Has anyone had any experience with the Cental Pnematic Flooring Stapler(ITEM 90399-3VGA) sold by harbour freight tools? I have rented/ used the stanley/bostich in the past, but want to buy now for another DIY project. The Central pnematic sells for $150, the stanley for $469.
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Greg
There is a reason that the Stanley cost 3 times as much.
I haven't use any of the guns that harbor fright sells, just assuming that they aren't quite up to the standards of the name brands.
Doug
Air tools use very simple manufacturing technology. The Brand name mark-ups are tremendous. To see just how ridiculous these mark-ups are just look at what these tools sold for 5 or even 10 years ago before the market was flooded with overseas alternatives. Then a huge drop in brand name prices occured because the name brands businesses would have died. Rembember accuset by senco? Didn't make much sense. Shooting themselves in own foot. These tools are all made in the same factory.
Ok, they may all be made in the same factory(not saying that they are, dont know) but that doesnt mean that they are built to the same standards.
If you think thats true why do you suppose that you'll never see a pro using a Harbor Fright nailer?
I'm guessing its not because they like spending more on the name brand.
Doug
i agree HF sells somePOS equipment.
RTC
Used to live in Simi Valley, CA. about 20 mins. from a harbor freight. Used to go there all the time. Here's the low down.
Most of it is imported from China. Some advice from a mechanic friend of mine out there said stay away from anything cast or hydraulic. Chinese just don't make that stuff worth a hoot (although over the past twenty years they are getting better so that they can take over the world. Remeber japan, then taiwan, then korea, etc. not prejudiced, just observing.)
The other side is, I used to go there to get what I call consummables. Things that only had to last a limited amount of time. The cheaper the better....tarps, sledge hammers, bungees, etc. things that if I tore them up, it was no biggy since I got them cheap.
Bottom line, if you're using the floor nailer for a DIY, why spend the $$ for a pro setup...unless you're wanting to become a floor installer. Then again you could always re-sell the pro nailer when you are done. Would have a harder time selling the Central pneumatic to any pro...but maybe to another friend doing a DIY.
I've had a CP brad nailer for 12 or more years. still works fine. You get what you pay for.
RENT a nailer.
The reason you see pros using the stanley is because: 1. They probably got the nailer for free based upon the amount of fasteners they buy and 2. because pros need to count on the availablity of replacement part/kits for quick service and a dealer network that can provide a loaner nailer while theirs is being serviced - time is money and 3. Widespread availability of fasteners compatible with their tools.
Okay, I'm trying to figure out why you came here to ask a question, because you seem to have made up your mind already.
I have a couple questions for you:
What is Harbor Freight going to do for you when (yes, I mean when) your POS gun fails?
Do they do repairs?
Do they back the tool for the length of the warranty period?
If they are all made in the same factory, why can't anyone find parts for those cheap-azz guns?
I reccomend you buy all your tools at harbor freight.
You will get what you pay for.
They refund for 30 days and replace/exchange for 90 days. I posted this message to hear what people whom ACTUALLY USED THIS GUN have to say about their experience. I own brand name equipment as well as knockoffs. I know some knockoffs are crap, but, as a DIYer I've also used harbour freight equip that works. I had no problems installing a roof with one of their nailers recently. The point is, I know thier Equipment isn't identical, but, with a DIYer in mind, does anyone with actual experience with this tool have any comments.
You might have better luck finding someone who has used this gun if you track down a DIY website.
Most here are professionals who invest in the tools of their trade.
Also, I would not buy any tool that had less than a 1 year warranty.
That's just me though...
thanks, that sounds reasonable
FOR ME TO POOP ON!
Are you drunk?
Yes, but only on that sweet, sweet Chinese rice wine that comes in the shipping container with Chinese import tools.Best
Then maybe it's the crack you're smoking?
What's your beef?
Edited 3/27/2005 9:52 pm ET by gregk1
Your attitude towards people here who are trying to help you, & possibly keep you from wasting your money.Why do you feel the need to slam people who tell you something you don't want to hear?Reread post 13 & tell us what YOUR beef is.
The point is, I want to hear from people who have actually used this tool, not conjecture from people who want to pontificate in generalities.
Does your mommy know you are using the computer ?
The person you offend today, may have been your best friend tomorrow It is easy to be friends with someone you always agree with.
Their rep for power tools is extremely fragmentary. It might last for an hour, or a single job, or for the rest of your life - with odds to the first two choices. if you can justifythe risk of looking at it as a rental fee instead of an investment, then it it worthwhile. As a DIY, you could maybe handle that risk - say, waiting a month for the gaurantee replacement. As pros, we need the tool functioning daily to earn a living and to make scheduled deadlines on production.
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i'll throw this option at you. i have a bostich flooring stapler i bought new, nailed down 700 sf oak,it's done i don't need it anymore,i'd take 340 for it with hammer plus shipping. if you want the 1/2box of nails left and want to pay shipping you can have them with the gun.larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I used the Central Floor Nailer and got about 10 floors out of it, worked fine then I blew an O-ring and can't find replacement parts, but for a tad over $200.00 Tax included you can go to Home Depot and by the Freeman Floor Nailer that comes with the same 7 year limited warranty as the Bostich, BTW I bought the Central used a Contractor friend of mine got it to do his personal floor with and only used it once so not sure what kind of warranty comes with it.
Freddie
Once upon a time I heard that a guy used the harbor frieght stapler and had really good luck with it - the design isn't an original and it's a copy of a decent tool. As with all harbor frieght stuff the o-rings don't last long, but they are cheap if you don't mind fixing your tools. The fit and finish are not great, but you get what you pay for. Get a 40% off coupon and combine it with a sale price and it's an inexensive tool.
Most pros don't use harbor frieght because down time of essential tools costs big money that can't be made up. I've used a harbor frieght tile saw and between the switches going out, a bad capcitor that took two days to replace and a water pump that cost a half day to drive to the next town to pick up a replacement; I probably have $600 in the saw and that's about what a really good saw would cost. Today I still have a cheap tile saw that won't last long - I would have been money ahead if I had started out with a better saw.
I buy the best tool for the job regardless of price, but my favorite 2' demo bar is from HF as are my favorite big end nippers used for pulling nails. If a product is made out of middle of the road steel the hf stuff doesn't seem all that bad.
My flooring stapler is a Bostich I paid $175 for at a pawn shop and is nearly new, so in my mind it's crazy to pay full price for a HF tool if a slightly used better version is the same price.