Porta-Nails 402 User manual

24
ACCESSORIES (cont’d)
NAILS
2” Nails
Cat. No. 42623
(Sold Separately)
Porta-Nail - 10 Boxes of 1000
1-1/2” Nails
Cat. No. 42640
(Sold Separately)
Porta-Nail - 1 Box of 1000
1-3/16” Nails
Cat. No. 42646
(Sold Separately)
Porta-Nail - 1 Box of 1000
2” Stainless Steel
Cat. No. 42660
(Sold Separately)
Porta-Nail - 1 Box of 1000
Porta-Nail Application Chart
FASTENER APPLICATION T&G FLOORING
THICKNESS
Porta-Nail
2”
Angle nail onto 5/8”-3/4”
underlayment over joist
construction. 3/8”, 9/16”,
1/2”,
5/8”, 3/4”,
33/32”
Surface (face) nail onto
5/8”-3/4” underlayment
over joist construction
Porta-Nail
1-1/2”
Angle nail onto 5/8”-
3/4” underlayment over
concrete slab or dydronic
heating systems.
3/4”, 33/32”
Surface (face) nail onto
5/8”-3/4” underlayment
over concrete slab or
hydronic heating systems
33/32”
Porta-Nail
1-3/16”
Angle nail onto 5/8”-
3/4” underlayment over
concrete slab or hydronic
heating system.
1/2”, 9/16”,
5/8”
Surface (face) nail onto
5/8”-3/4” underlayment
over concrete slab or
hydronic heating system.
3/4”
Cat. No. 40253
Molded Carrying Case
PO Box 1257, Wilmington, NC 28402
910-283-9791 • 800-634-9281 • Fax [phone]
Home Page: www.porta-nails.com E-mail: www.in[email protected]
OWNERS MANUAL
MODEL 402
PORTA-NAILER
For Tongue and Groove Solid Wood & Hardwood Flooring
CAUTION - Read important safety instructions AND operation
instructions for proper operation of your Nailer.
Your new PORTA-NAILER is a quality-built machine, capable of
dependable performance throughout its lifetime. To take full advantage
of these capabilities you should thoroughly understand the proper method
and technique of its operation. Therefore, we suggest you read this manual
before operating and that you save it for future reference.
FORM P/N 840256 (5/3/2008)

2
MODEL 402
PORTA-NAILER
Cat.
# 402 Cat. # 402S Cat. # 403 Cat. # 404 Cat. # 406 Cat. # 409
Porta-Nailer Model 402 9 9 9999
Extension Handle 9 9 9999
Mallet 9 9 9999
Angled Shoe 999 9
Face Nailing Shoe 999
Thin Flooring Shoe 9
Metric Shoe (Bamboo) 9 9999
Nail Punch 9
Owner’s Manual 9 9 9999
Instructional DVD 9 9 9999
Parts Pack 9 9 9999
Carrying Case 9 9999
The Angled Shoe is used for secret nailing 3/4” (19mm) – 33/32”•
(26mm) tongue and groove wood flooring.
The Face Shoe is used for face nailing the first two (2) rows and•
the last six (6) rows of tongue and groove flooring.
The Thin Flooring Shoe is designed to nail down 3/8”(9.5mm) – 9/16”•
(14.25mm) tongue and groove flooring.
The Metric Shoe is designed to nail down 5/8” (15mm – 17mm)•
tongue and groove bamboo flooring.
23
ACCESSORIES
(Sold Separately)
The testing of this tool has been accomplished with the following
accessories. For safest operation, it is recommended that only these
accessories be used with this product. WARNING – Since accessories
other than those listed have not been tested with this product, use of
such accessories could be hazardous.
Cat. No. 40221
(Included w/402 Package)
Tongue Nailing Shoe for 3/4” -
33/32” Flooring.
Cat. No. 40230
(Sold Separately)
Tongue Nailing Shoe for Solid 3/8”
- 9/16” Flooring.
Cat. No. 40248
(Sold Separately)
Tongue Nailing Shoe for 5/8”
Bamboo Flooring.
Cat. No. 40225
(Sold Separately)
Face Nailing Shoe
Cat. No. 42620
(Sold Separately)
Porta-Nail Set Tool
(Continued on next page.)

