Senco 3-1/2” 34° Paper Tape Framing Nailer FN91T1 Review

Senco Framing Nailer FN91T1

5/5

Manufacturer: Senco
Model number: FN91T1
Price: 2.99.00
Power source: Compressed Air
Motor size: Pneumatic nailer
Weight: 8.39

First Impression

First impressions are important. To me, the Senco Framing Nailer FN91T1 is a large, robust, powerhouse weighing in at 8.39 lbs. I like that the nailer is an all-in-one full-head framer for me, having the versatility to handle a range of nails and nail styles.

The first project I used this on was to install three sets of LVL large beams and headers. I was impressed with the power of the nailer to easily sink 16d nails into LVL and PSL-engineered lumber.

Specifications

• Weight 8.39 lbs.
• Height: 14.13″ (358 mm)
• Length: 17.25″ (438 mm)
• Width: 4.88″ (123 mm)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Capacity: 80
• Power Type: Pneumatic
• Operating Pressure: 70 – 120 (PSI)
• Air Consumption: 6.7 (SCFM)
• Air Inlet NPT 3/8″
• Nail Range: 2″ – 3-1/2” Paper Tape

Using the Senco Framing Nailer FN91T1

The Senco Framing Nailer FN91T1 is well balanced, its magazine is large enough for two strips of nails and still easily manages toe-nail easily between studs.

Another feature I liked was that the in-line magazine allows for an unobstructed line of sight for left- and right-hand users. Nice engineering!

Depth of Drive

Setting the depth of drive for plywood was super easy and quick with its large, ambidextrous aluminum knob that is easily manipulated with gloves on.

Acceptable Nails

• Ring shank paper tape nails, degree: 34°, range: 2″ – 3-1/2″
• Ring shank paper tape collated nails, degree: 34°, range: 2″ – 2-3/8″
• Screw shank paper tape collated nails, degree: 34° range: 3”
• Smooth Shank Paper Tape Collated Nails, degree 34° Range: 2″ – 3-1/2″

Toenailing

The working end of the nailer has a super aggressive tip for toe nailing that makes it a breeze, solving a major frustration I’ve had with my older nailers, where the tip slides when toenailing.

Rafter Hook

A large, rotatable, aluminum rafter hook on the right side of the tool easily fixes over doubled materials and folds easily out of the way.

Dry Fire Lockout

The Senco has a dryfire lockout top to reduce wear and tear on the tool and alert you to reload.

How Much and Where to Buy

The Senco Framing Nailer FN91T1 sells online for $299.00 and can be purchased here: LINK ADDED SOON

Overall Impression

My first ever framing nailer, 30 years ago, was a Senco FramePro 600, then I moved on to a Paslode framer. The Senco Framing Nailer FN91T1 is a perfect framer or remodeler nailer. Its versatility can handle a variety of nail styles and is powerful to handle today’s engineered lumber.

It’s found a home with our crew, highly recommended!!

Senco Framing Nailer – Video Review

Senco Framing Nailer FN91T1 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

SENCO F-35FRHXP 18V Cordless 3 1/2″ Cordless Framing Nailer Review

3 1/2" Cordless Full Round Head Plastic Collated Framing Nailer

4/5

Manufacturer: SENCO
Model number: 10H0001N
Price: $549.99
Power source: 18V Battery
Weight: 11.38 Lbs.

SENCO is a company with a long history of designing innovative products. Since 1935, SENCO has provided manufacturers and contractors with exceptional fastening tools. In 2010 the company’s Fusion technology first debuted with a line of cordless finish nailers. Fusion provides instant trigger response with no ramp-up time. Although I have no experience with the original SENCO Fusion tools, the F-35FRHXP is undoubtedly the pinnacle of this technology.

Specifications

• Bare Tool Weight: 9.96 Lbs.
• Height: 14 3/8″
• Length: 14 5/8″
• Width: 4 11/16″
• Warranty: 5 Year Tool / 1 Year Battery
• Battery Size: 3.0 Ah
• Fasteners Per Charge: 600
• Nail Capacity: 35
• Strip Type: 20° Full Round Head Plastic Collated
• Smooth Shank Size Range: 2 1/4″-3 1/2″
• Ring Shank Size Range: 2″-3″

Standout Features of the SENCO F-35FRHXP

Fusion Air Technology

The SENCO Fusion technology uses a compressed air cylinder to drive nails. During my testing, I drove a case of 3 1/4″ smooth shank nails on a framing project. During this time period, I did not experience a single failure to drive the nail to the set depth. The F-35FRHXP shoots nails with power and authority, regardless of material. I experienced no issues in traditional framing lumber as well as LVLs. The Fusion technology also has zero ramp-up time and will fire a nail as fast as you can work the trigger.

The manual does not specifically state a recommended service interval for the Fusion system. However if the user experiences a drop in pressure, the manual recommends bringing the tool to a SENCO authorized service center.

Selectable Modes

The SENCO nailer features two main modes of operation. The first is sequential operation, where the front contact element of the tool must be reset and depressed in order to fire each nail. The other is contact actuation, or bump fire, where the trigger is held down and pressing the contact tip of the tool against the material fires the nail. These two modes are standard across the board for all framing nailers.

A single selector switch is used to turn on, turn off, and also cycle through the modes for the F-35FRHXP. As you can see in the picture above, the switch is backlit with a green light when the tool is on. In order to change modes, the switch gets to the right for contact activation and to the left for sequential. When switched over to contact actuation, the green light will stay flashing. This is a great visual indicator to warn the user of what mode the tool is set for when picking it up. Changing modes was a little clunky at first and I found myself mashing the button out of frustration. However, with more time on the tool, it became simple and intuitive.

Adjustable Rafter Hook

SENCO incorporated a six-position rafter hook at the base of the grip for their cordless framing nailer. The hook will sit flush with the front housing of the tool and then rotate all the way around to the opposite side of the tool. There are six positive detents spaced out along that travel path. The hook is made from thick aluminum and easily hangs from joists and rafters. It feels too large for me to use as a belt hook. I can easily slip it onto my framing belt but found it would dig into my waist or back. I much preferred using it as a rafter hook. The hook is also removable.

Rugged Contact Tip

A contact tip with some grab to it is extremely desirable in a framing nailer. The F-35FRHXP features a rugged steel contact tip with very pronounced tines. These do a good job overall of grabbing the material surface, but aren’t as aggressive, or angled, as traditional pneumatic framing nailers.

