Bostitch offers two similar framing nailers, the F21PL and F21PL2. There is one key difference between them. Let’s look at their features and see which one will help you nail down your next project.
BOSTITCH F21PL
In 2005 at the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) trade show
Bostitch showed off their new F21PL framing nailer. It garnered positive attention because of its ability to quickly change from shooting framing nails in wood to fastening connector nails in metal. The F21PL comes with two nosepieces that switch out without the use of tools. One nosepiece allows it to nail 21-degree plastic-collated round head framing nails. The other lets the gun drive 23-degree plastic-collated round head metal connector nails. The F21PL is a very flexible tool, eliminating the need to haul around an extra gun just to join metal.
Features of the Bostitch F21PL
- Great for jobs like wood to masonry, framing, sheathing, flooring, fencing, decking, and trusses
- Holds up to 60 nails in the magazine
- Shoots 1-1/2 to 3-1/2-inch framing nails with diameters between .113 to .162 inches
- Also shoots metal connector nails measuring 1-1/2” and 2-1/2” with .131, .148, and .162 inch diameters
- The F21PL operates between 70-120psi and provides 1050 inch-pounds of power
- It has a tool-free adjustable exhaust deflector
- Swapping triggers switches it between sequential fire (gray trigger) and bump fire (black trigger)
- Depth of drive adjustment madeeasy by pushing a button near the nose and pulling or pushing on the tip (no fiddling with air pressure)
- The magazine is marked to show a 16-inch layout for quick measurements between studs
- There is an adjustable rafter hook (but Bostitch does not recommend using it as a tool belt hook)
- Steel guards and rubber bumper pads protect the nailer, and it has a rubberized grip
- The housing is made of magnesium for strength and lighter weight
- The nailer measures 14-1/4” by 20-1/2” and weighs 8.1 pounds
- The triggers and two nosepieces come in the box with the nailer
- Bostitch covers the nailer with a 7-year warranty
Although the F21PL is thoughtfully designed and has nice extras, there are a few things it doesn’t have. It needs a ¼” NPT connector for the air hose and that does not come in the box. There is no dry-fire lockout or low nail warning. When using nails larger than .131” the user must remove the guide rod from the magazine. Fortunately, there is on-board storage for the rod.
Bostitch F21PL2
The F21PL2 is the same nailer as the F21PL without the metal connector nosepiece. Let’s review the features available in this model.
Features of the Bostitch F21PL2
- Ideal for framing, sheathing, flooring, fencing, trusses, and deck-building
- Holds up to 60 plastic-collated round head nails in the magazine
- Shoots 1-1/2 to 3-1/2-inch framing nails with diameters between .113 to .162 inches
- The F21PL2 operates between 70-120psi of air pressure and provides 1050 inch-pounds of power to drive nails into engineered lumber and hardwoods
- It has both sequential fire (gray trigger) and bump fire (black trigger) action
- Depth of drive adjustment is done by pushing a button near the nose and pulling or pushing on the tip of the nailer
- The exhaust deflector adjusts without using tools
- The magazine is painted to show a 16-inch layout for quick measurements between studs
- There is an adjustable rafter hook (and Bostitch does not recommend using it as a tool belt hook)
- Steel guards and rubber bumper pads protect the F21PL2’s magnesium housing, and it has a rubberized grip for an ergonomic hold
- The nailer measures 14-1/4 by 20-1/2 inches and weighs 8.1 pounds, making it lighter than many nailers in its class
- Bostitch covers the nailer with a 7-year warranty
The F21PL2 requires a ¼” NPT connector for the air hose. The connector is not included in the box.Although there are not many complaints about this nailer jamming, if there is a jam, there is no tool-free way to clear it.
Recommendation
If you need the ability to drive metal connector nails, go with the F21PL. It comes with the extra MCN nosepiece. The nosepieces are easy to install on the nailer without using additional tools.
Otherwise, either gun will make a framing or sheathing job go a lot faster than one person hammering can do. Believe it—Bostitch rates their F21PL models for 100 nails a minute. A nailer like this is a great investment and time saver for a pro or a weekend warrior.
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