22
The first two strips of flooring and the last six (or strips that measure4. less than 13-1/2” from the wall) should be Face nailed with the Face
Nailing Shoe installed on the Porta-Nailer or by hand.
The Porta-Nailer MUST be held firmly, but not over-tightly in the5. hand so that the Porta-Nailer rests perfectly flat on the floor with the
lip of the shoe hanging over and against the edge of the strip being
nailed. As an aid to holding it flat against the floor, rest the toe of
your shoe on the rear of the Porta-Nailer Shoe.
DO NOT OVERPOWER THE PORTA-NAILER – Strike it firmly but6. NOT HARD, and then strike it again until the Ram returns. The Ram
does not return until the nail is properly seated.
Do not attempt to nail the last six strips (or strips that measure less7. than 13-1/2” from the wall) of flooring down with the Angled Shoe
installed. Switch and install the Face Nailing Shoe or face nail by
hand.
The Porta-Nailer system is user-friendly and following these simple
instructions, will insure a perfect hardwood flooring installation. Contact
our Customer Service Dept. [phone] if you encounter flooring
which the Porta-Nailer does not properly position the fastener.
USE OF THE Porta-Nail
TONGUE & GROOVE
FLOORING
SUBFLOOR
JOIST
2" T-NAIL
MOISTURE
BARRIER
1-1/2" T-NAIL
CONCRETE
MOISTURE
BARRIER
TONGUE & GROOVE
FLOORING
SUBFLOOR
The Porta-Nail is 2” long and the PORTA-NAILER with the standard shoe
drives the nail into the Tongue and Groove Flooring at a 45-degree angle.
The orientation of the nail is as depicted in wood floor joist construction.
In applications where Tongue and Groove Flooring is laid over concrete or
Hydronic Heating Systems, the 1-1/2” or 1-3/16” Porta-Nail is used so that
the Nail will not protrude through the sub-floor. Refer to the “Porta-Nail
Application Chart” for proper Fastener usage. A Stainless Steel Porta-
Nail 2” long is available for applications requiring a non-corrosive nail.
3
PNI’s LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY
PNI is proud of the products that it manufactures and warrants them to be free of
defects from workmanship and material for a period of 1 year from the date of
original purchase. In the unlikely event that a problem occurs, return the product
to our plant freight prepaid and allowed, so that a determination of the fault can be
made. If the fault is determined to be defective materials or workmanship, a no-
charge replacement or repair will be made, at our discretion. The product will be
returnedtoyoufreightprepaidandallowed. Thiswarrantydoesnotcoveraccidents,
abuse or misuse and in no case will PNI be liable for incidental or consequential
damages. No other warranty written or verbal is authorized.
Returns for warranty service or repair must have a RMA number prior to
returning; contact Customer Service at 800-634-9281.
Returns should be sent to:
Porta-Nails, Inc.
4235 US Hwy. 421 N.
Currie, NC 28435
Attention Service Dept.
SAFETY RULES FOR PORTA-NAILER
WEAR SAFETY GLASSES1. and safety shoes for protection against
foreign objects.
NEVER2. sit the Porta-Nailer in your hand or on your knee or any part
of your Body.
NEVER3. use a Hammer with a loose head or splintered handle.
USE ONLY4. nails from Porta-Nails, Inc.
REPLACE5. worn or damaged parts immediately.
APPLICATIONS
Your Model 402 Porta-Nailer is designed for Angle Nailing 5/8”,•
3/4”-33/32” Hardwood Tongue and Groove Flooring.
An Accessory Shoe is available (Sold Separately) for Face Nailing.•
(See Shoe Accessory Applications section)
An Accessory Shoe is available (Sold Separately) for Angle Nailing•
3/8” to 9/16” Flooring with the standard 2” Porta-Nail. (See Shoe
Accessory Applications section)
An Accessory Shoe is available (Sold Separately) for Angle Nailing•
5/8” Bamboo Tongue and Groove Flooring.
(See Shoe Accessory Applications section)
Contact our Customer Service Dept. if you encounter a flooring that•
our Nailer will not match up with.

