Looking for suggestions on air nailers...

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ok, so I'm thinking of getting an air nailer... I don't absolutely need one (read as if it's frickin expensive like a Paslode "cordless" nailer, as much as I'd like it, I wouldn't get it), but if I had one I'd use it a good bit so I don't want something that's gonna fall apart after a couple days of use.

I know Paslode and Porter Cable are good brands, but anyone know of any other brands worthy of considering?

My main interest is a framing nailer at the moment, but would consider a set that includes a framing nailer. I don't really need a finish nailer since I can borrow my dad's, but a brad or pin may be useful.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[kennykenny]

Hitachi hands down. Just don't get the ones that look like a toy (shiny black and green). I'm from a family of builders and Hitachi is the only framing gun we use, must have 8 or 9 of them and they are very high quality.
This is what you want.
http://www.hitachipowertools.com/product/files/pneumatics/framing_nailers/NR83A2.jpg_prod_mx.jpg

 

[Sunk]

I used Hitachis like the one suggested, they seem pretty solid. Heavy after a while and loud though... Although these one were a bit older.

 

[Jimmeh]

DO NOT BUY COIL NAILERS! I personally HATE them because they are heavier and a lot more awkward.

Hitachi is a VERY good brand. The new Hitachi's may look like toys, but they are a lot lighter and still just as good as the old ones. Porter Cable is also good (the older ones).

The new Rigid framing gun is nice. Light, user friendly, but a little pricey.

Stay away from Bostitch and DeWalt.

If you ever have to get one fixed, the Porter Cable is a bit pricey when it comes to parts. I had a new trigger and guide put on mine, and it cost $150 without labor. Hitachi's are hard to break if you oil them religiously.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Ok, guess I should clarify.... I don't really intend on dropping $2-400 on a framing nailer. For what I have to do, at that price, I'll just use my framing hammer and a box of nails. (Do bear in mind that if I had the extra money I wouldn't mind buying a high quality nailer, but since I've dropped several hundred at Home Depot this past week, my spare money supply is rather depleted.)

I was mainly asking more along the lines of the stuff that you can find at places like Harbor Freight or some of those traveling tool sales and the like. I know that some stuff those places sell is a decent tool at a nice price because it has some no-name label instead of a well-known brand. But I also know that some of the stuff is plain junk. (I bought an angle grinder from a traveling tool sale awhile back and IMHO, for the $15 or so I spent on it, it performs better than the Craftsman that my boss uses that he paid around $50 for.)

 

[hihoslvr]

maybe check the pawn shops, not my 1st choice, but you might get lucky...

 

[mkpecor]

hitachi hands down. i do finesh work for alivein and all my tools are hitachi. nailers, piners, just picked up the new 12'' double bvl miter saw and it runs soooooooo much smoother than the dewalts. go hitachi.

 

[MAKG]

For occasional use, you don't need a good nailer. You need an adequate one.

Do you really care if it falls apart after 1000 hours of use? That would suck if you're a builder (it's about 6 months lifetime), but it's fine for your purpose.

And you're about the only person I've seen who talks about Harbor Freight and "quality" in the same thought. Harbor Freight tools are disposible. That's the point.

I've never seen coil framing nailers. I've seen them for roofing nails.

You can also rent nailers. You could buy them used from a rental place (some Home Depot stores, for instance), but they are THRASHED by the time they are given up.