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Tool Tips to Improve Productivity and Performance
ENGINEERING AND TESTING
With 100 members on the Bostitch Engineering and Testing Team, they have over 1,000 years of multi-disciplined experience in research, design and analysis of their products to ensure both longevity and tool safety. Bostitch has over 2,000 fasteners that are designed and engineered to meet your fastening needs for optimal performance in your Bostitch® Tools – improving effi ciency, productivity, quality and ensuring building code compliance.
It’s a rough life for our tools. They’re dropped, dragged, pummelled, subjected to cold, exposed to heat and forced to endure extreme, hostile environments. And that’s just there at Bostitch, before they leave the Bostitch doors and go to work for you. Every single tool that bears the Bostitch® name must withstand these and other rigorous tests, because the main focus is quality and endurance.
Through laboratory testing and re-testing, the Bostitch team of engineers constantly assess the performance attributes of our fasteners to identify opportunities for improvement – withdrawal testing to evaluate new coatings, penetration testing to evaluate drive characteristics, and development testing to optimize performance in withdrawal, shear performance and pull through.
NAIL SHANKS
There are three types of nail shanks – smooth, ring, and screw. A smooth
shank has a withdrawal capacity that is adequate for most applications. During
the manufacturing of smooth shank nails, a coating is applied, which eases
penetration resistance and ultimately helps improve the holding power of the
fastener. However, when more holding power is necessary, a ring or screw
shank should be used. A ring shank is designed for increased withdrawal
strength in soft woods. The screw shank works well at improving the withdrawal
capacity in hard woods.
The metal and coating used on the shank of the nail is important when selecting
the proper nail for the application. Bostitch® offers nails manufactured out of
cold worked carbon steel, cold worked hardened steel and stainless steel. Cold
worked carbon steel is most commonly used when corrosion resistance is not
a concern; cold worked hardened steel is most commonly used when attaching
material to very hard substrates; and stainless steel is most commonly used
when severe corrosion resistance is needed due to the wood or environment in
which the nail is installed.
NAIL COLLATION
Nails are collated in two formats – coil and stick. Bostitch® Coil Nails are collated
at a 15 degree angle, joined together with wire or plastic and range from 23mm to
64mm with diameters ranging from 1.80mm to 3.33mm. Applications typically include
framing, pallet construction and repair, fencing and decking.
Bostitch® Stick Nails are designed, engineered and manufactured in four different
forms and are generally identifi ed by what holds the nails together – wire, paper,
plastic or adhesive. Adhesive collation is used on fi nishing nails, brads and headless
pins for trim and fi ne woodwork. They range in length from 9mm to 64mm with
diameters ranging from 13 to 23 gauge. The wire, paper, and plastic collated nails
are used for general framing and pallet applications. Stick Nails typically range in
length from 50mm to 100mm with diameters ranging from 2.87mm to 3.33mm.
NAIL POINT
There are four basic point styles to consider for an application – diamond, blunt diamond, chisel, and blunt chisel. Proper selection is important as the nail point can cause the wood to split, rob the tool of power or affect the withdrawal capacity of the nail.
SELECTING THE PROPER BOSTITCH® STAPLES
All staples are joined with an adhesive coating that holds the staple together,
aids the staple in penetration and keeps it from withdrawing from
the wood. Light wire staples are measured in thousandths and heavy
wire staples are measured by gauge. Staple gauges range from 15 to 18
gauge and lengths range from 4mm to 50mm.
Both light wire and heavy wire staples are available in steel, coated,
and stainless steel, and are typically classifi ed by the crown width. In
some cases, they are less expensive and may reduce material splitting
compared to nails.
MAINTENANCE TIPS
Most problems with our tools are a result of:
• Normal wear and tear to rubber components due to high usage
• Lack of proper lubrication
• Dirt or water that may enter the tool via the air lines
Routine maintenance procedures consisting of the breakdown, cleaning and installation of the proper O-ring kits and trigger valve kits will prevent and/or correct approximately 90% of the symptoms.
If your compressor is conventionally lubricated, be sure to check the oil regularly and change it as recommended in the operator’s manual. And don’t forget the air filter. All air compressors have an air filter to keep the dirt and dust out of the compressor pump. If you run the compressor in a dusty environment, check and clean the air filter often.
REGULATE AIR
Use regulated, compressed air and never use more air pressure than is necessary to drive the fasteners. Tank pressure in an air compressor varies between the pressure it’s set to start up and the pressure it will cut out. Regulators maintain a constant pressure to the tool regardless of this pressure fluctuation at the source. Most Bostitch® tools, except a few designed for corrugated packaging, will operate well between 80 and 95 PSI. If the fastener sets well at 85 PSI, use that pressure.
DRAIN THAT WATER
The process of compressing air generates condensation in the tank and that water needs to be drained regularly. In hot humid weather, you’ll need to drain it several times each day. In dryer climates, once per day is enough. Open the drain valves near the bottom of the tank/s, while the tank is under some pressure and let the moisture out. Then close them carefully. Never twist the valves with pliers. Just tighten them until the air stops leaking.
POSITION COMPRESSOR AT ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Don’t use an extension cord to run your compressor if at all possible. If you must operate it in a remote area, use a heavy gauge extension cord as follows:
Distance Cord Gauge
25 feet 14
50 feet 12
100 feet 10
150 feet 8
We don’t recommend using a generator to operate air compressors but if you have no choice, be sure there are no other devices on the circuit and use a generator with at least 6500 watts capacity.
