Porter Cable FN250A repair

[@cwmoser]

Very informative video. I purchased the Piston Bumper off Ebay and was able to repair my Porter Cable finish nailer. I did have to remove the top cap to relieve pressure on the Piston. Works like a champ now. Thanks much for the video.

[@davidjacques7852]

3 years later this fix still works like a charm! Thank you @Brandon for posting.

[@markscheidt4022]

Thank you, Brandon. Worked like a charm. As several have said, it is challenging to get the stop to seat inside the piston head unless you angle it and press it in. Once angled, it slides past the slight lip in the piston head with gentle pressure and falls into place inside the piston. Great fix!

[@delruner]

My problem exactly as the bummer is a tight fit into the spring housing. This was not shown in the video. Was afraid to use a lot force but it went in and nailer works great again.

[@MikePennacchi]

The inside of mine looked just like yours. Guess after 20+ years the plastic fell apart. After much frustration I watched your video and the part will be here tomorrow. Thank you!

[@Robb_Whitaker]

Thanks for your video. It was very helpful for me. Turns out I had the exact same issue. My piston stop was so disintegrated, it looked like it was old, congealed grease. I don't know how it kept working as long as it did. Thanks again!

[@jpmacoo]

Wow, what a simple fix. But it did the job. Thank you for this video. I've had this nailer for 20 years, and it's been great. I'm on my fourth house remodel, and thought I'd have to shell out $150+ to get a new one. $30 with tax and shipping, and now it works fine. Now I just need to find the fix for the trigger so I don't have to use the bread tie. Thanks again.

[@georgiapatriot4575]

Cool, thanks. Parts ordered. I hadn't used my nailer in a long time. It shot about 10 nails and then stopped working. Wouldn't drive nails and the hammer wouldn't return. Opened up the top and the piston stop was crumbled into a thousand pieces and the BRG washer was dried up and brittle and came out in pieces. Parts were $35 including tax and shipping. A replacement FN250C from HD was $182.10, so if this works' I'll save about $150.

[@seanlambert2256]

Thanks, mine had the same issue and was fixed for under $15! Reassembly was a bit trickier than the video implied, but I was able to use a bar clamp to press the parts together.

[@joetomasello6465]

I really appreciate the video. I was able to fix my FN250A with a $12 part. I thought I would pass a long a tip in case anyone else is having problem getting the top back on after replacing the bumper. It took me several attempts trying to get the piston over the bumper At time 2:05 it , looks like the piston sits on top of the bumper ring and then you apply force to get the piston to slide down past the outer diameter of the bumper. However, I found it easier to seat the bumper inside of the piston first, (but angling and pushing) then position the piston and push into the top.

[@petermartinez6460]

Do you know the name of the plastic part he changed?

[@joetomasello6465]

@@petermartinez6460 886113 Replacement Piston Bumper RN175 FN250A - purchased on amazon.

[@JAYHARRIS85]

Hey Joe. Hope you'll see this. I'm running into the same problem. Am/was believing that I somehow had the wrong part as the plastic bumper will simply NOT fit into that cylinder. Sits right in top which prevents the cylinder from them pushing down into its receiver on the the cover/exhaust tip section. How hard did you need to press to force the bumper into the cylinder OR press the cylinder OVER the bumper (if bumper is in its housing) to get things back together? I'll be anxiously looking for your response.

[@joetomasello6465]

@@JAYHARRIS85 hey from what I remember, it did not require much force. Just need to angle it a bit.

[@JAYHARRIS85]

@joe yeah, after reading what ya wrote, I came home from work and REMOVED the oring on the INSIDE of the cylinder/piston and took a small clamp and carefully and slowly pressed it in, then used the clamp to hold it in the down/compressed position and reinstalled the oring. Still haven't tested the gun - but y'all were right. An important bit not covered in the video has to do with pressing in the bump stop/shock... Not a criticism,,, I am very grateful for the video, but - it's a thing... Good day all!

[@MichaelRussell-j7x]

great video.... same issue as everyone else...only thing I'd add is when I went to push new plastic part in the "cup" with the spring was a very tight fit and had to tilt sideways to get it in.....

