Bostitch Palm Nailer

[DTG]

How handy is a palm nailer? Amazon has the Bostitch PN100 Palm Nailer for $39.99, and it seems like an OK deal but having never used one I am not sure how useful they are. The only nailer I own is the Harbor Freight Brad Nailer so I am looking to add more. I don't want to buy it if all it is going to do is collect dust. According to the reviews it seems they are real handy in nailing joinst hangers, but I am not planning on building any decks or any major renovations. I would only use it for light framing and possibly a few finish nails in whatever projects I am working on.

[DTG]

I forgot to post a link to the nailer on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

[newbie2wood]

It sounds like it would not be useful for your purpose. A palm nailer is useful for construction in tight places, like in the corner of a basement where a framing nailer would not fit.

The price for the Bostitch is not really a bargain IMO. You can get a palm nailer (e.g. Grizzly) for around $20.
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Prilosec Settlement Info

[PALefty]

How handy is a palm nailer? Amazon has the Bostitch PN100 Palm Nailer for $39.99, and it seems like an OK deal but having never used one I am not sure how useful they are. The only nailer I own is the Harbor Freight Brad Nailer so I am looking to add more. I don't want to buy it if all it is going to do is collect dust. According to the reviews it seems they are real handy in nailing joinst hangers, but I am not planning on building any decks or any major renovations. I would only use it for light framing and possibly a few finish nails in whatever projects I am working on.

I used mine (PC) for the first time this weekend. I thought it was great. It was able to reach in tight places where I would be unable to swing a hammer. For instance, I had to reach in the small area above my basement ceiling and around some heat pipes and water lines. It is hard enough to get in there... much less swing anything. I will be using for joist hangers in the near future and can see it being very useful for that. If I had that price when I was looking.. I would have grabbed the Bostich. I also contemplated a Grizzly model that is very inexpensive.

[LCHIEN]

So my ignorance is showing...
does a palm nailer operate like a air nailer and pop the nail in with one shot or is it more like an impact driver and drives it in with a series of small impacts?{edit - I guess the latter, I see a spec of 1000 blows per minute}

Do you hold it in the palm of you hand and squeeze a trigger button on the side?{Edit - I guess they're pressure operated, when pressed to the nail they start to hammer}

Do you hold the nail with you other hand until it gets driven in enough to stay put and then you let go? {Edit - I see, yes}

Does it tend to bend nails over like with my hammer or does it drive them in nice and straight?

Is this a good thing for a guy who's hammer-challenged?

[MilDoc]

Loring -

Well, you answered 3 of your questions. As to the 4th - yes. I hate using a hammer 'cause too often I don't hit the nail right and it bends. Can do the same with my palm nailer, but no where near as often! And it's so quick it makes driving nails fun - my arm doesn't get tired! But, wear anti-vibration gloves. They help a LOT too! Even with the supposedly anti-vibration "coat" some nailers have.

[dadof3boys166]

Price drop to $29.99

I just checked and the Amazon price has dropped to $29.99!

[Jeffrey Schronce]

You beat me to the punch! $29.99 with free shipping certainly makes it competative with Grizzly (shipping and tax for some) and HF (shipping for some and Tax for most).

[messmaker]

The word is that they are the trick for putting on joist hangers. I do it the hard way so take this for what it is worth.

[PALefty]

Do you hold the nail with you other hand until it gets driven in enough to stay put and then you let go? {Edit - I see, yes}

Does it tend to bend nails over like with my hammer or does it drive them in nice and straight?

Is this a good thing for a guy who's hammer-challenged?

You can hold the nail if you want... but for my current project I found it easier to start the nail with a hammer (in my work area),then place the wood in the hard to reach area, then use the nailer any way I can fit. Sometimes it was even with two hands as long as some presssure is applied (each wrapped around a different pipe). The idea is to get it so it 'impacts' straight against the nail or else you could get a bent nail.

I didn't get a great deal on mine. I bought it because I needed it.. and I am certainly glad I did. I don't know how I would have done this project without it. Certainly haven't cursed as much as I would have without it!

I could see them making some smaller ones in the future.. and maybe a right angle version. very handy...

[Hellrazor]

Loring,

It works like an impact, it has a hardened piston that hammers the nail home. You hold the nailer in your hand and push the nail against the wood to make it work, there aren't any switches. The tips are magnetic (atleast mine is) so it holds the nail for you. My pn100 kit has multiple heads it can do anything from say 6d (on a guess) to my favorite job, driving ground rods. It will not bend the nails over since the magnetic tip recesses the nail about 3/4" to start the nail.

Hammer challenged? Yes, but its slower then a hammer, but its great for hard to reach places. I use mine for joist hangers, hurricane hangers and any hard to reach spots.

[LCHIEN]

thanks, Mike.