Central Pneumatic 66872 User manual

16-GAUGE FINISH NAILER
66872
SET UP AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools®.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read and understand tool labels and
manual. Failure to follow warnings could
result in DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright©2009 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork
contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of
Harbor Freight Tools. Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing
improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for
assembly and service may not be included.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 2
SAVE THIS MANUAL
Keep this manual for the safety warn-
ings and precautions, assembly, operat-
ing, inspection, maintenance and cleaning
procedures. Write the product’s serial
number in the back of the manual near the
assembly diagram (or month and year of
purchase if product has no number). Keep
this manual and the receipt in a safe and
dry place for future reference.
Safety Alert Symbol and Signal
Words
In this manual, on the labeling,
and all other information provid-
ed with this product:
This is the safety alert
symbol. It is used to alert
you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all
safety messages that
follow this symbol to avoid
possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates
a hazardous
situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING
indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used
with the safety
alert symbol, indicates a
hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in
minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE is used to
address practices
not related to personal injury.
CAUTION, without
the safety alert
symbol, is used to address
practices not related to
personal injury.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING
TO A RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR
INJURY TO PERSONS
WARNING – When using tools, basic pre-
cautions should always be followed,
including the following:
General
a. To reduce the risks of electric
shock, re, and injury to persons,
read all the instructions before us-
ing the tool.
Work area
a. Keep the work area clean and well
lighted. Cluttered benches and dark
areas increase the risks of electric
shock, re, and injury to persons.
b. Do not operate the tool in explo-
sive atmospheres, such as in the
presence of ammable liquids,
gases, or dust. The tool is able to
create sparks resulting in the ignition
of the dust or fumes.
c. Keep bystanders, children, and
visitors away while operating the

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 3
tool. Distractions are able to result in
the loss of control of the tool.
Personal safety
a. Stay alert. Watch what you are do-
ing and use common sense when
operating the tool. Do not use the
tool while tired or under the inu-
ence of drugs, alcohol, or medica-
tion. A moment of inattention while
operating the tool increases the risk
of injury to persons.
b. Dress properly. Do not wear loose
clothing or jewelry. Contain long
hair. Keep hair, clothing, and
gloves away from moving parts.
Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair
increases the risk of injury to persons
as a result of being caught in moving
parts.
c. Avoid unintentional starting. Be
sure the Trigger (40) is off before
connecting to the air supply. Do not
carry the tool with your nger on the
trigger or connect the tool to the air
supply with the trigger on.
d. Do not overreach. Keep proper
footing and balance at all times.
Proper footing and balance enables
better control of the tool in unexpect-
ed situations.
e. Use safety equipment. A
dust mask, non-skid safety
shoes and a hard hat must
be used for the applicable
conditions. Wear heavy-duty work
gloves during use.
f. Always wear eye protec-
tion. Wear ANSI-ap-
proved safety goggles.
g. Always wear hearing
protection when using
the tool. Prolonged expo-
sure to high intensity noise
is able to cause hearing loss.
h. Do not attach the hose or tool to
your body. Attach the hose to the
structure to reduce the risk of loss of
balance if the hose shifts.
i. Always assume that the tool con-
tains fasteners. Do not point the tool
toward yourself or anyone whether it
contains fasteners or not.
j. WARNING – Do not re fastener on
top of another fastener. This is able
to cause the fastener to be deected
and hit someone, or cause the tool to
react and result in a risk of injury to
persons.
k. WARNING – Remove nger from
the Trigger when not driving fas-
teners. Never carry the tool with
nger on trigger, the tool is able to re
a fastener.
Tool use and care
a. Use clamps or another practical
way to secure and support the
workpiece to a stable platform.
Holding the work by hand or against
the body is unstable and is able to
lead to loss of control.
b. Do not force the tool. Use the
correct tool for the application. The
correct tool will do the job better and
safer at the rate for which the tool is
designed.
c. Do not use the tool if the Trigger
does not turn the tool on or off.
Any tool that cannot be controlled