DON’T STARVE THE TOOL
Be careful not to restrict air to the tool with small diameter air hoses, small fittings, or water in the air line. We recommend using a heavy duty 3/8” air line and fitting even though the pipe threads going into the tool may be 1/4”. And keep the air line as short as possible. This helps to prevent a pressure drop and air volume reduction to the tool. Remember, if the tool drives the first few fasteners but leaves the others above the surface during fast operation, you have an air restriction and turning up the pressure won’t help. Look for an air restriction.
DROPS OF OIL ONLY
Most air staplers and nailers need to be oiled unless they are oil-less, like the model N62FN finish nailer. And remember, even though a compressor may be conventionally lubricated (needs oil), that has nothing to do with oil in the tool. Put a few drops of oil in the air fitting of the tool in the morning and again at noon. That’s all you need to keep the tool running smoothly. And, always use only approved non detergent oil that comes with the tool.
COLD WEATHER OPERATION
When operating your nailer in cold weather, use BOSTITCH® cold weather oil. It’s formulated to help prevent water accumulation and freezing in the tool. Ask for item number BC603. Other oil products are: 4 oz bottle of oil – BC601 1 pint bottle of oil – BC602 1 quart bottle of oil – BC 604
FITTINGS
We sell both 1/4” and 3/8” fittings. Our light duty fitting are all 1/4” pipe threads and connect to a 1/4” air line. Great for small tools. Our heavy duty fittings have a larger hole at the air input end and always connect to a 3/8” air line. They are available with either 3/8” or 1/4” pipe threads. Most of our newer tools use 1/4” pipe threads while the older Mark III series (MIIIFS) uses 3/8” pipe threads. Note: The air input size (3/8) is the same in all heavy duty fittings.
GAUGE INFO
Wire on some BOSTITCH® fasteners is measured in thousands and sometimes we need to know the approximate, equivalent gauge.
.000 = Gauge
.148 = 9
.050 x .035 = 18
.131 = 10
.050 x .019 = 20
.120 = 11
.040 x .023 = 20
.099 = 12.5
.030 x .023 = 22
.026 x .019 = 23
.021 x .015 = 25
.025 round = 23
.019 round = 25
BUNDLES & SQUARES
Although there is some variation due to size of the roof, size of the shingles, etc., here is a general break down of some roofing stuff. 30 shingles to a bundle 3 bundles to a square A Square is 10 ft. X 10 ft. 20 squares per average home 4 nails per shingle 120 nails (1 coil) per bundle 360 nails (3 coils) per square 7200 nails (1 box) per roof.
STEEL FRAMING
Fasten plywood sheathing to the steel studs using the model N64CP-1 and the C4DCSBALG, helix threaded, ballistic point nail. This is a great application and our nails have been proven to hold exceptionally well. Bostitch® plywood to steel nails have been evaluated by the ICBO (International Council of Building Officials) and were issued the number ER-5426 This number lets the industry know that the nails can be used in steel frame construction.
THE CONTACT OR SEQUENTIAL TRIP
Bostitch® offers two types of triggers for pneumatic tools: Contact Trip (black trigger) and Sequential Trip (silver-gray trigger). Each trigger has specific advantages. For example, the Contact Trip is best suited for high volume rapid nailing or stapling where exact placement of the fastener is not important. The Sequential Trip is best suited for applications where rapid nailing is not required or where the exact placement of the fasteners is important. Your construction project should be evaluated to determine which trigger is best.
CONTACT TRIP
A Bostitch® tool with the Contact Trip (black trigger) installed will drive a nail whenever both the trip and the trigger are depressed at the same time.
The tool can be used to rapidly drive nails by holding the trigger pulled and repeatedly bumping the trip against the work to be nailed (Bump Nailing). A nail is driven each time the trip is bumped against the work.
The Contact Trip (black trigger) will not prevent a nail from being accidentally driven if the trigger is held, pulled and the trip is bumped against any object or person. Never hold or carry the tool with your finger on the trigger unless driving fasteners.
The Contact Trip (black trigger) can also be operated by holding the tool against the work with the trip depressed and then pulling the trigger (Place Nailing).
When using a Contact Trip for Place Nailing, the tool may bounce due to recoil and if the tool is allowed to re-contact the work surface while you are holding the trigger pulled, a second nail will be driven. The operator should allow the tool to recoil far enough to release the trip and avoid a second cycle. Don’t push the tool down too hard, let the tool do the work.
SEQUENTIAL TRIP
The Sequential Trip (silver-gray trigger) offers a positive safety advantage since it will not accidentally drive a nail if the tool is bumped against any surface or anybody while the operator is holding the tool with the trigger pulled.
It also allows Place Nailing without the possibility of driving a second nail on recoil as described under “Contact Trip”.
The Sequential Trip (silver-gray trigger) gets its name from the “sequence” required to operate the tool. To drive a nail, the operator must first depress the trip against the work and then pull the trigger. To drive a second nail, the operator must lift the tool from the work, release the trigger, and then repeat the above sequence.
DRIVE SAFELY
• Always wear proper eye protection
• Don’t carry the tool with the trigger pulled
• Never point the tool toward yourself or anyone else
• Disconnect the air supply when the tool is not in use
• Always use regulated compressed air
• READ YOUR OPERATOR’S MANUAL
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