We were on LJN Chat a short while ago this evening discussing gabions, tools and in particular, fencing guns and I remembered similar had been discussed as a thread some while ago when I was looking for advice on nail guns & similar:
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/paslode-guns-any-experience
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/nail-gun-for-fencing-etc
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/page/search-results?q=im350&cx=017150789101745374359%3Aukx1uj4mjfc&ie=UTF-8&cof=FORID%3A11%3BNB%3A1&sa=Search
So an update from my prospective;
Earlier in the year I finally bought a first fix gun for using on various projects including fencing. At the time Paslode IM350 was recommended but the price was high - nearly £500 inc vat.
Further discussions led to a recommendation for the Hitachi equivalent - NR90 nail gun. This gun takes the same nail strips and gas cans as the IM350 which makes it very versatile. You can also purchase additional hi cap batteries
The absolute killer was the price £250 inc vat at the time
Same capacities, same nails, same gas same ability with comments that it was more efficient on gas than the Paslode. Also a frame hanger hook.
Downside ? is is fractionally heavier, but otherwise identical from my prospective.
It has worked well with only one nail jam in over a couple of thousand nails. It has been used with 51,63 and 75 mm ringed nails in various weather conditions.
So, to date ...a very happy user :-)
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I wish I had bought a gas nail gun years ago.
The orange Paslode guns are commonly seen but I too have often heard that their price is prohibitive.
TheHitachi NR90 is available from Amazon
reading old threads on them, it seems the older im350 paslodes were not great, the new ones i hear are much better, true or false i don't know.
i got the hitachi because of the price, and it's fine - only downside is those stupid little nicd battery packs - i'd rather have something with more capacity, pref li ion.
a friend has the makita version and it's a cracking tool - with li ion batteries as well.
Plus side is the Hitachi batteries charge in half the time of the paslodes...and hi-cap batteries are available from £35-£50 each; eg :Battery for HITACHI NR 90GR, 7.2V, 2000mAh, NiCD £43
Paslode's 350's come with 2 x 1.3Ah Ni-Cd Batteries 2 Hour Charger
Hitachi's GR's come with : 2 x 1.4Ah Ni-Cad Charge Time: 60 minutes
So, slightly better batteries and twice as fast to charge
Anything equipped with Li-on will wipe the floor compared to Ni-Cads, but on a direct comparison the Hitachi again seems to score.
Have run the NR90 now for quite a few months (especially recently) repairing fences and it's been faultless. Have used Plaslode, Senco & Rawl nails / gas with no jams or other issues. Only comment is the need to keep the nails/paper binding strip dry. Obvious really, but when its raining it is a challenge.
Now would love to get a 2nd fix version for "house" renovation works:-)
One extra little tip; I have a 12v inverter unit I plug into the van's cig lighter and it gives me 1off 240v outlet with enough juice to run any type power tool charger. Cost ~£20 on Amazon.