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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Healthie on February 22, 2020, 02:23:03 PM

Title: Bostich nail gun firing, no nail comes out.
Post by: Healthie on February 22, 2020, 02:23:03 PM

Hi guys,

I’m having trouble with my bostich 18g nailer - it shoots, makes a dent in the wood but no nail comes out. There have been jams previously and I’ve removed those nails. I had never lubed it, lubed it today and after several fires it is still not shooting nails. What can I do to fix this? I bought it <6 months ago. Compressor is at 125 PSI and also less than 6 months old.

Title: Re: Bostich nail gun firing, no nail comes out.
Post by: nereo on February 23, 2020, 08:49:34 AM

You never lubed it? No wonder it won't fire.

It sounds like the nails are not entering into the slot with the firing mechnism properly (don't know the correct terminology).  Most likely youv'e got debris in there... accumulated dust, sand grains, etc, or possibly rust.  It doesn't take much.  When properly lubed those particles get ejected with the normal firing of the gun.

Clean the tip of the gun thoroughly.  Use a toothbrush, blown air to clean it.  If it looks even slightly rusty you can put a few drops of vinegar all along the tip and then rinse it out after 10-15 minutes (the vinegar will eat away at any rust).  Rinse first with some water, then clean it all out with WD-40 (to  displace the water).

Title: Re: Bostich nail gun firing, no nail comes out.
Post by: Healthie on February 23, 2020, 11:16:25 AM

thank you!

Title: Re: Bostich nail gun firing, no nail comes out.
Post by: zolotiyeruki on February 24, 2020, 08:39:17 PM

There's also the possibility that due to debris, a nail has got stuck in there, near the bit that punches the nails out.  You may have to disassemble the thing to get it properly cleared.