As a remodeling contractor, I learned early on that containing remodeling dust and keeping that dust out of the non-remodeled portion of your client’s home is often more important than the quality of your work. It’s a fact that construction transports fine dust particles into parts of your home that are not being worked on. This ZipWall ZipDoor Kit review was the result of many years of trial and error.

Editor’s Note: This review first published in the Pro Tool Reviews print magazine on May 24, 2013.

ZipWall ZipDoor Kit for Preventing Unintended Consequences

There is nothing worse than having your client tell you they want you to pay for a professional to remove the plaster dust from the inside of their baby grand piano.

Let’s face it we all know it’s a pain to clean. Remodeling dust can also result in health concerns. Why not take precautions to avoid it? Many homeowners and kids with asthma or seniors have COPD. As a result, I always ask. That way I can tell them how I contain dust with tools like the ZipWall ZipDoor Kit. This makes for a great way to add value when bidding a project.

The remodeling dust problem is even compounded with today’s recent EPA lead dust containment regulations. If you live in a pre-1978 house, the dust created during remodeling from lead-based paint is another of your worries. EPA regulations, in part, control just how you approach your remodel.

Dust Containment the Old Way

For years and years, I did odd things to control remodeling dust at a framed opening on a job site. I would attach a drop cloth to the top door trim with finish nails or tape up plastic over the doorway. Then I’d rely on my dust extractor to pull out the dust from any power tools I used. The problem with these methods is they never really worked that well. Dust always found it’s way past these barriers. Over the years I have developed strategies and researched the BEST methods to control remodeling dust. One part of my strategy is to use several dust containment products from a company called ZipWall.

The ZipWall ZipDoor Kit is an ingenious dust containment system. It lets you easily and quickly build plastic dust containment walls. Prior to using the ZipDoor kit, I would literally have to build my own dust barrier wall with 2x4s, screws, and plastic. Not only is this a slow process (and an expensive one), but it can also cause floor and ceiling damage.

ZipWall ZipDoor Kit Seals Out Dust

ZipWall used to (and still does) sell zippers that tape right onto plastic. You then cut the plastic and have an instant zippered doorway. For the past few years, I’ve been taping plastic over doorways and just adding a ZipWall zipper to make my own access door.

These zippers are still very useful when you need to access an area through a long run of dust containment plastic sheeting. But, using these add-on zippers involves taping and cutting plastic. I always seems to find a way to jam the zipper.

Zippers on 4 Mil Plastic Sheathing

Recently, the company came out with a zippered doorway product appropriately called the ZipWall ZipDoor kit. It is an inexpensive dust control solution made from 4 mil plastic sheeting. It also includes two pre-installed heavy-duty zippers. They’re not as durable as the zippers on a Veto Pro Pac MC tool bag, but they’ll last for the duration of your job. It’s also available in two sizes, including 3′ x 7′ and a commercial model measuring 4′ x 8′. The latter commercial kit is also flame retardant.

The two zippers can both be opened and held up by a couple of wire hooks (provided). This allows easy access to the dust containment area. This is a useful feature when bringing materials or tools into the area that requires some extra space. A roll of double-sided tape (also provided) is used to position the ZipDoor onto the doorway trim. The two-sided tape lets you easily mount and reposition the door as needed to get it just right.

The plastic sheeting sticks onto the double-sided tape in the door opening to make a dust-proof sealed door in just a couple of minutes. ZipWall designed the Zip Door kit to zip and unzip as needed for regular entry and exit into the work zone. I like that the ZipDoor uses clear plastic poly sheeting. This works well for two reasons. First, it provides job site safety—the clear plastic lets you see through the door. Second, the clear plastic lets light travel into the work area to help you see what you’re doing.

The Zip Door Kit Saves Me Time and Money

This Zip Wall ZipDoor kit took me just a few minutes to install, and it’s ideal for jobs where I need to create a dust barrier and sealed access doorway. One side of the ZipWall tape is like traditional painter’s tape. It’s sticky enough to hold, but it doesn’t damage trim paint. The other side holds the plastic sheeting securely. It also lets you reposition the ZipDoor for up to an hour before fully bonding to the plastic—a feature I found invaluable. One person can install it in under a minute—reducing labor costs. Also, if you use care when removing it, you can use it again and again. So far, I’ve re-used my ZipDoor Kit three times.

