Replies

1. 
   dgreen | May 01, 2006 05:00pm | #1

   I've had my Porter Cable pinner about 2 years now and have been very happy with it. I use it to attach a variety of moldings and really like the nearly invisible hole it leaves.

2. 
   hammer1 | May 01, 2006 06:05pm | #2

   I bought a Max about a year and a half ago. This is not a budget gun. Why did a tight wad like me fork over the $ for a top of the line gun? A pin nailer is only good if you can precisely place the pin. The Max had the finest no mar tip, it accepts the full range of pin lengths without having to modify the magazine, I liked the feel of the gun and, frankly, the other choices didn't compare. I have heard that Cadex sells the same gun for less money. I don't know that this is the same gun all the way through. I don't have any regrets even if I paid a little more than I could have.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   Spalted | May 01, 2006 08:13pm | #5

   A max? what brand is that? I found the PC on amazon for $99 shipped. i would gladly pay another 10-20$ for a gun with more features or better features than the PC but unless I haer some real horror stories that one looks suitable.

1. 
   hammer1 | May 02, 2006 03:23am | #7

   Max is a brand. If you are looking for a $100 gun, the Max isn't for you. I have several PC guns but not a pin nailer. PC has some great tools and some so so tools. I would have to put their nail guns in the latter category. I think they are fine for occasional use and the price is hard to beat. I was on my way to pick up a PC but stopped at another supplier on the same road. The place had five or six other brands to compare, Omer, Senco, PC, Grex, Hitachi (I think). The nose, position of the magazine and no need to add or remove a clip for different size pins is what sold me. None of the other guns seemed to reach in as far or had as fine a tip, the rear exhaust is nice, too.http://www.toolbarn.com/product/maxtools/NF235A23-35/Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   nikkiwood | May 02, 2006 05:28am | #9

   the "horror" is that many of these guns will not set the pins.I have owned both the PC and Senco pinners -- neither of which would consistently countersink nails. I finally did what I had been advised to do originally (at Breaktime), and I bought the Cadex (which is made by Max. It is, quite literally, the best nail gun of any kind I have every owned. It cost $209 and worth every penny.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   Kleck | May 02, 2006 07:33pm | #11

   I heard the same thing about the PC not sinking the nails so I bought the Cadex .30 It sinks them slightly.

1. 
   dgreen | May 02, 2006 07:46pm | #12

   Out of the many dozens sold I did have one issue with the PC not fully sinking the pins, we tracked it down to the users pressure guage on his regulator reading 10 pounds low. Raised the pressure and no more problem. The PC depth setting is accomplished by varying the pressure to the gun. Have found it likes 100psi to countersink the pins in hardwood, somewhat less in softwood. Mine gets a lot of use and has been trouble free. If your regulator is set to 90psi it will most likely not set the pins fully.

2. 
   Kleck | May 03, 2006 12:52am | #14

   I can sink a 1-3/16" nail in oak or maple with 80 (accurate) psi.

3. 
   dgreen | May 03, 2006 01:07am | #15

   Wow, that's pretty darn good ! Must have a bigger piston. I was'nt familiar with Max so I went to their website, nice looking stuff. If the PC ever craps out I'll look at that and the Grex, I know a few folks with the Grex and their tickled with it too. I shoot 1" pins so the extra length is'nt an issue for me at this point but it's sure nice to know what's working good out there. Most of my air tools run at 90psi and it would be nice not to have a separate regulator (and oiler) to feed the PC it's 100.

3. 
   dgreen | May 02, 2006 07:22am | #10

   Here is a link to the Max website.http://www.maxusacorp.com/sn890rh.html

3. 
   ring | May 01, 2006 06:37pm | #3

   I just bought my 2nd Cadex gun.  Obviously, I like it enough to get another.  It was around $125, so not the cheapest out there, but suits me fine.  It has the advantage over the PC that it takes up to 1 3/16" long pins, which is important for me.  I often attach 1/2" thick material and I find a shorter pin isn't enough.

   DR

1. 
   dgreen | May 01, 2006 07:17pm | #4

   For you folks that need the extra length, I've heard nothing but good things about the Grex pinner. Spendy, but the good stuff always is.Grex P635 23 Gauge Headless Pin Nailer, 3/8" to 1-3/8"

1. 
   loucarabasi | May 03, 2006 04:12am | #16

   The Grex is the best! I have had them all and this one is the best!!!   Has a safety too!!!

   -LMC

1. 
   Kleck | May 03, 2006 04:30am | #17

   I saw the Grex's at a recent WW show. VERY classy looking units! No wonder they command a premium price. I paid just $120 for the Cadex. I figured I won't use 1-3/8" nails that the .35 model shoots, for another $90, so I saved a bit by buying their cheaper model.Dave

2. 
   Kleck | May 03, 2006 04:31am | #18

   LOL! the instant I hooked up my Cadex, I shot a nail towards my workbench. I quickly realized there's no safety!Dave

4. 
   Troy | May 02, 2006 12:43am | #6

   I have a senco accuset pin nailer that I have been happy with. I understand that they don't make this one anymore and that they are not good for pro use but I don't use mine a lot and the price was great. The 23 gauge pin guns are a wonderful tool.

