going to abuse the tools there is no better bang  for the buck than the Freemans. I have had zero issues with them, but I only use them about once a month. I am confident I could use them daily:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NUP8BS/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005NUP8BS&linkCode=as2&tag=bestprodtag22955-20

As far as cordless I disagree with the Paslodes are over rated statement. I like them and I like the DeWalt cordless as well. Both are to be used in addition to the air tools. There is nothing like a cordless nailer when you have to pop up on a roof to just nail down a quick sheet or two or up on  ladder for a fast repair. I have actually built entire projects with the cordless nailers, but for an entire house build I am definitely taking out my air compressor.

Very nice for cordless:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MGNITW/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000MGNITW&linkCode=as2&tag=bestprodtag22955-20

The cordless I prefer over the DeWalt :

http://www.amazon.com/Paslode-902600-CF325Li-Lithium-Cordless/dp/B006W4FB8O/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1438021534&sr=1-1&keywords=Paslode

For air this is my main air nailer and what we need around here. Our inspectors don't like the clipped nails for structural we need full round:

http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-FR350B-2-Inch-Framing-Nailer/dp/B008S9M5Y4/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1438021697&sr=1-1&keywords=POrter+cable+framing+nailer
 
UPDATE.
Been using it all week and very impressed.
Shoots 90mm nails all day long into redwood no probs.
Only couple of fails to fire to report mostly learning curve I think plus nails depositing a lot of paper residue causing jam. To be fair they are not Dewalt nails.
Only big problem is that I hate the box it comes in. Soon to be rehoused in sys4/5.
 
FURTHER UPDATE..
Oh dear not good news.
Less than a week after purchase gun has had to go back to dealer for investigation.
Gun worked ok for 3 days. 4th day gun continually refusing to fire unless battery was removed for 5 seconds to "reset". This continued into 5th day to a point where only one nail fire occurred before the situation occurred.
Checked the batteries, studied the book, phoned the service centre etc but no obvious user fix etc. So gun returned after only 4 days medium use.
Have to say that really puts me off the gun as it will be playing around me my head the next time I've got lots to do with it.
I'll update further when I hear back.
I believe Dewalt had a 30 day money back policy?
 
Oh that's not good to hear hopefully it's just a bad nailer hopefully you get it back soon or a new one
 
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