Stanley Bostitch’s StrapShot: A Nailer For Metal Connectors

Building codes across the country are now requiring more and more metal connectors (joist hangers, hurricane ties, etc). In order for a connector to meet code in most places, you need to have a nail in every hole available. This meant a lot of hammering, because you couldn’t just use a pneumatic nailer — until now. Stanley Bostitch’s StrapShot pneumatic nail gun actually exposes the tip of the nail, so you can place it right in the hole in the metal connector. Pull the trigger, and move on to the next nail.
The StrapShot’s convenience doesn’t stop there, though. It’s also designed to be lighter and more compact than other nailers, which means you can cram it into tight stops between rafters.

It weighs only 4.6 pounds and a tiny 10-1/2” tall. And it’s covered by Bostitch’s seven year warranty. Street pricing starts around $230.
MCN-150 Strapshot [Bostitch]
Street Prices [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s this?]
This post makes it sound like Bostitch is the first to produce this type of nailer. Unfortunately, that isn’t accurate.
In reality, a number of other manufacturers, including Paslode and SENCO, have been making positive placement/hardware nailers for years. Before that, pneumatic palm nailers were commonly used for this application.
Bryan,
Thanks for taking me to task on that. You’re right. That’s what I get for taking marketing-speak’s word for it. I knew about the palm nailers, and have in fact used them in the past, but I didn’t think they could compare to a nailer like this, or the Senco HN150 or HN250 – or the Paslode F250S-PP.
Senco HN150: http://www.senco.com/con_rem/ViewTool.aspx?toolid=556
Senco HN250: http://www.senco.com/con_rem/ViewTool.aspx?toolid=557
The HN250 handles up to 2-1/2″ nails, while the HN150 is only 1-1/2″
The Senco runs between $180 to $240 for the HN150 or HN250:
http://tinyurl.com/2bl9z4 [Street Prices at Google Products]
Paslode F250S-PP: http://www.paslode.com/products/tool_catalog/5250-65S_PP.html
The Paslode F250S-PP runs about $320-350
http://tinyurl.com/2a5go8 [Street Prices at Google Products]
Thanks again for the reality check Bryan.
– Rick
Give them a little credit – this nailr is smaller than any of the Senco or Paslode PP nailers. Plus, they have a $15 adapter that’ll make their standard RH framing nailer a PP nailer.
JT
Have you all checked out grip rites new mini palm nailer
PDF LINK
http://www.grip-rite.com/files/GRTMP16-Product-Sheet-0730071.pdf
The older connector nailers that I saw – all gave you a bit of a tough time to accurately place the nail. The Bostitch – has the nail poking out – so it is right on the dime.
Both of the SENCO HN nailers use the exposed nailhead to place the fastener. The Paslode Positive Placement nailer uses a nifty pointed nose piece to locate the holes. When you fire a nail, the nose piece blows out of the way and is replaced by the nail. I know Hitachi and MAX both produce hardware nailers as well, but I’m not that familiar with them or their placement mechanisms.
Well, I used one today, and will admit that it is a heck of a lot lighter than any other one out there…the Hitachi PP nailer uses the exposed nailhead for placement, btw.