   Good luck Troy

5. 
   terrylee86 | May 02, 2006 04:21am | #8

   The Max pinner is the same gun as the Cadex CP23.35 ($209).  Max makes the gun for Cadex.  If you are not familiar with either company, Max is a Japanese company that makes ultra high quality guns for industial use.  Cadex is a Canadian company that subcontracts their guns.  They carry an excellent 1 3/8" pinner that is not a Max gun for $119 and they carry a total assortment of nails.  They even carry slight headed pins for their guns, little more holding power.  You can find Cadex tools at Floydtools.com

1. 
   Spalted | May 03, 2006 03:56pm | #20

   Wow, thanks for that link it save me some dough. I bought the 23-30 because i expect that if i need a full 1-3/8" I'll just use the brad nailer... Thanks to everybody for the advice, It sounds like the knots forum has saved another wwer from from paying more than he needs to for a tool that performs less than expected. Thanks again!!

1. 
   Kleck | May 03, 2006 06:01pm | #21

   I feel the same way. A 1-3/16" pin will hold 3/4 material.

2. 
   DougU | May 04, 2006 12:16am | #22

   terrylee

   The Max pinner is the same gun as the Cadex CP23.35

   I thought the same thing as you but found out I was wrong.

   Cadex, Grex and Max are made in the same factory but are not the same gun, very similar but not identicle.

   The Cadex has the ability to shot a headed nail with some slight faactory modifications over the Max and Grex.

   All three of the guns mentioned above are very good, as well as the Omer, and the Nikle(sp?). The Nikle will shot a 1 9/16th nail.

   I was told that there is going to be a review in either FWW or FHB regarding these guns later this year, with the Nikle getting the higher marks, dont know how accurate that info is but you didnt pay anything for it so....

   Doug

    

    

1. 
   terrylee86 | May 04, 2006 03:53am | #23

   Doug,

   You are probably right, I just meant they are basically the same gun.  A GMC 1500 is basically a Chevy 1500.  They are excellent guns and I did not realize that Cadex was the only one that shoots slight headed pins.  The Grex was a little more and the Max was not in stock, so I bought the Cadex and I am very pleased with it's performance.  It is the best gun I own.

   Those of you that are having countersinking issues with your Senco  pinner call the factory for a retrofit.  A buddy of mine did and he said they told him they make a part to allow it to countersink more deeply.  Have not tried it, but I thought I would just throw it out there.

1. 
   DougU | May 04, 2006 05:10am | #24

   Terrylee

   I wasnt raggin on ya for not knowing about the diff with the three guns, I had just recently talked to a guy with Cadex who filled me in on all the info. Only way I know.

   and I did not realize that Cadex was the only one that shoots slight headed pins. 

   I owned the gun for 6 months before someone on breaktime informed me of it!

   I think there are quite a few good choices regarding the 23g pinners, it'd be hard to go wrong with any one of the 5 or 6 of the better ones out there.

   Doug

    

2. 
   Kleck | May 04, 2006 05:22am | #25

   I was under the impression I could shoot slightly headed nails with my Cadex .30 without changing anything on the gun. Could you elaborate?

1. 
   DougU | May 04, 2006 06:59pm | #26

   Spike

   I'm not aware that the .30 can shoot a headed nail.

   I know that the .35 can though.

   http://www.cadextools.com/tools_cp2335.html

   the link shows the CP2335 being able to use both but the cp2330 doesnt say anything about having the capacity to shot both.

   http://www.cadextools.com/tools_cp2330.html

   I might be missing something but thats how I understand it.

   Doug

1. 
   Kleck | May 04, 2006 10:52pm | #28

   Thanks, Doug. I reviewed those 2 pages and looked in my manual (no mention of slightly headed or otherwise). If the info is correct on the 'net, the 30 does indeed take ONLY headless pins. Thanks for the clarification. That will keep me from wasting money on the wrong nails and maybe damaging the unit, too!Dave

2. 
   nikkiwood | May 05, 2006 06:53am | #30

   I have a Cadex -- can't tell you the model, but I paid about $210 from Floyd Tools. I does definitely shoot headless pins and what they call "slight" head pins. No adjustments required for switching from one to the other.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

3. 
   Kleck | May 05, 2006 06:13pm | #31

   That's the .35 model, which is listed as shooting slightly headed pins.

3. 
   forestgirl | May 04, 2006 07:24pm | #27

   Terry, I'm interested in learning more about the Max tools, but hard to Google since "Max" brings up all kinds of hits for "maximum" in abbreviation, LOL.  Do you have a link or two?

    forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   DougU | May 05, 2006 06:19am | #29

   FG

   http://www.maxusacorp.com/

    

1. 
   forestgirl | May 05, 2006 06:14pm | #32

   Thanks, Doug.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

6. 
   ram | May 02, 2006 08:27pm | #13

   I have a Senco Finishpro 10.  I'm a little nervous about the lack of a safety interlock.  Also - I suspect operator error - occasionally the pins stand slightly proud of the surface.  A quick swipe with a 6" mill bastard file takes care of it when that happens.

   -robert

7. 
   cowtown | May 03, 2006 08:46am | #19

   My Italian 23 gauge nailer ocassionally doesn't set a pin, which is a bit of a drag, but then it's not any different than either the 18 or 16 guage nailers. I think it kinda depends it depends as much as to whether the pin hits a knot or a gets some kinda internal "deflection" which slows the fasterner down as it diverts it as it does on air pressure.

   Try it, u'll like it.

   Eric
   in Cowtown