Just picked the cheapest framing nailer over the name brand and it actually worked out

I needed a new framing nailer for a job I started last week out in Parker. I was stuck between a Hitachi for $320 and a no name brand from a local tool shop for $180. I went with the cheap one cause my budget was shot after buying lumber. Figured I'd try it out and if it broke, I'd just return it. Three days into the job and it's sunk every nail straight into the studs without a single jam. Anyone else take a gamble on a bargain tool and have it pay off?

3 comments

3 Comments

miles_burns27d agoMost Upvoted

fiona_west21, you saying "name brands are charging extra for the label" really sums it up. I'm half convinced the Hitachi comes with a secret warranty that just covers the box it comes in. But seriously, I've got a buddy who swears by his no name hammer drill that's outlasted his DeWalt by two years now. Makes you wonder if the big guys are just paying for the marketing team's ski trips while we foot the bill. I'm not totally sold that every cheap tool is a gem, but it's nice to know the gamble can actually work out sometimes. Here's to hoping my nailer doesn't blow up on the last nail of the job tomorrow.

fiona_west2127d ago

You mentioning "figured I'd try it out and if it broke, I'd just return it" really hit home... I used to be one of those people who thought name brand was the only way to go, especially with stuff like nailers where you need reliability. But a buddy of mine talked me into trying a no name circular saw last year and it's still running fine. Now I'm rethinking my whole stance on tools honestly... sometimes the cheap stuff is just as good if not better. It's like the name brands are charging extra for the label and not always the quality. Good on you for giving it a shot, that's how I'm gonna look at tools from now on too.

jennifer83326d ago

@miles_burns hit it on the head about the marketing budgets. One thing I've learned is to check the parts availability on cheap tools before buying - if nobody stocks basic replacement parts, it's probably not worth the gamble no matter how good it looks.