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 4
with the trigger is dangerous and
must be repaired.
d. Disconnect the tool from the air
source before making adjust-
ments, doing tool maintenance,
clearing jams, touching the safety,
leaving work area, loading, or un-
loading the tool. Such precautionary
measures reduce the risk of injury to
persons.
e. Store the tool when it is idle out of
reach of children and other un-
trained persons. A tool is dangerous
in the hands of untrained users.
f. Maintain the tool with care. A prop-
erly maintained tool is more efcient
and reduces the risk of binding and is
easier to control.
g. Check for misalignment or bind-
ing of moving parts, breakage of
parts, and any other condition that
affects the tool’s operation. If dam-
aged, have the tool serviced before
using. Many accidents are caused
by poorly maintained tools. There is a
risk of bursting if the tool is damaged.
h. Use only accessories that are
identied by the manufacturer for
the specic tool model. Use of an
accessory not intended for use with
the specic tool model, increases the
risk of injury to persons.
i. Use only those fasteners listed
in the Accessories section of this
manual. Fasteners not identied for
use with this tool by the tool manu-
facturer are able to result in a risk
of injury to persons or tool damage
when used in this tool.
Service
a. Tool service must be performed
only by qualied repair personnel.
b. When servicing a tool, use only
identical replacement parts. Use
only authorized parts.
c. Use only the lubricants supplied
with the tool or specied by the
manufacturer.
Air source
a. Never connect to an air
source that is capable of
exceeding 90 PSI. Over
pressurizing the tool may
cause bursting, abnormal operation,
breakage of the tool or serious injury
to persons. Use only clean, dry,
regulated compressed air at the rated
pressure or within the rated pressure
range as marked on the tool. Always
verify prior to using the tool that the
air source has been adjusted to the
rated air pressure or within the rated
air-pressure range.
b. Never use oxygen, carbon dioxide,
combustible gases or any bottled
gas as an air source for the tool.
Such gases are capable of explosion
and serious injury to persons.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 5
SYMBOLS AND
SPECIFIC SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
Symbol Denitions
Symbol Property or statement
PSI Pounds per square inch of pressure
CFM Cubic Feet per Minute ow
SCFM Cubic Feet per Minute ow at
standard conditions
NPT National pipe thread, tapered
NPS National pipe thread, straight
WARNING marking concerning Risk
of Eye Injury. Wear ANSI-approved
eye protection.
Warning marking concerning Risk of
Puncture Injury. Wear heavy-duty
work gloves.
Read the manual before set-up and/
or use.
WARNING marking concerning Risk
of Hearing Loss. Wear hearing
protection.
WARNING marking concerning Risk
of Respiratory Injury. Wear NIOSH-
approved dust mask/respirator.
WARNING marking concerning Risk
of Explosion.
Specic Safety Instructions
1. Operators and others in work area
MUST wear ANSI-approved safety
goggles with side shields during
use. The employer is responsible to
enforce use of eye protection by the
operator and others in the work area.
2. Keep ngers away from Trigger
when not driving fasteners to
avoid accidental ring.
3. Always assume the tool contains
fasteners.
4. Do not point the tool toward yourself
or anyone whether it contains fasten-
ers or not.
5. Do not actuate the tool unless the
tool is placed rmly against the work-
piece.
6. Respect tool as a working implement.
7. No horseplay. This tool is not a toy
and can be deadly if misused.
8. Do not load the tool with fasteners
when any one of the operating con-
trols is activated.
9. Do not remove, tamper with, or other-
wise cause the tool operating controls
to become inoperable.
10. Do not operate the tool if any portion
of the tool operating controls is inop-
erable, disconnected, altered, or not
working properly.
11. Disconnect the tool from the power
source when:
a. Unattended.
b. Performing any maintenance or
repair.
c. Clearing a jam.
d. Moving the tool to a new location.
12. The written approval of the tool man-
ufacturer must be obtained prior to
making any modications to the tool.
13. Refer to the tool maintenance instruc-
tions for detailed information on the
proper maintenance of the tool.

