Nailers & Compressors FAQ

General

MAX is the pioneer and leading company of pneumatic nailers in Japan. We've been manufacturing nail gun since 1942. In 1982, MAX invented the world's first roofing nailer and private labeled it for other brands in the US. Eleven years later, MAX introduced a complete line of MAX brand nail guns to the US market. This line of tools included brad nailers, finish nailers, roofing nailers and framing nailers. MAX nail guns are durable, yet lightweight tools engineered with highly innovative and patented features.
The PowerLite® 500 PSI system consists of a PowerLite® compressor paired with a PowerLite® Tool. The PowerLite® tools are typically 30 percent lighter and 40 percent smaller than a conventional product that performs the same function. The PowerLite® compressor can compress the air up to 500 psi. Since 140 psi- 325 psi compressed air goes into a smaller body PowerLite® tool, they don't require as much air as conventional regular pressure tools to shoot fasteners. High pressure air brings higher driving power than conventional 100 PSI tools. Overall, the PowerLite® 500 psi high pressure system works for every fastening application on your job site including steel, concrete and engineered wood.
There are over 1500 dealers selling MAX tools cross North America, South America, and Mexico. Click this Where to Buy link, to find a dealer near you. Don't forget to select a product category.
Simply put a couple of drops of nailer oil (ISO VG32 is recommended) into the air plug inlet at the end of your day to keep inside parts lubricated and give your MAX nail guns a longer life.
Go to MAX where to buy link on website → Enter your ZIP code → Select the category of products → Find a dealer that has a symbol of
Return tool to place of purchase to determine if tool is under warranty. Make sure to provide a copy of your invoice. MAX has several warranties depending on the tool you purchased and the application, please check our website (Click here for details) for a copy of the warranty. If the product is covered by our warranty your local dealer can process the tool for warranty with our service department.
Your local MAX dealer can order parts for you. Go to MAX’s where to buy page and enter your ZIP code to find a MAX dealer near you.
Parts lists and schematics for all MAX tools can be found on our Documents page on our website.

Compressors

Go to MAX where to buy link on website → Enter your ZIP code → Select the category of products → Find a dealer that has a symbol of
Return tool to place of purchase to determine if tool is under warranty. Make sure to provide a copy of your invoice. MAX has several warranties depending on the tool you purchased and the application, please check our website (Click here for details) for a copy of the warranty. If the product is covered by our warranty your local dealer can process the tool for warranty with our service department.
The CFM for the PowerLite® compressor is 3.4 @100PSI and 2.6 @ 300PSI. The air pressure inside the air tank of the PowerLite® compressor goes up to 500psi. The AKHL1260E (a 2-tank model) has a 2.3 gallon capacity, and the AKHL1260EX (a 5 tank model) has a 5.7 gallon capacity. The volume of air available in a 500 PSI compressor is 5x the air volume available in a conventional 100 PSI compressor. Our lab test shows the AKHL1260EX was able to keep up shooting about 800 nails continuously for decking application (2 shots/sec) until the nail was no longer flush. (using the HN90 coil framing tool)
The MAX PowerLite® high pressure compressor has a DC Brushless motor which allows the compressor to operate in extremely cold temperatures; below freezing. DC brushless motors have more starting power than conventional compressors, which can move the motor even when the grease is frozen.
The running HP is 2.
Draining the air daily is recommended. We also suggest you leave the drain lever open overnight to allow the tank to dry. This procedure will maximize air volume in the tank, and give the compressor a longer life.
Yes, the MAX PowerLite® high pressure compressor is an oil less compressor.
Yes, the MAX PowerLite® high pressure compressor has a DC-Brushless motor with an inverter circuit board which allows the compressor to start up in freezing temperatures and function in poor electric supply conditions; down to 70V without tripping the circuit breaker.
The AKTH13 expansion air tank for the AKHL1260E is also available to increase the capacity of air volume. Attaching the AKTH13 will increase the compressor's air volume to 5.6 gallons. The AKHL1260E can also be coupled with another MAX high pressure compressor (either AKHL1250E or AKHL1260E) to double the air displacement.
No. MAX doesn't recommend using a generator unless you have a surge protector to keep the main board protected.

Nailers

Go to MAX where to buy link on website → Enter your ZIP code → Select the category of products → Find a dealer that has a symbol of
Return tool to place of purchase to determine if tool is under warranty. Make sure to provide a copy of your invoice. MAX has several warranties depending on the tool you purchased and the application, please check our website (Click here for details) for a copy of the warranty. If the product is covered by our warranty your local dealer can process the tool for warranty with our service department.
Simply put a couple of drops of nailer oil (ISO VG32 is recommended) into the air plug inlet at the end of your day to keep inside parts lubricated and give your MAX nail guns a longer life.
Yes, they actually have more power than 100 psi tools, since 140 psi- 325 psi compressed air goes into small body, they don't require as much air as a conventional regular pressure tool to shoot fasteners. The PowerLite® 500 psi high pressure system works for every fastening application on your job site including steel, concrete and engineered wood.
The MAX SuperFramer comes from the factory with a sequential trip trigger (Orange colored trigger) which complies with the ANSI standard. A bump fire trigger can also be installed, which is included with the tool.
It is recommended to use the MAX 100 PSI nailers at 100 PSI. If you are using the MAX PowerLite® high pressure system, it is recommended to use them between 140 – 325 PSI depending on the applications.
The difference between brad nailers and finish nailers is the gauge of fastener they can shoot. Brad nails have an 18 gauge, and finish nails have 16 or 15 gauge. Finish nails are mainly used for fastening larger crown and trim, brad nails are used to install smaller trim to minimize the head mark on the work surface and prevent materials from splitting.
The MAX HN120 can shoot into up to 3/8” steel when using the MAX step shank CP-W series pins.

Fasteners

MAX CP-C8 series: ESR-2024 or ESR-4320 MAX CP-C6/CP-W6 series: ESR-3275 or ESR-4320
The largest size pin the MAX HN120 will accept is 2-1/2" for concrete and 2" for steel applications.

Accessories

Download MAX Gas battery NI-MH MSDS from Here
When fuel cells pass the expiration date, it can lose power and/or shoot a fewer number of pins.
The MAX PowerLite® high pressure hoses are made from PVC elastomer and polyester reinforcing to withstand the high air pressure.
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