I’ve actually had a different experience with the so-called “cheap” nailers. I picked up a Bostitch knockoff from a discount bin about five years ago, figuring it’d be a backup for my main Hitachi. Thing is, I used it on and off for small repairs and even a full shed roof, and it’s still kicking. I’m not religious about cleaning it either—just a quick blow-out with the compressor every few jobs, and a drop of oil if I remember. Maybe I got lucky, but I’m not convinced neglect alone is what kills these tools.
What I have noticed is that the cheaper ones seem to have more issues with the feed mechanism and depth adjustment over time, especially if you’re running them hard on a big job. My neighbor’s Harbor Freight model started double-firing after a season of heavy use, but he was also using whatever nails were cheapest, and I think that played a part. Sometimes it’s not just about maintenance or abuse—it’s the tolerances and materials in the tool itself. The pricier models just seem to handle grit and misfires better.
That said, I’ve seen plenty of pros baby their gear and still have it fail at the worst possible time. Roofing is rough work—dust, tar, heat, and the occasional drop off a ladder. Even the best-maintained tool can give out if it takes a bad hit or gets clogged with shingle grit. I’d say technique and care matter, but there’s a bit of luck involved too.
If I had to pick one, I’d still lean toward spending a bit more upfront for something that can take a beating. But I wouldn’t write off the budget options if you’re just doing the odd repair or small job. Sometimes they surprise you... and sometimes they don’t.
Sometimes it’s not just about maintenance or abuse—it’s the tolerances and materials in the tool itself.
That’s interesting, because I’ve always wondered if the brand name really makes that much difference for someone like me who only tackles repairs every couple years. My last project was patching a few shingles after a windstorm, and I used a cheap nailer from Amazon. It worked fine, but I did notice the depth adjustment was kind of fiddly. For folks doing small jobs, is it worth spending double or triple for a “pro” model? Or does it mostly pay off if you’re using it all season?
I’m right there with you—after my first roof patch last year, I wondered if I’d wasted money on a mid-range nailer. I only needed it for a Saturday morning, and it felt like overkill. But the cheap ones can be pretty hit-or-miss. Mine jammed twice and the nails didn’t always sit flush, which was annoying but not a dealbreaker for a small patch. If you’re just fixing storm damage once in a blue moon, I don’t see the point in dropping big bucks. Now, if you were redoing the whole roof or helping neighbors every season…maybe that’s when the pro-grade stuff pays off.
I get what you mean about the mid-range nailers feeling like overkill for a quick patch job. I went with a budget model for my shed roof last fall, and honestly, it was a bit of a gamble. It worked... mostly. Had to clear a jam twice and the depth adjustment was kind of a joke, but for a handful of shingles, it did the trick. If I was tackling a full roof or anything steep, though, I’d want something more reliable—nothing worse than fighting your tools when you’re already up on a ladder. For the odd repair, I’ll risk the cheap one, but if I ever do the main house, I’m renting or borrowing something better.
ONE NAILER FOR EVERYTHING? I’LL TAKE RELIABLE OVER CHEAP ANY DAY
I get the temptation to grab a bargain bin nailer for small jobs, but man... I’ve seen those things turn a simple repair into an afternoon of cursing and fishing bent nails out of the grass. Sure, you might save a few bucks if you’re only slapping a few shingles on a shed, but the second you’re up on a steep pitch or dealing with a bigger section, that “budget” nailer turns into a liability real quick.
I once tried to save a few bucks using a no-name coil nailer on a garage job—thing jammed so often I started thinking it was just part of the process. Ended up borrowing my buddy’s old Hitachi halfway through, and suddenly it felt like I’d upgraded from a tricycle to a Harley.
Honestly, even for patch jobs, I’d rather have something mid-range and dependable. Less time fiddling means more time off the roof, which my knees appreciate these days. Maybe it’s just me, but when it comes to power tools, I’d rather buy once than buy twice... or spend half the day swearing at a jammed gun.