The red rotary dial in the picture is used to adjust the nail depth.

A plastic cover is included with the contact tip as well. This cover protects the surface of the material from damage and prevents gauges. The cover locks in place very solidly and did not come off at all during use.

SENCO Cordless Framing Nailer

Overall this is an excellent cordless framing nailer. But that brings up the question, who needs a cordless framing nailer? Is this a full replacement for a framing crew? No. It is not. However, it is an excellent supplemental tool for framing contractors. The SENCO is heavy. All of that power and portability come at a cost. At almost ten pounds as a bare tool, the F-35FRHXP would wreak havoc on the arms and shoulders of a framer using it all day every day. It also can’t keep up with the productivity of a coil nailer. But for harder-to-access areas and quick jobs, the SENCO is an excellent complement.

Remodeling contractors would also greatly benefit from the portability of the SENCO. The ability to shoot a full-size framing nail without the need for hoses and compressors is invaluable. It means lugging fewer tools into a house and saving time on your set-up and tear-down for each job. Small framing remodels, installing nailers for showers, nailing together beams, are all perfect applications for this tool.

HERCULES, HERCULES, HERCULES!!!

Price and Availability

Currently, the SENCO cordless framing nailer is available for $549.99 as a kit only. That kit price includes the nailer itself, a SENCO branded tool bag, battery charger, and two 18V 3.0 Ah batteries. This is a costly investment on the front end, but there are no long-term costs, such as gas cartridges, for the life of the tool. SENCO’s current market price is about a hundred dollars more than comparable cordless nailers, such as the Milwaukee FUEL, however, the SENCO includes two batteries. This allows one battery to be used in the tool while the other is charging. The extra battery I think adds to the value of an excellent quality tool.

Follow the Buy Now link below to purchase the SENCO cordless framing nailer from our friends at ACME Tool.

Overall Impressions of the SENCO F-35FRHXP

SENCO clearly put a lot of thought, effort, and engineering into their new cordless framing nailer. The F-35FRHXP is a powerful and robust tool that is made for professional use. The best way I can describe it is Tank Like. Two areas of concern I have are the overall size and bulk of the tool as well as the cost of the tool vs. the lack of additional tools on the platform. In the words of Boris the Blade, “Heavy is good. Heavy is reliable.”, but my orthopedic surgeon doesn’t want to hear that and neither do my shoulders. If the F-35FRHXP could be slimmed down it would greatly improve its usefulness.

In terms of the SENCO battery platform, the only other available tools are cordless finish nailers. Most users are trying to remain on the least amount of battery platforms possible. However, the power and performance of the SENCO framing nailer make an additional platform manageable in my opinion. I experienced no jams at all during my time testing the tool. This includes shooting a case of SENCO branded nails as well as others. SENCO claims that each of its batteries can shoot up to 600 nails on a single charge. I did not come close to this mark during use, instead, this tool shined in intermittent or occasional use where I did not want to lug a compressor and pneumatic setup. The F-35FRHXP is more than capable to be pressed into a full-time framing role if needed.

Overall this is a reliable and capable cordless framing nailer and I would expect nothing less from SENCO. As an industry leader in the world of pneumatic tools, I am glad to see SENCO giving as much attention to detail to their cordless Fusion platform. The F-35FRHXP is a great example of the passion that SENCO has and I look forward to seeing what tools are added to the line in the future.

SENCO F-35FRHXP Cordless Framing Nailer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

SENCO FramePro 752XP 3 1/2″ Framing Nailer Review

Recently the crew at Tool Box Buzz put this SENCO FramePro 752XP 3 1/2″ Framing Nailer up against 8 of it’s top competitors in our Best Framing Nailer Head-to- Head.  While the SENCO did not come out on top it was very competitive in all categories.  Let’s take a closer look at the SENCO FramePro 752XP 3-1/2″ Framing Nailer.

Undoubtedly the pneumatic nailer is an important tool to anyone in the construction industry. Despite cordless nailer are becoming very popular, there is still a demand for pneumatic nailers. Larger jobs with tons of nailing require an air driven nailer, one that can hold a large amount of nails. The SENCO FramePro is capable of holding almost 70 nails.

SENCO FramePro Specifications

• Collation Type:                Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:         Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:            Yes
• Fastener Length:              2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type /Gauge:   20º
• Firing/Actuation Mode: Sequential with Additional Trigger Included
• Jam Clearance:                Yes
• Magazine Capacity:         60
• Magazine Loading:          Bottom load
• Operating Pressure:        70-120 psi
• Power Source:                  Pneumatic
• Height:                              14.1/4
• Length:                              20”
• Width:                               4-3/16
• Weight                              8.7 lbs.
  SENCO FramePro 752XP

SENCO FramePro In Use

The SENCO nailer was put through several tests including the following: making LVL headers, toe nailing and installing sub-flooring. Since the Head-to-Head we have had the SENCO nailer on the jobsite doing some miscellaneous framing. The SENCO nailer is extremely dependable and has not misfired once. The powerful punch the nailer packs is what makes this nailer stand out.

Depth Adjustment

The SENCO FramePro has an extremely easy to use depth adjustment with a big knurled knob. The smoothness of operation in both directions was impressive. The only downfall is the knurled knob is directly in the line of sight.

SENCO FramePro Trigger(s)

The SENCO nailer does not have a switch to go from bump fire mode to single fire mode firing mode. The FramePro comes with separate triggers for each mode. Pro framers are obviously going to change out the trigger to bump fire mode but having to change the trigger can be cumbersome.

Contact Tip

While toe-nailing and holding the SENCO nailer at a steep angle the aggressive tangs prevented the contact tip from slipping. For toe-nailing we used 2×4 framing studs into 2×4 wall plates. The 752XP provides exceptional 360° coverage around the firing head and as mentioned the tangs are super aggressive.

Rafter Hook

The SENCO 2-inch rafter hook is smaller profile and rounded, and seems more suited for a ladder rung – it almost seems like it was an afterthought. The SENCO hook is a 180-degree swivel and is not reversible.

Nail Loading and Capacity

The SENCO FramePro holds sixty-nine [69] 3-1/2″ full round head nails. The SENCO FramePro loads nails from the bottom with a nail pusher that locks into place and the has a spring loaded release that secures the nails to engage firing.

