Bostitch entered two models into our Framing Nailer Shootout back in July. One was their pneumatic F21PL2 that impressed us with an overall 5th place finish. This model, the BCF30PTM1 Bostich cordless framing nailer, does away with the hoses in favor of a 20V Max battery pack. But can this cordless edition hang with the solid performance of its air-powered counterpart?
Pros
- No cord, no hose
- Convenient punch list tool
Cons
- Doesn’t have the firing strength of pneumatics
- Significant firing delay
- Heavy
- DISCONTINUED
Key Features
Cordless/Hoseless Operation
In theory, hoseless-ness on a framing nailer seems a novel and convenient idea. After all, leaving the compressor and the hoses in the truck makes for way less of a hassle. Plus, with a battery at the base of the nailer, you can actually stand it up on a flat surface.
The Bostitch cordless framing nailer takes its power from what looks like a rebranded DeWalt 20V battery. In fact, it pretty much looks like a DeWalt clone all the way around. With both companies existing under the Stanley Black & Decker umbrella, it’s a likely hypothesis. Note, however, that batteries between the two brands are not interchangeable, so take that last bit of information with a big editorializing grain of salt. At any rate, Bostitch claims that users can fire off 1,200 nails on a single battery.
Easy Mode Changes
Never take tool-free adjustments for granted. You’d think that, in this day and age, no one would have to swap trigger to change firing modes, but that’s not the case. Bostitch, thankfully, isn’t one of those manufacturers. Mode changes on the Bostitch cordless framing nailer are quick, tool-free, and convenient.
There are also two power levels to work with. The low power helps preserve the battery, but we pretty much leave it in high power.
Easy Depth Adjustment
The depth adjustment on the Bostitch cordless framing nailer feels smooth and easy, and we can make our adjustments using just a thumb.
Dry Fire Lockout
We appreciate not firing blanks for an indeterminate amount of time, and dry fire lockout keeps us from that. The BCF30PTM1 includes this helpful feature.
Jam Reset Lever
Jam Reset LeverJams are a pretty regular occurrence with nailers once you get out of the honeymoon stage, so having an easy way to clear the jam is helpful. The Bostitch cordless framing nailer comes with a jam reset lever on the top of the housing to expedite the process of clearing jammed nails.
What’s Missing?
- Metal Magazine: We would’ve liked to see metal instead of the plastic magazine presented here. Metal tends to have a more snappy and responsive action. This magazine feels a little sluggish, even for a plastic one.
- High Capacity Magazine: There’s a tendency with battery-powered models to shorten the magazine capacity. Undoubtedly, this has to do with a desire to keep the unit more compact and the weight down when it’s loaded. We prefer loading less often, but every cordless framing nailer opts for a single stick magazine.
- Adjustable Exhaust: Adjustable exhaust is still more of a luxury item these days. It’s worth noting that you don’t get it here.
Ergonomics
Weight plays such an important part of our ergonomics score. On longer jobs, the less fatigue, the better. Unfortunately, at 9.43 lbs, the Bostitch cordless framing nailer weighs over 2 full pounds more than the lightest model we tested. Over the course of the day, that weight adds up.
That said, the grip and handle design on this nailer feel good, and it’s pretty well-balanced. It isn’t particularly thick or bulky either.
Overall, this category is a mixed bag. Like the other battery-powered nailers in our test, the ergonomics are pretty solid apart from the weight.
Performance
Again, we’re looking at a bit of a mixed bag with the Bostitch cordless framing nailer. To find out how the tool performed, we used it to fire a whole lot of 3″ and 3-1/4″ nails. Here’s what we learned about the BCF30PTM1.
Firing Strength
That pneumatic power generally fires off with more power, speed, and consistency that cordless seems like a pretty safe broad statement to make. In the case of the Bostitch BCF30PTM1, it holds true. With the nailer set for maximum drive, we bump fired off a round of 10 nails roughly 1/2-second apart into glued up stacks of OSB. No, it’s not LVL, but it does give us a tougher medium to see the difference in firing strength between each model. Unfortunately, we wound up with 10 nails between 1 and 3 mm proud.
Even if you can overlook the relatively weak firing strength, one of the more frustrating aspects of the Bostitch cordless framing nailer revolves around the firing delay. Like its DeWalt cousin, there’s about a half-second delay while the flywheel winds up.
Recoil
The Bostitch cordless framing nailer does have a little bit of kick to it, but it’s really not too bad. Paslode rules the roost in this department, though it’s nowhere near a deal-breaker for Bostitch.
Toenailing
The Bostitch BCF30PTM1 gets the toenailing right. The small firing head fits well into awkward angles and the side-spikes bite down into the wood really well. When you get past the firing delay, the finished product is nice.
Accuracy/Visibility
The head on the Bostitch cordless framing nailer allows for a decent view over what you’re doing. While the accuracy is a hair off from perfect, we also realize that a super dialed-in, pinpoint-accurate shot probably doesn’t sit too high on your framing nailer requirements. That’s what a positive placement nailer is for.
Price and Value
The Bostitch cordless framing nailer, with battery and charger, retails for $399 and comes with a 3-year warranty. This price falls right into line with what we’re seeing from other manufacturer’s cordless nailer kits, although we wish everyone would come down on their prices some.
When you consider the ergonomics and performance, it’s hard to justify spending that much more than a pneumatic nailer, though it does have its benefits in some applications.
The Bottom Line
The Bostitch Cordless Framing Nailer is going to do its best work on untreated SPF framing as a punch list tool. It’s weight and performance fall short of what Pros need as a primary framer.
Bostitch Cordless Framing Nailer Specs
- Model: BCF30PTM1
- Power Source: Bostitch 20V Max battery
- Nail Length Range: 2″ to 3-1/2″
- Nail Size: .113″ to .131″
- Magazine Angle: 30°
- Magazine Capacity: 55
- Dry Fire Lockout: Yes, with 9 nails remaining
- Operating Pressure: NA
- Selectable Trigger: Yes, standard switch
- Exhaust: Not adjustable
- Weight: 9.43 lbs. with battery
- Length: 14″
- Width: 4″
- Height: 13-3/8 “
- Warranty: 3 years limited
- Price: $445 Note: DISCONTINUED