I found the ZipWall ZipDoor Kit to be invaluable on residential jobs like kitchen and bath remodeling and where a renovation may disturb lead paint. (Make sure you have your lead-safe certification.)

Overall Impression of the ZipDoor

Like I said at the beginning of the article there is nothing worse than having your client tell you plaster dust made its way into their baby grand piano or coated and possibly damaged their one of a kind, circa 1600 tapestry.

In the past two weeks, I’ve used the ZipWall ZipDoor kit three times and found it super easy to install and break down. It worked well containing the dust we created. The double zipper door and door hanging hooks also allowed fast and easy access for materials and tools to the job site area.

The pre-installed zippers worked great. They attach securely to the plastic sheeting and seem well-made. I now keep three Zip Door kits and extra tape in my dust containment tool bag. I look at the ZipWall Zip Door kit as cheap insurance and part of my dust control strategy. If you don’t plan for and think about containing dust, you will have unhappy clients.

Don’t forget that time spent at the beginning of the project is time and money saved later by avoiding an unnecessary (and possibly embarrassing) clean up.

For more information, check out ZipWall.com.

Special thanks to Rob Robillard from AConcordCarpenter for putting together this review which first published in the Pro Tool Reviews print magazine.

The post ZipWall ZipDoor Kit Review | Contain Remodeling Dust appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

I’ve been working in the trades for over 25 years now, and it seems that I’m driving more and more fasteners than ever. My first impact driver was a 14.4V DeWalt and a gift from my brother the plumber. He told me he saw a carpenter using it on a job site, tried it, and bought three impact drivers that very day. Two were for his guys, and one was for me! I clearly remember the first time I used it—the raw, unadulterated power of the tool was impressive. So I bring a lot of history to the table when looking at the new DeWalt DCF886M2 XR brushless impact driver.

From building decks to installing tile backer board to screwing down plywood subfloors and building headers, I find that I’m always reaching for a fastener and something to drive it in with.

And you know what? Given the right tool, I like it!

You Need a Tool Like This

Impact drivers were originally engineered to do one job: drive screws. This is a task it does faster and easier than just about any other tool. In fact, impact drivers can sink long, large fasteners—including fat lag screws—that would stall most corded drills. But most tradesmen are up to speed on that. What’s interesting to me are the newest models hitting the market—because there’s a lot to choose from.

im•pact [n. im-pakt] The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another

My DeWalt 14.4V impact driver actually lasted a good long while until I retired it a year ago. I traded it in for a DeWalt 20V DCF885, and then later I added the DCF895 brushless model to the toolbox. Brushless tools run cooler, last longer, and can deliver over 50% more runtime than a tool with a standard brushed motor. Given the recent advancements in brushless technology, I was unsure if manufacturers could really do much more to achieve noticeable improvements to this type of tool.

I was wrong.

The New XR Line: What’s the Hype?

DeWalt released its brand-new 20V XR brushless lithium-ion impact drivers this year. XR stands for “Extreme Runtime” and speaks (primarily) to the new XR batteries, which are touted to have 33% longer runtime than previous DeWalt 20V battery packs. That got my attention.

With the new 4.0 Ah lithium-ion battery packs, these new impact drivers deliver the same power (or better) as previous models, but with greatly enhanced battery life. Indeed, when comparing the new DCF895M2 3-speed XR model to the current DCF895L2, the two tools look nearly identical save for some changes to the graphics on the side of the tools. The new XR DCF886, however, has some significant body changes to the older brushed DCF885 driver, and it adds an additional 100 in-lbs of torque. Another important factor to note when choosing an XR series drill is whether or not you need the additional features of the 895 series. These features include the three-speed functionality and the reduced length provided by the push-button chuck.

The DCF886 kit shaves a full $70 off the retail price of the DCF895 series, and it gives me nearly the same performance. Since in most of my applications, I don’t require the finesse of three impact settings, and the 5.55-inch clearance of the DCF886 is short enough for my needs, saving a few bucks makes a lot of sense. If you do more cabinetry work or want to use this to install door hinges or other more sensitive applications, spring for the DCF895.

