Why Is My Central Pneumatic Floor Nailer Locked?

Causes

• The most common reasons for a locked Central Pneumatic floor nailer are jammed nails or staples. Using the wrong type of nails -- nails that are incorrectly sized or not power cleat nails -- will often cause them to lock up. Damaged or bent nails can also jam floor nailers. Avoid striking against set nails or hard objects in flooring, while operating the nailer, as well as using a nailer with a worn or broken driver. Loose magazines can also cause locking problems in Central Pneumatic floor nailers.

Troubleshooting Materials

• Gather the right materials for troubleshooting before attempting any repairs on your locked Central Pneumatic floor nailer. In addition to a set of pliers, keep a piece of scrap wood nearby for testing the nailer's operation. You should also have a pair of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved goggles for eye protection. Earplugs are also recommended when testing jammed floor nailers. You will also need a supply of unused cleat nails or staples for reloading.

Solutions

• If your Central Pneumatic floor nailer is jammed and inoperable, release the magazine and slide it into place to remove the nails or staples. Empty the entire magazine and slide it forward until it locks into place. Test the nailer against a piece of scrap wood to ensure it is disconnected and unable to fire any remaining nails or staples. Remove the driver guide in the nailer to access and remove any jammed nails from the tool. Once all jammed nails are removed, reload the nailer with new nails or staples. Be sure to test the nailer with scrap wood before reusing it on flooring. Other solutions include tightening the bolts on a loose magazine or driver or replacing the driver entirely.

Precautions

• Always make sure your Central Pneumatic floor nailer is disconnected from its air supply before conducting any repairs. Do not attempt to remove any jammed nails or staples by hitting or yanking them with either your tools or by hand. This could worsen the jam and cause further damage to the nailer. If you are unable to unlock your nailer and clear the jam, contact an authorized repair technician for assistance.