Accessories

instruction manuals not available on-line
Refurb Porter Cable roofing nailer model RN175A comes without a user guide.

Porter-Cable's web site support page link for "search for your manual" redirects to a site called servicenet.

Servicenet is under construction with limited functionality.
Isn't that sweet?

Servicenet's reference to "new user registration link above" can not be implemented because there is no link to new user registration.

A phone calls to Porter Cable's support line does offer the opportunity to leave a recorded message requesting a printed manual be mailed. But how long will it be before the Indonesian lady in the out-sourced fulfillment group deciphers my message, and the document arrives? 1 week? 1 month? Who knows?

The lack of a downloadable manual warrants a one star for this product.

Exceptional Roofing Nailer
I purchased this nail gun based on my previous experience with the quality of Porter-Cable pneumatic tools. Aside from this one I own 4 other Porter-Cable nail guns, I have been very satisfied with all of them.

This nailer is no disappointment. In the time I have owned it I have used it for installing asphalt shingles, tar paper, aluminum drip end, vinyl siding, and vinyl trim pieces. It has performed very well in all instances. It has ample power to drive 1.75" nails flush while performing roofing applications.

The adjustable depth of drive also proves very useful while installing vinyl siding. Setting it to the minimum depth setting allows you to drive the nails into the nailing slots in siding while still leaving the 1/16" gap necessary to allow the siding to expand and contract under changes in temperature.

While using this nailer I have never experienced a jammed nail, it has always performed flawlessly. The only negative I can see in this nail gun is that it does not have marks on the nose to indicate exactly where the nail will be placed. This makes precise placement of the nail slightly difficult. I don't think this is enough of a negative point to reduce this nail gun from its "5 star" status because I very easily solved the problem by making marks of my own with a silver colored permanent marker.

Great roof nailer for the price
Tool showed up the day before it was scheduled for delivery. Cool!

I've ordered refurbished Porter-Cable nail guns before and all have worked flawlessly. Only downside with this one is that it did not come with a case. The other two I've ordered (from different vendors on Amazon) both came with plastic cases. This one was wrapped in bubble wrap. It did have the small bottle of oil with it.

So far, no jams or problems, used on one roof.

Using to nail cement board siding
Was lucky enought to get a new one (i.e. not reconditioned) on Amazon in early June which was being clearanced for just $160 (even had free shipping!). I'm using it on a small project to put cement board siding on my garage.

I've experienced some of the issues with having to finish some nails with hand-nailing, but I'm driving the max length 1-3/4" through a layer of cement. Seems to be less of an issue when well lubricated, but still occurs. Definately works better than the alternative of pre-drilling and hand-nailing. For the price, I'm ahead after this project.

Overall meets expectations.

A well made and functional tool
IMPORTANT; PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE RATING SHOULD BE FIVE STARS INSTEAD OF ONE.

I purchased a refurbished version of this tool approximately ten months ago and have used it on several roofing jobs. In all cases, the unit performed very well and with no misfires. I did use a major brand of nails just to avoid any potential problem that might possibly result from a "unknown" product.

The Porter-Cable nailer is compact, easy to load and lightweight, making for comfortable extended periods of use. I do find myself needing to adjust the depth of drive rather frequently, but I am wondering if that is not necessitated by factors such as variations in the composition of the roof decking and even external temperature fluctuations which can alter the nailing resistance of the shingles. One other factor might just be the fact that being a rather careful worker, I probably checked the depth to which the nails were being driven more often.

Regarding that depth adjustment knob, I discovered an error in the manual which accompanied my tool. In the photograph which proports to show this feature, the trigger is mistakenly labeled as the adjustment knob. The instructions regarding the direction in which the wheeled knob is turned to either increase or decrease the depth to which the nail can be driven is also erroneously reversed.

However this was not a great problem as the various features on the tool are well marked and self explanatory, making for rather effortless use. (I especially appreciated the option of being able to easily select either the single sequential or contact actuation mode.) Additionaly, I have always found Porter=Cable/Delta to run an excellent customer hotline service which has always proven to be an added benefit in case one requires technical assistance.