Specifications

• Model: DCF886M2
• Chuck: 1/4″ hex
• Anvil: Quick release
• Speed: 0 – 2,800 (no load)
• Impacts/min: 0 – 3,200
• Torque: 1,500 in-lbs.
• Length: 5.55”
• Weight: 3.4 lbs. (with battery)
• 3 LED lights with 20 second delay after trigger is pulled.
• Includes: 2 x DCB204 20V Max XR 4.0 Ah Li-ion batteries, Fast charger, Belt hook, Tool case
• Warranty: 3-year limited
• Price: $275

Job Site Testing: A Fastening Bonanza!

As with all of the tools I test, I took this one to work. I wanted to see if this tool was durable and able to tackle tough fastening applications on the job site. It so happened that we were working on a bathroom remodel, so I loaded the DCF886M2 with a freshly charged 4.0 Ah XR battery pack and gave it to my brother the plumber. He used it to drill 3/4″ and 2-1/2″ pipe holes in studs and floor joists to allow for the supply and drain lines. My brother uses mostly Bosch cordless tools, and he was impressed with the power, weight, and size of the DCF886. I don’t think he’ll switch from his preferred brand, but it allowed him to give me some good feedback on the tool.

Soon after, I got the DCF886 back and used it to install 4” Truss Lok fasteners to head off the floor joists and create a plumbers box. It made quick work of installing all of the 3/8″ Simpson SDS fasteners in the related joist hangers.

I next used it to install Durock on the shower walls where I was able to really see the advantages of combining both power and runtime. Finishing up that job, I then screwed the new and existing 3/4” subfloor down before installing 1/4” PermaBase CBU cement board on top. All of this, mind you, was done on a single battery charge. At one point I worked the tool so hard that the casing was hot to the touch. I was sure the brushless electronic circuitry would shut down the motor, but it didn’t…so I kept right on working.

Final Thoughts

Usually, with this much fastening, the battery dies at some point, and I can have an excuse to take a water break—but not this time. I finally gave up and took the break well before the battery ceased! My palm was sore, and this thing was just starting on its second XR battery.

Suffice it to say, the DCF886M2 got more than my attention that day. It got a permanent place in my toolbox. Since that remodel I have continued using the XR series impact driver for nearly every fastening application I encounter. It runs forever, and I spend less time swapping out batteries and more time working.

The post DeWalt DCF886M2 XR Brushless Impact Driver Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

As a carpenter I mainly find myself using grinders to occasionally cut through rebar or get structural bolts out of the way. It was by happy coincidence that, on the same week, I bid the Lally column job and the folks at Bosch allowed me to test their brand new Bosch AG50-11VSPD paddle switch grinder. (In fact, my sample was so early that it didn’t have the final retail labeling.) I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to evaluate a grinder, particularly since it’s not all that often I get to cut out steel cased, concrete filled columns.

I was recently asked to cut four old structural Lally columns out of a house and replace them with new columns. “Lally column” is a regional term, named after its inventor, John Lally, who ran a construction company from 1898-1907 in Waltham, MA (where I grew up). They are round, thin walled structural steel columns which are filled with concrete and oriented vertically to provide support to structural spans.The advantage of these columns over conventional structural steel is that they can be cut to length on a construction site with a simple plumber’s pipe cutter. Cutting them, flush to the ground or otherwise, is best accomplished with a grinder. Since Bosch has just worked over its full line of new corded grinders, this was the perfect opportunity to put at least one of them to the test.

Choosing Your Grinder

Bosch’s recent overhaul of their grinder line presents customers with eleven tools to choose from, including four slide switch grinders and seven paddle switch models. With this new line Bosch offers a number of different features to meet a variety of user needs. Their focus is to give the tradesman more control, more power and more tool life. Having used some of their former models, I was determined to find out if the new tools were a serious step up or just a minor tweak on some already good tools.

Bosch’s New Grinder Lineup

Slide Switch Grinders

• AG40-85: 4.5-inch angle grinder featuring an 8.5-amp, 11,500 rpm motor
• AG50-10: 5-inch angle grinder featuring a 10-amp, 11,500 rpm motor
• AG50-11VS: 5-inch variable speed grinder featuring an 11-amp, 2,800-11,500 rpm motor
• AG60-125: 6-inch high-performance cut-off/grinder featuring a 12.5-amp, 9,300 rpm motor

