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Market Report: Power Tools & Accessories Space-age nailer Phil Mist reports on an innovative tool with considerable hire potential. German-based Prebena is one of the largest manufacturers of nails and brads in the world, and is a major OEM supplier to many other companies. However, it has just launched a completely new concept in roofing nailers. Whereas most traditional products rely on either an air supply from a suitable compressor, or a NiCaD battery and a gas cylinder, Prebena’s can be powered either by a compressor or by using air stored in a detachable cylinder. This provides not only the freedom to use the tool some distance from a compressor, but it also prevents atmospheric pollution. The air stored in the cylinder is, of course, free, although there is a small cost for the electricity consumed whilst generating the air. But perhaps even more important is that the cost of gas cylinders is eliminated. Prebena’s experts asked roofers what they needed to improve productivity. Their feedback suggested that a new machine should be odourless in operation and gas-free, it should have the ability to be set for single or rapid-fire nailing, be light and well balanced, and not be powered by a NiCaD battery. The new PKT-7-RK90 addresses these points. It is powered by compressed air, which is supplied either through a standard quick-release coupling and hose attached to a normal compressor, or taken from a cylinder attached to the side of the machine. This arrangement looks strange, but because of the product’s light weight, its balance is unaffected. Prebena’s air cylinders are manufactured in the USA, using a virtually indestructible space-age material developed by NASA. The nailer weighs only 3.8kg, 1kg of which is the cylinder. Professional roofers use up to 6,000 nails a day, and if using a gas powered nailer they will need many cylinders. Previously, the only alternative was an air-powered unit and a compressor on the roof. Prebena’s small compressor will charge two cylinders at the same time (in just under 15 minutes), and providing the user has more than one cylinder, there is no need to run out of power during a normal working day. The air pressure for firing a nail into timber is easily adjusted at the machine handle, and the driven depth is altered by rotating a knurled knob on the front nose-section of the tool. A pressure gauge indicates the remaining air level, and a similar instrument on the inlet side enables the operator to control the pressure if the nailer is connected directly to an air hose and compressor. The machine utilises strip nails that are collated and held by either a plastic or a paper collar. The tool can insert nails of 50-90mm long whether they have a smooth, ring or screw shank. The dedicated compressor supplies air at 300bar for recharging, and it switches off automatically when a cylinder is full. I deemed it important to look at some comparative costs including that of a number of nailers available in the UK, the cost of replacement gas cylinders, a spare NiCaD or two, and a compressor to recharge the Prebena cylinders. After discussions with a number of roofers, my calculations, based on using up to 6,000 nails per day, suggested a conservative saving of up to £2,400 in the first year and £5,500 in year two. These figures included the cost of two additional cylinders (you receive one with the tool) and the recharging compressor in the total bill. The PKT-7-RK90, which is being distributed in the UK by ETA Fixings (UK) Ltd, should achieve substantial savings and, with almost no servicing required, it looks excellent for hire fleets. • T
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77834 Executive Hire News › Archives › July 2006 › Market Report › Space-age nailer
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