If you like the convenience of a pneumatic nailer, but hate dragging a compressor and hoses through your clients' living rooms, your options for going hoseless are growing.
In addition to the increasing number of hoseless finish nailers on the market, during the past few months several companies have joined hoseless pioneer Paslode in offering hoseless framing nailers that are especially convenient for punch-out work and for remodelers. What's more, features from traditional pneumatic nailers —such as tool-free depth-of-drive — are carrying over to hoseless models, making them even more appealing. In addition to Paslode's hoseless framer, which was introduced 20 years ago and whose most recent enhancements include tool-free depth-of-drive and a utility hook, Hitachi has introduced a clipped-head nailer and a round-head nailer; Max USA offers a 21-degree plastic-collation full round-head framer and a 34-degree paper tape framer; and Powers now offers a full-round 20- to 22-degree plastic collated nailer and a 34-degree round- and clipped-head nailer. All of the tools are powered by a combination of a fuel cell (which must be replaced after a certain number of firings) and a rechargeable battery.
According to Jacek Romanski, Paslode's market manager for remodeling, hoseless framers have become smaller and lighter since the company launched them 20 years ago, and new technologies mean about 30% fewer parts.
Expect to see advances fuel cells that will allow the nailers to be lighter, more powerful, and more economical to operate, says Christopher Freeman, Hitachi's associate product manager for fastening systems. Romanski says fuel cells will be around for a long time, but will become more efficient and will help move the category to a full-time replacement for traditional pneumatics.
For more product information, visit ebuild, Hanley Wood's interactive product catalog, at www.ebuild.com.