Paddle Switch Grinders

• AG40-85P: 4.5-inch angle grinder with paddle switch featuring an 8.5-amp, 11,500 rpm motor
• AG40-85PD: 4.5-inch angle grinder with no lock-on paddle switch featuring an 8.5-amp, 11,500 rpm motor
• AG40-11P: 4.5-inch high-performance angle grinder with paddle switch featuring an 11-amp, 11,500 rpm motor
• AG40-11PD: 4.5-inch high-performance angle grinder with no lock-on paddle switch featuring an 11-amp, 11,500 rpm motor
• AG50-11VSPD: 5-inch variable-speed angle grinder with no lock-on paddle switch featuring an 11-amp, 2,800-11,500 rpm motor (Tested)
• AG50-125PD: 5-inch high-performance angle grinder with no lock-on paddle switch featuring a 12.5-amp, 11,500 rpm motor
• AG60-125PD: 5-inch high-performance cut off/grinder with no lock-on paddle switch featuring a 12.5-amp, 9,300 rpm motor

First Impression

I chose the Bosch AG50-11VSPD paddle switch grinder for my testing after having tried it out at the 2013 World of Concrete convention in Las Vegas. The AG50-11VSPD is a 5-inch, 11 amp, variable speed grinder that weighs just 6.5 pounds. It spins at 11,500 rpm and would be a good match for the kind of work I do, including my present column cutting task.

Handing the tool, I really like the way the paddle handle switch feels and I truly believe that the no-lock on switch is the only way to go with grinders. To explain my preference I would have to say that I often use tools in weird positions and in confined spaces. The paddle switch offers the opportunity for multiple grip positions that lets me operate the tool at the front, middle and rear of the grinder housing depending on my body position or need for control.

These switches are also also nice because I can power on or off the tool from wherever my hand happens to be. My older grinder had a lock on switch where, once turned it on, I could move my hands around the body of the grinder, but I always had to go back to the switch to turn off the tool. In some scenarios that can be a more dangerous use of the tool (so it’s nice to be given the choice).

I also noticed that Bosch adjusted the venting so that it covers more surface area. This should help avoid having the operator’s hands block air flow and potentially overheat the grinder. The side handle looks to be unchanged and continues to have a flexible, almost shock absorbing feature to it.

And that’s where the small stuff gives way to the big stuff, because Bosch’s new grinders now boast about 2 amps more power than the previous generation. And you can feel it. Cutting through steel and concrete is a great way to test out any tool and the power of this grinder is impressive for its size. Bosch is also still using the Service Minder brushes that, in additional to claiming longer life, stop the tool when it’s time for maintenance. While that’s business as usual, a new feature Bosch calls “Electronics System Plus” has been added (or at least called out) which is an electronic package designed to better protect the motor and shut down the tool in the event that it suddenly binds up. I actually tested that out on more than one occasion. It works.

Let the Sparks Fly!

I used a Bosch DB4564 4.5-inch segmented diamond blade on the AG50-11VSPD grinder, and it cut amazingly clean and fast. Of course, it also made lots of sparks—and who doesn’t like that! While cutting out four of these columns I observed several of the safety features. The first feature is that the grinder has a “soft start.” The tool fired up to max speed and was able to maintain full rpms during the entire cut. I literally beat the pants off this grinder trying to get it to bog down. The only time I noticed any effect on my grinding was when the grinders’ electronic clutch engaged. The electronic clutch is a built-in safety feature designed to shut the motor down to prevent a bind situation. In this particular case the wheel became pinched, and the clutch worked perfectly—protecting both me and the tool.

The second feature I liked was a holdover from their current models—the flexible side handle. Like most grinders, the handle can be positioned on either side of the tool, but this handle has a flex design built right into it. It really reduces vibration from the tool, and it makes repetitive work a lot more comfortable.

The post Bosch AG50-11VSPD Paddle Switch Grinder Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Today’s building trends are constantly evolving from lighter and stronger materials to rot-resistant plastics and better insulations. As a carpenter, I can attest that my job site needs to change and evolve with these newly developed materials, updated building techniques, and streamlined methods of working. While a cordless saw like the DeWalt DCS391L1 20V Max circular saw is good for some applications, having a corded model like the DeWalt DWE575 7.25-inch circular saw is crucial to success.

The Case for the DeWalt DWE575 Circular Saw

While newer, lighter, more powerful tools lead to cooler operating, longer-lasting batteries, and better dust collection technology—all of these advances have made for great tool features and much-needed improvements.

