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Toolbox New Framing Guns From DeWalt and Senco by Tim Uhler
R
ecently I tested two nailers introduced in 2008. In keeping with the trend toward more compact framing guns,
the SN902XP is Senco’s smallest, lightest framer yet. DeWalt’s D51850, by contrast, is larger and heavier than any of the company’s previous models. Both tools take round-head nails, but clipped-head versions are available (D51825 and SN901XP). My crew and I used the guns for several months. Here’s what we found out.
DeWalt D51850 The D51850 has a nice set of features: toolless depth-of-drive, a top-loading magazine, a rafter hook, and an anti-dry-firing mechanism.
The D51850’s depth-of-drive mechanism is quick and reliable: You press the unlock button, slide the contact element in or out, then hit the lock button.
On most guns the depth-of-drive mechanism is controlled by a thumb-wheel, but on the DeWalt it’s controlled by a spring-loaded button on the nosepiece. The button “unlocks” the nose so that the operator can easily set the depth by extending or retracting the contact element. Unlike a thumb-wheel, the button won’t strip out or become jammed with grit. The aluminum magazine loads from the top, making it easy to swap out fasteners. Some top-loading magazines loosen over time, allowing the nails to flop around and jam; but the magazine on the DeWalt is very solid, and we haven’t had any jamming problems. The tool’s plastic rafter hook pivots to both sides of the grip or completely out of the way. I’m a big fan of rafter hooks, so I really
DeWalt’s rafter hook — shown here in the center position — pivots left, right, or out of the way.
appreciate this feature. The DeWalt Web site makes
The mechanism on the D51850 prevents the gun from firing when
much of the
you’re down to seven nails, which we found irritating; with cer-
gun’s anti-dry-firing DeWalt D51850 Weight: 8.6 pounds Size: 141/4"H x 211/4"L Nail length: 2" to 31/2" Nail diameter: .113" to .148" Capacity: 65 nails Street price: $260
tain brands of fasteners we couldn’t reload two full strips.
mechanism, which
The gun is well-balanced, has a comfortable grip, and feels sol-
reduces wear and
idly made. It has very good power and had no trouble driving 31/2-
prevents the carpen-
inch by .148-inch fasteners into solid lumber.
ter from nailing with
It came with a sequential trigger that we immediately swapped
an empty tool. But in
out for a contact trigger. A video on the DeWalt Web site shows
fact the feature is not
the gun bounce-firing into LVL material. We tried this on site
unique; many fram-
and the nails stood proud — even with the compressor set to
ing guns now have it.
120 psi. Fortunately, bounce-firing into LVL beams is rarely NOVEMBER 2008 l JLC l 1
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Toolbox
l New Framing Guns From DeWalt and Senco
necessary — and we found that if we slowed down a bit, the gun was able to fully set fasteners in the material. Size and weight. According to DeWalt, the D51850 weighs 8.2 pounds — about average for a framing gun. But this spec is incorrect. When we put an air fitting in the tool and weighed it empty, we got 8.6 pounds — which is heavier than the average framer. There are some benefits to a heavier gun. The two 7.6-pound DeWalt D51845s we own do a poor job absorbing recoil; that’s not an issue with this new model. Also, the D51845s aren’t especially durable — we’ve had trouble with the quick-release magazine. It’s my sense that this heavier tool will hold up better than those On the Senco nailer, depth-of-drive is controlled by a large metal thumb-wheel tucked well into the nose of the gun.
earlier models.
Senco SN902XP The SN902XP was designed to compete with small lightweight nailers like Hitachi’s NR90AE and Max’s SN883RH. It weighs 7.5
A trigger on the SN902XP allows carpenters to switch back and forth between sequential and contact trip, enhancing safety.
pounds with an air fitting and is only 115/8 inches high — short enough to work in narrow rafter bays. The Senco nailer has most of the features found on the DeWalt — though not a rafter hook. This is a serious oversight: It makes working up high inconvenient and increases the likelihood that the tool will fall and break. I like the SN902XP’s depth-of-drive mechanism. The thumbwheel is large and easy to use, and since it’s made from metal (rather than plastic), it’s unlikely to strip out. Selectable modes. With some guns you have to choose between a sequential and a contact-trip trigger, but the Senco has a built-in switch that allows you to go back and forth. We set it to contact unless we have to nail close to where we grip the material;
to me before. To fix it, we removed the end cap, pushed the pis-
then we switch to sequential. The gun also has what Senco calls a True
ton down, poured in some gun oil, pulled the piston back up, and
Drive magazine, which is supposed to reduce
reinstalled the cap. The problem has not recurred. I suspect it
jamming and misfeeding. How-
was due to a lack of oil in a very new gun.
ever, we experienced a fair amount of jam-
Senco SN902XP Weight: 7.5 pounds Size: 115/8"H x 205/16"L Nail length: 2" to 31/4" Nail diameter: .113" to .148" Capacity: 60 nails Street price: $285
The Bottom Line
ming because
As a framer, I found the DeWalt to be a solid performer. Although
nails wouldn’t
heavier than average, it’s comfortable to use. It has plenty of
stay in line; also,
power and seems rugged enough to stand up to the kind of abuse
the plastic pull sometimes bound in the magazine. A few days after we began using the gun,
tools get on framing sites. If I were a remodeler I’d be tempted by the Senco’s light weight and compact size. But I didn’t like the magazine, and I have enough concerns about the tool’s durability that I wouldn’t recommend buying it.
the piston got stuck in the up position. This
Tim Uhler is a lead framer for Pioneer Builders in Port Orchard,
had never happened
Wash., and a JLC contributing editor. NOVEMBER 2008 l JLC l 2
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Toolbox Ridgid SeeSnake Micro by Dave Haines
O
n past remodeling projects I’ve
the camera. Optional 3-foot extensions
often found myself wishing for
(part no. 26658) lengthen the wand up to
X-ray vision so I could see inside a wall
30 feet.
or some other inaccessible space. But
My SeeSnake gets a lot of use. On one
recently I bought a neat little tool that
bathroom remodel, my plumber used it
does the trick just as effectively: Ridgid’s
to check the solder joints and connections
3/4-inch-diameter
for a multihead shower. On the same proj-
video camera on a 3-foot flexible wand.
ect, my electrician used it to trace some
SeeSnake Micro, a
wiring in a joist bay crowded with ductwork. Then he used the accessory hook to snag a wire he’d fished from above. I used the camera to look for leaks while testing the jetted tub. This is a tool you’ll find countless applications for. The kit comes in a soft
padded
carrying
case and weighs a little over a pound. The camera is powered by four AAA batteries. I didn’t measure the runtime, but
Ridgid’s
estimate
of three hours sounds about right. If you look around, you should be able to find a To look inside a wall, ceiling, or chase,
SeeSnake Mini for less than $200, which
you simply drill a 3/4-inch hole, insert the
is a bargain when you consider the head-
camera — which is equipped with a pair
aches it can prevent. It’s not a bad sales
of adjustable LEDs — and watch the 2.4-
tool, either: I’ve discovered that pulling it
inch color LCD monitor on the tool’s han-
out to look for hidden problems is a good
dle. Since the product is waterproof, you
way to impress new clients when you’re
can also send it down a toilet or drain to
looking at a potential job.
look for lost objects or obstructions. It comes with a mirror, a hook, and a magnet, all of which clip onto the end of
Dave Haines owns Haines Contracting in Doylestown, Pa. NOVEMBER 2008 l JLC l 3
