Stanley Bostitch Compressors & Air Nailer
High Quality Independent Review by Peter Brett
Stanley Bostitch makes a fine range of gas-powered nailers, one of which I tested a few months back. But there are some functions where the independence from an electrical power source is not an issue, and then the cost of the gas cartridges starts to feature in the financial calculations. For example, manufacturing sheds or other panel products usually takes place in a factory and the making process uses a lot of fixings. These fixings are usually best delivered by using a compressor-powered air- nailer. These nailers provide speedy, powerful and adjustable fixing delivery without the “bangs and excitement” and greater expense of gas power. I was sent a new tool and two new compressors as part of the review, the Stanley Bostitch N62FNB-E Second Fix Nailer, the MRC6 Compressor and the amazingly talented PS20 Compressor. They would seem to be representative of the Stanley Bostitch range of air-powered tools – although there are many other tools in the range. I shall start with the Second Fix Nailer. Picking it up I was struck by just how light it is in comparison to a gas-powered nailer. This, clearly, is a nailer that could be used all day without lifting fatigue setting in. It follows the usual configuration of nailers, with a large nailing head – the business end, a large handle and trigger set-up and a sloping magazine to hold the fixings.
The nailer head is in Stanley Bostitch gold and made from a cast alloy so is light and strong. I wish that all nose assemblies in nailers could be as simple to get at and use as this one’s. Simply lift the plastic nose cover in one movement to reveal the striker mechanism. From there it is easy to deal with any stoppages or jams that might occur. Closing it is just as easy, just make sure the closing pin engages on the hook that holds it all together. Cunningly concealed in the cover is a small LED worklight that shines directly onto the work surface when required. The handle and trigger mechanism is very ergonomically arranged. The handle itself has lots of ribbed grippy rubber overmould and could be used with a gloved hand easily. It also holds the click-stopped belt hook and air inlet on the end. The trigger is overmoulded too, but before the user gets busy with it, the nailer needs to be set to the required firing mode. Above the trigger is a lock pin and selector so that the nailer can be used sequentially or in contact trip mode. For production work it is best to set the nailer in contact trip mode where all the operator does is push the nose of the nailer into the required position onto the work and it will fire a fixing, all the while that the trigger is being pulled. This will happen as fast as any operator can work – there is no pause required as in the case of gas nailers. For general work, it is safer to use sequential trip mode. In this mode the operator has to push the nose of the nailer firmly into the work and then pull the trigger for the fixing to fire.
For lightness and strength the fixing magazine is made of a plastic compound. It is very easy to load and holds three rows of nails. Nails can be between 25 to 64mm
long. Another nice touch is the incorporation of a pencil sharpener into the base of the magazine. Not having used an air-powered nailer for about ten years or so, I was expecting a bit of dramatics, but this nailer was as easy to manage as a house-trained pet. It fires fixings effortlessly and as fast as you can pull the trigger. You do need to expend a few fixings to work out the depth you need to fire them to, but this is straightforward using the dial-a-depth wheel on the trigger and adjusting the air pressure on the compressor. Noise levels are really well under control, as is the recoil – I could seriously use this tool all day without hassle.
Exhaust air is directed away from the user and an integrated air blower can be used to clear the decks of dust and debris when required. Since the nailer is an oil free design, maintenance is simpler and the risk of oilstains on workpieces is eliminated. I loved using the Second Fix Nailer – it simply is the easiest and most convenient way of delivering lots of fixings in a hurry to the depth and specification you want –
a really great piece of kit. But I guess an air-powered nailer would be nothing without the accompanying compressor. I loved the “baby” MRC6 TrimAir. It sits squarely on its four rubber feet with the air tank protected by a cage that also serves as a carrying handle. Right on the front is a simply laid out control console that has on/off switch, tank pressure dial, outlet pressure selector wheel and outlet pressure dial. The quick-release hose outlet is easily accessible on the end of this panel. At the back of the tank is a hook and loop strap to hold the cable and a small cubbyhole that could hold a few strips of nails. The whole thing can be easily lifted and carried in one hand so portability is assured.
Once switched on the tank reaches operating pressure in a little over thirty seconds – very quickly in fact. Firing fixings at full speed soon turned the compressor motor on automatically, but it never ran short of air and the noise levels are quite acceptable. In a different league altogether is the PS20 compressor. At 35Kgs in weight it is a large unit to move around, so it has two large treaded wheels and a looped steel handle that is released via a pin catch. This handle is cleverly designed in that if it is folded, two people side-by-side can carry it easily using the loop under the tank. These also form a protective cage around the compressor. On the front is the familiar layout of on/off switch tank and outlet pressure dials and pressure selector dial. With its 2.5 HP motor and 20 litre tank capacity this oil-lubricated compressor is a real workhorse. I simply couldn’t do it justice no matter how hard I worked with the nailer. It is just amazing how much air power it produced.
My overall impression of these three tools is that they are high quality, well-designed pieces of kit. They are clearly built to last and not to a price. If I needed an air nailer I would definitely be looking in the direction of Stanley Bostitch.
10 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
Reply No. 213
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