Everyone in the trades knows that heavy tools used over a long period of time or in vertical applications cause fatigue, and long-term use can even cause bursitis or other joint issues. So when tool companies started to focus on lighter tools and anti-vibrations features, I started paying attention. It also got me interested in the DeWalt DWE575 7-1/4 inch circular saw.

What’s So Sexy About the DeWalt DWE575 Circular Saw?

DeWalt recently redesigned their current 15-amp circular saw, reducing the weight and tweaking some other features. They are now offering the new DWE575 and DWE575SB as their flagship models (the “SB” model includes an electric brake). At 8.8 pounds, these are now some of the lightest contractor saws in their class, and that, my friends, is just downright sexy in the tool world.

The DWE575 (I’ll drop the “SB” for now) was designed to cut framing material, plywood, siding and exterior siding and trim materials, so we put it to work doing just that. We took it to our job sites and put it in service to see if it was a worthy contender for the professional contractor or only suitable for the rude, crude and socially unacceptable semi-professional contractor. (Just kidding.)

Lighter is Better

DeWalt’s development team seems to have spoken to tradesmen before releasing the DeWalt DWE575 circular saw. The proof is in the refinements and improvements made to what was already a great sidewinder. By basing these saws saw off their predecessors, the DW368 and the similar DW369, the folks at DeWalt were able to take an already great tool and make it even better. Call me a romantic, but to think that they could take my old favorite and improve it makes my eyes tear up…just a little bit.

And my first impression of this newer, lighter saw? “Damn! This thing is light!” It shaves three-quarters of a pound off the magnesium-shoed DW368 and still remains well-balanced, comfortable and ergonomically designed. It also has a nice sweet spot line of sight. Did I mention that this saw is light?

DeWalt also added one more degree to the bevel capacity, allowing it 57 degrees of movement (which incidentally matches the model number). This saw has an easy to adjust metal bevel lever and can quickly and easily achieve bevel cuts that other saws can’t. This new sidewinder was starting to do so much, I began to wonder if it could also leap tall buildings in a single bound…Any roofers out there? In any case, I know the increased bevel will come in handy cutting and framing in rafters.

Beveling Stops

While we’re talking about bevels, the DWE575 has bevel stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees, which is what we would expect, and all metal, easy-to-operate levers control the adjustments. It also has a nice heavy-duty aluminum shoe. (Gone is the magnesium shoe of the former reigning champ.) While the saw is light, it remains beefy enough to withstand those inevitable jobsite falls and rugged conditions.

The DWE575 also has a heavy duty strain relief on its power cord. (DeWalt calls this their ToughCord system.) Let’s face it, as carpenters and contractors, we constantly use our tools in a way that works for us, and sometimes that means raising and lowering the saw by its cord. With the ToughCord, I feel as if I can do this without tempting fate.

Tough Choice—The DeWalt DWE575 7-1/4 in Circular Saw or the DWE575SB?
These two saws are identical except for a couple of key points. First and foremost, the DWE575SB adds an electric braking mechanism that stops the blade quickly when you let go of the trigger. It also comes with a black rubberized handle and contractor bag. Other than that, it’s an identical tool in every way. The premium for the electric brake is only about $10-$20 depending on where you shop, making the DWE575SB (in our opinion) the obvious choice for pros.

Using the DeWalt DWE575 Sidewinder Circular Saw

Right out of the box, I found the plate perfectly square with the blade when set to zero degrees. I almost (Almost!) squealed with excitement as I measured it because it’s so rare to find “straight out of the box” accuracy these days. The electric brake on the DWE575SB also works really well, stopping the blade within a couple of seconds of releasing the trigger—a real nice safety feature and one that I truly appreciate.

The DWE575 has a ball-bearing, anti-snag lower guard design that worked flawlessly, even with thin cut-offs and rips. It is smooth, fast, and quiet, and I’ll be damned if I could not get it to snag—and believe me, I tried.

We used both of these saws over the last six months on our remodeling jobs and put it up against all types of material. This encompassed framing lumber, pressure treated lumber, plywood, LVL and we even cut through asphalt roofing and sheathing. That last job is about the worst abuse you can give a saw. Since getting it, we have literally cut miles and miles of material! To-date, the saw has performed perfectly and continues to make great cuts (though we did flip out the included blade for something of higher quality).

