Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 04, 2007 05:16pm | #1

   Those breaktime 'carpenters' are really hard on folks.. Just funnin' them.. Mostly a great bunch but they use 'nailers' that drive railroad spikes!

   You mentioned that you did not like the performance.. As in how?

   All I have is a 'junk' one that came with a small compressor. 18 Gauge and works just fine for me.. I admit I do not use it everyday but when I do it works. I have to adjust the air pressure to limit the depth the brads go into the wood (which is a bummer) but I have the tool and I use it..

   The better brad nailers are sort of expensive but have some sort of 'gizmo' in there that limits depth of the brad without changing air pressure.

   I adjust the air pressure after 'shooting' a few brads into some scrap of the wood I am using. Turn the pressure down a bit till the brad does notgo out the other side. :>)

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/4/2007 9:18 am by WillGeorge

2. 
   JMartinsky | Nov 05, 2007 04:33am | #2

   Dear T,
   I am a contractor (one of those "Breaktime" guys). I have had good luck with the Porter Cable brad nailers. we are not particularly nice to tools, so if it were going to break, I would know it. i can't speak for Ridgid, but I typically avoid HD.

   Best,

   John

1. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 05, 2007 06:38am | #3

   a lot of you seem to avoid HD, does lowes treat ya better?  I saw a nice porter cable combo online seemed nice. this is my first nailer so my knowlege is limited by all the responses to my query have been very educational. the cambel =hausfeld I returned couldn't even work well out of the box so i will get something else, the few nails I did put were great,I think I will not mis my hammer when I get to the cove moulding part of my project!  thanks.

1. 
   pzaxtl | Nov 05, 2007 06:51am | #4

   Truth be told, you can't go wrong with any of the commercial grade tools:  PC, DeWalt, Bostich -- take your pick.  They all work well and are comparable to each other.  My only suggestion would be to get an oil less gun, whichever brand you choose.  I have the Bostich and it works great.  I chose the gun because, at the time, it had the greatest capacity in terms of brad length

1. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 05, 2007 06:54am | #5

   what is wrong with the ones that need oil? too much trouble to add the oil or are they less of a tool to own? I was thinking of th hitachi, good price at this point.

1. 
   pzaxtl | Nov 05, 2007 08:03am | #6

   There are two benefits to oil less:

   Convenience -- you don't need to stop and oil the gun periodically if you use it for an extended period of time.  You could always install an automatic oiler on the compressor to simplify the process, but, why? if you don't have to?

   The oil less guns won't spit droplets of oil onto your work, particularly if you're like me and tend to overdo it.  Generally, I operate under the conviction that if some is good, more is better.  Unfortunately, that applies to most everything, including torqueing screws too tight and using too much glue.

   If you can save a few bucks and don't mind the minimal inconvenience of a regular gun (oiled) then buy one.  Again, you really can't go wrong -- it's a matter of preference.

   Edited 11/5/2007 12:04 am ET by pzaxtl

2. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 05, 2007 08:06am | #7

   In this case, less is more! thanks for the info. why oil if you don't have to. like it!!

2. 
   JMartinsky | Nov 05, 2007 03:18pm | #8

   Dear T,
   I don't buy tools from HD, under any circumstance. The reason is that I typically have problems with such purchases. Yes, they will take it back, but why should I waste my time doing so, in particular, just to get another lemon? A few years ago, I floated an idea in this forum, that manufacturers were dumping their "seconds" ( products that don't quite pass quality control) on HD. The most convincing responses were the ones stating that manufacturers produce a separate, cut rate, line for HD. They look the same from the outside, but the interior of the tool may have inferior components. Over time, I have come to agree with this thinking. Lowes? I have no idea, never been there. I only purchase tools from local suppliers (Coastal Tool, Tools Plus) or online (Amazon). I have had excellent results from this decision.Those Porter Cable (PC) packages are a real bargain. I have had their stapler, small brad nailer and their 2" brad nailer for ten or so years with pretty much no maintenance and no failures. One (ONE) drop of oil in the gun prior to use and we are good to go. Hitachi: I've never used one, but I wouldn't hesitate to but one as their guns are considered top notch. Paslode has always been my personal favorite. Speaking of which:I have just about given up on air tools. The new gas guns (Paslode) are very good and they are very convenient. I actually prefer the action of an airgun, over the gas gun, I suppose that is what I got used to, but the air guns hits a bit differently. However, I don't miss dragging a compressor around, or the hoses.Best,John

1. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 05, 2007 06:04pm | #9

   I have heard the same thing about light bulbs sold to the home centers, not the same quality. my puchase of my gun was from the manufacturer, I only went to HD to look at the guns and feel them then i go online. I would love to get a pslode,maybe in the future. i am just getting the hang of a nailer.

2. 
   dherzig | Nov 05, 2007 06:59pm | #10

   A while back Consumers Reports said the same thing about "white goods" (refrigerators, washers, etc.). They warned that one had to look very carefully at the model numbers of the ones they rated, since the ones at the box stores had the same shell and name and model plates but were found to be inferior to those sold in the speciality stores. I have recently started to see ads from some equipment manufacturers pointing out that you will never find their products in a discount store since they make only one quality.

   Have you every wondered how there could be so many discount malls? If the manufacturers actually made so many irregulars to sell at discount, how do they really stay in business?