SENCO FramePro Framing Nailer is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Full-Size Pneumatic Framing Nailers

Head-to-Head Testing

Pneumatic nailers first started gaining ground in the construction world in the 1950’s. While the underlying technology hasn’t changed much; features, size, weight, and function have all been improved drastically. Even though pneumatic nailers can’t replace hammers on the job-site, they have become just as common.

Newer building materials like engineered lumber put today’s nailers to the test. Users can become frustrated when they have to follow up a pneumatic nailer by hand-banging “proud” nails into LVL headers. Whether you’re looking to avoid this frustration and want a nailer that is powerful enough to penetrate engineered lumber, or your new to the game, and need a “do-it-all” framing nailer this Head-to-Head will guide you on the proper choice. This test will give you the information you need to choose the best full-size framing nailer.

Full Head, Full-Size Framing Nailer Specifications and Features

For this Head-to-Head evaluation, nailers were chosen based on the following criteria: Capable of firing up to 3-1/2″ full-head framing nails, full-size tools (nothing from the compact category), and capacity to hold at least two full strips of nails.

The challenge for any Head-to-Head is developing the testing and evaluation criteria to create a valuable comparison for Pro users. There are many different tests that could be performed. However, with limited time and resources, this evaluation focuses on real world tasks found on many of the jobs we work on. These tasks have measurable and realistic applications to give you a good baseline on performance and expectations.

We included the following framing nailers in the Head-To-Head test:

Bostitch F21PL 21º Full Round Head 3-1/2” Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                        Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:                 Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:                    No
• Fastener Length:                      2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:          21º
• Firing / Actuation Mode:       Sequential with Additional Trigger Included
• Magazine Capacity:                 60
• Magazine Loading:                  Bottom load
• Operating Pressure:                80-120 psi
• Power Source:                          Pneumatic
• Height:                                       14”
• Length:                                      20-3/8”
• Width:                                       5-1/4”
• Weight                                      8.1 lbs.
• Bostitch F21PL

Craftsman CMP21PL 21º   3-1/2” Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                        Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:                 Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:                    Yes
• Fastener Length:                     2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:          20-22º
• Firing / Actuation Mode:       Tool-free selectable trigger
• Magazine Capacity:                 60
• Magazine Loading:                  Bottom load
• Operating Pressure:                70-120 psi
• Power Source:                          Pneumatic
• Height:                                       14.76 in
• Length:                                      21.65 in
• Width:                                       4.72
• Weight                                       8.2 lbs.
• Craftsman CMP21PL

Makita AN924 21º   3‑1/2″ Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                        Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:                 Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:                    Yes
• Fastener Length:                      2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:          21º
• Firing / Actuation Mode:       Switch – tool free
• Magazine Capacity:                 73
• Magazine Loading:                  Top load
• Operating Pressure:                70-120 psi
• Power Source:                          Pneumatic
• Height:                                       13-3/4”
• Length:                                      22”
• Width:                                       4-5/8”
• Weight                                       8.3 lbs. 
• Makita AN924

Metabo HPT NR90AD(S1) 21º  3-1/2″ Paper Collated Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                        Paper
• Depth Adjustment:                 Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:                   No
• Fastener Length:                    2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:         30º
• Firing / Actuation Mode:      Tool-free selectable trigger
• Magazine Capacity:                86-94
• Magazine Loading:                 Rear
• Operating Pressure:               70-120 psi
• Power Source:                         Pneumatic
• Height:                                      13-3/4
• Length:                                     18-3/16”
• Width:                                      4-15/16”
• Weight                                      7.0 lbs
• Metabo HPT NR90AD(S1)

Milwaukee 7200-20  21º 3-1/2″  Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                        Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:                 Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:                    Yes
• Fastener Length:                      2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:          20-22º
• Firing / Actuation Mode:       Tool-free selectable trigger
• Magazine Capacity:                 64-72
• Magazine Loading:                  Rear
• Operating Pressure:                70-120 psi
• Power Source:                          Pneumatic
• Height:                                      14-1/4”
• Length:                                      21-3/8”
• Width:                                       4-3/4”
• Weight                                      7lbs. 12 oz
• Milwaukee 7200-20

Paslode PowerMaster Plus 30º F350-S 3-1/2”  Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                        Paper
• Depth Adjustment:                 Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:                   No
• Fastener Length:                     2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:         30º
• Firing / Actuation Mode:      Yes
• Jam Clearance:                       Yes
• Magazine Capacity:               84
• Magazine Loading:                Rear
• Operating Pressure:              80-120 psi
• Power Source:                         Pneumatic
• Height:                                     13-1/2
• Length:                                     19.3/8”
• Width:                                      5-1/8
• Weight                                     8.4 lbs.
• Paslode PowerMaster Plus

Porter-Cable FR350B 22° Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                     Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:              Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:                 Yes
• Fastener Length:                  2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:      22º
• Firing / Actuation Mode:   Tool-free switch
• Jam Clearance:                    Yes
• Magazine Capacity:            60
• Magazine Loading:             Bottom load
• Operating Pressure:           70-120 psi
• Power Source:                     Pneumatic
• Height:                                 14.76
• Length:                                 21.65
• Width:                                  4.72
• Weight                                  8.25 lbs.
• Porter-Cable FR350B

RIDGID R350RHF 21° 3-1/2 in.  Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                 Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:          Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:             Yes
• Fastener Length:              2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type / Gauge:  20-22º
• Firing  Actuation Mode: Tool-free switch
• Jam Clearance:                Yes
• Magazine Capacity:         60-70
• Magazine Loading:         Bottom load
• Operating Pressure:        80-120 psi
• Power Source:                  Pneumatic
• Height:                              15.25”
• Length:                              22.44”
• Width:                               4-3/4”
• Weight                              7.3 lbs
• Ridgid R350RHF

Senco FramePro 752XP 3 1/2″ Framing Nailer

• Collation Type:                Plastic
• Depth Adjustment:         Yes
• Dry Fire Lockout:            Yes
• Fastener Length:              2″ to 3-1/2″
• Fastener Type /Gauge:   20º
• Firing/Actuation Mode: Sequential with Additional Trigger Included
• Jam Clearance:                Yes
• Magazine Capacity:         60
• Magazine Loading:          Bottom load
• Operating Pressure:        70-120 psi
• Power Source:                  Pneumatic
• Height:                              14.1/4
• Length:                              20”
• Width:                               4-3/16
• Weight                              8.7 lbs.
• Senco FramePro 752XP

Best Features

WINNER – Milwaukee

There were a few stand-out features that affect performance and safety.  Each tool was ranked, using a 1 thru 5 score, 1 being the best, to determine the tool with the best feature ranking. A list of some of them are included below.

