Porter-Cable FR350A: Discontinued — What to Buy Instead

The FR350A was a full round-head framing nailer in Porter-Cable’s pneumatic range, taking 20 to 22 degree plastic-collated nails. It is discontinued as that range has contracted.

Collation angle is not a detail

Framing nailers come in roughly 21 degree plastic collated, 28 degree wire weld, and 30 to 34 degree paper tape. The nails are not interchangeable, and the angle you choose determines what you can buy for the rest of the tool’s life.

21 degree plastic takes full round-head nails, which many building codes require for structural work. The plastic collation shatters as it fires and throws fragments, which is why safety glasses are not optional.

30 to 34 degree paper tape is more compact and leaves no debris, but the nails are usually clipped head — check your local code before relying on them structurally.

If you have a supply of nails already, buy a nailer that takes them. If you are starting fresh, 21 degree full round head is the safest choice for code compliance.

What to buy

The Metabo HPT NR83A5, linked below, is a 21 degree plastic collated framing nailer and the direct equivalent. It drives 2 in to 3-1/4 in nails, has a selectable trigger for bump or sequential firing, and includes tool-less depth adjustment and a rafter hook.

The selectable trigger matters. Bump firing is fast for sheathing; sequential firing — where the tool must be placed and then triggered — is what you use on anything where accuracy or safety matters, and it is required on some sites.

Rebuilding the old one

Pneumatic nailers die of perished O-rings, not worn metal. A rebuild kit for a common model is inexpensive and fitting one takes an hour. If the FR350A drives nails weakly or leaks air, that is almost certainly all it needs.