Customer Reviews
Overall a very good tool 
2007-02-13
I can't make comparisons to other nailers since I bought this nailer for my first flooring project (about 180 sq. ft. of 3/4" walnut flooring). My primary reasons for getting this one was the included face nailer and the heavy duty nails.
Switching out the face/angle shoe takes just a few seconds and requires only one simple tool that is included in the kit. The nails were hard for me to find, only Lowe's had them, fortunately in the 2" length needed for my project. The included mallet is also handy for setting boards.
Another reviewer mentions the size of the hole left by face nailing. This does seem to be one drawback of this system, and not just because of the hole size. You must be very careful early on to get your air pressure for face nailing correct, and be consistent with your striking force. Since the nails don't have a recess in the head, it is very easy for the nail setting tool to slip off and gouge an even larger hole. For nails that stick out from the surface slightly it's even more difficult to set them without slipping. On prefinished flooring filling these holes is a headache.
Aside from the face nailing headaches once these nails go in they don't let go. If you end up having to pull up a board it will most likely get destroyed in the process.
Porta_Nailer 421P 
2007-02-07
Recently purchased Porta Nailer 421P Pneumatic floor naler and could not be happier with purchase.
Have just installed 400 square foor of exotic flooring (Brazilian Redwood) and minimal problems with splitting.
The angle nailer shoe works beautiful- but face Nailer attachment did not countersink into this hard wood
so I used a finished nailer for face nailing.I have been using Porta Nailer manual nailers in the past- but this
tool is night and day above these nailers.
Excellent tool 2006-10-03
I bought this nailer and the 16ga finish nailer.
I just laid over 900 sqft of 3/4" brazilian Cherry hardwood.
This was my first time ever putting down harwood flooring.
I bought some nails off an auction site that must have been seconds or something.
I was having jam issues regularly. I bought some fresh ones from a home center and I can't remember having a single jamb.
I used the finish nailer to nail the first and last 3 rows.
Using this nailer seemed like overkill and the nail head is pretty large to try and fill, especially with pre-finished wood.
My original intent was to buy the nailer new and sell it on an auction site after I was done.
I like it so much, I'm hanging on to it.
Amazon shipped out the tool right away. Very satisfied.
Oh. if you buy this nailer, get the setting tool to counter sink any nails that don't go in all the way. Sometimes you hit a sub-floor nail and the nail stops short.
problems and a solution 2006-08-17
Not everything works the first time. We had problems with jamming out of the box. I called Porta-Nails and they sent a replacement part for free. I installed it and was up and running with no more jams. I have used their hand nailer (good) and the Pneumatic and the Pneumatic is a back saver. Highly recomended. Only negative is I would like the company to provide more detailed instructions. Thanks for a hard working product and a reponsive company when problems occur.
Poor Results with Porta Nails 
2006-07-13
Recently purchased Porta-Nails 421P kit. Nothing but trouble with jamming. Contacted Porta-Nails and they sent an update kit which I installed. Gun would work for about 10-12 nails and still jams. Re-adjust, it would work again for a few more nails before jamming again. Continually needed to be re-adjusted. Totally dissatisfied with this product. All this in less than 2 boxes of nails.
Ended up purchasing a manual nailer which never let me down.
Good for the money. 2008-06-13
I bought this nailer based on a culmination of many reviews read from many websites. Additionally, this appears to be the only nailer that has the ability to shoe and face nail. My bother installed wood floors for ten years and he said Porta-Nail is one of the best nailers out there. I haven't used 421P yet, but I am impressed with the build quality. The plastic case leaves a lot to be desired, and for the price of this product and for the quality and reputation of the product I would think that Porta-Nail would include a case with a steel pin hinge instead of the highly susceptible to breakage molded hinge. Just a suggestion Porta-Nail, and you may contact me if you wish to send me a new and improved case to replace this semi-crappy tool holder.
One and a half years using the porta-nail 421P 2008-03-22
I do general carpentry and finish work. I have used the Porta-Nail 421P to install 14 floors (approx. 300 sq.ft. each).The majority of the floors were 3/4" oak, four were 3/4" Brazilian Cherry. I have had three jams caused by hitting nails in the sub-floor.
The nailer is light-weight for its' size--a bonus.
A lite tap does the job.
Its' easy to clear a jam.
Follow the instructions on setting up your compressor,probably the main cause of problems.
This tool is expensive, but I feel that its' worth the cost.
Great labor saver 2007-09-27
As a professional carpenter I've probably run over 10,000 feet of flooring with this nailer without a major problem or rebuild. Even works great on harder woods like Ipe. One thing you absolutely have to have is a good compressor (4 cfm or better) and a 3/8" air line. I tried running mine off my smaller pancake compressor with a 1/4" line and it gave me nothing but problems. It continually jammed and didn't set the nails flush. I switched to my bigger compressor and a bigger line and haven't had a problem since. I also prefer the serrated nails to staples as I think they hold better and split the tongue less. I still prefer my old manual porta-nailer for those stubbern warped boards.
Great,great,great...but 2007-09-15
This hardwood flooring nailer ,i think, the best of the market,but be carefull- if a loader have less then 1/3 capacity of nails- it start jamming nails.So dont forget reload nails.I think problem is-too weak spring loader mechanism.Anyway, this nailer wery accurate-not damage a tonque of hardwood planks,unlike staplers hardwood nailers.
Porta-Nailer 2007-03-23
This is the best flooring nailer on the market. Certainly, it is not a home owner tool, Awesome product with robust performance at each and every use.
Users claims nail jamming, they are simply using an after market nail in this professional grade tool. By the way i am a License utility Mechanical contractor for over 20 years.
I have used many other flooring nailers and fastening systems. If you're seeking an industral grade tool with performance and robustness with every use....May i suggest looking no further.
Personally, we purchase HILTI tools and accessories for our shop....You get the message.
