Customer Reviews

Bostitch N88RH-1 High Power Round Head Stick Framing Nailer

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I liked the fact that this nailer will shoot 2" thru 3 1/2". I looked at the Porter Cable FR350MAG but it doesn't shoot a 2" nail. Also on the stanleybostitch website (nail section) it shows the nails that will work with this nailer. Up to 3 1/2" and .162" diameter.

Features I liked:
1) Tool-less push-button depth control.
2) 1000 inch lbs of driving power.
3) Tool-free, adjustable, die-cast aluminum exhaust deflector.
4) 2" to 3 1/2" nail range.
5) Up to .162" nail size.
6) Nice carrying bag.

Fine Homebuilding reviewed several framing nailers and their favorites were the Bostitch N88RH and Max SN890RH.
This is a GREAT framing nailer!

The gun would be great if you could get nails for it.No stores or home improvement centers carry the full round head nails You have to order it from out west They should tell you this when you buy the gun i would have got the N88WW. You can get clipped head nails for that gun.If you live on the east coast don't get the N88RH get the N88WW.

Oustanding gun! Light weight and prefectly balanced. Tons of power to counter sink even the biggest nails. Easily sunk 16d ring shanks into treated lumber. The depth of drive is a sinch to adjust, just push the button on the nose piece. My only gripe with this gun is the lack of an eazy clear feature to clear any jams but i havent had a single problem with jams yet. Just remember that this gun shoots round head nails and not clipped head wire welds. I use Duo-Fast full head nails because that is all that is available here in Southeast Texas and they work fine.

i can't say enough good things about this nailer!!

i used it to build a 2x4 frame for our new bar, and every single nail (3.25", 0.131 diameter) was sunk perfectly.

the only issue i'm having is finding the big 0.162 nails this thing will shoot . . . where can you GET those things?!!

LOVE this nailer!!

I've been using my Bostitch N88RH nailer for the past year on a remodel (after reading reviews here). Toe-nailing is very easy with the sharp barbs, and being able to adjust the depth on the gun is a great feature. It does jam occasionally and sometimes getting the jammed nail out takes a bit of work (why I gave it 4 instead of 5). Most of the time, I've found the issues with jams due to the nails (the plastic coating doesn't always get completely removed so the next nail in line doesn't get into position correctly) and not the gun - per se. I've only used it in single fire mode so I can't comment on the rapid fire action. The gun feels nice in your hand, solid but not heavy. I'm in S.F., so finding nails has not been a problem. Overall, I would definitely recommend this nailer to anyone.

If you're looking for a Framing Nailer that's got more power than you'll ever need, this is it. The one thing that's not clear about the unit, though, is whether it will shoot large-diameter nails. It'll definitely shoot .131 nails, but the manual doesn't say it can shoot .148 nails. With something that has this much power, it would seem logical that it would shoot the bigger nails...

I have both guns. The ww is the welded wire collated, very rarely available nail because of certain area building codes, not meeting seismic critia. R.H. meaning round head, duh, available by any nail brand anywhere. Now about the nailer. I've held them all, and the only one I can recomend is the Bostich n88 rn, or ww. Not any other bostich or any other brand. I have a Max, ( too heavy), Hitachi, ( I returned it). It was the most expensive one. The bostich has the best power to weight, the easiest fastest depth adjustment, and I use it a lot, between framing and sheeting, and temorary nailing of braces, when you need to pull the nail, keeping the head of the nail raised. Plan ahead to keep the ww nails on hand, or just buy the rh and be happy. D The B ( Dave the Builder).