Hitachi NV45AB2S 7/8-Inch to 1-3/4-Inch Coil Roofing Nailer

This tool’s daddy, the NV45AB, was a fine piece of machinery, but Hitachi took it back to the drawing board and after a few significant improvements, put this NV45AB2 coil roofing nailer on the market, where it collected awards and praise from all corners. Deserved, we think. There’s no more fiddling on the roof because the depth of drive adjustment is tool-free now, too. Hitachi dumped the racket-grip handle in favor of a great rubber grip which is much easier on the user. Rubber pads were incorporated into the metal body protectors, ensuring a firm grip on the shingles without slipping. Hitachi kept the best features of this nailer’s predecessor, too—-things like pneumatic feed and return (most nailers we’ve seen have spring return), which help power the tool through tar and buildup that might otherwise trigger a jam. Tough housing stands up to shingle scrapes, and a carbide-tipped push lever means long life for the tool’s nose. Even at a nice, light 5.2 pounds, this workhorse fires an impressive three nails per second. Roofers will like the changes.–Kris Jensen-Van Heste