4
PORTA-NAILER ACCESSORY SHOE &
SHOE BASE APPLICATIONS
FIGURE 1
Face Nailing Shoe
Accessory Shoe Cat. No. 40225
(Sold Separately)
FIGURE 2
Tongue Nailing 3/4”
Flooring Shoe
Standard Shoe
(Included on 402)
FIGURE 3
Tongue Nailing
33/32” Flooring
Standard Shoe with only
One (1) Shoe base installed.
FIGURE 4
Tongue Nailing
3/8” - 9/16” Solid Flooring
Accessory Shoe
Cat. No. 40230
(Sold Separately)
21
HARDWOOD FLOOR INSTALLATION
MADE SIMPLE WITH THE PORTA-NAILER
1.
2. 3.
4.
Face Nail by hand or using the Porta-Nailer with the Face Nailing1. Shoe (Sold Separately) the first two courses, Tongue of Flooring
toward the opposite wall.
Set face nails and hide with matching putty stick.2.
Blind Nail along the Tongue edge of the field of Flooring. Position a3. nail every 8” to 10”. A minimum of 2 Nails per strip.
Note: Always follow the Flooring Manufacturer’s Instructions
regarding installation requirements.
At the opposite wall, Face Nail the remaining strips that measure less4. than 13-1/2” from the wall.
Baseboard
Shoe Mould
T-Nail
Building
Paper
Sub-Floor
Hardwood Floor
Install after Hardwood
Floor is down.
BRIEF INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF
THE PORTA-NAILER SYSTEM
Always wear safety glasses AND safety shoes.
OPERATION FOR USE OFTHE PORTA-NAILER SYSTEM
This tool is designed to properly seat the nail with one or SEVERAL1. blows of the Hammer.
Tap the flooring into place with the non-marring rubber side of the2. Hammer.
Strike the Rubber Cap of the Nailer with the iron side of the Hammer.3.

20
Ref.
No. Part No. Description
33. 40037 Pawl
34. 40115 Ram Stop Springs (2 ea)
35. 40048 Ram Stop Block
36. 40243 Nailer Body Screws (4 ea)
37. 40244 Body Handle Screws (3 ea)
38. 1165 Extension Handle Fasteners
39. 40229 Thin Flooring Shoe
40. 40152 Thin Flooring Shoe Base
41. 2600 Thin Flooring Shoe Base Screws (4 ea)
42. 40221 Tongue Nailing Shoe Assembly
(Includes #’s 4, 5, 6)
Not to be used with Cat. No 401
43. 40225 Face ShoeAssembly
(Includes #’s 7, 8, 9)
Not to be used with Cat. No 501
44. 40230 Thin Flooring Shoe Assembly
(Includes #’s 39,40, 41)
Not to be used with Cat. No 401
45. 40008 Hammer (Not Shown)
46. 840080 Spare Parts Package (Not Shown;
Includes #’s 24, 26)
47. 2191 Pawl Housing Assembly (Includes # 31, 32, 33)
48. 40097 Pusher Spring Tube Assembly
(Includes #’s 15, 16, 17)
49. 59561 Starter Parts Kit (Incluye #’s 12, 13, 20, 21, 23, 24,
25, 26, 32, 33)
5
FIGURE 5
Tongue Nailing
5/8” Bamboo Flooring
Accessory Shoe
Cat. No. 40248
(Sold Separately)
FIGURE 6
Angled Shoe Base
for nailing 3/4” Flooring over 3/4” Sub-
flooring over Concrete.
Accessory Shoe
Cat. No. 42626
(Sold Separately)
ASSEMBLING THE EXTENSION HANDLE
Fasten the Extension Handle to the Nailer using the two (2) Screws
and Nuts (Ref. No. 38) furnished with the unit.
38
38
FIGURE 7
Installing the Extension Handle

