The 'Lode' Zone

If you're a builder or remodeler, you know that more and more communities are requiring metal connectors, straps and ties. When metal connector nailers, like the Paslode® Model F250S-PP, were first introduced years ago, they were designed to handle both 2-1/2” and 1-1/2” nails due to the requirements for longer nails in coastal areas. But the majority of the new building codes only require 1-1/2” nails, and while these older tools work fine, they are heavy and bulky, and a bit of overkill when it comes to driving only 1-1/2” nails. Palm nailers are often used but they are much slower than a dedicated metal connector tool.

Paslode®, which is always looking for ways to help builders and remodelers be more productive, has introduced the new Positive Placement® Metal Connector Nailer, Model PF150S-PP, designed specifically for 1-1/2” nails. Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver into tight spaces, and its lightweight – under 6.4 lbs. – is easier on the arm, especially when using the tool all day. With Paslode’s unique Positive Placement® probing tip, the PF150S-PP easily and accurately locates the metal connector hole without damaging a nail, making this a fast and productive tool. And its high capacity magazine easily accommodates two strips of nails for less reloading and added productivity.

Reports from Paslode reps in the field have been very positive. “Contractors have told us their workers are very happy with the tool,” says Steve Golich, Paslode Product Manager, “they are finishing jobs in half the time and their arms aren’t ready to fall off by end of day.“

The nails are important too. The PF150S-PP is designed to drive Paslode positive placement metal connector heat-treated hardened nails, which are head marked for easy nail identification by building inspectors. Without the head mark a building inspector can order you to re-nail everything!

The new Positive Placement® Metal Connector Nailer, Model PF150S-PP is available at your local distributor now. Go on in and check it out.

#  #  #

Great news! The Paslode 16 gauge angled finish nailer, Model T250A-F16  is now available at all Lowe’s stores. The T250A-F16  is the only pneumatic 16 gauge angled finish nailer on the market today.

The T250A-F16 takes finish nailer performance to a whole new level. Its angled-magazine design gives users a combination of maneuverability and comfort never before available in a full-size finish nailer. It is lighter than most finish nailers, meaning less fatigue when working on bigger projects, and its small size lets you work in harder to reach places than ever before.

The T250A-F16  is designed for professionals; it can handle the toughest conditions and perform for years with a minimum of maintenance. This nailer is ideal for Pros who spend the day installing door jambs and stops, door and window casings, baseboard and shoe molding, chair rails, paneling, stair assemblies, and crown molding. It is also perfect for cabinetry and furniture assembly.

It has a number of standard features that help ensure a high quality finish and more productive work, including:

• An easy-to-use tool-free quick clear for nail jams – finish nailers without this feature can take a while to clear, really slowing down the job.
• A tool-free depth of drive adjustment mechanism, making it quick and easy to set and adjust the depth of drive.
• A two-step follower which allows for faster, easier nail loading.
• A no-mar tip to prevent damage to trim work surfaces.
• A nail lock out capability – very important when working fast, or with fine hardwoods, as this feature won’t let you fire the tool without fasteners in the magazine, if you could, the driver blade would mar the wood surface, and you would also have to figure out where you stopped setting nails.

As every Pro knows, it’s not just the nailer that makes for better quality, it’s also the nails. All Paslode nailers work as a system with Paslode nails. This means less jamming, better quality work and more productivity.

Whatever the project, a finish nailer is going to make the job easier, quicker and provide a high quality finish; it’s time to put the hammer away and get a Paslode 16 gauge angled finish nailer.

#   #   #

We get asked this question all the time: Why should I convert to Paslode fuel powered cordless nailers? And our answer is: Because you save money, you are more productive and your business will be more profitable.

Where is the savings, where is the productivity improvement you ask? Some of it is in the roll out and roll up of compressors and hoses. It takes about 20 minutes to pull out the compressor and roll out the hoses; and another 20 minutes to put it all away. The Paslode cordless framing nailer takes just three minutes to set up and start nailing, and three minutes to put away. So that’s 40 minutes of nonproductive labor versus six.

Savings can also be found if you use gasoline powered compressors. Not only will you save the time it takes to refuel the compressor, but you save money on the gasoline.

