Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip Nailer

• Round-head 2- to 3-1/2-inch framing nailer with selective actuation switch (sequential or bump) for convenience
• 70-120 psi operating pressure; simple tool-free depth adjustment; vibration isolation pads mounted on nose
• 2-piece anodized aluminum magazine, comfortable non-slip rubber grip
• Comes with safety glasses
• Lightweight and well-balanced at 7.5-pounds; 5-year warranty

I have about 11 nailers, all brands, Hitachi seems the best. they don't break, they nail consistently. no one shots more nails through a nailer than i do. we are brutal to our guns, shooting 1000s of nails per week easily (to nail off new sheeting on a typical home requires 2500 nails) and we drop our guns constantly. we don't "set" our guns down, we drop them and if they can't handle it, we don't buy them. our guns end up in the repair shops several times a year but the hitachi least of all and the shop guys think hitachi is the best (and those guys know what they are talking about, all they do is rip these guns apart to see the "weak links" that always need replacing. this price is shockingly good ($180), better than the big orange store by 20 bucks.

NAIL TYPES:

This shoots the most common angle of 21 degree (the strips of nails and the magazine on the gun are set at an angle this angle helps give clearance for the lower part of the tool while being used). I have no idea why most specifications for nailers don't say this because there are strip nails sold that vary from 20-30 degrees and nothing but 21 degree will work in this gun (most nailers are 21 degree but if you're not in the know, this can be a real hassle).

If you are confused about nail sizes (and most guys who are not pro framers seems to be horribly confused), you can look it up but i can make it easy for you. With almost any structural work, you want use a nail thickness (shank, guage, diameter it's called various things but we're talking how fat the shaft of the nail is) of 0.131. You will see thinner (0.113) and thicker (0.148+) don't bother with them unless you know that's what is called for.

You're most common nail for structural framing, is known as "8D common." Not "8D" not "8D cooler" it is precisely 8D common, with a thickness of 0.131 and a length of 2.5 inches. Most codes require that specific/exact/precise nail but of course some things require larger nails, like a 16D but that's about length since the fact is, 8D common and 16D share the exact same shaft of 0.131. If you're confused by some of the various packaging statements, just know that you want to see 0.131 thickness. You can get various lengths for that shank but they are usually 2.5 3.5 inches.

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I have only been using this nailer for two weeks and it's definitely been one of the best tool choices I've made. During this time it has driven 6,000 3 1/4" stainless ring shank nails into lots of 2 by Pressure Treated. There's really no downside to this nailer that I`ve found. It is very powerful and drives these nails fine as long as the line pressure is at least 100psi. Don't expect a little pancake compressor to feed this rapid fire or you will probably be disappointed. Because I am framing and decking with this gun I found the quick lever adjustment between trigger fire and bump fire to be useful in avoiding unwanted multi-fires. This gun loads very easily, contrary to another review, you can insert your nail strips, then you pull back the tension lever and it will automatically catch after the last nail. I have another 4,000 nails to go for this job and so far it has been a great performer.

Update 4-20-11 I've now put 8,000 3 1/4 SS ring shanks and another 3,000 B & C Eagle 314X120HDR/22 Round Head 3-1/4-Inch by .120-Inch by 20 to 22 Degree Plastic Collated Hot Dipped Galvanized Ring Shank Framing Nail (4,000 per Box)through the gun with no jams and only a couple miss-fires. I am now working away from my big shop compressor and I have borrowed a Bostitch CAP2060P 10.5 Amp 2-Horsepower 6-Gallon Oil-Free Pancake Compressor with a PUR-Hose PUR-38X100 3/8-Inch X 100 Foot Polyurethane 250 PSI Air Hose. It works for about 10 quick shots then you must slow down or even stop while the compressor catches up. I'll shoot another 3,000 stainless and then be done for a while. No problems at all with the nailer

Read Best Reviews of Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip Nailer Here

I am boggled by negative reviews on the Hitachi NR90AE nailer, have to believe off-brand nails, damaged strip collation and operator error are responsible. I have owned the NR90AE for 3 years, shoot only Hitachi nails and have NEVER had a single jam or miss fire.

Can't shoot 8D and smaller nails? Not for sheathing? ..... Say what? Just shot a box of Hitachi galv 2-3/8" ring shanks into studs through 5/8" sheathing with flawless performance.

Build quality on this "made in Japan" gun is sooooooo superior to all the "made in China" framers out there, super light and balanced, yet powerful with a precise depth of drive adjustment. And you can purchase this high quality tool for less then much of the disposable junk coming out of China, now that's value!

Is it perfect? No, would be nice if Hitachi provided a sky hook and bumpers to protect that beautiful finish and grip sloped surfaces.

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I have had the gun for a week and it is an awesome tool. It has loads of power no recoil and a nice placement tip. the trigger is adjustable from bump fire to set fire and its a great gun for the money.

the only bad is that the nails are not the most common nails to find.

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I have other Hitachi products and have found them to be well made and dependable. This nailer is no different. I've used 3-1/4" and 2-1/4" collated round head nails without a hitch. The loading is different from my Grizz gun in that you load from the back. The tension spring must be held back when loading so you have difficulty loading with it being held rather than set down. My Grizz spring locks back and the nails drop in through the top of the ramp.

The Hitachi is easier to unload with the nails sliding back up the ramp as you hold the spring back.

Depth is very easier to set. I use a dedicated air control as well and adjust it to the lowest optimum air pressure to save unnecessary wear and tear. A 100 PSI works well on the long nails90 PSI for the 2-1/4" nails.

The tool is fairly light and maneuverable although I could only load two sets of nails even though there was almost room for three. Another 1-1/2" longer ramp and I probably could. I picked up a drier and installed itDedicated to the nailer. I have found corrosion in other air tools from moisture in the compressed air especially in humid weather.

I've been giving it about ten drops of oil every time I use it. It isn't a production tool so my use is rarely over two hours at a time.

So far I'm pleased with the purchase although I saw it cheaper right after I bought it!