6
LOADING NAILS
17
20
Unhook the Connector (Ref. No. 17) from the Pusher (Ref. No.1. 20).
20
Remove the Pusher (Ref. No. 20) from the Nail Rail.2.
19
Ref.
No. Part No. Description
1. 40272 Body – R.H.
2. 40273 Body – L.H.
3. 40061 Extension Handle (Includes #38)
4. 40220 Tongue Nailing Shoe
5. 40153 Tongue Nailing Shoe Base (2 ea)
6. 2598 Tongue Nailing Shoe Base Screws (4 ea)
7. 40223 Face Shoe
8. 40224 Face Shoe Base
9. 40226 Face Shoe Base Screws (4 ea)
10. 40043 Shoe Screws (4 ea)
11. 40040 Wear Plate / Shear Plate Dowels (2 ea)
12. 54580 Wear Plate
13. 40170 Shear Plate
14. 53849 Pusher Spring Roll Pin 1/8 x 5/8
15. ------- Pusher Spring Tube (See Ref. No. 48)
16. 40146 Pusher Spring
17. 40093 Connector
18. 40109 Rail Spring Pin 1/8 x 3/8
19. 40151 Rail
20. 40094 Pusher
21. 40030 Rubber Ram Cap
22. 40116 Ram (Includes #’s 21,24,26)
23. 40131 Driver Blade
24. 40052 Ram Washer
25. 40124 Ram Spring Guide
26. 40126 Ram Spring
27. 40245 Ram Guide
28. 40050 Ram Stop Screws (2 ea)
29. 40241 Shoulder Screw (Includes #30)
30. 802194 Shoulder Screw Nut
31. 2190 Pawl Housing Set
32. 40101 Pawl Spring

18 7
Insert a stack of Nails into the Nail Rail with the Heads “up”.3.
17
20
Place the Pusher (Ref. No. 20) in the Nail Rail and hook the4. Connector (Ref. No. 17) to the Pusher (Ref. No. 20).
WARNING: For proper operation never use Nailer with less than a 2
inch stack of nails remaining in the Nail Rail. A Jam may occur when less
than a 2 inch Stack of nails remain in the Nail Rail.

8
SHOE CHANGING
CONVERSION TO AND FROM FACE NAILING
APARENTE
FIGURE 8
Angled Tongue and Groove
Flooring Shoe
FIGURE 9
Face Nailing Shoe
Cat. No. 40225
(Sold Separately)
Loosen and remove Socket Head Cap Screws (Ref. No. 10) to remove Shoe
& Shoe Base Assembly. Change over from the Angled Tongue Nailing to
Face Nailing Applications or change from Face Nailing to Angled Tongue
Nailing Applications by removing Socket Head Cap Screws (Ref. No. 10)
and re-tightening after changeover.
17
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM
OR
QUESTION CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION
Ram comes
up before
completing cycle
Ram(Ref. No. 22) or
Pawl (Ref. No. 33)
worn; Pawl Spring
(Ref. No. 32) Broken
Remove the Shoulder Screw Nut (Ref.
No.30) and the Shoulder Screw (Ref.
No.29). Pull out Pawl Housing Assembly
(Ref. No. 47) and inspect the Pawl (Ref.
No. 33) and the Pawl Spring (Ref. No.
32) for wear or breakage and replace if
necessary. Reinstall and firmly tighten
Shoulder Screw Nut (Ref. No. 30).
Ram does not
come up after
completing
downward cycle.
Ram Spring (Ref.
No. 26) or Pawl
Spring (Ref. No. 33)
broken
Loosen, but DO NOT REMOVE, the
two (2) Ram Stop Screws (Ref. No.
28). Remove the Ram (Ref. No. 22) and
Driver Blade (Ref. No. 23). Replace the
Ram Spring. If the Ram Spring is not
broken, reverse correction given above.
Refer to the above Corrective Action for
replacing the Pawl Spring.
Ram will not go
all the way down
or up.
Nails Jammed in
Shear Plate (Ref. No.
13).
Remove the Ram (Ref. No. 22) and
Driver Blade (Ref. No. 23) as outlined
above. Remove the four (4) Shoe Screws
(Ref. No. 10) and Shoe (Ref. No. 4).
Lift off the Wear Plate (Ref. No. 12) and
remove the jammed nails.
Ram will make a
complete cycle
but works hard.
Lack of lubrication
and dirt / contaminate
accumulation
Remove the Ram (Ref. No. 22) and
Driver Blade (Ref. No. 23) as outlined
above. Clean the Ram and Driver Blade
and lubricate the Ram lightly with a dry
silicone lubricant.

