This 1 st fix nail gun can be used on wooden materials for a wide range of applications, as listed in the table above. It’s powered by both a gas fuel cell and a 2.1Ah Lithium-ion battery for an outstanding 9,000 shots per charge– that’s more than twice the amount of any other IM350 model! It’s compatible with standard Paslode IM350+ RounDrive nails (clipped head) and standard IM350+ gas cells. Another useful and unique feature of the 360Xi, and other SERIES-i nail guns, is their ability to fire NailScrews. The countersunk ‘screw’ is fired-in like a nail but can be removed and reinstalled like a traditional woodscrew.

Potentially, the savings you make on purchasing the copy fastenings are lost in the future for additional servicing, repairs, and downtimes. This is opposed to a finish nailer which is used to fix shorter, slimmer nails into wooden trim like skirting boards. This is often referred to as second fix. Paslode IM350+ vs IM360Ci: What’s the Difference? The latest battery eliminated the potential for accidental firing and was also compatible with other Paslode nail guns, including the SERIES-i framing nailers, brad nail guns, and positive placement nail guns . At the end of the 20 years patent period, other manufacturers started to enter the market with their own versions of the Paslode impulse cordless nail gun. Very similar copies were launched that fired identical nails with exactly the same design of fuel cell.

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You can see below how the two different platforms, IM350 and SERIES-i, have changed with the introduction of new upgraded versions. IM350 Platform Overall, the Paslode IM360Ci is unrivalled when it comes to power and performance. Its intelligent technology significantly increases its efficiency for higher productivity levels than the IM350 Plus.

As mentioned, there’s currently two Paslode framing guns on the market: the IM350+ and the IM360Ci. We’ve highlighted the main differences between the two in the table below. The key features and benefits that were added to the original SERIES-i nail gun remain today with the cold weather performance, down to a staggering -15°C, being pertinent in the UK.

What’s the Best Paslode Framing Nailer?

In addition to a battery on/off switch, the IM360 features a ‘Start & Go’ sensor which automatically cuts off the battery power if there’s no movement of the tool for more than a minute. This intelligent, power-saving technology prevents the battery from losing charge when it’s not being used for up to 25% more shots per charge! It also has a one-touch LED battery and gas gauge which ensures that you never run out of power unexpectedly. The Paslode IM350 has been the market-leading tool in timber to timber construction for over 30 years! The IM350+ Li-ion is the latest version of the tool. It has all of the same great features as the previous models, but it has been upgraded to Lithium battery technology for even better performance and efficiency! The battery’s charging time is cut by 30 minutes for increased productivity, with a battery on/off switch for optimum runtime per charge.

Following the expiry of their impulse patent and subsequent market congestion, Paslode realised that they had to raise the bar, by immediately instructing their research and development team to develop the next generation in cordless nailing technology. It’s apparent that the best innovative ideas have been reserved for the SERIES-i tools, with the aim to encourage users to switch platforms. For optimum performance and usability, we would say that the 360Xi is the best 1 st fix cordless gas framing nailer available. This decision is not just considering the two Paslode options, but all brands of cordless gas nail guns.

History of Paslode

The IM350+ Lithium provides an impressive 82 joules of impact force with a delivery rate of 2-3 nails per second. It has a multi-angled teeth nose probe which provides extra bite to stop the tool from sliding and ensure positive placement. It also has easy depth of drive adjustment via a pinch and slide action, and a dual-action rafter and belt hook which allows you to keep the tool within reach. I recall when the IM90i was replaced by the IM360Ci thinking… ‘what’s the point?’ I couldn’t fathom why Paslode had bothered. There was very little difference between the two nail guns in terms of features and performance. The latest SERIES-i platform upgrade, which is the brand new Paslode 360Xi , does have tangible benefits though:

The improved battery was designed to allow the user to mechanically turn their framing nail gun on or off. With the older models, there was no on/off facility, unless the battery was completely removed. In truth, the nails were interchangeable between old and new, but the gas canisters were most certainly not. To avoid confusion in the marketplace, the obvious solution would have been to kill-off the original IM350 Nail Gun, but concerns over losing market share meant that the two different Paslode first fix platforms were to be produced and made available side-by-side. The main improvements were not only based on the tool, but also on the nails and fuel canisters, notably: One word of caution though; many ‘copy’ nails out there contain very poor-quality gas canisters that prematurely clog up the nail gun and compromise performance and reduce service intervals. The comparison table below shows the specifications for the two latest Paslode 1st-fix framing nailers.Nail Gun Buyers Guide: Our experts discuss the various types of wood to wood nail guns available and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of cordless battery powered versus gas powered nail guns. Compared to the IM360, the IM350 has the lightest weight, most compact size, lowest vibration and lowest noise. It also has excellent balance and a non-slip soft grip handle for increased comfort and control.