FR350A (not FR350): My choice after detailed comparisons
Written: Dec 04 '03 (Updated May 12 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: On-the-fly selectable trigger (single shot or semi-auto), light weight, tool-free depth setting, ergonomics, hard-shell case.
Cons: All round-head nail guns have magazines that are too long.
The Bottom Line: The best framing nailer, the best safety features, a case, and Porter-Cable fit and finish. Add in the price point, and you can't go wrong.
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| cbrewer15's Full Review: Porter-Cable Round Head Framing Nailer Kit, Model ... |
I frame/finish the occasional basement, build sheds, and other small projects. I recently completed an exhaustive comparison of commonly-found framing nail guns. My choice, in the end, was the Porter-Cable FR350A (not to be confused with the older FR350), a round-head nail gun that uses 21-degree plastic collated nail strips, which are the most common type found in my area (Colorado front range).
I actually purchased the Porter-Cable as well as the Bostitch N88RH from Home Depot, took them home and did a comparison. I will base the bulk of my review off of these two models, as they were the final two on my list.
UNPACKING THE TOOLS
Most notable initially was the lack of case for the N88RH, and the FR350A's nice black plastic case. I find that a good case is quite valuable, since they tend to stack nicely and keep tools dry and clean.
FINISH
Fit and finish on both guns was great.
HEAD TO HEAD USAGE TEST
I took both guns into my shop, and hooked them up to the air compressor at 95 PSI. Well, I should say I tried to hook them both up. The Porter-Cable came complete and ready run. The Bostitch, however, had no air fitting. Good thing I had one tucked away. I'm not sure why some companies feel the need to stiff consumers out of a 50-cent required part...
I used 21-degree 3.25" .131 16d-short Grip-Rite nails in both guns, on a age-hardened 24-year old stud...a decent test of how the guns will perform on harder wood with a long nail.
DEPTH SETTINGS
I checked both guns to make sure the depth adjustment was set at max. The Bostitch had a one-touch depth-mechanism with seven settings. It was at first glance easy to use; however, after switching the settings a number of times it became apparent that the coarse settings lacked the refinement necessary for smooth and detailed adjustment. The Porter-Cable, on the other hand, has a rotating depth adjustment knob with 40 settings. It proved to be more accurate, controllable and easy to use.
THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD (or, the Nail Hits the Wood)
Both guns sunk the nail below the surface without breaking a sweat. My impression was that the Bostitch had a slight advantage in how deep it sunk the nail, though only by about 1/16th of an inch. Both countersunk the nail in the hardened stud. Both guns could leave a nail-head exposed, for easy extraction (in the case of temporary support stud, etc.). The Bostitch used more air to drive the same number of nails.
ERGONOMICS
One thing that became apparent to me after only 5 minutes with the Bostitch was that its ergonomics were very poor. My wrist ached after only five minutes! I believe it's because the Bostitch handle is cocked, angling away from the nail magazine. The handle also tapers from top to bottom (narrow at the bottom), causing the gun to abnormally twist my wrist in two directions.
The Porter-Cable didn't fatigue my wrist, and its fat, well cushioned handle was a pleasure, while the narrow, oddly shaped handle of the Bostitch thrust the knuckle of my thumb into the front cylinder of the gun.
SAFETY
Nail guns are notorious for causing injuries and death, usually when the gun fires multiple times on bounce back. To reduce these accidents, a single-fire trigger can be used. Both guns shipped with dual triggers, though they varied widely in their application.
The Bostitch shipped with a semi-auto contact actuation trigger installed. A single-shot sequential trigger and small spring shipped in a bag with the gun. Changing the trigger out appeared to require tools and a steady hand. Not something I'd look forward to on a second story framing job.
The Porter-Cable was blessed with a unique on-the-fly selectable trigger that allows you to switch from sequential nailing (single-shot) to contact actuation (semi-auto). To switch between the modes, you simply push the selector switch out and twist it. This is the safest, most user-friendly solution that I found. Other guns, including the Bostitch, make you actually change out the switch, a tedious affair.
Both guns have adjustable air ports to keep the dust out of your eyes during actuation.
UPDATE: Jan 2, 2003
I've just finished framing out about 70% of a 1600 s.f. basement. The gun is remarkable. Out of 2000 nails, I had one jammed (the last nail in a stick of nails), but by pulling the feeder away the nail fell out. A 1/2 second delay in a barrage of 3 1/2" nails. I'm one happy camper!
NOTES
* Make sure you're getting the much improved F350A model of this gun. The older FR350 lacks the tool-free depth adjustment, the hose bib with improved angle, and the improved mechanical features that result in longer life (according to Porter-Cable).
* Find out what nails are most common in your area, and then buy a gun to fit. You don't want to have to ship in heavy cases of nails.
* I've posted a handy Excel spreadsheet comparing current (as of 12/4/2003) models from Bostitch, Porter-Cable, and Senco at http://www.fogbox.com/share/nailguns.xls.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cbrewer15
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Member: Christopher Brewer
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Accomplished web and graphic designer, woodworker, and singer. Father of three and husband to one.
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