The Milwaukee took first place with Makita close on their heels. The team felt that the two nailers were almost equal with the Milwaukee having a slightly better contact tip.  Third place was the RIDGID and Senco.

Nail Loading

During this evaluation there was no consensus on a preference for top-loading vs. bottom loading nailers.  For top-loading, the team chose the Paslode and felt that the two steel guide rails facilitated smoother nail loading and were more durable. For bottom loading, the team felt the Milwaukee was superior and its nail pusher release button was the easiest to use and most accessible.

In this head-to-head, 3-1/2″ full, round head nails were used. All but the Metabo HPT used plastic collated nails. The Metabo HPT tested, used paper tape Paslode RoundDrive nails. These nails are full-head, offset nails, as opposed to full-head concentric. The offset is due to the angle of the magazine, which is 30 degrees vs. 21-degree full-head concentric nail.

Contact Tip

Having a well-designed contact tip ensures the nailer does not slip and prevents nails from being installed incorrectly. The best contact tip in this test was the Senco. The Senco stood alone in this pack; it provided 360-degree coverage around the firing head and had more complex tangs to grip material without limiting access to tighter spaces.

Other nailers with great contact tips are the  Milwaukee, RIDGID, and BOSTITCH. Rounded and aggressive, these contact tips quickly gripped all the materials tested and were consistent in their performance.

During the testing, we noticed that the Metabo HPT contact tip didn’t grab well at steeper angles when toe-nailing. The Craftsman and Porter-Cable, have identical tips, with tangs that are flat and not ground to a sharp point. We found them to slide on harder materials like the AdvanTech sheathing and LVL framing lumber.

The BOSTITCH is the only nailer that comes with a replacement tip that is a positive-placement nailer tip for metal connectors.

Depth Adjustment

The Makita, Milwaukee, and RIDGID stood out with the best placed, smoothest-to-operate depth of drive knob adjustment. On the Makita, we liked the visible scale that allows you to see the adjustment range.  The Milwaukee and RIDGID both have a large adjustment wheel, but it’s hard to tell where in the depth adjustment you are compared to the other nailers. The Senco’s big knurled knob adjustment was the easiest to operate, and adjustment is smooth. It’s only negative is that it is directly in the line of sight.

An onboard Allen wrench is necessary for depth adjustments on the Paslode nailer. This method is an old-fashioned approach, and the Paslode nailer’s scoring suffered as a result.

Almost all of the nailers now have a tool-less adjustment dial. The BOSTITCH sports a unique tool-less “SLIDE” adjustment, which gives the user the benefit of speed, especially at extreme changes. We found the BOSTITCH adjustment easy, the tip completely slides in and out, but this could eventually be a concern due to the tip eventually falling out and get lost. The team felt that the nailers with a dial adjustment, a tried-and-true design, were more rugged and sensitive to minor tweaks, compared to the Bostitch slide model.

Clearing Jambs

Most jams are caused by a fastener, or part of a nail, jamming between the driver blade and the nail guide. Fastener strips with an incorrect collation angle or the wrong fastener type, (such as clipped head fasteners) may also cause continuous jamming.

To clear the jamb for all the nailers, except Senco:

1. Disconnect the air supply
2. Remove fasteners
3. Insert a screwdriver or pin punch into the nail guide to push back the driver blade
4. Once the driver blade is back in position, remove the nail or nail fragment with needle-nose pliers, if necessary

The Senco has a single-bolt, magazine removal procedure, for clearing stubborn nail jambs. An adjustable wrench or pair of pliers allows the user to loosen the bolt (not remove it), and the magazine slides out of the nose of the gun, allowing access to clear a jamb. This unique feature was simple and easy to do for jam clearing.

Sequential / Bump Fire Mode

All the nailers are capable of single fire mode, and sequential [bump] firing. For applications that have a consistent and repeating nailing pattern, like strapping or sheathing; bump-fire saves time and requires less effort on the part of the user.

Milwaukee had the best combination of  “ease-of-use,” and safety and Makita followed in second place. Both nailers switch between firing modes by rotating switch. Milwaukee has a locking, rotating switch [push and twist], Makita has a simple switch with no lock or secondary actuation on the rotating mode switch.

The Craftsman, Porter-Cable and RIDGID have has a push-button, on one side of the trigger, that releases the selectable trigger knob and allows it to rotate. The only drawback is that it requires a two-handed operation.

The Craftsman and the Porter-Cable also have a trigger lock out.

Swapping Out The Trigger

The Bostitch, Paslode, and Senco tools require that the trigger be swapped out, to change firing modes, between sequential and bump fire. While this isn’t ideal for a “do-it-all,” framing gun, it’s typical for full-time framers who use task-specific guns and operate in mostly the bump firing mode.  

Rafter Hook

Three nailers tested have metal rafter hooks: Paslode, Senco, and Makita. The team felt that Paslode has the BEST hook. Paslode’s spring-loaded hook has a 2-1/2″ opening. This hook is not reversible, has a 180-degree swing, and three detent positions [it locks in a stored position, at 90 degrees, and also swings against the magazine.]

The Senco 2-inch rafter hook is smaller profile and rounded, and seems more suited for a ladder rung – it almost seems like it was an afterthought. The Senco hook is a 180-degree swivel and is not reversible.

MAKITA has a fixed metal hook that is reversible by removing screws. It has two fixed-width options; 1-1/2″ or 2-1/2″ wide. The team found Makita’s hook sturdy,  durable, and reliable.

I like this hook (Makita) it’s solid, and you know exactly what to expect!   ~ ROB

While not fans of plastic hooks, the Milwaukee and Bostitch were the best. MILWAUKEE’s hook is beefy, with a 1-1/2 opening.  This hook has some flex but swivels easily. Bostitch is a shorter hook, with locking indents, positioned high on gun, and is easy to use.

The Metabo HPT nailer, we tested, does not come with a rafter hook, a feature we feel is a MUST on a framing nailer (other Metabo HPT nailers do come with a hook). The RIDGID’s rafter hook is easy to swivel, but the team felt that the hook was too narrow, barely fits on 2x lumber. It also seems thinner and less durable.

