Bostitch N88RH-1 High Power Round Head Stick Framing Nailer

by Bostitch

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Right off the bat, you know you're getting a great nailer if it says Bostitch on it, and this model more than lives up to that reputation. Talk about power--it fires with 1,000 inch-pounds of driving power to tackle even the toughest engineered lumber. In spite of that, it's lighter than we expected at just 7.9 pounds, but the balance in hand is so sweet that it doesn't feel nearly that heavy. We really like how the molded-rubber comfort grip feels, too, absorbing the shock. Another great feature is the aggressive toenailing teeth, which bite into your workpiece for totally slip-free toenailing. It loads super fast to keep you on the job, and the push-button depth control is so slick that it's patented. Tool-free exhaust adjustment is a nice plus. No matter what your project--framing, sheathing, siding, trusses, wood to masonry, fencing, or decking--this nailer will not let you down. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

Product Description

Angled magazine. 75 nail capacity. Pneumatic. For nails. Contact trip. Shoots head plastic collated stick nails. Fast loading. No adjustments between nail sizes. Boxed.

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Product Details

Product Manual [1.17mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 12.5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000649EM
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: N88RH-1BAG
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #349,359 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another home improvement enthusiast, February 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bostitch N88RH-1 High Power Round Head Stick Framing Nailer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I also hesitated to buy this nailer due to one of these reviews, but everyone else gave rave reviews to both models (with and without the bag). So I went ahead and got it and have no regrets. The nailer works great.

I was looking for the most versatility in a nailer. I agonized a long time over the type and brand to get. I finally decided on the full round head stick type. The insurance companies in my area are starting to frown on clipped head; thinking that these nails will not hold up as well to a hurricane. And I did not like the idea of the smaller diameter nails that coil nailers shoot.

I was undecided between the Porter-Cable and Bostitch models. I knew that I could get a sequential trigger free of charge by calling PC. The PC FR350MAG nailer is light weight but does not come with a case and does not shoot 2" nails (I need 2" nails for a cedar fence that I am rebuilding). The PC FR350 is less expensive, shoots 2" nails and comes with a case but is heavier. With both models you need a wrench to adjust the depth. I nearly went with the FR350 but it was not in stock.

It was a toss between the Bostitch N88 and N95. I finally decided that for a little more, I was getting a lighter nailer, tool free depth adjustment and more power than I will ever need. I worried about how to get a sequential trigger without having to drive clean across Houston. But the box came with one included. It also came with 2 rubber no mar tips.
The Lowe's in my area has a limited assortment of full head nails, but the Home Depot has a wide selection of Bostitch, Senco, Duo-Fast and Grip-rite nails.

Update - This past weekend my neighbor and I rebuilt 100 feet of cedar fence between our yards. Twenty years ago I had built it using a circle saw and hammer. Now I had a miter saw and nail gun. What took me several days back then we completed in 5 hours. The Bostitch N88 worked perfectly. No jams at all shooting a variety of nails (2" Grip-Rite ring shank, 2-3/8" Fasteners-Unlimited ring shank, 3" and 3-1/4" Bostitch nails).

The little 6 gallon Porter-Cable pancake compressor did OK, while framing, but could not keep up when we started to put up the pickets. We would have to wait for it to catch up after about every 12 nails. This compressor/nailer combination is only adequate for light use by a homeowner.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So far so good! no misfires, powerful, comfortable!, January 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bostitch N88RH-1 High Power Round Head Stick Framing Nailer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I hesitated purchasing this nailer because of one review hear on Amazon.com. After researching more, I decided to give it a go. My experience was:
1) Nails easy to find in my area (find out what is more commong in your area, clipped head or round head)
2) No misfires/jams. Not a single one after spending the first week of ownership with daily use. (Wish I could have said that for the PC Roofing nailer I was using!)
3) It was comfortable and performed very well in cold weather
4) Bag is just as nice, if not nicer than a plastic case.

I'm very happy with my purchase and would recommend this nail gun to any of my friends.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly happy with mine, December 22, 2002

By 

"chossmonkey" (Camp Douglas, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bostitch N88RH-1 High Power Round Head Stick Framing Nailer (Tools & Home Improvement)

The first thing I would change about this gun would be to give it select fire between bounce and single shot. Also the depth adjustment slips to the deepest setting when bounce firing. That is why it does not get five stars. With the no mar nosepiece(it came with two)and set to the deepest setting it flushnails plywood nicely, over coming the depth slip. The depth can quickly be adjusted to tack lumber into place when fitting pieces or temporarily bracing. The nose has sharp barbs that make toenailing easy. I was able to nail down 2x rim joists from both sides with out having the nails stick out the side of the top plate. The nose is also very narrow which helps when toenailing and lets it nail in places I couldn't with other guns. The nails may be hard to find if you don't live out West. Full round headed nails are required by code in some areas. The Home Depot here sells a few sizes of them. Tool Crib has a full line of round headed stick nails. If you are a contractor and use a lot of nails your local lumber yard may consider stocking them if there was a demand. From the research into nailers I did before buying, I've found there are more nail types available in this collation than any other. Also a gun with this much power needs a full head. It helps pull the lumber together instead of shooting through like clipped head nails do. I have had a few jambs that were caused by the head of the first nail in the second stick of nails sliding under the head of the last nail in the first stick. This happens mostly when two sticks are loaded and there is still to much of a third stick in the magazine. If I bought another stick nailer it would most likely be this one.