Bostitch FN1664 Oil-Free Finish Nailer

By: Jim KnottI set my trusty 15-guage angle finisher aside to give the 16-guage straight Bostitch FN1664 Oil-Free Finish Nailer a test run. Since then, the angler has stayed in the case.

Lightweight and ergonomically friendly the FN1664 is easy to position and manuever in the work area. At just under 4 lbs., with an over-molded comfort grip handle, fatigue was not a factor while using the tool. A handy, reversible belt hook keeps the nailer available while on the scaffold.  And, the FN1664 comes standard with a 4-pack of no mar tips that mirror the various contours of trim moldings available. Select the tip to match your trim, to make positioning and nail placement perfect everytime. Manueverability is aided by the swiveling ¼” male quick connect plug, which is also gentler on your compressor hose.

What I really like about the FN1664 is the selectable trip mode feature that allows the tool to shoot by bump fire or sequentially.   Fastener capacity is 100 1-¼’ to 2” finish nails.

A couple of fastner control features that stand out in the FN1664 are DIAL-A-DEPTHTM and low nail lockout feature.  DIAL-A-DEPTHTM makes fastener depth adjustment very easy with the thumb dial conveniently located just below the trigger. “Low nail lockout” is a sophicated way of saying the FN1664 will not dry fire when it runs out of nails. My old nailer fires when empty, and puts a dimple in the workpiece; fooling you into thinking a nail has been driven. That’s really annoying on crown molding jobs, because physics takes over and the material hits you in the head on its way to the floor.

Another mentionable feature is a rear air exhaust that vents air away from the user for no more unwanted glaucoma tests.  Of course proper eye protection is always recommended when using any power tool, but…just sayin’!

Bostitch engineers also thought of convenience when they integrated storage for a 3mm hex wrench within the belt hook along with my personal favorite, a pencil sharpener. Broken pencil leads on high ladders no longer require the annoyance of climbing down.

Finally, because the tool is oil-free, the FN1664 operates cleanly and requires very little maintenance. The Bostitch FN1664 16-guage straight finish nailer is backed by a Bostitch 7-year limited warranty and will leave you with a secure, unwavering finished product.The Bostitch FN1664 Finish Nailer is currently available on amazon.com.  For more information or to find other distributors, go to bostitch.com.About the author: Jim Knott is a featured “pro who knows”.  He mastered his knowledge of flooring through employment with Home Depot Expo Design and Lumber Liquidators, and his hands-on experience as a flooring installer.  Additionally, Jim is currently a remodeler and is employed by Tennessee Re-Bath.  Keep checking back for more reviews from Jim!

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