[@martywood3588]

thank you this video was most helpful to me in rebuilding my nailer

[@victorvarisco5360]

Brandon, great job, great vid. I managed a custom cabinet shop for 28 years. Never did like the cheapo Porter Cable guns. They always seemed to be thrown in with a tool purchase. We always used Senco or the old time PowerLine guns. I have (2) of this same model PC 250A and one 250B. One of the 250A did same as you shown...would not sink the 2nd or any consecutive nail. I opened it up. The piston stop was disintegrated just as in your video but mine was shot after only 2 years!!!. You made it easy to repair and also order. Thanks brother.

[@brandonhayes9226]

Thanks so much. Glad it was helpful.

[@jmichtate]

thank you for this! when i opened mine up the plastic bumper was disintegrated. $20 and 2 days later, I'm back in business.

[@brandonhayes9226]

Jerry Tate you are so welcome

[@ernestferreira463]

My nailer 250a is shooting 2 nail at the same time does anybody knows how to fix that problem please reply will appreciate

[@georgiapatriot4575]

It's "funny" to look back through the replies and gradually see the price of the parts increase. I ordered parts today and it is now $35

[@GD-wz1rn]

Thanks for sharing your repair video,. Same problem. as yours. But I experienced the same problem as other commenters had trying rhe same assemby sequence you show. Just couildnt get parts to compress enough for reassembly. Much easier ro slip the bumper/spring assembly into the cup at an angle first by hand and then drop the steel washer in on top after compressing je spring/bumper and then place it in the case as others suggested. At least with how my $16 China replacement part fit, thats what it took for me to get it back together after a coiple hours of struggle.

[@larryhutchens7593]

Seems like I always get the weird problems. My finish nailer is doing as you described, the hammer is not returning. The part you replaced appears to be in good condition so I apparently have another problem. When I removed the cylinder the little rubber band (#125 in my parts diagram) fell out of the housing so I don't know where it is supposed to go. The diagram shows it going above the plastic ring (part #127) but it cannot be assembled that way. No way no how. It will slip over the area of the cylinder (part # 124) where the small holes are drilled through the cylinder. Until I get some response I will continue to experiment. Thanks for the video, I always like the help these things can provide.

[@nycredneck]

My gun is 20yrs old and I don't use it much these days. I started building a couple of porch stair rails and got stopped in my tracks. Amazon will deliver the part in 2 days because even my local Porter Cable dealer is out of stock. Easiest repair ever. Glad I always kept my gun well oiled, all the O Rings are still good.

[@georgiapatriot4575]

Yeah, the repair shop in Norcross, GA wouldn't take mine in for repair because they said they "didn't have parts for it". Repair probably would have cost more than a new one anyway, so the $35 of parts are ordered and I'll see in a few days if it works.

[@wingnutbren]

Thanks, brother. That's exactly my problem and the broken part.

[@johnsmithgames6132]

Thanks for the video - just what I needed. I was surprised how hard I had to push the valve piston to get it to get it on the new piston stop, but it worked the first time!

[@brandonhayes9226]

Thank you for the compliment. You are welcome.

[@cdurocher7053]

@@brandonhayes9226 hi I have that same exact nail gun. It was my step-dads. One piece seems to have been taken apart and I'm trying to put it back on but I think I'm missing a bolt and the others bolts are not tightening so I don't think I'm putting them in the right spot. Can I still get some of the bolts for this gun?

[@brandonhayes9226]

Colleen Durocher it appears that some bolts are available and some are are not (from ereplacementparts). Check the parts diagram and good luck.

[@johnlounsbury6191]

appreciate the advice ordered the replacement part today

[@misterpatrick6126]

Thanks Mr. Hayes! Totally easy fix. I will add that- like others here- I didn’t really understand that I needed to compress that cylinder around the bumper to get this together. I thought I’d reassembled the unit improperly somehow, but I figured that spring is here for a reason, right? Thanks again, sir!

[@leomeilak6532]

Thanks for the video! My gun had the same problem and part that was damaged. I replaced the part but still the hammer is not retracting. Any idea ???

[@bmanh2355]

That’s what she said …

[@richarda.snitzer7638]

Good video. I have a PC2890 Framing Nailer that I cannot find a diagram nor parts for. do you know if the FN 350 overhaul kit would work? I know it is a long shot...

