Factory-Reconditioned Porter-Cable RN175AR 7/8-Inch to 1 3/4 - Inch Coil Roofing Nailer

by Porter-Cable

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Factory-Reconditioned Porter-Cable RN175AR 7/8-inch to 1 3/4 - inch Coil Roofing Nailer

Product Details

• Item Weight: 5.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• 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: B0007U08JQ
• Item model number: RN175AR
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,387 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #18 in Home Improvement > Air Tools > Nailers > Roofing Nailers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good for the price - with some drawbacks, November 16, 2006

By 

Caslo Cranston (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Factory-Reconditioned Porter-Cable RN175AR 7/8-Inch to 1 3/4 - Inch Coil Roofing Nailer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I had used a friend's Bostitch coil nailler several times in the past. It was finally time to buy one of my own. I have always been a fan of Porter-Cable tools. The fantastic price offered by Amazon on this refurb was too much to resist.

I unboxed my nailer to find it in almost new condition; one slight scuff mark. i was suprised to find it much smaller and lighter than the Bostitch I had used before. I had ordered a RN175AR but received a RN175A. I have no idea of the difference between these 2 models.

Part 1

A couple of weeks later I was ready to put it to the test.
Location - Luling, Louisiana - 25 miles from New Orleans

I had a circa 1960, 11 square roof that had been redecked with 1/2 plywood over 1 x 10 planks.
In keeping with the 30 year, architectural, shingle manufacturers specifications ( driven nails must extend through decking) I chose to use a 1 1/2 inch nail.

Compressor PSI set to 100 lbs.

Six nails into the job an obvious issue became apparent. Some of the nails had not been driven completely - a few whacks with a hammer and all was ship shape. Time to look for the depth adjustment. Whereas I had recieved a safety brochure but not an operation manual - I was left to clever out the depth adjustment mechanism. ( pretty obvious - as was the operation of switching between single nail and multiple nail settings.)

With the depth adjustment set to maximum I made another test. Same problem.

So I increased the compressor pressure to 125 lbs - Same problem.

Then 130 lbs ( the stated maximum for safe operation of the the tool.) - Same problem.

For every 10 nails attempted- 1 or 2 needed to be massaged with a hammer. Time consuming but assuredly better than hand nailing.

On that job a fellow worker was using his Rigid coil nailer. Outside of a couple of minor differences - the Porter Cable and Ridgid nailers appeared to be quite alike.

Was he having the same problem? Yes.

So I was able to conclude that this particular application exceeded the abilities of both of these nailers.

There was a section of roof that contained all new wood. In that area both guns worked flawlessly.

Part 2

Several weeks later a friend, who has far more roofing experience than I, asked to borrow the Porter- cable coil nailer. He had loaned his Bostitch RN145 out and could not wait for it to be returned.

Apprised of my experience - he thought of a possible solution. He needed to change the hose nipple at the rear of the gun from 1/4" to 3/8" to configure with his equipment. It seemed to make sense that this may solve the problem.

Unfortunately not.

Similarly, he was able to nail without problems into all new wood and only found difficulties when nailing into time hardened subdecking.

Conclusion

Putting our experiences together we have conjectured that the porter-cable because it is light and small is a great choice for new construction. However, the extra weight and size of the Bostitch (bigger piston with more mass) for about the same price (refurb), is the better choice for rennovations.

Caslo

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reconditioned at Amazon means New, October 18, 2005

By 

Louis Horvath "Tramp55555" (Lisbon. Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Factory-Reconditioned Porter-Cable RN175AR 7/8-Inch to 1 3/4 - Inch Coil Roofing Nailer (Tools & Home Improvement)

You couldn't tell this item from a new one at half the cost. I bought the same item elsewhere and it was a used piece of junk. Amazon is the only place to buy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great buy for the money, September 21, 2005

By 

Steven Colegrove (Dansville, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Factory-Reconditioned Porter-Cable RN175AR 7/8-Inch to 1 3/4 - Inch Coil Roofing Nailer (Tools & Home Improvement)

found the gun to be out of adjustment but once we got it working it is perfect, few scraches but it works like new and saved 40.00.