16
RELACING THE RAM CAP
21
22
To replace the Ram Cap (Ref. No. 21) remove worn Ram Cap1. (Ref. No. 21) from the Ram (Ref. No. 22).
Use soap and water to aid in applying the Ram Cap (Ref. No. 21)2. to the head of the Ram (Ref. No. 22).
THE GUARANTEE ON THE RAM IS VOID
WHEN USED WITHOUT THE RAM RUBBER
CAP IN PLACE.
9
NAILING TONGUE AND GROOVE FLOORING
Your Model 402 Nailer is furnished with two (2) Shoe Bases (Ref.
No. 5). When nailing 3/4” thick flooring, both of these bases are used.
When nailing 33/32” thick flooring, only use one (1) Shoe Base (Ref.
No. 5).
Prior to laying the felt, identify the nail line attaching the Sub Floor to1. the joists by marking the nail line on each wall. After laying the felt,
transfer the nail line to the top of the felt. When nailing, the Floor,
stay left or right of the chalk line.
After squaring the Floor and allowing for expansion as recommended2. by the Wood Flooring Industry (NWFA, NOFMA and MFMA), place
the grooved edge of the first row of Flooring towards the wall on
the side of the room from which you are starting. Face Nail in place
by hand or by using the Model 402 Nailer with the Face Shoe (Sold
Separately) installed. (See Shoe Changing Section Pg. 8).
After Face nailing the First (1st) row of Flooring, (See Figure 8) place3. the groove of the Second (2nd) row of Flooring over the Tongue of the
First (1st) row of Flooring and drive snug using the rubber knob end
of the Porta-Nailer Hammer and Face nail in place just as the First
(1st) Row of Flooring.
You are now ready to Blind Nail the field of Flooring.4.
Position the Model 402 Nailer along the Tongue edge of the Third5. (3rd) Row of Flooring in the manner shown in Figure 8. (THE
FIELD SHOULD BE NAILED ONLY THRU THE TONGUE.
SEE ILLUSTRATION ON PAGE 22).
Strike the Ram Head (Ref. No. 21) with the metal end of the Hammer6. Head to drive the Nail.
Continue to strike the Ram Head (Ref. No. 21) until the Ram returns7. to its original position. (It usually takes two blows to drive a nail.)
If, after striking the Ram Head (Ref. No. 21), the Ram does not return8. to its original position, it is a warning that the Nail has not been
completely driven.
When the Nail has been completely driven, the Ram will return to its9. original position.

10
Be careful not to drive one Nail on top of another. Damage to the10. Nailer might result if this should occur.
Slide the Nailer along the tongue of the board to the location at which11. you desire to drive the next nail. (8-10 inches is the general rule of
thumb.) Try to get a nail in each Joist.
Continue Steps 5-10 until you have completely nailed the board.12.
Repeat Steps 4-11 until all but the last Six (6) Rows of boards (or13. boards measuring less than 13-1/2” from the wall) have been nailed in
place.
Face Nail the last Six (6) Rows of Flooring or boards measuring less14. than 13-1/2” from the wall.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE / INSPECTION
SCHEDULE
Daily
Inspect the Ram Spring to insure proper return of the Ram.
Inspect the Ram Guide / Ram to insure no dirt or debris is
causing the Ram not to return. Inspect the Driver Blade to
insure there are no chips/dings or rounded-over tip for proper
contact with the nail.
Weekly
Inspect the Pusher End to make sure of proper concise
contact with the nail stack. Inspect the Wear Plate & Shear
Plate to make sure there are no dings to cause improper
contact with or damage to the flooring.
Monthly Inspect the Rail to make sure nails feed into the Shear Plate / Wear Plate properly. Inspect the Pawl Spring & the Pawl to
make sure the Tip is not rounded inhibiting ratcheting.
15
REPLACING THE RAM WASHER
28
24
23
22
Loosen, but DO NOT REMOVE, the two (2) Ram Stop Screws1. (Ref. No. 28) while holding the Ram (Ref. No. 22) down.
After the Ram Stop Screws are loose enough to allow the Ram to2. be removed, gently pull out the Ram and Driver Blade (Ref. No.
23).
Remove the Driver Blade and slide the worn Ram Washer (Ref.3. No. 24) over the Ram to remove it.
Slide the replacement Ram Washer over the Ram until it is4. positioned under the Ram Cap.
Reposition the Driver Blade (Ref. No. 23) into the recess in the5. Ram (Ref. No. 22). Slip the entire assembly into the Ram Guide
Push the Ram down so the Driver Blade (Ref. No. 23) will slide6. down between the Wear Plate and Shear Plate. Hold the Ram
(Ref. No. 22) down and tighten the two (2) Ram Stop Screws (Ref.
No. 28).