Dry Fire Lockout

This feature prevents the nailer from firing when out of nails. Many manufacturers include this feature because it avoids unnecessary wear. It also eliminates the frustration of firing the nailer and discovering that the user has not set a nail. Bostitch is the only nailer without a dry fire lockout and was marked down for this. The team felt that lock-out is an important feature that Pros prefer.

No-Mar Tip

Our crew members do not use a no-mar tip on a framing nailer – ever! If you were building a deck or dock using PT decking or maybe installing that horrible T-111 siding, maybe you would want to protect the wood surface. That said, the nailers with no-mar tips stored them in such a way as to guarantee they will get lost. As a result we decided not to score this category.

Weight And Size

WINNER – Metabo HPT

The length, width, and height of the nailers were used to determine their cubic volume, and the rank was assigned based on volume and tool weight. In the accompanying graph, the right column is the size ranking of the nailer, and the left column is the weight ranking.

The Metabo HPT was the smallest and lightest nailer we tested and its size was a favorite among the team. Coming in second was Milwaukee followed by Makita.

Nail Magazine Capacity

WINNER – Metabo HPT

For a full-size framer, most folks will agree that you want the nailer to have a two-strip nail capacity. All of these nailers hold two strips. Some had a slightly higher capacity.

Noise/Decibels

We measured the decibel levels during the LVL header testing and recorded the results at a consistent, waist-high distance.  Decibels were recorded at peak levels. As you can see below, these nailers are very close so we did not rank them. It’s important to note that all of these nailer require hearing protection.

Noise is a severe hazard in construction. So any tool that offers lower sound signatures is essential to know.  OSHA requires a hearing conservation program in place if workers are exposed to a time-weighted average (TWA) noise level of 85 decibels (dBA) or higher over an 8-hour work shift.

Ergonomics

WINNER – Makita and Milwaukee

The nailers are essentially the same from an ergonomic standpoint, but three nailers stood out as top contenders; Makita, Milwaukee, and Metabo HPT. We looked at how the tool interfaced with the user concerning the following five categories:

1. Grip
2. Rafter Hook
3. Ease of Firing Mode
4. Ease of Depth Adjustments
5. Balance

Each tool was ranked on each category above. The team used a 1 thru 5 score, 1 being the best, to determine the tool with the best ergonomic ranking.  

All three nailers had superior nailing mode selector switches. The Makita and Milwaukee had easier to use depth adjustments. The Metabo HPT has a clear line of sight, but the awkward placement of the depth adjustment is the trade-off. The location of the depth of drive does results in this nailer having the BEST sightline in our test.

The Metabo HPT has a beautiful line of sight ~ STAN

The Makita and Milwaukee tied for first place in ergonomics and were well ahead of the pack. They came in seven points ahead of the Metabo HPT, nine points ahead of Paslode, and 10-plus points ahead of the rest.

Toe-Nailing Evaluation

WINNER –  Senco

When toe-nailing, a nailer is held at approximately 60 degrees. Many framing nailer contact-tips slip in these situations, and the nailers with the most aggressive contact tip will toe-nail better. For toe-nailing framing applications, we used 3-1/2” nails to fasten 2×4 KD framing stud at an angle.

The Senco has the best tip. It has a “claw-like,” super aggressive tip that toe-nails well, with plenty of power. Milwaukee also has an aggressive tip, was powerful with solid and fully consistent toe-nailing. The Bostitch nailer has plenty of power, and it’s aggressive one-piece, cast-tip gripped well. The Makita nailer was “smooth!” It sank toenails consistently and is a powerful nailer. We’d like to see a more aggressive tip for toe-nailing.

The Metabo HPT nailer is smaller than the rest and easily fits between studs. The contact-tip was aggressive and gipped the wood well. The team found that the Metabo HPT was slightly underpowered, with inconsistent toe-nailing penetration.

The RIDGID nailer did not perform well in our toe-nailing test. Power wasn’t the issue, and this nailer did well in our other tests. However, the RIDGID nailer was not able to sink toe-nails even at a maximum-depth setting and with the nose of the gun firmly buried in the wood.

Heavy-Duty Framing LVL Application – Power Test

WINNER – Senco

For this application, we used 3-1/2” framing nails to fasten LVL headers together. We placed two 1-3/4″ thick LVLs together, with a 2×8 underneath and face nailed.  Each nailer installed a series of 10 fasteners, to compile an average measurement for nail penetration. We used the same compressor on all nailers and cycled the compressor to achieve maximum tank air pressure, prior to starting each and every test.

During the evaluation of Power (depth of drive) the nailers were evaluated in two different ways:

1. Test 1: Testers set the nailers to approximately the “mid depth of drive” setting to get a sense of the average depth of drive.
2. Test 2: This test was used to rank the nailers. Each nailer was set to it’s maximum depth of drive and the average depth of drive was measured for each.

The tests were run multiple times, and the results were compiled and an average determined. The chart below gives the average depth of drive in inches, with the nailers set to their maximum depth of drive.

The SENCO had the best power and was able to consistently “over-drive” fasteners on every nail.

The SENCO walked away with the power test! ~ Stan Durlacher [TBBCrew]

The RIDGID in terms of power performed extremely well coming in second. Following closely in third place was the Milwaukee which had very low kickback and impressed the team.

The advantages of pneumatic nailers are clear regarding power, productivity and capacity. The disadvantages commonly expressed among tradesmen are weight, compressor, hose, and maintenance.  ~ Stan Durlacher [TBBCrew]

Medium Duty Framing Application – AdvanTech 3/4″ Sheathing Over LVL Studs

For this subjective application, we used 2-1/2” long framing nails to fasten 3/4″ AdvanTech sheathing to engineered studs (LVL).  We did find that all the nailers were able to perform this task and achieve full penetration with very few nails that were not fully seated.

The Makita, Metabo, Senco and Paslode performed slightly better than the rest of the pack, but not enough to create a score ranking.

Framing contractors switch to a coil nailer for most sheathing applications like sub-floors, walls, and roofing. However, many carpenters own and operate ONLY one framing nailer. For those contractors, having the ability to adjust fastener depth when transitioning from framing walls to sheathing is important. In this situation, depth adjustment hurts the older style tools that require an Allen wrench depth adjustment over using a tool-less adjustment.

