Bostitch N88RH-2MCN VS Hitachi 83A2

2ndGen

I've narrowed it down to these two framing guns.

Pound for pound, which one is "The" gun to get?

Most important is function and quality.

2nd most important would be features.

I want the gun that I just lube, hook up and nail away with.

Ding!
Ding!

FramingFanatic

hitachi without a doupt, everytime i have used a bostich gun it took every fibre of my strength to not throw the piece of gun against the wall. Im not sure if its the same gun im thinking of but my boss just bought a new bostich and the damn thing doesnt even have touch nailing, which is the worst if you frame with anysort of speed at all.

The hitachi's you just take em out of the box lube em and nail. Thats it, i also spray them off at the end of every day we work in the rain. The only problem is it doesnt have a rafter hook.

Another gun i just got is the new Paslode, its light small has lots of pop. And it has a rafter hook.

Hope this helps.

Nathan

Kgmz

The Hitachi NR 83A2 is a update to the tried and true NR 83A.

The Bostitch N88RH-2MCN is still around but has been replaced with the F21PL. Both have the extra tip so can be used for metal connector nails. Also both are sequential triggers, and to change them to bounce fire you need to change the trigger. Whereas with the Hitachi you flip a switch to change from single fire mode to continuous bounce fire. To get sequential fire mode with the Hitachi you have to replace the trigger.

Other differences: The Bostitch can take full 3 1/2" nails and thicker nails. ThE Hitachi is limited to 3 1/4" x .131" nails, the normal framing 16d nails, the Bostitch can use up to 3 1/2" x .162" nails. Something to think about if you need the larger nails for code items.


I have used Hitachi NR 83's years ago and they were fine, but there were a lot of things I didn't like that have been addressed with the 83A2 model. But we now use Bostitch and Max for our framing and coil guns. For Bostitch I have a old N90 clipped head gun that is still going strong, the N88RH-2MCN and the F21PL. I got the last 2 just for the fact that they can do metal connector nails. I don't have a problem with the sequential fire trigger and can nail just as fast with these as I can with a bounce gun. Also the Bostitch is more powerful than the Hitachi. Also something to think about if you are having to fire into a lot of LVL's.

But if you want a really good nailer get the Max SN883RH, it is a full pound lighter than either the Bostich or Hitachi. And can shoot as hard as the Bostitch.

Kingfisher

If the 88 is the one I'm think of that I own I would never buy it again. The one I have uses the plastic strip nails and the plastic shrapnel goes everywhere. Bostitch is good I have their roof nailer and an old clip head wire strip nails. But I would not get that one again get one that uses the paper nails, wire, or coil. I will sell you my hardly use 88 for $200 including shipping

wallmaxx

Look at the Hitachi NR90AC3

I use mine every day...can fire up to a 3 1/2" .162 gauge nail (full 16D). Best gun I have ever used.



Oooops...that's my OTHER gun

HallisseyDesign

I was always using a stick framer until a buddy showed me a coil framer, and man I am stuck. 300 nails up to 4inches i can fire with my bostich and I bought the porter cable 350 mag last night for 145.00 brand new. It was a miss mark and i got luck. Have you ever tried a coil framer? They shoot full round too so you don't have to worry about any code issues with the clipped heads.

2ndGen

Ok, it looks like Hitachi it is.

Do they have the same cold weather problems that Hitachi's roofing guns have traditionally had?

And I have a question about nail collations.

Wire? Tape? Plastic? Other?

Pros and cons.

Thanks.

buildenterprise

Hitachi still rules the framing gun game. I think the paper collated are only for the clipped heads, full round heads are either plastic or wire. The plastic seems to be magnetically attracted to sensitive facial areas as it flies out of the gun so be sure to wear those goggles!

__________________

Kingfisher

Paper and wire are full heads too just depnds on the gun They just started making full head wire. Paslode paper is what I use in the impulse cordless and they are full head. Dont get the plastic unless you plan on wearing safty glasses LOL

2ndGen

For Roofing, they are wire colladed.

I suppose that for round head nails (which is the only type I would use anyway) then wire would be the best?

2ndGen

That's another question:

Pro's and Con's of coil framers VS stick framers.

I've used both (though not in production mode).

I'd assume that a coil nailer would be best for general construction work and for production work since they hold more nails and require less loading.

I'm also assuming that stick nailers are designed that way for a reason (maybe for access to tighter areas, etc...).

What say ye?

tool junkie

Nothing beats the Hitachi for framing. I have several. I gave away my dewalt. I just bought a passload pneumatic and it takes the bigger nails and it works sweeeeet but we havent used it long enough to know how durable it is.