My new Pneumatic Nailers

In addition to my life as a kayaker, I have been blessed to be a product tester for a number of large companies.  Given that a few of you are contractors & DIY people, I tought I'd share a brief review of a new Framing Nailer that I got to review & test-drive for MAX.

                YES!  My new 'Go-To' framing nailer!!!
Packaging:  Item came well packaged & included a set of safety glasses.  Found that the exterior of the packaging was designed with the consumer in-mind by providing, at quick glance, the nail sizes, lengths, types, etc...  Important when needing to know what to buy while in the store.

Assembly:  This framing nailer does not include the air fitting.  It features a 3/8" female thread for your fitting of choice.  I chose to install a Type I/M, swivel air fitting to help relieve tension on the hose.

Nails:  Takes 21° Full-Round strip nails.  Smooth, Screw or Ring shank type; 2" to 3-1/4" long; .113"-.148" shank diameter; .267"-.295" head diameter.  I've been shooting 2" Galvanized ring shank and not a misfire yet!

Operation:  As you can see by the pictures, I found this nailer to work very well for sheathing with the 2" nails.  Running a 1/4" hose @ 90 psi, I was able to dial the nailer in to a near perfect repeat with every nail set.  The nailer features an adjustable set depth control right on the nailer allowing you to adjust the nailer as you work without the need to make air pressure adjustments.  While making adjustments to their extremes (shallow to deepest) @ 90 psi, it allowed for about 5/16" of total depth adjustment.  I found this feature to be very useful!!!!

Clean Air:  The unit has a built-in air filter to prevent dirt & debris from making their way into the operating system of the gun.  When you release the air line, the pressure within the gun blows the debris back out of the filter & air fitting helping to "clean itself" each time you use it ... prolonging the life.  Don't forget to oil it once in a while to keep the operation smooth.

Weight/Size/Loading:  The gun is easy to use all day & fit in spaces & at angles I didn't think I could get it into.  At just over 7#, it was the lightest of the gun's I’ve handled.  The compact design also allows for you to fit it in tighter spaces.  Loading was quick & easy.  Had no misfires and it even shoots right down to the last nail in the clip.  Wondered how so I read the manual further to find that it has a magnet in the head that helps it shoot every last one!

Actuation:  The gun is set, in the package, to 'Single Actuation Operation'.  Press the tip to the work piece, pull the trigger & it will shoot one nail.  It will not shoot again until the trigger is released.  You can't hold the trigger & "bump fire" without adjustment to the unit.  Their definition of 'SAO' is:  For SINGLE ACTUATIUON operation, keep the trigger pulled and depress the Contact Arm (tip) against the work surface, or depress the Contact Arm (tip) against the work surface and pull the Trigger and keep it pulled.  Tool cannot fire a second nail until the Trigger is releases and tool can cycle.

   The gun can be changed to 'Contact Actuation' or 'Sequential Trip' for those looking for faster nailing operations commonly used by contractors.  Instructions on how to adjust the nail gun in this manner ARE included with the framing nailer.

Safety First:  The framing nailier also features a trigger lock that I found slightly awkward at first to operate 1-handed but by the end of the day, the operation became second nature to the operation.  This features locks the trigger against accidental depression and can be turned on/off by the user.

No-Slip Tip:  I found that the "crown" design on the 'Contact Arm' (tip) worked very well.  It allows the gun to stay on target without slipping from the work surface while shooting.  Worked at every angle I put the gun thru this past weekend.  From framing to sheathing to blocking, the MAX framing nailer performed with no flaws!

Results:  I was able to frame a small structure in far less time than I could have with a hammer & nails.  Using it for tasks mike sheathing might be out of its description but it worked for me.  This robust tool has the feeling of durability & the performance to back it up.

   Contractor Grade that I would not hesitate to put up against any other nailer in its class!

   Coming Soon ....  my review of the MAX SuperRoofer coil nailer.

Hows the rubber handle?  Can you twist it on the handle?  Every FN  I've used that had a rubber handle would twist and spin.  I'd cut them off and them wrap the handle with amalgamating rubber tape. 

Thanks for the review. I have wondered about those max nailers. I have been a carpenter for over 25 years and have used several types of framers. I always seem to come back to the hitaches because they are super reliable and easy to repair and find parts for.

Just ran out to the garage to see if I could twist the rubber grip.  Not a chance.  I tried as hard as I could to grip & twist it.  Stayed firmly in place.

Just started using & testing the MAX SuperRoofer coil nailer.  Detailed report coming soon but it worked equally well.  Fun tool to put thru its paces.

I'd be happy to loan either to you to try for a short bit.

Bill

Little teaser photo of the coil nailer.....

I would love to try the coil nailer next week, but you live a bit far away. I will be roofing my house. Just use my old standby I guess.

Hey Rob, USPS ought to get that to you within a couple days for 10 bucks or so.

Wrapping up a small roofing job here hopefully by this weekend.  Let me see what I can do

It will be too much hassle to get it here and back. I will use what I have already. Thanks though. 

The offer is open if you change your mind!

~Bill

So, here's a brief report on my MAX SuperRoofer nailer.  Got to put it thru the paces the past few evenings on a roofing project after work.

Simply the best roofing coiler I've used yet!

Packaging:  Unit came well packaged & included eye protection.  The outside of the packaging was very informative; illustrating key information about nail types, sizes, etc...

Set-up:  The nailer is threaded with 1/4" female thread for your choice of air fitting.  I installed a swivel, I/M fitting to work with my existing hoses.

Nail Installation/Type:  One lever, located on the left side of the nail gun, allows access to the magazine chamber & feed pawl.  This SuperRoofer accepts 15° wire-welded, coiled roofing nails ranging in length from 3/4" to 1-3/4"; .120" shank diameter; .413" head diameter; smooth or ring shank type.  The inner magazine features a 4-position nail support spool.

Special Features:  This nail gun features a driving depth adjustment to allow the user some varying control over the nail without the need to adjust air pressure settings at the tank.  This featured worked GREAT while dialing the gun in on rooftop.  Another useful feature is the trigger lock mechanism; after a little practice it was an easy one-handed operation.  Rubberized grip makes for easy handling & tried as I might, I could not get it to slip or twist on the gun handle.

Shingle Exposure:  Yes, it has an ADJUSTABLE shingle exposure gauge.  Quite handy.

Trip Mechanics:  Hold the trigger in & every time the tip makes contact with the shingle, it shot.  The way this gun was setup out of the packaging, I was able to swiftly drop nails into shingles all down the line.  The gun is able to me modified using optional kit(s).  After nailing an entire roof, I only hand 1 hang-up with the nails & it was the fault of a badly placed/welded nail on the coil.

Conclusion:  At just over 5 lbs, this SuperRoofer was a pleasure to work with and performed without flaw for an entire roof job.  This is my new go-to coil roofer suitable for a DIY guy, like myself, or roofing professional alike!

   Roofin' into the evening hours ... even shot those rusty old coil nails I found to use.

This gives me an idea for a zombie movie I am making.....

Wow. Nail guns have come a long way since my days of swinging a Vaughn and Hart hammer.......looks bad ass!