If you’ve been keeping up with the ever changing world of tools, there’s a decent chance that you’ve noticed that Harbor Freight has been upping their game by introducing new brands with better performance and higher quality. This trend continues with 4 new Pierce brand pneumatic nailers. Currently in the lineup at the time of writing are a 21° framing nailer, a 15° roofing nailer, a 15 gauge finish nailer and an 18 gauge finish nailer/stapler. As with many of their newer brands, Harbor Freight compares them directly other well known brands and compares these new nailers directly against Hitachi pneumatic nailers.
Pierce PRC-21 21° framing nailer
Description from Harbor Freight’s website:
The Pierce 21° Framing Nailer is engineered for heavy use on jobsites. The all-metal body is designed for superior balance and low drive recoil. This means you can work longer with less fatigue. A switchable trigger gives you the option of single sequential mode or contact firing so you can change nailing operation without hassle. Handles fasteners from 2 in. to 3-1/4 in. long.
features:
- Full-drive power – sinks nails into all types of lumber
- All metal construction – built for construction job sites
- Switchable trigger for single sequential and contact operation
- Superior balance with low drive recoil for better handling and less fatigue
- Lightweight die cast aluminum body is powder coated to resist corrosion
- Hardened steel toenail safety bites into lumber at all angles”
Specifications
- Average air consumption: 3 CFM @ 90 PSI
- Capacity: 64-70 nails
- Exhaust location: 360°
- Gauge: 10
- Working pressure (PSI) 70-120 PSI
- Air inlet size: 1/4 in-18 NPT
- Fastener length (inches): 2 in. to 3-1/4 in
- Magazine angle: 21°
- Price: $159.99 at Harbor Freight at the time of writing
- Warranty: 90 days from purchase with 1 or 2 extra years coverage available for an extra charge
Pierce PRC-RF 15° Coil Roofing Nailer
Description from Harbor Freight’s website:
The Pierce™ 15° Coil Roofing Nailer is engineered for heavy use on jobsites. The all-metal body is designed for superior balance and low air consumption. This means you can work farther from the compressor without losing power. A moving cylinder motor delivers low drive recoil for reduced fatigue. Handles fasteners from 7/8 in. – 1-3/4 in. long.
Features:
- Equipped with contact operation trigger system for high speed and consistent operation
- Rugged construction for everyday use in construction job sites
- Superior balance combined with a moving cylinder motor for less fatigue and recoil
- Low air consumption for use with long hoses on foam roofing fitting or other jobs.
- Carbide safety foot pads and hardened steel exhaust deflector for operator safety
- High durability on critical wear areas
Specifications:
- Application: Asphalt shingles, insulation board
- Average air consumption: 2 CFM @ 90 PSI
- Capacity: 120 nail magazine capacity
- Exhaust location: 360°
- Gauge: 11
- Working pressure (PSI): 70-120 PSI
- Air inlet size: 1/4 in-18 NPT(M)
- Fastener length: 7/8 in. – 1-3/4 in.
- Price: $159.99 at Harbor Freight at the time of writing
- Warranty: 90 days from purchase with 1 or 2 extra years coverage available for an extra charge
Pierce PRC-15 15 Gauge Finish Nailer
Description from Harbor Freight’s website:
The Pierce 15 GA Finish Nailer delivers superior power – easily driving 2-1/2 in. nails through solid oak. Tool-free depth adjustment makes it easy to work with various dimensions of trim and molding. The easy-to-clear nosepiece has a high-strength latch spring for durability. A switchable trigger gives you the option of single sequential firing or contact firing so that you can change firing operation without hassle. Handles fasteners from 1-1/4 in. to 2-1/2 in. long.
