Just like you, we love to support American-made. We carry tools and other items by Paslode, RolAir, Occidental, Senco, and Dewalt, five brands who produce exceptional tools made in the USA—and they’re just a click away on NailGunDepot.com.

Paslode

What started as a humble door-to-door business would grow to become a leading tool innovator. Paslode is credited with creating the very first pneumatic fastening tool and nailer. With a history of "firsts" in the industry, they constantly strive to make lighter, more powerful tools. Paslode manufactures a majority of their tools in the USA. Discover more about Paslode.

RolAir Systems

RolAir is based in Hutisford, Wisconsin. For half a century, the company has specialized in one thing—air compressors. They assemble 93.6% of them in the Hutisford factory, and most of their stationery units are welded and hand assembled here in the USA. Every compressor is tested and quality-checked in the factory to meet their stringent specifications. Learn about RolAir's product assembly.

Occidental Leather

Located in Sonoma County, California, Occidental Leather has been making hand-crafted tool belts and pouches since 1980. If you don't recognize them by their bold logo, you will by the superior craftsmanship of their belts. Their brand is synonymous with quality, and they’re so obsessed with it, even the rivets and threading are sourced from America. Learn more about Occidental Leather. 

DeWalt

Everyone knows DeWalt. They’re an American-based company with 7 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. They employ thousands, including more than 1,000 former military members. A few years ago, they launched an initiative to produce more tools domestically. You can see their “Made in the USA with Global Materials” stamp on many products. Learn more about Dewalt's Made in USA initiative.

Senco

You’re probably familiar with Senco products from their dependable, high-quality tools. What you didn't know was that 80% of their fasteners are made in the USA. The steel rod they use is sourced domestically; it even arrives via barge on the Ohio River. From wire cutting to packaging, every step of that production happens in their Cincinnati facility. Watch the video on Senco's fastener production.

Nail Gun Depot is proud to support the efforts of these companies. Incidentally, our staff, including Customer Service, is based entirely in America. And we appreciate your support!

Clipped head, wire coil, plastic strip. Framing nail guns come in a wide range of types and collations. Ever wonder what's the deal with all the framing nailer angles? Never fear. From 15-degree to 34-degree nailers, we've got the angle on framing guns.

The first thing to know is that the angle degree refers to the nail collation, not the slant that the nail is driven. Nails are driven straight or perpendicularly into a surface. The second thing you should know is that the framing nailer degree you need may depend on the geographic location of your project. More on that later. 

15-Degree Framing Nailers

There are two main kinds of framing nailer—stick and coil collation. All framing nailers in the 15-degree group are wire-coil collated. This means that their nails are held together by two thin wire strips and slanted at a 15-degree angle. The nails themselves have a fully round head and the collation is circular in shape. More often than not, the full-round-head nail that these nailers drive is the preferred head shape for building code.

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Cordless tools are more common than ever these days, and what’s more, they keep improving as manufacturers continue to innovate. You’ve probably noticed that Lithium-Ion battery power has surpassed NiCad (nickel-cadmium) and NiMH (nickel metal hydride) in cordless tools—and nearly everything else we use. But in cold weather, Li-Ion batteries seem to lose steam. We'll help you preserve power in your cordless tool battery with 6 easy tips.

Benefits of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have many benefits over their predecessors; they store a larger amount of electricity, have a lower rate of self-discharge, and are more compact/weigh less than other rechargeable batteries. These cordless tool batteries aren’t delicate flowers, but they do have more basic requirements for maintaining optimal performance. You may have noticed, for instance, that your Li-Ion-powered tool is a little less forgiving in colder weather.

Batteries are a collection of chemicals and other materials assembled to create a reaction that will then power your tool. And chemicals inside of them can be impacted by extreme situational changes. On the plus side, if you can call it that, Li-Ion is more stressed by extreme heat than extreme cold. Protection circuitry mainly prevents over-heating. but It's up to you to prevent over-cooling.

Here’s a fact: When the temp dips below 40°F, Li-Ion batteries don’t fully hold a charge. And trying to charge them at that temperature can permanently affect run-time. So, what to do?

How to Preserve a Li-Ion Tool Battery in Cold Weather:

1. Store (and charge) batteries within the temperature range recommended by the tool manufacturer. While you can discharge a tool battery in extreme cold, charging it in freezing temps (32°F or colder) is a no-no. You may not see the damage, that doesn’t mean it’s not happening inside the battery.

2. If a Li-Ion battery has fallen below 40°F, place it in a room-temperature area for an hour or two and let it warm up. What is room temperature? About 72°F, give or take a few digits.

3. Optimal temps aren’t always available job sites. When not using the Li-Ion tool battery in cold weather, remove it and place in a pants pocket to transfer some body heat to the battery. Another option is to use a gel warmer in the tool bag while it’s in the work car/truck.

4. Don’t let a Li-Ion battery completely discharge before re-charging it. Unlike older battery types, Li-Ion doesn’t need to be completely drained/re-charged. Li-Ion batteries suffer from little to no “memory effect,” or low-charge capacity when continually charged from a partially charged state.

5. Once you start to feel power lagging, swap out the battery with a spare and recharge the first one. Having a few spare batteries on hand will keep you powered up. Yes, you should have a spare battery. And yes, we sell those at Nail Gun Depot.

6. When it’s time to store the battery for an extended period, leave 40% to 50% life in it. This helps keep it stable and keeps the circuit protection operational. Store the battery in a cool (40°F to 60°F), dry area on a plastic or wood (not metal) shelf. 

Shop Cordless Tools

cordless nailers, cordless staplers and accessories, and cordless screw guns. 

