Central Pnuematic - 98917 28 degree framing nailer (Rating: 5)

I have now owned mine for about 6 months, and put it through plenty of hard paces. The good, the bad, and the ugly of it…

The good…
Purchase price $49.99 (had a GREAT coupon)...
Drives a good variety of nail sizes.
Safety works very well.
Reasonable magazine capacity.

The bad…
Uses a LOT of air. My little HF compressor cycles a LOT when I use this thing.
Shortest nails this will shoot 2-3/16", would like to shoot 2" nails with it.
Limited to 28 degree nails.
Lack of carrying / storage case.

From Harbor Freight's website, the specs are…

Nail capacity: 2-3/16" to 3-9/16" long, 0.113" to 0.131" in diameter
Air consumption: 8 CFM
Code:
 60 PSI, 10 CFM
100 PSI
28° magazine for better maneuverability
360° swivel exhaust
Magazine capacity: 90 nails

This thing simply works as it is supposed to. I have used it for my fencing project, and to build a couple of raised flowerbeds with a friend. Every time I have pressed the safety in and pulled the trigger, it has shot a nail and fully seated it. Just give it proper lubrication, feed it plenty of nails, and air, and get to work.

For the money it simply cannot be beat. The only thing lacking for my purposes is a storage case. It is a bit heavy to hang from pegboard pegs, and an odd shape to store on a shelf. Harbor Freight ought to offer a tool case for this to hold the nailer, a small oil bottle, the allen wrenches for the nailer, and one or two boxes of nails. I might just have to build one myself to do that job…

Overall, this qualifies as one of Harbor Freight's gems. I have used a LOT of air tools over the years from manufacturers ranging from Snap On / Blue Point, to Campbell Hausfield and pretty much everything in between. This nailer is a solid performer, and well worth its place in my shop.