What's the latest thinking on cordless framing nailers?

[Kev]

I picked up the new(isn) Dewalt in a shop the other day and the thing felt cheap and flimsy [huh]

The gas guns .. Paslode, Senco, etc seem to be the benchmark still.

Is it smarter just to go with compressed air and run the tether to the compressor and be done with it? (I'm looking for home use, but I just like cordless tools!)

I'd appreciate any thoughts people have [smile]

 

[serlokas]

I had thoughts as I have this small 50l compressor. But it makes no sense if doing a small frame. Dont know about dewalts framing nailer but 16g did not impress me. Paslode is working fine 3rd year now and saves the hassle.

 

[roblg3]

i have a quite old and beat up dewalt 18v 16ga angle finish nailer.  It works, it's top heavy as hell, jams every now and then, but it's easy to clear.  In the long run, i've never run out of gas and don't have to buy  it either. so, i'm glad i got it rather than a pasload.  It's quieter too.  i've dropped it several times 8 feet to concrete and it still works.  i don't love it at all, but it was a better buy when i got it like 8 years ago, so at least it's durable. It's great when you just need to whip something out really quickly.  $.02

 

[jimmylittle]

I have the DeWalt 16ga finish nailer, and it's OK.  I'll usually go for a tethered air nailer (usually an 18g a brad nailer and a 23ga pinner)

I LOVE my Paslode framer.  8 years in, and no problems.  I am a trim guy usually, so I don't carry a big compressor.  A tethered framer would keep my little compressor running all day.

Paslode all the way!

 

[FinishingCanuck]

If your not shooting a lot of nails then paslode is the answer. I have an 18g and a framing nailer. I love em both. They are not my main guns because the gas gets expensive but it's  great for service work or in rafters where hoses cause issues. I've never used a dewalt and don't plan on it

 

[Larso]

I have had a few different paslode gas guns over the years and upgraded to the latest version li ion framer and angled bradder just last year when the old ones kept jamming etc.These gas guns are the way to go for sure and they are as good as air tools for most purposes.

My paslode guns get used every day and i would have around 30 diferent nail guns for various uses around the shed and a couple of compressors but except for my duo fast coil gun none of it gets used.

If you are planning on nailing lots of australian hardwood on a regular basis buy the heavy duty gas nailer but its $1000 so if you dont need it avoid it.

If you dont need a framer the senco fusion bradder is a good tool and doesnt need gas to work,the battery also fits the senco dura spin screw guns which are up there with of the best screw guns available.The festool one (formerly protool) really is one of the weaker tools in the range. IMO

 

[Kev]

I have had a few different paslode gas guns over the years and upgraded to the latest version li ion framer and angled bradder just last year when the old ones kept jamming etc.These gas guns are the way to go for sure and they are as good as air tools for most purposes.

My paslode guns get used every day and i would have around 30 diferent nail guns for various uses around the shed and a couple of compressors but except for my duo fast coil gun none of it gets used.

If you are planning on nailing lots of australian hardwood on a regular basis buy the heavy duty gas nailer but its $1000 so if you dont need it avoid it.

If you dont need a framer the senco fusion bradder is a good tool and doesnt need gas to work,the battery also fits the senco dura spin screw guns which are up there with of the best screw guns available.The festool one (formerly protool) really is one of the weaker tools in the range. IMO

I've already got the Senco Fusion Brad gun - agree with you on it ... Sadly I've go a corded and cordless Protool dry wall gun - so I hope they're not really the worst [sad]

I got rid of most of my nailers as I'd acquired them without much thought and felt is was best to cash them while they were relatively fresh ... nothing amazing in amongst them!

Looks like Paslode then!!

Thanks all.

 

[Larso]

The protool/festool gun isnt really terrible just not class leading like most of the range.I found if you are doing lots of overhead work they seem to jam with the slightest bit of dust.

Never had a problem with fixing wall sheets so maybe i just hold my mouth different when working overhead.

I thought it was the demo unit i was trialing but a plasterer later told me he returned one for the same issue.

You may not have the same problems and i have seen them around on site so some people are obviouisly using them with no problems.

There is even a company in Canberra using them to screw together kitchen cabinets --- not sure i would but could be another use for you.

You should be able to get the paslode pair (Framer,Bradder)for a good price right now,Total Tools have an eofy sale and there is some paslode offerings although my local store had a deal on the floor today which isnt in the catalogue or on the web site so a visit might be worthwhile.

Have a good look though sometimes the special isnt so special as the units only come with one battery instead of two,cheap sticker price but different bits in the box.Sneaky but common.

 

[neth27]

What about the Hilt? in the uk its about the same price as the Paslode.

John..

 

[wrightwoodwork]

In my own opinion it's not as good as the paslode. The guy I used to work for got one. My griped with it is, it feels bigger and bulkier than the paslode im350. The belt clip doesn't seem as well positioned or designed to hook on my tool belt compared to the paslode. After just over 6 months of normal site use the piston rod went. The batteries after 3/4 months needed replacing. In my honest opinion hilti tools are not the same as they used to be especially the tools they intend to sell lots of. The only good thing still is the customer service. Ever since hilti bought the price of their tools down to more affordable levels for everybody I feel the quality isn't the same

 

[joiner1970]

Kev , was it the framing dewalt you looked at ? You may remember I was a tester for the prototype and I would in no way say it was cheap and flimsy. Feels very solid to me. I've had it ages now and it has been great

 

[Kev]

Kev , was it the framing dewalt you looked at ? You may remember I was a tester for the prototype and I would in no way say it was cheap and flimsy. Feels very solid to me. I've had it ages now and it has been great

It was the framing gun. It was a first impression, maybe I'll take a second look. The perfect framer for me would be cordless and no-gas ... but it needs to drive the nail in or it's pointless!

I'm careful with tools, so I'm not looking for "careless" job site robustness, but I like a solid quality feel to tools and I didn't get that when I was holding the Dewalt [unsure]