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 6
14. Fire fasteners into an appropriate
work surface only. Do not attempt to
re fasteners into surfaces too hard
to penetrate. Do not drive fasteners
on top of other fasteners, or at too
steep of an angle. Fasteners can
ricochet causing personal injury.
15. Do not re fasteners too close to the
edge of a workpiece. They may split
the workpiece and y free, causing
personal injury.
16. Transport Tool safely. Always dis-
connect air supply when moving the
tool. Carry the tool by the handle and
avoid contact with the trigger.
17. Hold tool away from head and body.
During operation the Tool may kick
back causing injury.
18. Do not re fasteners into a workpiece
that has people, utility lines, or other
objects behind or inside it.
19. Keep balance while using this tool.
Keep area below clear if working in a
high location, and secure air hose to
prevent falls from bystanders acci-
dentally pulling on it.
20. Obey the manual for the air compres-
sor used to power this tool.
21. Install in-line shutoff valve to allow im-
mediate control over air supply in an
emergency, even if hose is ruptured.
22. Do not engrave or stamp anything
into the housing to prevent weaken-
ing of the housing.
23. WARNING: Some dust created by
power sanding, sawing, grinding, drill-
ing, and other construction activities,
contains chemicals known [to the
State of California] to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Some examples of these
chemicals are:
• Lead from lead-based paints
• Crystalline silica from bricks and
cement or other masonry products
• Arsenic and chromium from chemi-
cally treated lumber
Your risk from these exposures var-
ies, depending on how often you do
this type of work. To reduce your
exposure to these chemicals: work in
a well ventilated area, and work with
approved safety equipment, such as
those dust masks that are specially
designed to lter out microscopic
particles. (California Health & Safety
Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
24. WARNING: The brass components
of this product contain lead, a chemi-
cal known to the State of California
to cause birth defects (or other repro-
ductive harm). (California Health &
Safety code § 25249.5, et seq.)
25. The warnings and precautions dis-
cussed in this manual cannot cover
all possible conditions and situations
that may occur. It must be under-
stood by the operator that common
sense and caution are factors which
cannot be built into this product, but
must be supplied by the operator.
Vibration Precautions
This tool vibrates during use. Re-
peated or long-term exposure to vibra-
tion may cause temporary or permanent
physical injury, particularly to the hands,
arms and shoulders. To reduce the risk of
vibration-related injury:
1. Anyone using vibrating tools regu-
larly or for an extended period should

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 7
rst be examined by a doctor and
then have regular medical check-
ups to ensure medical problems are
not being caused or worsened from
use. Pregnant women or people
who have impaired blood circulation
to the hand, past hand injuries, ner-
vous system disorders, diabetes, or
Raynaud’s Disease should not use
this tool. If you feel any symptoms
related to vibration (such as tingling,
numbness, and white or blue ngers),
seek medical advice as soon as pos-
sible.
2. Do not smoke during use. Nico-
tine reduces the blood supply to the
hands and ngers, increasing the risk
of vibration-related injury.
3. Wear suitable gloves to reduce the
vibration effects on the user.
4. Use tools with the lowest vibration
when there is a choice between dif-
ferent processes.
5. Include vibration-free periods each
day of work.
6. Grip tool as lightly as possible (while
still keeping safe control of it). Let
the tool do the work.
7. To reduce vibration, maintain tool as
explained in this manual. If abnormal
vibration occurs, stop immediately.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Specications
Air Pressure Range 60-90 PSI
Maximum Air Pressure 90 PSI
Average Air
Consumption 4-6 SCFM
Air Inlet 1/4” -18 NPT
Magazine Capacity 100 Nails
Trigger Type Contact Trip Trigger
Fastener Capacity
3/4” to 2” Long,
16-Gauge Collated,
(Finish Nails)
Components and Controls
Safety - Also called the workpiece contact,
the safety helps prevent the tool from ring
unless it is pressed against an object.
INITIAL TOOL SET UP/
ASSEMBLY
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION
section at the beginning of this
manual including all text under
subheadings therein before set
up or use of this product.
Magazine
Trigger
Air Inlet
Safety

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 8
Note: For additional information regarding
the parts listed in the following pages,
refer to the Assembly Diagram near
the end of this manual.
Unpacking
When unpacking, make sure the item
is intact and undamaged. If any parts
are missing or broken, call Harbor Freight
Tools at 1-800-444-3353.
• This air tool may be shipped with a
protective plug covering the air inlet.
Remove this plug before set up.
Air Supply
TO PREVENT
EXPLOSION:
Use only clean, dry, regulated,
compressed air to power this
tool. Do not use oxygen,
carbon dioxide, combustible
gases, or any other bottled
gas as a power source for this
tool.
1. Incorporate an in-line oiler, shut-off
valve, regulator with pressure gauge,
and lter for best service, as shown in
the diagram above. An in-line shut-
off valve is an important safety
device because it controls the air
supply even if the air hose is rup-
tured.
Note: If an automatic oiler system is not
used, add a few drops of Pneumatic
Tool Oil to the airline connection be-
fore operation. Add a few more drops
after each hour of continual use.
2. Attach an air hose to the compres-
sor’s air outlet. Connect the air hose
to the air inlet of the tool. Other com-
ponents, such as a connector and
quick coupler, will make operation
more efcient, but are not required.
WARNING! TO PREVENT SERIOUS
INJURY FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION:
Do not install a female quick
coupler on the tool. Such a coupler
contains an air valve that will allow
the air tool to retain pressure and
operate accidentally after the air
supply is disconnected.
Note: Air ow, and therefore tool perfor-
mance, can be hindered by under-
sized air supply components.
3. The air hose must be long enough
to reach the work area with enough
extra length to allow free movement
while working.
4. Release the tool’s trigger.
5. Close the in-line safety valve be-
tween the compressor and the tool.
6. Turn on the air compressor according
to the manufacturer’s directions and
allow it to build up pressure until it
cycles off.