“I just want to keep on firing nails with this (Senco) gun!” -Ethan Bickford [TBBCrew]during the sub-floor test

Overhead Fastening Application

WINNER – Metabo HPT

For the overhead application, our intent was to assess performance and ergonomics in an overhead application. 3/4″ Pine strapping was fastened to LVL studs with 2-1/2” ring shank nails. No performance issues with fastening were noted.

The Metabo HPT due to its lightweight design, was easier to position and maneuver and will obviously cause less shoulder and neck fatigue. All the other nailers were heavy for this task. The nailing pattern of two ring shank nails per joist/strapping connection makes for quick work with the advantages of a bump fire mode. However, one issue that does stand out for this task is the added weight of the other nailers, especially the Bostitch and Senco. The extra weight of these nailers can be a significant factor for user fatigue when using the tool for extended periods of time like nailing ceiling strapping.

Pricing

WINNER – Metabo HPT

Pricing fluctuates constantly so keep in mind the pricing listed here was at the time of this publication and may be different. Pricing listed is from independent retailers that we trust for great service so keep that in mind, some lower prices may be out there from less reputable retailers. There was a tie on pricing for this test but the nailers were different enough that we were able to rank one above all others based on the quality of the tool and outstanding value!

Metabo HPT and Porter Cable tied at $199.00. The team felt that the BEST nailer of the two, in almost all other tests, was the Metabo HPT and awarded it first place in this category. Coming in at third place was the Bostitch and Craftsman both listed at $219.00.

It’s important to understand that price is only one criterion in choosing the best nailer, with over-all performance topping that list.

Best Full-Size Framing Nailer

WINNER – Milwaukee

Each tool was ranked in each category above. All of the categories ranked were then totaled to determine the total score to determine the Best Full-Size Framing Nailer.

The Milwaukee nailer is not new, and its stellar performance surprised the team. When it comes to pneumatic full-size framing nailers, the Milwaukee 7200-20 surely ranks at the top of the list when power, performance, ergonomics, and features are concerned. It came in at a total of 16 points, which was 6-points ahead of the second-placed Metabo HPT, and 7-points ahead of the third-place Makita.  [See Chart Below]

Final Thoughts – Best Full-Size Framing Nailer

We get lots of comments about how we make the final rankings. As we’ve stated, there are hundreds of ways to compare tools. The good news is we’ve openly shared ALL the data from our tests, and you can rank the tools however you want. Don’t care about the price? No problem eliminate that from the matrix above and re-rank them. Hopefully, you’ll find this Head-To-Head useful in comparing a wide range of full-size pneumatic framing nailers.

Did You Know …..

Interesting Fact On Nailer “Kickback”

Kickback is a product of a few factors, tool weight, the density of the material being nailed, size of the fastener, and the speed with which force is applied to the fastener. Kickback was a difficult problem to overcome in the early days of pneumatic nailers. In short, manufacturers needed to be able to overcome kickback, resulting in a few solutions developed around the same time but in the end, a “pop-it” valve developed for ejection seats on fighter planes was adapted for use in nail guns and that is essentially the same technology used in pneumatic nailers today.

Source:  Tools of The Trade –A Brief History of Portable Nail Guns by Don Carlson

Best Framing Nailer Video Review

Best Full-Size Framing Nailer – Head-To-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

SENCO 16GA FinishPro Nailer Review

Senco 9S0001N 16GA FinishPro 16XP 2-1/2" Finish Nailer

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Senco
Model number: 9S0001N
Price: $164.99
Power source: Pneumatic
Weight: 4 Lbs.

This tool review will take a look at the SENCO 16GA FinishPro Nailer model #9S0001N. This pneumatic nailer is lightweight and ergonomic and packs the undeniable punch of an air powered tool. The tool world continues to cut the cord…or hose rather but the slim profile, reliability, and durability of the SENCO FinishPro is still irreplaceable.

SENCO FinishPro Tech Specs:

• Tool Weight: 4 Lbs.
• Height: 11 3/8″
• Length: 12″
• Width: 4″
• Warranty: 5 Years
• Trigger Type: Select-able Actuation
• Operating Pressure: 70-120 PSI / 4.8-8.3 BAR
• Air Consumption: 2.22 SCFM
• Air Inlet NPT: 1/4″
• Capacity: 110
• Nail Size Range: 1 1/4″-2 1/2″
• Collation: Straight Strip

SENCO Design Features:

• EZ-Clear Latch Design for Jam Clearing
• Tool Free Depth-of-Drive Adjustment
• Push Button Integrated Air Duster
• Rotatable Belt Hook.

Standout Features of the SENCO 16GA FinishPro:

The 16GA FinishPro is a tool that is feature packed and very intuitive to use. During the review process it saw duty as my primary finish nailer for woodworking and also casement projects. The ease of the depth-of-drive adjustment and handy rotating belt hook make the SENCO productive and convenient no matter what the project. Compared to some of the current bulky cordless offerings available, the sleek and compact profile of the FinishPro was well received. Especially since it only weighs in at 4 Lbs!

Although compact overall, the 16GA FinishPro offers a large and ergonomic grip with comfortable rubber over molding. The trigger shoe is wide and responsive with very little play. A switch in front of the trigger allows the user to select an actuation mode. The nailer will fire in a “bump” mode or single actuation. As many here at Tool Box Buzz have discussed, the single actuation mode makes the most sense for a nailer of this type.

Clearing Jams..If You Get One:

SENCO has invested a tremendous amount of engineering into their EZ-Clear latch system. This system is a standard feature on the 16GA FinishPro nailer and allows for almost effortless clearing of jams. A large quick release lever on the top of the tool opens the housing to allow bent or jammed nails to be removed. This feature helps to eliminate tool downtime when it really counts. During my time spent reviewing the tool I shot a variety of length fasteners into plywood, MDF, hard and soft wood trim, as well as casements. The FinishPro did not experience a single jam during my time using it!

The reliability of this tool along with a very clean nail made it a pleasure to use in the shop or on a job site.

An example of the nail hole left by the 16GA FinishPro.

FinishPro Capacity and Capability:

When it comes to pneumatic nailers, they really are only limited by the capacity of your air supply. The SENCO FInishPro will drive nails at pressures up to 120 PSI. The straight feed magazine of the SENCO will fit up to 110 nails at a time up to 2 1/2″ in length. A variety of brands of T-Head style nails were used in testing and fed well. The FinishPro ate everything from bargain bin lumberyard specials to some of SENCO’s own high quality 304 Stainless Steel nails.