1. 
   Jimurock | Nov 05, 2007 08:58pm | #11

   I'm a bit sceptical about some of these claims.  I worked once for a company manufacturing refrigerators which were sold under a variety of brand names.  The joke was that the basic machines were all the same.  There was a huge difference in the price between a high-end store and Woolco or K-mart house brands, but the only real difference was in the trim level.  Quality control was the same for all, and the only employees who knew what brand they were working on were those at the end of the line putting on the final trim.   It simply isn't economical to have employees do radically different models.  You can, of course, produce different versions of the "same" model at different factories, but to be economical that would involve huge numbers.   Originally, fridges which failed QC were held back and rebuilt on an overtime basis by a handful of employees, but when it was found that there was a market for "scratch and dent," then that practice stopped.

   The story is much the same in Automobile factories.  On the main assembly line the cheapest model gets the same time and care (or lack thereof) spent on it as the one at double the price with all the bells and whistles.  At various strategic points different elements will come off sub-assembly lines, e.g. engine, seats, etc., but employees don't have the time to distinguish between models in the care they give them.  That's why Ford etc.  fill their showrooms with "loaded" models.  Their percentage of profit is exponentially greater.

   Jim

3. 
   danmart | Nov 05, 2007 11:12pm | #12

   I bought a cambel-housefeld 18 ga nailer . did not like it's performance. so I was considering the rigid.

   Lots of good tips already. If I understand your request, you are thinking about another brad nailer for light work??

   I had a picture framing job and chose a cheaper model PC. It works great. If you think you are going to use it a bunch and also might shoot longer nails my pitch would be the Senco. There is a difference between the Senco and the PC. I love their stuff and most of my friends that use air tools like them too.... still waiting on their return.

   Mine are not used in the rain and snow. Mostly trim work and furniture use. Take a look at Senco stuff.. maybe the price will be better??

1. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 06, 2007 06:45am | #14

   since I am new to using a nailer, i went to amazon and ordered the hitachi. it was cheap enough(59 bucks), so when I get more skilled and think i want to step up I will probably look at a paslode,but for now I hope this one works out I want to finis my trim before the holidays.

1. 
   danmart | Nov 06, 2007 08:56pm | #15

   T

   I can't imagine why it wouldn't get the job done. If you're doing some trim work first off, shoot some nails in scrap pieces and get the air pressure right for the project/wood. It varies a little and its worth getting right to cut down on the touch up work.

   good luck

1. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 06, 2007 11:22pm | #16

   did that. watched the gauges on the comprssor got it right, every nail was a hit or miss .some flush,some not or a mar from the gun or no trigger.

1. 
   JMadson | Nov 07, 2007 09:55pm | #17

   In the long run, what type of work do you expect to do? Right now, it sounds like you're doing trim but else do you have in mind? 

2. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 07, 2007 09:59pm | #18

   i was planniing some small shelving projects ,maybe an end table. i want to learn furniture making but have to start somewhere. i hve a radial arm saw.and router but no table saw or jointer yet,i'm workin on it.

   Edited 11/7/2007 1:59 pm ET by tcseacliff

3. 
   JMadson | Nov 07, 2007 10:24pm | #19

   In all of the conversations I've read about nailers (or any tools), warranties have not really been an issue. If something breaks, you either were too rough on it and that's your fault or it was a piece of junk to start with and it breaks right away (like your CH guns). A good written warranty doesn't mean the tool is any better, the company is just more willing to cover the cost of repair. It's all marketing. Worry more about feel, good reputation for durability, proper functioning right from the start and then price.

   I've been using PC guns (16 and 18 ga) for a while and I'm very happy with them. The only time I get marring on the wood is when I try to do a funny angle or push down to hard (I use the gun sometimes to position the wood).

   I did just buy a Senco pinner (23 ga). I love the feel and I can't believe I've gone this long without one. No marring on the wood and almost no nail holes to fill, but this is just for fine finishing work (fine meaning small pieces, not necessarily nice pieces).

   Good luck and don't be so hard on the Breaktime guys. I went back and read your post there and the advice seemed good. I think you get a broader range of opinions there, they all come from different professions. Not just woodworkers like here in Knots.

     

4. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 08, 2007 12:38am | #20

   thanks for you advice . I am new to the forums so not yet sure where all the posts fall. my trim work is not fine wood working but the mars and nailvholes do show . I probably did mar a few myself by by sheer ignorance of the tool, but this particular gun coud have been a liitle more intuitive. I am not a total newbie with tools.

4. 
   mvflaim | Nov 06, 2007 01:32am | #13

   My best advise is to you is go to a local lumber yard that caters to contractors and ask the sales staff there which tool to buy. They deal with professionals all the time and are extremely knowledge about tools (especially if the have a tool repair dept). More likely than not they will point you to either a Bostitch, Hitachi or Senco.

    

5. 
   LB | Nov 09, 2007 02:08am | #21

   Dewalt has recently introduced a cordless 18 gauge brad nailer. Might want to consider. Not sure what would be the price. I have their 16 gauge and would not trade for anything. Some people complain about the size / weight however, not a big issue for me.

   http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=17122

   LB

    

1. 
   tcseacliff | Nov 09, 2007 05:56am | #22

   well I got my hitachi in the mail today,what i differance . it's light  ,small nail hole and have not had a jam or misfire all day. thatnks to all of you for your inpiut, I am stsring to feel like a real woodworker now!!  that cambelhausfeld  is not in the same league with this hitachi.