New Tools From
The Builders' Show
Our picks of the saws, nailers, and accessories to
look for in 2001
by Dave Crosby
As usual, this year's International Builders' Show —
held in Atlanta February 9-12 — racked up some impressive
numbers. Some 72,000 visitors viewed the offerings of 1,000
exhibitors distributed across 1 million square feet of floor
space. In addition to more building products than you might
have ever dreamed of, several major tool manufacturers
introduced their new lines at this show, rather than at the
National Hardware Show in Chicago this past August. Here's a
selection of what's new and interesting.
Cordless Roofing Nailer
If you went anywhere near the Stanley-Bostitch
booth, you'd hear the sound of genuinely innovative technology
in action. The CRN38K Cordless Roofing Nailer made its debut at
the show, with hundreds of attendees driving thousands of
roofing nails, and not a hose or cord to be seen. This
8.1-pound, 20.4-volt tool uses a multi-blow action to drive
1-inch to 1 1/2-inch collated polymer-coated roofing nails,
which come in disposable canisters of 120 nails. The tool is
said to be suitable for installing shingles, felt, drip edge,
and metal flashing. During an early field review, a torch-down
roofing contractor also found this tool particularly useful for
nailing down "shiners." The new roofing nailer comes with two
batteries, a charger, two canisters of nails, a demonstration
video, and a case at a suggested retail of $500.
Redesigned Framing Nailer
Senco brought a new line of redesigned full
round-head nailers, advertised as having 14% to 20% more power
than the manufacturer's current models. The FramePro Model
600/650FRH and 700XL/750XL FRH nailers will handle nails up to
3 1/2 by 0.162 inch. Other features included an aggressive
sawtooth nose for easy toe-nailing and an inline magazine for
balance and line of sight. Both have suggested retail prices of
$380 or less.
Balanced Flooring Nailer
New from Porter-Cable is the Model FCN200
Flooring Cleat Nailer. For 3/4-inch solid-strip hardwood
flooring installation, the pneumatic nailer uses 1 1/2- to
2-inch L-shaped cleat nails. Designed to stand by itself
without falling over, the nailer distinguishes itself with
"power, ergonomics, and balance" according to the manufacturer.
Expected retail price is $500.
Collated Trim Nails for Steel
Studs
If you are one of the many carpenters who has
been wondering how to fasten trim to steel studs, you'll be
happy to know that Senco has just come out with a Hardened
Collated Finish Nail. Available in 1 1/2- and 1 3/4-inch
lengths, the 15-gauge nails are galvanized to resist corrosion
at the steel-to-steel contact point, and can be driven into
concrete, also. A box of 4,000 nails, depending on the size of
the nails, costs between $38 and $46.