Replies

1. 
   m71 | Oct 18, 2007 04:48pm | #1

   Hi Eryn...

   I recently was in the exact same perdiciment....only so much $$$ and so many combo options out there.

   For me I opted for the Dewalt D55141FNBN combo with a 16 gauge nailer and a 18 gauge brad nailer. The combo has done me well over the past month and it's around your budget.

   The reason I selected this compressor was that it was fairly compact, pretty quiet and the finish nailer and brad nailer seemed to get pretty good reviews.

   I opted not to go with a combo with an included pin nailer because I couldn't find a combo with a really good pin nailer (I didn't want to have a pin nailer that made little divets in the material) and have the pin nailer that could handle long pins. So for the pin nailer I'll save up and get a good one.

   Unless your doing very small peices a 16 and 18 will do you fine..as long as you purchase one that can handle long enough.  Though a pin nailer would be great for holding a peice together while you nail them in with brads or finish nails. As for a 15 gauge finish nailer...that might be a bit over kill for mouldings.

   I hope this helps.

   M

    

2. 
   GaryW | Oct 19, 2007 03:09am | #2

   We use Paslode guns - a finish nailer and an 18-guage pinner, and it's great not to have to bring a compressor and then drag hoses around. We've got a compressed air 23-guage headless pinner, but rarely use it out of the shop.

   I used to carry a firefighter's air bottle on a short hose, wearing it in a back pack. A finish nailer could go all day on a single tank, but it required me to take it to the firehouse or a scuba tank filler to replenish the air. That was better than a compressor, but the tank got heavy by the end of the day.

   Gary W

   gwwoodworking.com