Shop Batteries

Metabo HPT (Hitachi) batteries, Dewalt batteries, Senco batteries, and Bostitch batteries

Somehow, December's crept up and it's already time to grab a holiday deal for your favorite woodworker! If you've got a tool nut on your list, we've got you covered.

You can find an affordable gift for the carpenter, flooring installer, upholsterer or all-around handyman in our holiday tool guide, below. Psst: Special sale prices—and stocking stuffers—are only around while supplies last.

Now, without further delay, Nail Gun Depot’s 2018 Gift Guide...

Under $150—Flooring Tool, Micro-Pinner, & Upholstery Stapler

We love the Freeman PFBC940 Mini 4-in-1 Flooring Tool, not just because it doubles as nailer/stapler, but also because it's completely affordable. The versatile tool drives narrow-crown staples and brad nails from 5/8” to 1-5/8” in length. So you can switch from woodworking to flooring like a boss.

Stocking Stuffer: Free 50’ air hose, complete with fittings.

Grex tools' dependability and power are practically legendary. The robust P635 23-gauge headless nailer features an auto-adjust fastener mechanism and a rear-exhaust with silencer. Part of a special holiday gift set, this micro-pinner's industrial-grade, yet lightweight design, is suitable for craft projects, decorative trim, and light furniture assembly.

Stocking Stuffer: Free edge guide, a $30 value.

Powerful but lean at 1.7” wide and 2 lbs., the German-made. BeA 71/16-421 upholstery stapler drives 1/4" to 5/8" staples with gusto. Great for handling trim work, bedding, upholstery, and cabinetry, this dexterous little tool is reliable and reasonably priced.

$150 to $300—Fencing Staplers, Brad Nailer, & Tool Belt

Freeman pneumatic staplers make installing (and repairing) fences more efficient, and easier on the user. The 10-1/2-gauge Freeman PFS105 fence stapler and 9-gauge PFS9 fence stapler feature ergonomic engineering, quick jam releases and top-loading magazines, not to mention they're relatively lightweight. The 9-gauge nailer includes an optional T-handle for greater control.

Stocking Stuffer: Free 50” hose with fittings & special holiday price.

For those who appreciate the quality and dependability of Hitachi/Metabo tools, the NT50A5 PRO 18-gauge brad nailer is a great choice for the carpenter. Ideal for crown molding, paneling, and window casing, it's powerful and versatile. The NT50A5 even has a thumb-actuated duster for easy cleanup.

Stocking Stuffer: Free stainless steel insulated tumbler.

Really, just take your pick of Occidental Leather's awesome gear. Their hand-crafted tool holders are made here in America, in Sonoma County, California. The leather is top-grain cowhide and reinforced with copper rivets. For the greatest flexibility, we suggest the OxyLight Adjust-to-Fit Belt, which has a high-mount hammer holder. 

$300 and Above—Finish and Framing Nailers, & Air Compressor

Senco's Fusion series eliminates the need for fuel cells, potentially saving hundreds of dollars per year. The 16-gauge F-16S Finish Nailer features a fast-charging battery and nose-mounted LED light. This powerful straight nailer is perfect for molding, furniture and cabinet framing, and paneling. 

For framing, the brawny Paslode CF325XP Cordless framing nailer offers impressive battery life and runs in temps as low as 14°F. For finishing, the Paslode IM250A-Li finish nailer has an angled magazine lets you navigate challenging areas. Each tool comes with a carrying case, battery, charger, and more.

Stocking Stuffer: Free spare battery, plus two fuel cells. 

Finally, we suggest the AIRSTAK Systainer compressor from RolAir. This compact cubical wonder is ideal for carpentry work that requires mobility and a quiet output (70 dB). The compressor rests in a Systainer case with pull-up handle, and has a removable cord that can be stored inside. The compressor weighs about 30 lbs and delivers 2CFM at 90 PSI.

Stocking Stuffer: Free RolAir T-shirt and limited-time sale pricing on select models.

~The Nail Gun Depot Team

Considering how much they can cost, and how hard they work, air tools are really an investment. That’s why oiling an air nailer (or stapler) is so important. It ensures a return on your investment--and that wearable parts, like O-rings, aren't prematurely fried. It's also super easy to do.

We've tackled a few "burning questions" about oiling an air nailer or stapler to keep them running for years to come.  

How often should I oil my tool?

Daily. And if you’re working on an extended project, oil the tool before you start working and again mid-way through the day (after a lunch break, for instance). If the nailer's sat unused for a while, you definitely want to oil it before using it again.

What kind of oil should I use?

Only use lubricating oil made specifically for pneumatic tools, such as Senco Pneumatic Tool Oil or Paslode Lubricating Oil. Other oils lack the correct viscosity or contain ingredients that can destroy the seals, disintegrate O-rings, or may even cause combustion. Keep the WD40, compressor oil, motor oil, transmission fluid, etc. out of your air tools.

Also, if you’re working in below-freezing conditions, you'll need a tool oil that's formulated for temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and contains anti-freeze. Try Paslode Cold Weather Tool Oil.

How much oil do I need?

All you need is 5-10 drops of oil. Drop the oil into the air inlet, the nozzle where your air hose attaches to the tool.

What happens if I don’t use tool oil?

The O-rings in the tool will dry up, causing the tool to malfunction. It will also cause unnecessary wear on its components, and potentially cause corrosion. To learn more about maintaining your nail gun, read our post on How to Avoid Destroying Your Pneumatic Nailer. 

Pro Tips:

• Make sure the air tool is OFF before adding oil.
• Do not oil the tool's magazine, as this attracts dust and dirt. You definitely don’t want any debris stuck in the magazine, which can cause fastener jams.
• Drain the air compressor at the end of each day. This keeps condensation from building up in the compressor, entering the tool, and then corroding it.

Have questions? Just contact NGD's knowledgeable customer service.

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