A universal ball joint fitting allows the airline to move freely with the tool during use.

You can’t deny that cordless tools are easy for small fast projects or constantly changing remodeling work. But the technology is still improving for cordless options. You can read more about this in the recent Head to Head comparison here at Tool Box Buzz. Pneumatic nailers like the SENCO FinishPro use proven, powerful, and reliable design features and technology to create a tool that is awesome to use. One thing that really stood out to me about the SENCO was the sound. The tool just sounds cool! Driving nails sounded like the pneumatic piston from No Country For Old Men!

The SENCO during use sounds like that iconic air piston tool from the movie No Country For Old Men. The image here was borrowed from the film.

How Much Does it Cost and Who Should Buy This?

The SENCO FinishPro is available now from all SENCO retailers. The guys over at Tool Barn are selling the tool for $164.99 with plastic carrying case. This price is comparable to other makes and models of the same size nailer. When you factor in the quality and features list of the SENCO I think this is a great value overall. Check out the buy it now box link for deal at Tool Barn.

The SENCO 16GA FinishPro is right at home in a shop setting or stationary workspace. The light overall weight and slim profile also make it a great option for contractors using pneumatic tools on the job site. This is a professional grade tool with professional features and is more than a homeowner or DIYer would likely need.

Can it Get Any Better?

Line of sight on the SENCO FinishPro was the only issue encountered encountered during the review process. The nose safety lever assembly is beefy and obstructs the view of the material surface at certain angles. A rubber cap is included as well to protect delicate work surfaces. Removing this cap gives a better line of sight. Despite the partially obstructed view, it is easy to align the tool and shoot nails accurately at your desired spot.

The large gauge steel used to make the nose safety assembly can obstruct your view but is easily worked around.

Overall Impression of SENCO’s 16GA FinishPro Nailer:

Many of us purchase tools based off of what our local lumber yards or tool stores stock. My pile of pneumatic nailers is a testament to this! This review process was my first time using a SENCO nailer and I was beyond impressed. SENCO packed a ton of features into the 16GA FinishPro that really made it stand out to me as a professional grade nailer. It’s compact yet powerful with great attention to detail. Plus it sounds like a cartel assassin would use it! What’s not to love.

Check out the SENCO 16GA FinishPro if you are in the market for a reliable pneumatic finish nailer.

SENCO 9S0001N 16GA FinishPro Nailer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

The Senco FinishPro 30XP is small and light.

Senco FinishPro 30XP 15 Gauge Finish Nailer Review

Small and light

The magnesium frame on the Senco FinishPro 30XP makes it one of the lightest 15 gauge nailers on the market weighing in at a little under 4 lbs, it is also quite small only 12 inches long. The short body makes the balance on this gun very good and makes it feel even lighter than it is. The light weight comes at a trade off, this is a no-frills nailer with a 2-inch fastener limit.

Features

This gun is light on features. But it has the most important ones like tool-less depth of drive adjustment, belt hook, tool-less jam clearing, are pretty standard on 15 gauge guns these days. This one of those guns that doesn’t have anything you don’t need. There are a ton of guns out there that have a bunch of features that most carpenters never use. I really appreciate the simplicity.

In Use

I used this gun on the finishing touches of a master suite remodel. This involved putting in baseboard, casing, installing cabinets, and patching strip oak flooring.  I found that the small size and weight are great, especially for overhead work and in tight quarters like closets. The big trade off is the limited fastener range. I did find the 2-inch limit reassuring when putting baseboard in around pocket doors. Another carpenter on site even mentioned picking one of these up just to have as a second gun for shorter fasteners on jobs where they are required.

As a lefty I appreciated that the belt hook is easily reversible with an allen key.

There is no grip on the depth of drive adjuster just a threaded steel wheel, so it is a little hard to operate. Also when adjusting to a shallower depth of drive there is no stop on the adjuster. So you can accidentally remove the nose of the gun if you’re not careful.

While the gun did not jamb I did find that the nose of the gun opens up easily to clear jams and reset the driver blade. This is the usual flip-up nose with a quick release lever that is pretty common on most trim guns.

Durability

The no-frills nature of this gun mean that there are fewer things to go wrong. Less to go wrong is always a good thing. Also most parts and components are made of steel or aluminium there is very little plastic on this gun and where there is was put in places where in the event of a drop if metal was used it would be more prone to breaking critical parts of the gun. For example the belt hook is plastic if it was metal and broke it would likely break part of the main housing of the gun. The magazine appears to be plastic, again a metal part here could break the main frame/housing in a fall. In short I think this gun was designed with durability in mind and should hold up for the long haul.

Overall

Personally I find the 2″ fastener limit to be too limiting. I frequently use 2-1/2″ 15g fasteners for door jambs, casing, baseboard, skirt boards, risers, and any time 3/4″ thick or greater trim is being applied over shims or drywall. That said if you are looking a light-weight, no-frills nailer and your work calls for 2 inch maximum nails then the Senco FinishPro 30XP might be your ideal trim gun.

Senco FinishPro 30XP is a post from Tool Box Buzz

WhisperGrip Subfloor Nails

WhisperGrip Subfloor Nails from SENCO eliminate squeaky, uneven surfaces and do not require a proprietary tool

Professional contractors and installers can now eliminate squeaky, uneven flooring – and homeowner callbacks – without investing in a new, dedicated tool.

SENCO’s WhisperGrip subfloor nails feature a patented step ring design that was originally developed in collaboration with the manufactured housing industry to better grip subfloor and sheathing material, maximize holding power, reduce squeaks, and eliminate costly callbacks.

The lower rings are designed to fully engage and grip the joist or studs. The upper rings ensure that nails remain countersunk even if the joist or stud is missed. WhisperGrip nails come with SENCOTE coating, which acts as a lubricant during the drive for maximum speed and efficiency, then becomes an adhesive once driven for superior hold.

WhisperGrip nails are available in 2”, 2-3/8” and 2-1/2” lengths and can be used with any SENCO 15 degree coil framing nailer including the SCN49XP, SCN60XP and SCN65XP.

