One of my first reviews for JLC, in 2004, was of the Max PowerLite HN90 coil framing nailer and AKHL1050E PowerLite compressor (now discontinued). The Max compressor stores air at 500 psi, which allows for smaller, more-powerful nail guns (including guns that can shoot into concrete and steel, eliminating the need for powder-actuated tools). At the time, I had to pass because we had a large crew that ran four nailers continuously off a wheelbarrow compressor. The high-pressure Max compressor couldn’t possibly keep up with our pace, and the system was expensive—the compressor alone was $1,200 and each coil framing nailer was about $650.
In 2008, however, our crew dropped down to just two guys and we had too much income that year, so for tax purposes we decided to buy into the system, with one compressor and two framing coil nailers that can also shoot siding nails.
PROS AND CONS OF HIGH-PRESSURE
The benefit to a high-pressure system is the lighter weight of the guns. We have run coil nailers for 15 years and love them. We find that it is easier to clear jams, and there’s less reloading due to the higher capacity. Though more nails means more weight, the high-pressure guns are smaller and lighter to begin with.
The downside is that everything is expensive. The hoses cost more and need to be professionally repaired, due to the high pressure. The compressor is slow but quiet. It will keep up with two people, but not if we are nailing off shear panel, which means a tighter nailing pattern.
NEW, LARGER-CAPACITY COMPRESSOR
Max now has available the AKHL1260E compressor, which has been around for quite a while, and the new AKHL1260EX, which I’m reviewing here. The 1260EX is almost identical to the 1260E, but it has a 5.7-gallon capacity versus 2.3 gallons for the 1260E. The compressors both feature two high-pressure and two regular-pressure outputs. We run one regular pressure for a Hitachi positive placement nailer and the two high-pressure for the HN90 coil framers we love so much.
At 50 pounds, the AKHL1260EX compressor is light. In addition, it is quiet, at 67.5 dB in regular mode and 66.4 dB in quiet mode (which runs the compressor at a lower speed). We leave the compressor in our van to keep it out of the weather, and run the hoses from there.
This compressor has a brushless motor on an inverter circuit. The inverter steps down to 70 volts. We can run it off a 100-foot 10/3 extension cord without tripping the breaker. It also works well in the cold.
As mentioned, we run out of air with this larger-capacity compressor only when we are shear-nailing large walls. But I don’t care too much about this, because it only comes into play on larger walls, like rake walls. In those cases, the person framing (the other person is cutting) has been bent over continuously for a few hours; taking a break to let the compressor catch up is welcome, especially in the heat.
SHOULD I BUY?
We bought into this system 10 years ago and have no regrets. The system has been fabulously reliable and has delivered superb power. We can nail LVL together as easily as nailing off sheathing. One of the reasons we bought in was that the lighter-weight tools would put less wear-and-tear on our bodies. We want to keep building houses and keep the framing in-house for as long as possible.
The initial cost is a consideration. I would say that it is about double what a regular-pressure system would cost. It is harder to get the gear worked on as well. For a two- to three-man framing and siding crew, it is worth the investment. For larger crews, though, it isn’t the best option. When we were a five-man crew, we needed to run a wheelbarrow compressor to keep up.
Online, the AKHL1260EX runs about $2,000 and the HN90 about $600.
Photos by Tim Uhler
