Bostitch vs Hitachi Framing Nailer | Best Brands Head-On

Comparatively weight and a more extended warranty make Bostitch the perfect personal companion nailer despite having less capacity. The Hitachi, on the other hand, despite being a bit heavier, actuation mode, jam clearing system, and more prominent magazine make it ideal for a work environment.

What to Look for before Choosing Bostitch or Hitachi Nailer?

Here are some things that you need to look out for when buying your nailer. They can be the same or different between the two products. We’ll discuss which one is better on the particular feature if necessary.

Weight

A nailer is a handheld device. So if it is too big or too heavy, it can hinder your work. A heavy nailer is more complicated to use than a lighter one. The same can be said for the size. If a nailer is too big, it can hinder the work, but it can lack power for the work if it is too small. So, finding a balance for your work is very necessary.

The Bostitch MCN150 weighs only 4.6 lbs, making it a very lightweight tool to work with. On the other hand, the Hitachi NR90AES1 is 10 lbs. Although the Bostitch is lightweight, it is still a powerful tool making it reasonable to work with for a long time.

Dimensions

As for dimensions, the Hitachi is 5.5 by 8.3 inches which is not too big. That makes it an appropriate tool for working comfortably. But the Bostitch is 10.5 by 11.5 inches. While it is a bit bigger than the Hitachi, the almost square dimensions give it a good weight balance.

Nail Type 

Any nailer these days can use numerous types of nails. But a nailer typically uses 1 to 3.5-inch nails. So, if you are looking for a specific type of nails like a paper-coated nail, or a longer than 3.5-inch nail to use with your nailer, you should make sure that it can handle those nails.

Reload

Other than that, there are different types of reload options in a nailer. Some have bottom reload, and some nails have to reload. While the placements are not a problem, some people like one over the other. 

Suppose you have a preference for reloading placement. You have to look out for that when buying. But for our case, both our Hitachi and Bostitch models have bottomed reload with a straight magazine.

Numbers

You also have to consider the number of nails a gun can load at one time. Some coil-load nailers can hold up to 300 nails at a time. But these can be too heavy. Generally, it is good to have around 40 nails per reload if it is a straight magazine. That way, you don’t need to reload too often.

Depth Adjustment

Depth adjustment is one of the most necessary features of a nailer. Unlike hammers, nailers need to adjust their depths according to the nail length. So having a good depth adjustment setting is very helpful in the long run.

Most old nailers require an Allen wrench to adjust the depths, but these days, more and more nailers adopt a tool-free depth adjustment option. So you should look for a tool-free depth adjustment option when buying a nailer.

But sometimes, the depth adjustment knob can block the line of sight with the nailer’s tip. So make sure it is not positioned awkwardly.

Jam Clearing

Jamming is a common thing when it comes to nailers. There are a few reasons a nailer can get jammed. But there is pretty much no way to prevent it altogether. So you have to look out for which nailer offers an easy way to clean up the jam. 

Some nailer gets jammed more than others. But no matter what nailer you buy, you have to deal with jam. That much is certain. Some nailer comes with an option for toolless jam clearing. So try to get one with that if possible.

Hitachi comes with a toolless jam clearing, while the Bostitch comes with an anti-jam feature. On paper, the anti-jam feature sounds like the better one. But for this anti-jam, the machine gets locked after firing five nails which is not something you need to deal with if you use Hitachi.

Actuation mode

This is something many nailers do not have. But professionals always prefer nailers with actuation mode. This helps to make it easier to switch from bump modes to sequential modes. If you are just buying it for personal use, it is fine, but it is a must-have for professional usage.

Hitachi or Bostitch || Which One Is For You?

First of all, Hitachi comes with an actuation mode, but Bostitch F21PL doesn’t come with it. But again, the Bostitch MCN150 strap shot comes with an actuation mode. So we are going to judge Bostitch MCN150.

Bostitch

Even if Bostitch MCN150 comes with actuation mode, its nail capacity is only 29. This can be time-consuming if you are trying to get things done in a big project.

Another problem with this product is the anti-jam feature. While it does sound pretty good, it is a bit of a problem. To implement this anti-jam, they lock the device at five nails each time. 

On the bright side, it is cheaper than Hitachi. It has an air exhaust feature, can support paper-coated nails, and is very lightweight and compact. 

Although it is lightweight and compact, do not underestimate its power and efficiency. One significant advantage is that it can be used on a metal connector too. It has a 35-degree magazine which enables it to reach places other nailers cannot. 

Its air exhaust prevents the motor from overheating and getting damaged. The 7-year warranty service makes sure that you can use this device for a long time.

Hitachi

The biggest thing that is going for Hitachi NR90AES1 is its advanced actuation mode. This makes the device ten times easier to switch between modes and makes it a favorite for professional work. Performance-wise, many believe that it is second to none.

Even though it doesn’t have any anti-jam feature like the Bostitch, it has a toolless jam-clearing option which is great if you are going to use it often. It is a bit more expensive than the Bostitch, but the extra money is well spent because of its features. But as a trade-off, it only has five years of warranty service.

But the exhaust system is where the Hitachi comes to a halt. It does not have any kind of exhaust system, which is kind of upsetting to see in a perfect machine like this. It also doesn’t have any anti-dry fire mechanism which stops the machine from being fired when the magazine is empty.

What Is Better Suited for Your Work?

If you are looking for an inexpensive personal-use nailer, then Bostitch will do the work. Since it is not for professional use, the 29-nail magazine should not cause many problems. Also, the anti-jam feature makes it less worried about clearing jams. But if you have the budget, then getting Hitachi is not a bad idea for personal usage.

On the other hand, if it is mainly for professional use, the Hitachi is clearly the winner for that. Though it doesn’t have an exhaust system, the advanced actuation mode, toolless jam clearing, and outstanding performance are not something to be passed off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Bostitch nailers any good?

Ans: They are okay for personal use but not recommended on a professional level.

Can I use Hitachi nails in a Bostitch nail gun?

Ans: As long as the nails are at the same angle and collated, they will work. Also, make sure they support the head.

Conclusion

Choosing a nailer can often become challenging. While neither the Bostitch nor the Hitachi gets a head start between them in terms of service, there are some things like dimension, weight, and features you need to know. These can determine which one suits you the most.