Freeman Floor Nailer

I'm about to begin installing about 500' of 3/4 solid red oak. Since I work alone the job will take some time, so I'm planning to buy a nailer instead of renting.

I'm leaning towards a Freeman 618 and was wondering if anybody had any experience with them. HD has a Model 618C on sale for $127 and the 618BR for $189. As far as I can tell the only difference between them is the BR comes with a case. Any advice?

Thx in advance.
Joanne in VA

 

Looks like the one I got from lowes, Different color but same hammer. worked good for me except I got tennis elbow from swinging hammer.

 

Pugsl, you don't have to wail on it. The air does the work.

 

Here are the HD links to the nailers I referred to.


Freeman 3-in-1 Flooring Nailer-PFL618C at The Home Depot


Freeman 3-in-1 Flooring Air Nailer and Stapler-PFL618BR at The Home Depot

 

I'm sure it will be fine. Tolyn is correct, you don't have to kill yourself as it is a pneumatic nailer. You need to hit it hard enough to pull the boards tight together but not as bad as a manual nailer. I personally think that everyone should have to bear it through a manual nailer installation to appreciate what is needed to install with a pneumatic one. To the OP, I'm sure you will be fine. I have a bargin nailer from Harbor Freight that has served me quite nicely. Figured I could buy 2 or 3 of the cheaper ones before I would have shelled out the money for a brand name. To date, I still have the original one. Treat your tools right and they will reward you with years of service.

 

It wasn't the wailing on it was the repetitive movement that did it. 1000 Square ft in a week. Not much for a pro but hell on me.

 

I had one of my nailers encounter a subfloor screw head direct on and it returned the cleat back up into the cylinder making mine disabled. I had to finish the job, so I purchased one of the Freemans at HD. Was NOT spending $500 on a Bostitch . Fixed the original and now have two working guns. The freeman has not given a minute's problems, as I would have expected from an off brand unit.

Incidentally, I was going to rent a nailer from our rental source, but all they had were Bostitch and they all were in the shop being rebuilt. Doesn't say much, where mine have been running quite a bit and no shop time.....except for the cleat.