Features:
- Superior drive power – sinks 2-1/2 in. finish nails into solid oak
- Rugged construction – built for everyday use on construction job sites
- Tool-less depth of drive adjustment for exact nail depth control
- Switchable trigger for single sequential and high speed contact operation modes
- Easy-clear nose is equipped with a high-strength latch spring for durability
Specifications:
- Applications: finish, trim and doorways
- Average air consumption: 8 CFM @ 90 PSI
- Exhaust location: 360°
- Gauge: 15
- Working pressure (PSI) 70-120 PSI
- Fastener length (inches): 1 ¼” to 2 ½”
- Magazine angle: 34°
- Price: $99.99 at Harbor Freight at the time of writing
- Warranty: 90 days from purchase with 1 or 2 extra years coverage available for an extra charge
Pierce PRC-18 18 gauge finish nailer
Description from Harbor Freight’s website:
The Pierce 18 Gauge Brad Nailer delivers superior power – easily driving 2 in. brad nails through solid oak. Tool-free depth adjustment makes it easy to work with various dimensions of trim and molding. The super-narrow tool body and nose make it easy to get precise positioning in corners and tight spots. Handles fasteners from 5/8 in. to 2 in. long.
Features:
- Superior drive power – sinks 2 in. finish nails into solid oak
- Rugged construction – built for everyday use on construction job sites
- Tool-less depth of drive adjustment for exact nail depth control
- Super narrow tool body and nose provide excellent line of sight for precision fastener placement
- 360° adjustable exhaust keeps dust and debris away from work area
Specifications:
- Application: finish, trim, and crown molding
- Capacity: 100 nails
- Exhaust location: 360°
- Gauge: 18
- Working pressure (PSI): 70-120 PSI
- Air inlet size: 1/4 in-18 NPT
- Fastener length: 5/8 in. to 2 in.
- Accessories included: two hex keys, oil dropper bottle
- Price: $59.99 at Harbor Freight at the time of writing
- Warranty: 90 days from purchase with 1 or 2 extra years coverage available for an extra charge
My thoughts: it’s always good to see Harbor Freight introducing better products while still maintaining a competitive price range. The main drawback continues to be their warranty at only 90 days (although you can get 1 or 2 years more for an extra cost). I was in Harbor Freight the other day and got to check out the new nailers and they feel quite good in the hand. Although I haven’t used nailers before, everything looks and feels very well built. As of right now the 4 new nailers are already getting some very good reviews on Harbor Freight’s website. I have a feeling they will bring some more Pierce nailers out soon but we’ll just have to wait and see. Check them out at the HF website www.harborfreight.com
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More than twice as much as the old one, which worked fine … I built an entire barn with it and shot thousands of nails with it, very few jams. Seems like harbor freight is losing their wayy.
I agree that Harbor Freight has been moving away from their trend a bit with some of their new brands, but the new brands still offer fairly competitive prices with very good quality. Hopefully the older Central pneumatic nailers won’t go anywhere. If Harbor Freight is smart they’ll continue to offer the central pneumatic line as well as the pro grade pierce line to cater to both types of users.
Well, THAT was a completely USELESS freakin’ article. IT TOLD US NOTHING ABOUT THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE of the Pierce nailers. It just presented the advertising text.
Hello Tony, I understand your concern however this is a news article covering the “NEWS” of the launch of new tools and products as is explained in the title and intro paragraph.
This article is NOT a “REVIEW” which would go into detail about the products quality and performance. A review on this site will always inform you it’s a review in the title which this article is not since it does not claim to be.
The author of this article did explain his thoughts on the ending paragraph showing his opinion on certain aspects of the new tool launch, however this is not a substitute for an actual review. Refer to the “Reviews” section of this site for actual reviews.
You can browse reviews on this site by clicking on the Reviews tab in the Header.
Thanks for stopping by.
I’m sorry this article was not to your liking, but you have understand that a lot of what this site covers are new products hitting the market, thus many articles will be mainly specs and features with a short opinion piece on each product. As I said in the article, I did take a look at them in the store and they feel quite well built, and they have a good fit and finish. There may eventually be a review for these on this site but that remains to be seen.
All the best, Josh The Tooldude.
Where can I get parts for my Pierce Coil nailer or where can I get it repaired?. I’m in Pasadena Tx. 77503.