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 9
7. Adjust the air compressor’s output
regulator so that the air output is
enough to properly power the tool,
but the output will not exceed the
tool’s maximum air pressure at any
time. Adjust the pressure gradually,
while checking the air output gauge
to set the right pressure range.
8. The air pressure setting must not ex-
ceed job site regulations/restrictions.
The air pressure setting must not
exceed 90 PSI when being used with
work pieces that have a thickness of
less than 1-3/4”.
9. Inspect the air connections for leaks.
Repair any leaks found.
10. If the tool will not be used at this
time, turn off and detach the air sup-
ply, safely discharge any residual air
pressure, and release the trigger to
prevent accidental operation.
Note: Residual air pressure should not be
present after the tool is disconnected
from the air supply. However, it is a
good safety measure to attempt to
discharge the tool in a safe fashion
after disconnecting to ensure that the
tool is disconnected and unpowered.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION
section at the beginning of this
manual including all text under
subheadings therein before set
up or use of this product.
Inspect tool before use, looking
for damaged, loose, and
missing parts. If any problems
are found, do not use tool until
repaired.
Work Piece and Work Area Set Up
1. Designate a work area that is clean
and well-lit. The work area must not
allow access by children or pets to
prevent injury and distraction.
2. Route the air hose along a safe route
to reach the work area without creat-
ing a tripping hazard or exposing the
air hose to possible damage. The air
hose must be long enough to reach
the work area with enough extra
length to allow free movement while
working.
3. Secure loose workpieces using a vise
or clamps (not included) to prevent
movement while working.
4. There must not be hazardous ob-
jects (such as utility lines or foreign
objects) nearby that will present a
hazard while working.
Testing the Full Sequential Safety
Trip Mechanism
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION:
Empty the tool before this
procedure. Point the tool at a
piece of scrap wood when
testing.
The Tool should not re if the nose
is not depressed against the workpiece.
This tool has a full sequential safety trip
mechanism, which is designed to prevent
inadvertent ring. The tool will only re if
the Safety is resting on the workpiece prior
to pulling the Trigger.

SKU 66872 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 10
1. Disconnect the tool from the air sup-
ply.
2. Empty the Magazine of fasteners.
3. Check that the Trigger and the Safety
on the nose of the tool, move freely,
without sticking.
4. Connect the air supply to the tool at
the Male Air Coupler (53) and set at
the recommended 60-90 PSI, and not
over the maximum 90 PSI.
5. Test the tool by depressing the Safety
against the workpiece without pull-
ing the Trigger. The Tool must not
cycle (re). If it cycles (res), stop
immediately and have it repaired by a
qualied service technician.
6. Hold the tool away or off of the work-
piece. The Safety of the tool should
return to its original position. Squeeze
the Trigger. The tool must not cycle
(re). If the tool res, stop immedi-
ately and have it repaired by a quali-
ed service technician.
7. Depress the Safety against the work-
piece and squeeze the Trigger. The
tool must cycle (re) only once.
Release the Trigger and squeeze
it again. The tool must not cycle
(re). With the Trigger held, carefully
lift the tool and press it against the
workpiece again. The tool must not
cycle (re). If it fails to perform in
the manner explained in bold, have it
repaired by a qualied service techni-
cian.
8. Please note: The Trigger and Safety
will not work when the Nailer Maga-
zine is empty.
Loading the Tool
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION, BEFORE
LOADING:
• Wear ANSI-approved safety
goggles with side shields.
Other people in the work area
must also wear ANSI-approved
impact safety goggles.
• Release the trigger.
• Detach the air supply.
• Attempt to re the Tool into
a piece of scrap wood to
ensure that it is disconnected
and is incapable of ring any
fasteners.
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION:
Release the trigger, detach the
air supply, and safely
discharge any residual air
pressure in the tool before
loading. Keep the Tool
pointed away from yourself
and others at all times. Do
not load fasteners with the
Trigger or Safety depressed.
1. In order to prevent marring the sur-
face, attach the Nozzle Cover (56).
The tang on the Cover goes to the
back of the Nozzle (59). If the Cover
is attached incorrectly, the Nozzle
cannot be depressed and the Nailer
will not function. When not used, at-
tach the Nozzle Cover onto the tang
at the back of the Tail Cover (65).
2. Depress the Pusher (63) to release
the Magazine (82).