The DWE575 was so light I found it a joy to cut with. The reduction in weight doesn’t mean a reduction in power, however, and the 15amp motor cut everything I put it up against. It cut as well or even better than my current sidewinder saw (brand name kept secret to protect the innocent). I also liked the extra (6 foot) long power cord. My only critical comment on this saw is that I wish it came with a protective carry case instead of the contractor’s bag.

Overall Impression

The DeWalt DWE575 and DWE575SB circular saws are both light and tough. I have to give kudos to the power cord, the electric brake, 2-9/16″ depth of cut, and the 57-degree bevel. All four are outstanding game-changing improvements.

The post DeWalt DWE575 7-1/4 in Circular Saw Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

In the world of pneumatic nailers there’s not much that excites me anymore, unless we’re talking about brad nailers and Jennifer Aniston in the same sentence. And then I came across the 18 gauge Bostitch Smart Point brad nailer. It’s not Jennifer, but to a guy who works as a carpenter all day, it’s at least got my attention. Wasting no time, I took the Smart Point nailer to the shop and put it to work. Consider yourself amongst the privileged and first to get an inside sneak peek at a brad nailer that isn’t due out until February 2013.

The most exciting and certainly unique aspect of this nailer is the smaller nose design. The probing tip of the nailer makes it easier to see where the fastener will penetrate the work surface. And I mean exactly where it will go. On top of that, the smaller nose design allows the tool to fit into tighter spaces. That hasn’t been a huge issue in the past, but on a recent project I had so many clamps lined up, I have to admit, the extra maneuverability was nice.

I’m a carpenter by trade and run a small remodeling and finish carpentry outfit in Concord, MA. I often build a lot of components in my shop prior to assembling them onsite and subsequently end up using a brad nailer for applying small parts, trim and crown work.

I find brad nails to be very useful in helping to prevent splitting as well as to promote a cleaner looking job with less touch-up work after the nailing is done. I also use a brad nailer occasionally to assist with pinning parts on glue-ups. There’s no argument that a brad nailer is a useful and necessary tool both in the shop and on finish trim jobs.

Bostitch Smart Point Brad Nailer Features

The hype on the Bostitch Smart Point brad nailer is that it has a 60% smaller nose footprint, allowing for quick and accurate nail placement without a separate contact trip. The micro-nose design eliminates the need to push against the work surface to actuate the nailer, letting you fit the tip into narrow spaces.

I got to see this nailer up close several months ago with a Ridgid Tri-Stack compressor, and the precise accuracy claims of the Smart Point are what got my attention and interest to review this tool in the first place. You see, there’s nothing more annoying to me than using a nailer that puts a fastener in a location other than where you thought it was going. I can think of a dozen times where I wanted to smash a brad nailer with a framing hammer after I blew apart a trim return or squeezed the trigger and watched a trim part move on me.

Smart Point Brad Nailer First Impressions

The Bostitch Smart Point brad nailer shoots 18 Gauge brads, and the nailer kit includes the basic tool, carrying case, 1/4-inch swivel fitting, a box of 1,000 two-inch brads, and a belt hook.

Out of the box the Smart Point nailer looks like a regular brad nailer but smaller. It has a Magnesium housing with a really nice over-molded handle and bumper molding. The old adage, “bigger is better” does not apply to brad nailers and this one is fairly small in stature. Bostitch also uses Magnesium which gives the tool the same basic durability of aluminum but with less weight.

The Bostitch Smart Point brad nailer is also an oil-free nailer which helps prevent staining of trim and work surfaces and the exhaust is located at the end of the handle where the air hose attaches to the tool. I like this location because it directs the tool’s exhaust away from the work and the operator. An internal filter is used to keep exterior contaminants from damaging the tool.

A tool-free nail jam release is a must, and the Bostitch BTFP12233 has one located on the front of the nailer at the nose. It allows fast and easy nail jam removal, eliminating the need to use an Allen wrench. This is a real nice feature!

A thumb turn, depth-of-drive mechanism (which Bostitch somewhat comically branded Dial-A-Depth) is conveniently located under the trigger and allows the user to control how far the fastener will penetrate into the work material. This saves you from having to readjust the compressor output for different wood hardnesses and can be a real time saver.

The tool is also equipped with a swivel air fitting for maneuverability, a reversible belt hook with integrated pencil sharpener, 2 rubber nose tips and a low brad nail indicator built into the magazine slide.

