Framing nailer guide
Metabo HPT NR90AES1 21 Degree Plastic-Collated Pneumatic Framing Nailer
Framing, subfloor and roof decking on a compressor with nails from 2 to 3-1/2 in.
The NR90AES1 is Metabo HPT's 7.5 lb pneumatic framing nailer for 21 degree plastic-collated nails from 2 to 3-1/2 in. It switches between sequential and contact firing, adjusts depth without tools and runs at 70 to 120 psi.
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Published specifications
- 21 degree plastic-collated nails, 2 to 3-1/2 in.
- .113 to .148 in. nail diameter
- 70 to 120 psi; .088 cu ft per cycle at 100 psi
- Sequential or contact actuation
- 7.5 lbs; 20-3/4 in. long
- Professional 5-Year Tool Warranty, per Metabo HPT
Fit and limits
Strengths
- Takes nails up to 3-1/2 in.
- Switches between sequential and contact firing
- Tool-less depth adjustment
Caveats
- Needs a compressor, hose and pneumatic tool oil
- Air plug sold separately, per the manual
- Linked manual is the older Hitachi-branded edition
What it drives
Metabo HPT says the NR90AES1 takes 21 degree plastic-collated framing nails from 2 to 3-1/2 in., .113 to .148 in. across, and the manual's table lists them as full-head nails. The manual, printed under the older Hitachi name, says to use only genuine nails for this model, warning that others can cause malfunction or nail breakdown.
Metabo HPT's page lists a magazine capacity of 64 nails at .131 in., and the manual gives 64 to 70 nails in two strips. Metabo HPT names flooring and framing, truss and window build-up, subflooring, roof decking, wall sheathing and housing construction as its jobs.
Air supply
Metabo HPT's page and the manual give an operating pressure of 70 to 120 psi. The manual's air table lists .062 cubic feet per cycle at 80 psi, .075 at 90 psi and .088 at 100 psi, with a formula to size a compressor from those figures. Metabo HPT's page prints the 100 psi figure as .09 scfm.
The manual says never to connect the nailer to an air source that can exceed 200 psi, not to exceed 120 psi, and to use a hose rated for at least 150 psi or 150% of the system's maximum pressure, whichever is higher. It shows the air plug as sold separately, and the tool card lists a 1/4 in. industrial fitting.
Firing modes and depth
A switching device selects single sequential actuation in its upward position or contact actuation in its downward position. The manual says to push it fully up for sequential firing, since short of that it stays in contact mode.
Depth adjusts without tools. The manual says to disconnect the air hose first, turn the adjuster toward shallow or deep, reconnect and test-drive a nail, and that steady regulated air pressure and holding the nailer firmly keep each nail at the same depth.
Oil and cold weather
The manual calls for a filter-regulator-lubricator on the air line, filled with pneumatic tool lubricant, or 5 to 10 drops of lubricant into the air plug twice a day if no lubricator is available. It says detergent oil and additives harm the O-rings and other rubber parts.
For cold weather the manual says not to store the nailer in the cold. If it is already cold, it says to warm it indoors, reduce the air pressure to 64 psi, remove all nails and fire it empty at that low pressure to warm the moving parts.
Weight, size and warranty
Metabo HPT's page and the manual give 7.5 lbs, and the manual gives a length of 20-3/4 in. The box list on Metabo HPT's page names the nailer and safety glasses. The Amazon listing's model field reads NR90AES1.
Metabo HPT's page says the NR90AES1 is covered by its Professional 5-Year Tool Warranty, and its specification table lists a 5-year warranty. The owner's manual Metabo HPT links is the Hitachi-branded edition for the NR90AD(S1) and NR90AE(S1).
Common questions
What nails does the Metabo HPT NR90AES1 use?
21 degree plastic-collated full-head framing nails from 2 to 3-1/2 in., .113 to .148 in. across, per Metabo HPT and the manual.
How much air does the NR90AES1 use?
The manual gives .088 cubic feet per cycle at 100 psi, within a 70 to 120 psi operating range.
Can the NR90AES1 bump fire?
Yes. A switching device selects single sequential or contact actuation, per the manual.
Check the current listing
Main caveat to weigh before ordering: Needs a compressor, hose and pneumatic tool oil.
Primary sources
- 21 Degree Plastic Collated 3-1/2 Inch Framing Nailer (NR90AES1) | Metabo HPT
- Metabo HPT NR90AE(S1) Tool Card (linked from the Metabo HPT page)
- NR90AD(S1) / NR90AE(S1) Nailer Instruction and Safety Manual (linked from the Metabo HPT page)
Primary sources checked .
Compare with
Side-by-side pages, this model next to: CRAFTSMAN CMCN621PLB V20 Brushless Cordless 21 Degree Framing Nailer (Tool Only), Metabo HPT NR1890DRA 18V MultiVolt Cordless 21 Degree Framing Nailer Kit (4.0Ah).