SENCO Introduces WhisperGrip Subfloor Nails is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Senco PC1010N 1-Gallon Finish Trim Compressor Review

Pneumatic compressors come in all different shapes and sizes. From large fixed shop compressors to even small compact lightweight portable trim compressors Senco is delivering innovated fastening solutions that makes your work easier. The Senco PC1010N Finish Trim Compressor is a maintenance free designed compressor with some awesome features.

Compact Design Perfect For The Pro’s

The Senco PC1010N is definitely designed with the professional in mind. The compact size (14″ long and 13″ high) and lightweight design (21 pounds) allows for easy lifting and takes up less space than a pancake compressor.

PC1010N On the Jobsite

The Senco PC1010N arrived just in time for a kitchen remodel I was in the process of doing for a customer. The PC101N was exactly what I needed to get the trim complete. Doing the cabinet crown molding, toe kick and a few small sections baseboard trim did not bog down the compressor always trying to recover the air pressure. The PC1010N has a fast recovery time and is definitely easy on the ears.

PC1010N Recovery Time

Recovery time on a trim compressor is not one of the most important features as it would be if you were lets say framing but it definitely lessens delays waiting for the pressure to build back up. The recovery time on the PC1010 is between 30-40 seconds. My pancake compressor recovery time is much longer causing more of a delay and downtime waiting for it to build the pressure back up.

Reduced Noise Levels

The PC1010N Trim compressor is really quiet. The compressor runs at 68dBA.  A garbage disposal at 3ft runs about 90 dBA so in retrospect the PC1010N is soft sounding. The PC1010N is great for working inside smaller spaced rooms because you are not going to get all the echoes off the walls.  The kitchen remodel I was doing was a small kitchen with work from home customer. I felt that my noise level was not a bother to her.

PC1010N Manufacturing Specifications

• Current Draw / Max Amp: 4amps @ 115v
• Pump: Oil Free
• Horsepower: 0.5HP
• Max Pressure: 135PSI
• Pump-Up Time: 125 seconds (0PSI-135PSI)
• Recovery Time: 30 seconds (105PSI-135PSI)
• Tank Storage: 1 Gallon
• Power Type: Corded

PC1010N Control Panel

Another great feature worth mentioning on the PC1010N is the control panel. Senco included icons next to the Tank Pressure gauge and the Tool Pressure Gauge for easy identification when reading. The small grooved knob is easy to use even with a gloved hand.

Senco also included a nice roll bar style handle that will protect the compressor from damage if knocked around accidentally. There is a nice cushioned handle for comfort while carrying it.

Overall Impression

This compressor is great for small trim jobs such as windows, doors or baseboards. It is not recommended if you were trimming out an entire addition or a whole house of windows. It is geared more towards small punch list style projects. It makes great for shop work as well. It’s lightweight and compact size is well worth the investment.

Senco PC1010N 1-Gallon Finish Trim Compressor is a post from Tool Box Buzz

SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack Air Compressor PC0968N Review

My first set of pneumatic nailers was SENCO brand. I used them for 20 years until I gave them to a neighbor who rebuilt them and still uses them today. While my nailers lasted, my compressors did not. I have gone through at least 5 compressors in that time-span. I recently reviewed the SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack air compressor PC0968N.

The SENCO 4.5 gallon twin stack air compressor is a 1-3/4 HP, 4 1/2 gallon air compressor that is built like a tank. This unit has a durable roll cage design with steel shrouds to protect all of the compressor parts and four non-slip rubber feet hold the unit in place and protect your work surface. The unit weighs 65 pounds and is a beast to carry.

Designed For The Pro Contractor

After months of field research SENCO specifically designed this new compressor with the pro contractor in mind and based on pro feedback. Common requests by pro contractors is that they want:

• Faster recovery time
• Ability to maintain tool operating pressure longer
• Not trip electrical breakers
• Be able to run multiple tools
• Eliminate oil

7 Major Features Pros Wanted

1. The 200 PSI max operating system produces about 40 percent more usable air than a 150 PSI unit, so users can run tools longer and complete projects faster.

2. Delivers up to 4.9 SCFM at 90 PSI, providing plenty of air flow and tank storage for multiple construction projects

3. Dual couplers for multi-tool use

4. Motor has a 95V start for use on job sites that may only have a temporary electric pole or a generator. This alone is a game changer!

5. An oil-free pump design eliminates the need for oil and regular maintenance. Unit can be transported and stored horizontally or vertically without worrying about oil spills.

6. Full roll cage design protects vital compressor components.

7. Multiple grip points make the units easy to transport and store.

Performance

The SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack air compressor PC0968N performs as expected and was more than a match for my finish crew. On a recent remodel we had two finish guns and a flooring nailer running at the same time. You’d expect the compressor to be recycling all the time – it didn’t.

Noise

The older I get the more sensitive I am to noise. This compressor is not a super quiet one it maxed out at 95 decibels at the motor and 85 decibels 16-feet away at chest height.

Improvements

The SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack air compressor PC0968N does everything you’d want in a crew compressor.   The only thing I don’t get excited about is the weight. At 65-pounds this tool carries some heft.

Price

The SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack air compressor PC0968N sells for approximately $295.5 here: Senco-PC0968N-Compressor-1-75hp-4-5galr

Conclusion

When I’m in the shop I’m using the larger Senco PC0970, when alone I use the PC0947 or the PC1280, but when I’m running a larger crew or pushing a lot or large fasteners the SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack air compressor PC0968N is where its at!

SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack air compressor PC0968N Video Review

SENCO 4.5 Gallon Twin Stack Air Compressor PC0968N is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Cordless Finish Nailers

Finish carpentry has been relying on pneumatic nailers since the first one was introduced in 1950. Fast forward to 1986 and Paslode introduced the first cordless framing nailer utilizing a gas “fuel cell” and battery. In an effort to eliminate the need for a gas cartridge, SENCO introduced their Fusion finish nailers in 2010, which uses a combination of battery power and a self-contained compressed air cylinder to eliminate the need for “fuel cells”. More recently in the last couple of years many manufacturers have introduced battery-only, cordless finish nailers.

Today throughout our industry finish carpenters are using a combination of pneumatic, gas powered, and battery powered finish nailers on a regular basis. In an effort to provide an accurate snap shot of the cordless options available to finish carpenters we gathered some of the top options available on the market and spent the day testing them head to head against each other in several categories. We hope you’ll find the following information useful in helping determine the best cordless finish nailer for you and your crew.

Best Cordless Finish Nailers – Head to Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz