Hitachi NV45AB2 Coil Roofing Nailer

The NV45AB2 fires up to 10 nails per second — faster than any other professional roofing nailer on the market. At 5.5-5.7 pounds, it’s also the lightest coil nailer worth buying. That combination of speed and weight changes what a crew can accomplish in Montana’s short construction season.

Skip it if you’re shingling one shed. This nailer targets roofing crews who measure output in squares per day, not hours per project.

Speed and Performance Specs

The unique cylinder valve mechanism delivers the 10-nail-per-second firing rate. That’s not marketing fluff — experienced crews notice the difference when racing weather or daylight. The 120-nail magazine capacity means fewer reload stops, and the side-loading magazine design cuts reload time compared to top-loaders.

Specification	Value
Firing Speed	Up to 10 nails per second
Magazine Capacity	120 nails
Magazine Loading	Side loading
Operating Pressure	70-120 PSI
Air Inlet	3/8 inch NPT
Fastener Type	Coil, wire-collated roofing nails
Nail Length Range	7/8” to 1-3/4”
Nail Diameter	0.120 inches

The tool-less depth adjustment dial works without stopping to grab wrenches. Reviews note the dial can sometimes be stiff or lack fine-grained reference, but that beats fumbling with allen keys on a steep roof.

Weight and Handling

Weight kills productivity on roofs. The NV45AB2’s 5.5-5.7 pound weight beats the competition — Bostitch weighs 5.8 pounds. Half a pound might not sound like much until you’re swinging it overhead for eight hours.

Professional reviews consistently praise the “extremely lightweight and well-balanced” design for all-day use. The dimensions of 9-27/32” x 4-5/8” x 10-3/8” create a compact profile that doesn’t snag on underlayment or battens.

Rubber pads on the base prevent sliding off the roof when idle. Simple feature, but it stops the nailer from taking a 30-foot tumble when you set it down to grab more coils. The long-lasting rubber grip maintains traction even when your gloves are soaked with morning dew.

Durability and Montana-Ready Features

The carbide-tipped push lever reduces wear from abrasive shingles — critical when Montana’s intense UV bakes shingles into sandpaper. Standard steel levers eat themselves alive on aged asphalt. The carbide tip extends service intervals significantly.

Pneumatic power feed and return handles temperature swings better than spring-return mechanisms that get sluggish in cold weather. The weatherproof construction allows safe operation in various weather conditions, though “weatherproof” doesn’t mean waterproof — keep it out of standing water.

Durability Feature	Benefit
Carbide-tipped push lever	Resists abrasive shingle wear
Pneumatic power system	Reliable in harsh conditions
Open-nose design	Easy jam clearing
5-Year Professional Warranty	Metabo HPT backs their tools

Reviews from 2,700+ users average 4.7-4.8 stars, with “reliable performance in harsh weather conditions” called out repeatedly. The open-nose design for jam clearing means you’re not disassembling the business end when a nail gets crossways.

Operating Requirements and Setup

Connect to regulated air supply between 70-120 PSI using a 3/8 inch NPT air inlet. Most compressors handle this range, but check your regulator — running above 120 PSI voids warranties and beats up internal seals.

The tool accepts 7/8” to 1-3/4” wire-collated coil roofing nails with standard 0.120” diameter, compatible with most 15 or 16-degree roofing nail coils. That covers everything from cap nails for underlayment to standard shingle nails.

The kit includes:

• NV45AB2 Coil Roofing Nailer
• Safety Glasses (Part 875769)
• Magazine Shingle Guide Assembly (Part 883370)
• Two Hex Wrenches for maintenance

Standard retail packages often don’t include a case — factor that into your budget. The included shingle guide helps maintain consistent nail placement on dimensional shingles.

FAQ

What’s the actual weight difference between this and other roofing nailers?

The NV45AB2 weighs 5.5-5.7 pounds. The comparable Bostitch weighs 5.8 pounds. That half-pound difference multiplied by thousands of lifts per day adds up to real fatigue reduction.

How fast is “up to 10 nails per second” in practice?

The 10 nails per second maximum happens when bump-firing on smooth substrates. Real-world roofing sees 6-8 nails per second accounting for positioning and material variation. Still faster than standard nailers.

Does the side-loading magazine actually save time?

Yes. Many pros find the side-loading design faster than top-loading alternatives. You don’t fight gravity or fumble with spring tension while balancing on a roof.

What’s the warranty coverage?

Metabo HPT provides a 5-Year Professional Tool Warranty (Limited). The company rebranded from Hitachi Power Tools to Metabo HPT in 2018, but warranty service continues through the same channels.

Can it drive different nail types?

It handles 7/8” to 1-3/4” wire-collated coil nails with 0.120” diameter, compatible with 15 or 16-degree coils. That covers standard roofing nails, ring shank, and smooth shank varieties.