A good 18-ga. brad nailer should be able to drive a variety of nail sizes and to place the nail where you want it to go. It should be easy to load and indicate clearly when the nail supply is low. The safety guard should be positioned behind the nose to give a better view of nail placement, and a driver-guide cover that’s easy to remove makes clearing jammed nails a breeze. The depth-of-set adjusters should be easy to read and use, and the exhaust port should be adjustable to direct air away from the user. A one-handed carriage-release lever is convenient. The Porter-Cable nailer is a real powerhouse. It has an easy depth-of-set adjustment and a convenient release for the driver-guide cover.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Fein Turbo II HEPA Wet/Dry Dust Extractor

Among the most powerful HEPA-rated shop vacs on the market, Fein’s Turbo II is quieter, more compact, and nimbler than the rest.

Buy at Amazon

Craftsman Random Orbit Sander

While this sander is among the least expensive models in the test, its performance ranks among the best. The stock removal was excellent, and dust collection was solid when used with a vacuum. It handles really smoothly, too, and has a tall body that fit my hand nicely whether I was holding it from above or around the waist.

Buy at Amazon

Festool Cleantec CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor

The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.

Buy at Amazon