Harbor Freight framing nailer?

[StageLeft]

I am going to frame out my basement soon and need a framing nailer. I see that Harbor Freight has some as low as $70 which other than a $99 one at home depot is half the price of home depot/lowes nailers. I've been happy with the $30 brad nailer I got from HF. Has anybody here tried these ones and will the nails have to be bought from HF due to proprietary crap or something similar?

Also, I will be laying hardwood in the future. Will the brad nailer probably be sufficient for that, or ought I look to some kind of a framing nailer that can also throw out staples--a combo unit...?

 

[markgm]

If it sucks you can always take it back, so why not get it?

 

[PottedMeat]

if decide to get something at harbor freight october 2,3,4 there's a 20% off coupon:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2339046&enterthread=y

Coupon:

http://www.harborfreightusa.co...040101719&keycode=0000

 

[alkemyst]

HF has about 20 framing nailers more than likely.

I'd search by number and see other's opinions. (and the numbers are sometimes different for the same tool so that makes it harder).

There are a few reviews online of a couple of their nailers I was originally looking at that were crap and a couple that were a pretty good bang for buck. I don't have any of them bookmarked or I'd have shared.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: markgm
If it sucks you can always take it back, so why not get it?

They going to take back screwed up wood surfaces too?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
if decide to get something at harbor freight october 2,3,4 there's a 20% off coupon:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2339046&enterthread=y

Coupon:

http://www.harborfreightusa.co...040101719&keycode=0000

Oh snap, thanks!

What about for my hardwood floors, what is ideal for that?

I don't have any of them bookmarked or I'd have shared.

God bless for thinking of me anyway! :heart:

 

[Evadman]

I have HF's magnesium roofing nailer, which is great for the cash. Granted I only did one roof with it, but it never jammed, broke or anything else. Even survived a fall from the roof. The only complaint is that it would always waste the last nail in a spool due to the feed mechanism. I also have a ton of their other air tools, and have been pleasantly surprised with every one.

 

[TheBloodguard]

Bought four things from HF
1) Hammer. Still works
2) Level. Still works
3) Hand Plane. Broke within 5 sec of use
4) Air hose for Milwaukee nailer. Two leaks in the middle of the hose within a day. No abuse of hose or anything, just started to leak

Not sure about their air tools but I wouldn't purchase them.

 

[boomerang]

Staplers for hardwood floors are pretty specialized. Something like that, I'd just rent.

http://www.homedepotrents.com/...ools/floor_stapler.asp

It holds down the board, squeezes them together and sets the staple as you hit the striker.

Hey, I don't know, maybe you're planning on starting a side business. Hardwoodisus.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

just rent one from Home Depot or somewhere else

as for the wood floor, they make specialized flooring guns that would be MUCH MUCH better.

 

[thedarkwolf]

HF also sells the specialized flooring nail guns. I've never had any problems with my cheapo HF air tools.

 

[Eli]

It should be fine for light duty work.

When you get it home, make sure all the screws are tight. My brother worked for HFT for 3 years, and I have acquired a lot of tools. In my experience, it isn't that the product itself sucks, it is that quality control sucks.

Ex: I had a palm sander last a whole 45 minutes once. I traced the problem to lose screws, which vibrated even more lose with use - allowing the bearings to get sloppy, and it locked up. I returned it and made sure the screws were nice and tight, no problems since.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: TheBloodguard
Bought four things from HF
1) Hammer. Still works
2) Level. Still works
3) Hand Plane. Broke within 5 sec of use
4) Air hose for Milwaukee nailer. Two leaks in the middle of the hose within a day. No abuse of hose or anything, just started to leak

Not sure about their air tools but I wouldn't purchase them.

HF has some of the best pricing on Goodyear air hoses. If you didn't buy one of those then you made a mistake, if one of those ended up leaking then you made a mistake

With HF you really have to know what you are buying. Some of their vices suck ass, some are great. Some of their air equipment rocks, some really blows.

I always do a search on google and usually I can find a write up on the HF tool I am looking at.

Most of the time it's the metal quality that's lacking. Like the chisel set and punches I bought. Literally 1/20th of the premium set I was looking at and much more if a la carte.

When I was done with the job and during they needed a bit of touchup on the edges. They got the job done just fine and I restored them all with a file/grinder for their next duty. If I use a tool weekly/monthly I buy a higher grade, for those once in a blue moon jobs I go a lot cheaper and even throw away.

I had a lot of tools, a little over $7500 of them were 'liberated' from my freaking workshop last month I buy them smart, I sort of chuckle a bit about some of my buddies with $15000 Snap On rollers that still farm out all their work.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: boomerang
Staplers for hardwood floors are pretty specialized. Something like that, I'd just rent.

http://www.homedepotrents.com/...ools/floor_stapler.asp

It holds down the board, squeezes them together and sets the staple as you hit the striker.

Hey, I don't know, maybe you're planning on starting a side business. Hardwoodisus.

I didn't know about those; I'll get one when the time is right

 

[StageLeft]

I just read about palm nailers, ridgid has a good one for $80. Is it reasonable to use one to frame a basement? Based on the HD reviews it seems people can go fairly quickly with them. It's obviously a lot safer than a framing nailer, too. I just wonder if it's as precise or it would take too long.

 

[waffleironhead]

forget the palm nailer, unless you dont mind inserting each nail.


btw did you know harbor freight is having its parking lot sale this weekend? 20% off coupon goodness

 

[feralkid]

My HF framing nailer works so fast it often shoots 2 nails at a time.

That's quality!

Seriously, for a fence, rough framing or similar project, it's great for the money.

For a deck or any "appearance grade" project, not so much.

 

[olds]

A palm nailer is fine for the stray nail here and there. Framing out a basement would wear you out.