Professional Tool Reviews for Pros

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Framing Tool Reviews & Buying Guides

Framer use a lot of tools. You’ve got compressors and nailers, but you also have hammers, squares, miter saws, and tables saws. Then there’s the complement of other hand tools like tape measures, pencils, and chalk reels. Framers are our go-to guys of general construction tool reviews. They’ve touched it all. This crew loves jumping into a best tape measure comparison or the discovering the best tool belt. And of course they helped us find the best framing hammer. Many of our framing tool reviews take place on the jobsite. We can’t think of a better place to test tools. These are the guys who get to discover the best cordless reciprocating saw. If it involves cutting or fastening lumber, this section should have you covered.

SENCO FN55AX Fusion F-18 Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Review
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SENCO FN55AX Fusion F-18 Cordless 18 gauge Brad Nailer

by Thomas Gaige

With the rise of cordless finish nailers, Senco takes a different approach by using a sealed nitrogen cylinder and a lithium-ion battery to keep them powered. Recently we had the chance to try out the FN55AX Fusion F-18 Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer. We found that this nailer packs in a pile of useful features, has plenty of power, and will keep up with pneumatic nailers. More and more we are turning to brad nails for our finishing projects because of their great holding power combined with the very small head size. A smaller head size means less patching and putty when you are done. There is a lot to like with this nailer and it comes in near the top of our list of must-have tools.

Hart 21 oz. Milled Face Hickory Framing Hammer Review
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Hart 21 oz Milled Face Hickory Framing Hammer Review

by Clint DeBoer

For some, a hammer isn’t all that important. If you’re serious about tools, however, or a framer by trade, a hammer is an extension of your arm and something you use almost all the time. With that being the case, issues like weight, features, and balance become very important. In fact, when you’re striking nails almost non-stop, it’s possible to actually calculate the time-is-money factor, and you’ll see that your choice of hammer becomes something that could net you literally hours of labor-savings over the course of a year. It was with that mentality that we turned our fascination to Hart’s line of Mill-faced Framing Hammers.

Hart 21 oz. Milled Face Steel Framing Hammer Review
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Hart 21 oz Milled Face Steel Framing Hammer Review

by Clint DeBoer

For some, a hammer isn’t all that important. If you’re serious about tools, however, or a framer by trade, a hammer is an extension of your arm and something you use almost all the time. With that being the case, issues like weight, features, and balance become very important. In fact, when you’re striking nails almost non-stop, it’s possible to actually calculate the time-is-money factor, and you’ll see that your choice of hammer becomes something that could net you literally hours of labor-savings over the course of a year. It was with that mentality that we turned our fascination to Hart’s line of Mill-faced Steel Framing Hammers.

Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review
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Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-ga Angled Finish Nailer Review

by Thomas Gaige

Going cord-free with trim nailers is the way to go, and the Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer makes this easy to do. This nailer is best suited for the pro that focuses on remodeling and trim work. With an excellent line of sight and an angled nail magazine, getting fasteners into difficult-to-reach places is easy and can be done with great precision. The idea of not having to drag around a compressor, cords and hoses is a very compelling argument for going cordless. Not to mention, this Paslode is lightweight, compact, comes with a built-in hanging hook and is incredibly easy to use. This nailer makes our list of must-have tools!

Paslode IM250A LI Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review
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Paslode IM250A LI Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review

by Clint DeBoer

We already did a pretty thorough review of the Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer last year. That was an excellent tool (still is) and it transformed, in my mind, the potential for what a finish nailer could be. Apparently, however, that was the dry run – regardless of how great a run it was. This year, Paslode released an update/replacement that has more than a few tweaks to the former tool. They’ve been listening to their users and we have to say, these tweaks – present in the new IM250A LI – really refine this tool into something special.

Porter Cable C1010 1-Gallon Quiet Trim Compressor Review
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Porter-Cable C1010 1-Gallon Quiet Trim Compressor Review

by Thomas Gaige

We often use trim compressors to do smaller projects because of their compact size, convenience and mobility. The Porter Cable C1010 1 Gallon 135 PSI Max Quiet Trim Compressor is all of that and more. Overall weight is a very manageable 24 pounds and there is a protective steel roll cage that also doubles as the carry handle, allowing the compressor to be carried in an upright position. Probably the biggest feature of this little compressor is that it is oil-free and quiet. Normally you can’t say both of those words in the same sentence when talking about compressors. Somehow the engineers at Porter-Cable figured out how to make this little guy maintenance-free and you can stand to be in the same room with it when it is running. Our plan was to find out if it really is as good as they say it is.

Paslode TetraGrip Subfloor Fastening System
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Paslode TetraGrip Subfloor Fastening System Review

by Thomas Gaige

Squeaking subfloors can be a homeowner’s nightmare and one of the hardest things for a contractor to fix once the final floors are installed. Potential problems can be eliminated from the onset in new construction and even renovation work with the new Paslode TetraGrip Subfloor Fastening System. This system uses the proprietary TetraGrip Subfloor Fastener and the dedicated Paslode PF237C Pneumatic TetraGrip Coil Nailer. These fasteners drive like a nail, yet hold like a screw thanks to their revolutionary “barb-threaded” design which deliver the holding power of a floor screw. Productivity over using screws is greatly increased because you can drive these fasteners as fast as you can pull the trigger on the nailer. This nailing system may be a game changer for the residential market and we will try it out to see what we think.

Milwaukee 2458-21 M12 Cordless Palm Nailer Review
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Milwaukee 2458-21 M12 Cordless Palm Nailer Review

by Thomas Gaige

The Milwaukee 2458-21 M12 Cordless Palm Nailer is one of those types of tools that you probably won’t use every day, but it could prove to be a real asset when the occasion arises. We got a glimpse of this nailer at the 2010 Milwaukee Media Event where we were able to try out a few pre-production models – and they did prove very promising. We were slightly surprised that they were able to drive 16d common nails flush into 2×4 studs all day long. Finally a cordless, hand-held nailer that really drove nails. Up to now, the few battery powered nailers that we have seen, also known as auto hammers, have been more like gadgets than real working gear. The idea of being able to leave the air compressor, air hose, drop cords and nailers in the work trailer is rather compelling. Given its fairly compact size, you can drive nails in those difficult tight spots where you normally might not be able to fit a full size nailer or swing a hammer. To make it even better there is a LED work light built in that should make it easier to see what you are doing in a dim or dark work area.

Bosch FNA250-15 15 ga Angled Finish Nailer Review
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Bosch FNA250-15 Angled Finish Nailer Review

by Clint DeBoer

The FNA250-15 15-ga finish nailer from Bosch is quite possibly the most convenient and lightweight finish nailers we’ve used to-date. With conveniences like a trigger that can easily change modes without having to be replaced, to an adjustable drive depth that can be activated with your fingers, this tool is taking construction and finishing to a new level of simplicity. Its small size and lightweight frame makes it easy to maneuver into tight spots and get that last corner shot. We actually brought it along to a few job sites and interviewed several pros, letting them handle and use the Bosch FNA250-15 Finish Nailer for themselves. Reactions, while different, were all quite positive. Most shared similar comments about how the tool was easy to hold, had little girth, and could be adjusted at will. Though we never encountered any jams, the business end of the tool can be taken apart so easily that it was easy to see that any difficulties or problems could be dealt with quickly and conveniently.

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