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Budget Framing Nailer

39K views 44 replies 23 participants last post by  Inner10  
#1 ·
I'm not trying to sound like a complete fool here but I'm tempted to pick up a cheap framing nailer. I do VERY little at work with one, I always build my little stractures with steel, screws or pinners and glue, this will be moreless for renovating my own home.

Bottom line is I don't want to drop 400 on a Pasload if a budget CH or Mastercraft for less then 150 will work. Whats the difference longivity? Weigh? Safety? Should I not waste my money and save up for something good or will this do the trick for the small amount of work it will be used for?

Thank you, any input is appreciated.
 
#2 ·
#25 ·
Same deal here...I bought one for "one" job so that I could afford to pick up a "real" nailer (like that new Hitachi that I'm still drooling over).

So far, the CH hasn't failed me yet in the limited use I've had for it.

So I guess I'll just have to buy the Hitachi out of pure lust factor! ;D

Other than that, for minor work, it suffices.
However, when production picks up, I will have a Hitachi.

:)
 
#4 ·
Typically I don't do cheap tools either, although saving 250 on a tool that will get very little use means I can put a little more in my piggy bank for a new TE-40 or TS55 that will get a workout on a regular basis.
 
#9 ·
x2 on the cambell hausfield.

I was given a new one once, I use it for working in or around dirt/gravel. It has worked perfectly for a year now. Gone through several boxes of nails, (paslode nails) For the price, I would definitly buy another
 
#17 ·
Can't get rid of the matching pair of Impulse guns, got one left belt hook and one right, in true Loneframer style.:thumbsup: The other guns still get occasional use, according to what type nails the GC supplies and the volume of nailing to be done. Honestly, there are three parts guns in there too.:whistling
 
#20 ·
Thanks for the input guys, I think I'm going to take the cheap route and snap up a CH. Its really cheap, I don't care if it breaks in a year since its not a critical tool for my industry, I don't want to fix anything or take a gamble this I can atleast return. If it shoots a nail into wood successfuly i'm happy.
 
#22 ·
Sometimes there is nothing wrong with an inexpensive tool. I have quite a collection of guns, mainly Bostitch, Senco, and Paslode Impulse. A few month ago I was using my favorite brad nailer (Senco SLP20) and the trigger blew out. I went to the shed and dug out the second nailer I ever owned, a Grizzly brad gun that I paid $30 for around 1988. Got plenty of use back then, put I upgraded to Senco and its been on the shelf ever since. I put a couple of drops of oil in and low and behold, she fired off a couple hundred brads with no issue. No air leaks, not one problem. I had the SLP20 fixed, but I still bust out the grizzly on occasion.

In comparison, I have a Bostitch roofer that had 2 roofs on it about 3 years ago. I went to use it to do my garage roof, and sure enough, one coil in, and the bumpstop went and the tool was useless.

Not saying this is the norm, but it sort makes me angry when I pay top dollar for a quality tool and it lets me down.
 
#27 ·
3 years old? Only 2 roofs?
Was it oiled regularly over the seasons even if it wasn't used?
Could've ceased from being stored (moisture inflitration maybe?).

I have to say that Bostitch makes bulletproof guns when it comes to their roofers (especially the RN46/45's). The 45 in particular are a little heavier duty, just no where near as light as the 46's.

Definitely not the norm for Bostitch roofers.

:)

Plus, Bostitch currently has a 7 Year Warranty.

Maybe it's worth a look to see if you can have it at the very least serviced.
 
#24 ·
So I went to buy the CH, and as I held the box in my hand I read that it had a new laser guide and features to help the average homeowner; as I looked around at the other weekend warriors snapping them up I got a rather sick feeling in my stomach...Then a few days later the boss was away for 2 days and there was a sale at a local tool supplier on the 3.5" Hitachi, I just couldn't say no! The gun is sweet but the green flame pattern is a little lame; oh well I'l have the scraped off soon enough.
 
#29 ·
I picked up 1 Campfield Hausfeld Framer, a Husky Trim Nailer and a Husky Brad Nailer all for $145. (including tax).

They worked fine so far and come with guarantees.

Doesn't mean I'm "not" upgrading to Hitachi/Bostitch gear when I can, but for now, these nailers are doing ok.

When it all boils down to it, most of them are made in China anyway.

I'm sure the Bostitch/Hitachis etc...are made to far better standards of course.

:)
 
#30 ·
Yeah, sad to see a company like Hitachi resort to making their tools look "cool"... But I do like Hitachi when it comes to nail guns.

Ok, and I am one of those "if you can't afford the best, wait until you can" snob types, so I haven't dipped into the green-flame line of tools myself. I can't say how well they work, but I've got enough faith in Hitachi air guns to say you'll probably love the gun you got.

Wise choice.

Now excuse me while I go polish my platinum plated roto-zip.

Gold...

Ha!
 
#34 ·
I don't like the hitachi, it missfires and sends nails flying. Maybe we just had cheap nails but still... I found that it would shoot a stray about every 100 or so nails. (Usually the nail would shoot about 10 degrees out to the right)

I actually lost a job because it shot a stray that went near an electricians helper (HS kid on work program) and the darned kid thought I was shooting at him... None of us are that stupid.... Well, I'm not!

Anyway... I got let go, Boss didn't pay me out the week as promised, I notified city councelmen that he was working without permits, So, For cheating me out of about $600.00 he lost a $750,000.00 contract... Don't mess with the bull... You'll get the horns!
 
#39 ·
I need a palm nailer, I'd really like to get a little SENCO palm nailer to see how well it would work with trim nails.
It wouldn't. I have one, and the way it works, your trim nail would flip sideways on the first stroke or two. Works great on 8-12D nails; some 16D sinkers have heads too big to fit inside the guide piece. It'll still work for them, but that's a two-handed operation to keep it on top of the nail.
 
#37 ·
D O - N O T - B U Y - T H E - H A R B O R - F R E I G H T - N A I L E R S ! ! "Central Pneumatic" brand
I suggest you go to a local flea market, rummage sale, yard sales I just bought a HUSKY 21901 for $50 (It's the one that comes in the set of 2 nailers and a little compressor) It took me a couple weeks to find a good deal but I'm happy now!

**MZ-HANDYMAN**