[@green53100]

The parts I have, used and new, do not match what is shown in your video. Mine is same model but Series 1. I am stumped. Any suggestion? Thank you

[@neilbillings1609]

Brandon thanks for the video, I’m having difficulty compressing the two sections. Top and Body, I don’t want too break this gun. I replaced the piston stop for some reason I have approx. half inch between with no give in compression? Any help would be gr early appreciated

[@jpmacoo]

You have to push the piston in, inside the housing, (over the spring and the bumper/piston stop). Be careful not to pinch the O-ring. Brandon doesn't really show this, but at 2:00-2:10 of the video, you need to push that cylinder in further than how he has it. Everything should fit together then.

[@jcos6597]

what causes it to fire two nails back to back? something isnt right

[@brandonhayes9226]

I don’t really know. My experience with those occurrences have been related to the trigger. The truth is that I have never owned a nailer that does that, so I haven’t looked into it.

[@Downhome8129]

So, what is the part number or kit that you are using to replace? went to parts replacement and they list alot of parts there. Would like to know what all I have to replace. (part numbers)

[@josephrainone6038]

how do you fix the front part of the porter cable braid nailer

[@brandonhayes9226]

I am not sure what you mean by the front part. What was in the video is what I fixed but if you can be more specific I can try to help you more.

[@freespirit5203]

How do u compress the cylinder spring to close the cap?

[@brandonhayes9226]

I simply just screwed the cap on. No issue compressing the spring.

[@freespirit5203]

@@brandonhayes9226 thank u for the response for some reason my cylinder is not completely fitting over the new piston stop. maybe they sent the wrong replacement part the old one was melted so i had nothing to compare with.

[@rsuchowi3081]

The bumper for the FN250A can be substituted to fix the Craftsman 351-18321 16GA nail gun too. thanks for the video.

[@brandonhayes9226]

That’s good to know. I don’t have any experience with that model but maybe someone else does. Thanks

[@tomvoorhees8304]

Perfect, just what I needed for my 20 year old gun !

[@scottseehase3031]

Hi Brandon, would you happen to know where the Check Seal Part# 886119 #125 on parts list. I had mine apart due to a new piston stop was needed, I received the part and was repairing but for the life of me I can not see where it belongs on the cylinder or if even goes on the cylinder! I cant seem to find an image of it. hope you could help! Thanks

[@gregmihm4461]

Great video

[@treslongwell1332]

what solvent do I use to clean out the mess from the melted down bumber?

[@brandonhayes9226]

You don’t need a solvent. Just clean all the crumbles out with a rag. If you must... like likes like that is to say something more on the oil side like mineral spirits should do the trick.

[@ceeweedsl]

I use my FN250A in Mexico. These bumpers fail constantly. I guess they last for a little while up North but it's the worst most constant part failure I've had on any gun over a lifetime. Time to buy some other brand. Maybe Harbor Freight will have something more durable!

[@josephrainone6038]

the part where the nail comes out i nail got stuck i had to take apart to remove nail now i cant put back together

[@brandonhayes9226]

Sorry Joseph. Without actually seeing what is wrong, the best I can do is give you the parts diagram. If you look carefully, you should be able to see how things go together. Here is a link to one I found www.mmtoolparts.com/store/media/diagram/files/FN250A.pdf

[@TommyZTrains]

EXACTLY my issue / "down too a tee" ... *the part designated !. Did this one part alone 'cure' your problem / issue ?, my hammering pin still looks fine and I think I'll "start fresh" and turn-it 180* (or to the other side / start fresh) .... and: leave well enough alone with everything else as it looks fine. GREAT VIDEO !

[@brandonhayes9226]

Yes it did. There are some other high probability parts that you can find on eReplacementparts if this doesn't do it if you read the help section. But, when I first took it apart I could see the urethane was crumbled so I took a chance that this was the only problem, which it was.

[@treslongwell1332]

you skipped over the part I need: how to clean it out. what solvent?

[@brandonhayes9226]

I didn’t clean out the lubricating oil that was throughout the mechanism but the crumbled polyeurathane bumper (all the white bits). I did that with an awl and a rag.

[@abuahmad67]

I'm going to tear down mine soon it sounds like the air is coming from my trigger. Not sure though . I can hear air coming from your gun somewhere in the video I don't want to repair the wrong part ..

[@abuahmad67]

Mine is having the same problem The hammer comes down and stays down after shooting .

[@danbooth5233]

Where did you order your parts from?

[@brandonhayes9226]

See the comment from Gort for the link. Parts are from replacement parts.com