Your productivity improves because you work faster. For example, you don’t have the hassle of hoses to pull around the job site, and no hoses pulling you down when working on a ladder, or scaffolding. You can eliminate the hassles of winding hoses in and around the braces of framed walls or during truss installation.

Finally, with no hoses to trip over, and no compressor noise to have to compete with when giving cutting measurements, you’ll see jobs move along quicker with less mistakes made.  

Paslode cordless nailers are not just good for punch out or small remodeling projects.  With advances in speed and efficiency, today, Paslode cordless nailers are being using to build additions, decks, complete gut remodels and even framing in new home construction.

If you still don’t think you can save money with Paslode fuel powered cordless tools, then check out the Cost Saving Calculator, on the Paslode website at http://www.paslode.com/calculators/CordlessCalculator.aspx, and see for yourself how you save time and money by using Paslode fuel powered cordless tools.

#  #  #

On our jobsite visits, we noticed that everybody was running out of fuel.  We’d often see contractors stopping work to go get more fuel, or sending a crew member off to pick some up. Not the best use of their time, and often they’d end up buying more fuel cells than they needed, just to make sure they wouldn’t run out. So, when we decided it was time to make some major upgrades to our cordless framing nailer, we also thought, why not pack the fuel cells with the nails. This will ensure that you have enough fuel for all the nails. And, sure enough, with the new CF325 and its Fuel + Nail Combo packs, no one needs to stop and go get more fuel, you buy only what you need – no more wasted costs or interrupted work!

Now, even better news: we’ve put the Paslode PowerBoost™ black tip coating on 3” and 3-1/4” nails in all Fuel + Nail Combo packs. The proprietary coating on PowerBoost™ nails gives the CF325 the power to drive nails into engineered lumbers, such as LVL. The new boost also translates into better performance at higher altitudes in parts of the U.S. where, typically, combustion-type framing nailers have had drivability issues due to the lack of oxygen. These nails finally allow remodelers and builders in high altitude markets to benefit from the freedom of cordless framing nailers without the hassle of hoses and compressors.

What’s the bottom line? With the Paslode CF325 and Fuel + Nail Combo packs, you save time, you save money, you’re more profitable job after job. So what are you waiting for?

Not All Nails Created Equal

Oct. 6, 2009

Nails, simple commodity, right? Wrong. Not all nails are created equal. In fact, nail quality affects worker productivity, and thus the all-important Bottom Line.

That’s right, you get what you pay for and we see this on jobsites all the time. Cheap nails mean more nail jams and tools wearing out prematurely. Cheap nails also mean trouble with building inspectors who have been known to question the structural integrity of a house made with inferior nails. They often will “red-tag” such a building, making the workers re-nail everything with code-recognized nails.

The only sure way to know you’ve got high quality, code-recognized nails – and won’t have the inspectors asking a lot of questions – is with the ICC-ES stamp on your nail boxes. Some manufacturers say their nails are “made to ASTM standards” and that may suffice, but having the ICC-ES stamp is better.

To obtain the ICC-ES stamp, nail manufacturers not only have to meet ASTM standards, but they must also demonstrate that their manufacturing processes and materials meet the rigorous standards of ICC-Evaluation Services an independent third party evaluator and subsidiary of the International Code Council. Every box of nails with an ICC-ES stamp means that it has an ICC-ES evaluation report, which provides evidence that the nails comply with structural integrity code, and rest assured building inspectors like to see the ICC-ES stamp when they look at your nail boxes. Of course all Paslode nails have the ICC-ES Stamp.  Got a nail story you’d like to share? We’d like to hear it.

Next week, we’ll talk about nail collation, plastic or paper, does it matter?

#  #  #

Congratulations to Mel Somerville!  Mel submitted the name "The 'Lode' Zone" and won a FREE CF325 Fuel Powered Cordless Framing Nailer!  We appreciate everyone's submissions and participation!  Please check in often to see any other blog topics, contests, rebates, etc... through The 'Lode' Zone from now on. 

As always, feel free to post questions or ideas you want insight on from fellow Paslode customers through The 'Lode' Zone blog.  Happy Nailing!