Smart Point Dimensions:

When I compared the Smart Point to other brad nailers it was often smaller by several inches on both the width and length. A close second would be the Hitachi NT50AE2.

• Bostitch BTFP12233 – 9.38″ x 9.75″
• Porter Cable BN200B – 14.30″ x 11.11″
• DeWalt D51238K – 13.79″ x 10.12″
• Hitachi NT50AE2 – 7.08″ x 10.77″
• Ridgid R213BNA – 9.00″ x 11.05″

A Selectable Trigger On A Brad Nailer – Seriously?

One feature that had me scratching my head was the selectable trigger system for sequential or contact operation. At first I wasn’t sure why Bostitch included that as an option. I’ve never “bump” fired anything other than a framing or roofing nailer. Typically, brad and finish nailers should be more precise tools and the sequential fire should be more than fast enough if you know how to use the tool. I started wondering if maybe the product manager was a former framing or roofing guy… After speaking with Bostitch Product Manager Jorge Silveira, it was explained to me that during product research for a completely different nailing application they noticed that users were using shims to hold the contact trip up on their brad nailers in order to:

• Improve visibility,
• Avoid marring the work surface, and
• Provide continuous bump actuation in situations where precision placement was not as important

It turns out that these users weren’t “bumping” the tool at all, they were sliding it along the surface and applying brad fasteners every 6-8 inches on door or window trim or cabinet crown runs. This discovery is actually what got the Bostitch team started on developing the Smart Point design and the selectable trigger switch.

Smart Point Technology

When you boil it all down, the contact arm on the Smart Point is a major change on the traditional brad nailer and that’s what makes this tool very different and unique. The contact is integrated into a sliding nose that has a much smaller footprint. This contact arm is spring-biased upward (towards the tool) to eliminate the need for the nose to be compressed to actuate the firing mechanism.

In contrast, a standard brad nailer has a contact arm that wraps around the nose of the tool, which is bulky. The traditional contact arm is also spring-biased outward (away from the tool) which requires the user to push the contact arm in order to actuate the tool.

Using the Smart Point Brad Nailer: My Experience!

The Smart Point brad nailer magazine opens to 5-1/2” and easily allowed me to fit full 5” long strips of brads into it. Nicely done! I was starting to wonder if Bostitch engineers might be taking a few lessons from us cabinetmakers with those tolerances!

The Smart Point is the first nailer that I’ve had come with a 1/4″ swivel connector and I have to say it’s a very nice detail and gives you some play when maneuvering the tool into tight or awkward spaces.

The nailer worked as advertised. It placed a brad exactly where the tip was and provided a clear line of sight. The Smart Point also allowed me to avoid pushing the tool against my trim which normally marks and dents the work piece, particularly if it’s a soft wood.

I used the nailer on all different shapes, sizes, and species of trim and crown molding. What I liked the most was the nailer’s ability to go exactly where you wanted it – even into tight spots on heavily detailed crown. The learning curve on this nailer is short and I quickly understood exactly where the fastener exited the tool – in fact, you can actually see it.

Remember how I liked the depth-of-drive wheel? It ended up coming in handy and I found myself reaching for it often as it allowed me to really dial in my fastener depth for precise countersinking into any material.

I tested the sequential firing option and can understand why some users would want to use it. As for myself, after trying it out I never really had a need to keep it engaged. I also tested the pencil sharpener on the belt hook, which worked great but I didn’t really find it to be as useful in the shop. Part of that reason is that I tend to use the larger carpenter pencils and sharpen them with my utility knife.

Overall Impression

The Smart Point is indeed a smart nailer, maybe even smarter than me! It was accurate and precise in brad nail placement and provided me with exceptional visibility. I can honestly say that after using this particular brad nailer for a while, I got a bit spoiled. Going back to a standard nailer and its larger nose is going to be hard.

My favorite features of this nailer are its line of sight, the swivel connector and the low brad nail indicator with dry fire lockout (it won’t fire a blank when the nails run out so you don’t divot your work piece).

The Smart Point brad nailer is expected to retail for $119.99 and will be available in February 2013. Stay tuned as we are guessing Bostitch may expand the Smart Point technology to other finish nailers as well. If Bosch can line up some demos of this new tool they should fly off the shelves, I am certainly recommending it for pro use.

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