Could this be the only tool in my shop that isn’t working? Anything I say about this gun would be speculation because this unit has never fired a nail. Despite the picture showing a half clip of nails locked and loaded, this Bostitch N70 Framing Nailer never worked. Happy Friday the 13th.

I can’t justifiably rate this tool.

Comments:

I received this old tool new in box. The box was still sealed, it was a new gun, even though the manufacture date was many years prior. Basically, someone gave me a brand new older model Framing Nailer. I hooked it up, but nothing… no leaking air sounds, no action. Nothing. Since then I’ve hung on to it for over ten years even though it doesn’t work. I’m not sure what I’m expecting.

I have experience with the N70/N80 nailers from years using Bostitch Framing guns on General Construction projects. My first ten years as a carpenter were spent Framing and Sheathing with a Hitachi in one hand and a Bostitch in the other.

I have several other Bostitch pneumatic nailers, some listed on this site already. I trust the name for weighty but long lasting nailers.

Links:

The current highly rated Bostitch framing gun is the Bostitch F28WW Framing Nailer.
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others include the Bostitch F21PL.
and the Bostitch N100S

With it’s 15 Amp, 120V motor spinning a 7 1/4″ diamond-arbor blade at 4,600 RPM the Skil Model 77M weighs in at 14lbs. This saw has been my right hand so many times it has become an extension of my arm.

Features:

• 13 amp motor, 4,400 RPM
• Light magnesium housing provides durability – 3-pounds Lighter than the HD77
• Precision machined worm drive gears for maximum power
• Includes saw, blade, blade wrench
• 7-3/4-inches; 14-pounds; 1-year warranty

Experience:
From my very first job as a carpenter to my jobsites 20 years later the Skilsaw Mod. 77 is the only circular saw I use. Through thick and thin this saw has cut it all from framing to trim, from plywood to timber, from steel plates to concrete pads. This saw truly is an extension of my arm. Of course, cutting overhead with a 15lb. saw will give you a sore arm after a while.

I was trained in carpentry in California. I don’t know how a single state could claim the fame of the model 77 but even now when I boast about the wormdrive people ask if I’ve come from California. I just can’t understand circular saw people. I’ll never switch, I can’t drive one for $h*T and they kickback in the most unreliable way.

According to OSHA rules General Contractors in Calif. have to provide safety meetings on a regular basis. On one of my first commercial jobs safety was no joke and our meeting agenda included tool lectures, like how the wormdrive Skilsaw is safer than a circular saw by design. I guess the advantages of this saw were ingrained in me from the start but the saw has really stuck it out and I know I can rely on it to function for an extraordinarily long time.

Ironically just after the safety meeting I learned how you can duct-tape a garden hose to the front of the saw and cut concrete slabs. I don’t think they teach that one in school but I used it many times in such a way. It would be impossible to count the rafters, stringers, studs, sheathing or floorboard in construction and demolition that even one of my Skilsaws has sliced through!

Comments:
The chord may break loose after dropping the saw from the roof by it’s chord so many times, easily replaced. I don’t have any complaints about this saw. I like both the heavier and not-much-noticeably lighter SHD77M. I’ve learned to do just about anything with this saw but in all my years, unlike some, I have never pinned the guard back on my saws!

My first Skilsaw was stolen. It’s replacement I gave away when I bought a new one. The next three various Skil Model 77′s that I bought are still put to work around the year, despite New England temps. Not one has died on the job.

Own it, it’s the best. The Skilsaw Model 77 is indispensable and the quintessential carpenter’s saw.

Links:

Skilsaw Model HD77 at Skiltools.com

Skilsaw Model HD77M at Skiltools.com (Product Data)

Skil HD77M 7-1/4″ Magnesium Worm Drive Circular Saw Skilsaw on Amazon.com

Skil SHD77M 15 amp 7-1/4-inch Mag Worm Drive Saw at Amazon.com (where I got mine)

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Oddest thing happened while writing this blog: I had the page open for the Mag 77 at the Manufacturer’s website but didn’t finish making my article. When I went back to get the link to the Model 77, the page was down. Apparently Skil, a subsidiary of Bosch, let their domain name expire!

skiltools.com

Expired - Renew Now!

24400410

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A cheap tool in a pinch. That’s what I considered my Porter-Cable FR350A when I bought it in 2005. Since then it has proven to be a solid performer despite it’s awkwardly large frame.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Description:

• 2-inch to 3-1/2-inch round head pneumatic framing nailer with 64 nail capacity magazine
• Selectable trigger — restrictive or contact actuation mode
• 70-120 PSI operating pressure
• Measures 19-1/2 inches long and 14 inches tall; Weighs 8 pounds
• Includes carrying case, 1/4-inch air fitting with dust cover, and oil

Experience:

With my Bostitch Framing Gun in need of repair I bought the cheapest stick nailer I could get my hands on within an hour’s time. Since then I have used my Porter-Cable FR350A for the heavy demands of house framing. Maybe it’s because it came with a carry bag that my P-C FR350 looks so clean and new but it’s hammered home a bunch of nails.

I don’t really know what to say about this Framing Nailer other than:

1. It wasn’t expensive
2. I don’t prefer this to others
3. It’s big and heavy and unwieldy.
4. It works!

Here’s a picture of it next to a full sized 23oz framing hammer. It’s a big nail gun.

Links:

Porter-Cable FR350A at DeltaPorterCable.com (Product Data)

Porter-Cable FR350A Round Head 2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer at Amazon.com
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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Experience: I have used a saw boss for over 20 years. I can’t remember when I purchased the 6″ Porter-Cable saw I have these days but it’s cut a lot of plywood. This little saw excels at ripping sheets of 1/2″ for roofing or sheathing and I keep it for just such an application. My Porter-Cable 345 Saw Boss has ripped countless pieces of plywood and the occasional 2x.

Comments: It’s been around for a long time and that should say something for the P-C Saw Boss. Mine doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. The fence is a good one. I’m not a fan of circular saws. I was raised on the wormdrive Skilsaw but I can still drive this little Porter-Cable accurately.

Links:
Model 345 at Porter-Cable (Product Data)

Porter-Cable 345 Saw Boss at Amazon.com (good pricing)
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