Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is a great must have tool for DIY wood floors. While every company that's in the tool business seems to make a nailer (Senco, Bostitch, etc.), what sets the Porter-Cable apart is it's balance and civilized look. The look doesn't matter, but if you don't want to mar the wood floors by having a tool keel over and damage the floor, then this is the tool to get.
The "last nail" comment is a very true. If you try to drive that single last nail, unpredictable results may occur. In my case, I had to throw the piece away (actually cut it for the closet), since the last nail went in almpst parallel to the surface of the wood and skimmed the finish off the top. If the wood hadn't been there, it probably would have shot across the room.
Finally, although the pneumatic nailers save you from backbreaking hammering, the nose takes more than just a light tap. A slightly sharp wack will drive the nails perfectly. Too soft and the nails don't get driven all the way. Too hard, and I'd be afraid that the tool would get damaged.
One more item to note is that depending on the hardness of the wood flooring, you will have to adjust the air pressure to prevent cracked tongues. This isn't a FCN200 issue, but just generally true overall.
Highly recommended.
Review Update:
After 4 years or so, the tool is still as good as the first day I bought it. My initial personal project was about 800-1000 sf. I'm now past 2500 sf (helped two friends install their floors in family/living rooms) installed and another 1500 sf or so more to go for my own house.
This is a professional tool and the quality shows. I haven't had to have it rebuilt or order parts. Clean it ocassionally and use oil and an air filter and forget about it.
Review Update 2:
Still going strong after 7 years now. In fact, I had some floor professionally installed (about 2,000 sf) and the Ramm (something or other) that the installers were using broke on them. They ended up using my nailer for the last 1,500 sf. The installers commented that they liked the FCN200 nailer better.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Porter-Cable FCN200 Pneumatic Flooring Cleat Nailer
The Porter-Cable FCN200 Two-Inch Flooring Cleat Nailer drives 1-1/2 to 2-inch cleat nails quickly and efficiently. Durable and built to last, this nailer features a 100-cleat, rear-load, gravity-feed magazine with bypass pusher, and it has a well-balanced, stable design for dependable results in both traditional and engineered hardwoods.
Balanced, Ergonomic, and PowerfulThe FCN200 features a balanced, ergonomic design, and it stands upright for easy, stable use. It also has a low center of gravity that allows it to stand independently without falling over.
And because the FCN200 is made from durable, lightweight die-cast aluminum, it's heavy-duty enough to complete tough jobs, yet comfortable enough for extended use.
The FCN200 uses a compressor to provide air at approximately 70-100 PSI. It weighs just 13 pounds and arrives preassembled with an angled air hose nipple.
L-Shaped Cleat Extends Floor-LifeWhereas traditional flooring nailers use staple fasteners that don't allow for wood expansion and can shorten the life of a floor, the FCN200 utilizes an L-shaped cleat as its fastener. This cleat allows the floor to contract and expand naturally, even as it holds the floor in place.
And because standard 3/4-inch-thick solid hardwood flooring requires 2.0-inch cleats for secure installation, the FCN200 accepts cleats measuring from 1.5 to 2.0 inches. This means you can handle flooring materials of various thicknesses, including thinner engineered woods.
Additionally, the hammer head is short enough to allow the compressor to get close to the wall for installation of starting rows.
What's in the BoxFCN200; mallet; oil; wrenches; and 1/4-inch air fitting with dust cover.
Get 47% OFF
Click here for more information about Porter-Cable FCN200 Pneumatic Flooring Cleat Nailer
