Hello,
I’m looking to purchase a pneumatic 15 or 16 gauge angled finish nailer. In the recent past, I borrowed a friend’s Bostitch 15 guage angled nailer for an interior trim job. Can’t say I had any complaints with it, but if anyone here with more experience can suggest a better choice, I’d be grateful for their recommendation.
Also, need to get a small compressor to use on both interior trim jobs and an exterior siding project next summer. Any suggestions in this department?
Replies
I've had the Porter Cable 16 guage finish nailer for quite some time (almost 10 years), and have been happy with it. I've never had a jam, and never had any failure. I don't use it every day, but when I do, it works.
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff, for posting. Can't say I've heard anything bad about PC. I'll consider it in the running.-Bill
Edited 1/1/2006 8:31 pm ET by redoak
Tom,Thanks for posting!Excuse my extreme ignorance, but I'm not familiar with SPOT. Can you enlighten me further?-Bill
Seems to me that I have seen quite a few ads for the PC pancake compressor bundled with a gun or two. Since I'm already equipped, I just turned the page. Try http://www.Amazon.com I think it was in their catalog.
Practice...'till you can do it right the first time.
Dunwright,Thanks for your post. I checked out Amazon online. Found several PC pancake compressor/finish nailer combos(just like you said), but none angled. I WILL look for other combos, though; a good way to get both a compressor and a nailer at the same time.-Bill
I bought some of my pneumatics from pawn shops. They were Bostitch brand 1/4" and 1/2" crown staplers. To get the ammo, I went to the Bostitch Supply/Service Center. After loading-up on an assortment of lengths for both, I asked if the repair man could give the guns a "Once Over". He did, and after replacing a few "O" rings I was good to go. Perhaps considering the purchase; there was no charge for the servicing. It's possible that an older Senco or Paslode Pawn Shop find,could get the same treatment from it's service center.BTW..."Angled" collated fasteners are priced considerably higher than "Straight" collated ones.Arlington, Texas (The dash in Dallas-Fort Worth)
Practice...'till you can do it right the first time.
Dunwright,BTW..."Angled" collated fasteners are priced considerably higher than "Straight" collated ones.I didn't know that about the angled nails. Thanks for that info! -Bill
I don't think there is a " best gun" in the 15 or 16 ga catagory. Any of the name brands will do you just fine.
I have the Bostich you are talking about, and the only down side is that you must buy their nails. Any of the other brands will shoot anybody's nails.
Personally, I prefer Hitachi guns.
In finish nailers, it is very useful to have both a 15 ga (or 16ga) and an 18 ga nailer; so you might look for someone with an especially good deal on the combo.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Nikkiwood,Thanks for posting! I've got an identical post going under the Air-Powered category. One guy there, James, sees to think that the Seco and Bostitch guns can be faulted for "poor choice of materials". Do you tend to agree. Has your Bostitch ever broken down?He also seems to agree with you: Hitachi is best. Thanks for your advice on getting an 18ga nailer, too.Any advice on compressors?-Bill
I work in a commercial shop. Most of the guns we use are Senco guns. 18 Ga, 23Ga pinners and narrow crown staplers. All stand up to the rigors of heavy, everyday use.
Having said that, for occasional use, Harbor Freight Tools carries cheapo guns some times as low as $10 brand new. I have a couple of these that I use at home and they work fine.
Happy New Year,
-Paul
Hey Paul,Thanks alot for posting back. I've got an identical post going under the Air-Powered category. I wonder what you think of James' post?"Hi,I own a Senco FinishPro 35 which is their 15ga nailer. I have to say, after two years of regular use, it has be ok. My gripe with it and all new Senco guns is their poor choice of materials (foam on the handle shredded immediately) and just average design for a supposed top brand."Is there a difference between Senco's newer and older models? Do you concur or disagree with his assessment that Senco can be faulted for "poor choice of materials"?Thanks again for your post!Happy New Year to you, too!-Bill
Edited 1/1/2006 7:38 pm ET by redoak
I hadn't used older Senco guns so I wouldn't know if they are using lesser materials today or not. I have used other brands of nail guns and they all seem to have similar specs. in terms of the materials used in their construction. A stroll down the tool aisle at HD or Lowes will confirm that. The foam handle on the Sencos did wear away. It had no effect on the operation of the gun, however. There are some plastic parts in the magazine. Does plastic make the gun inferior? What I can tell you from my own experience is that we have been using the same Senco guns everyday for about the last four years. They have never failed mechanically. They have been kicked off the bench (I can't even count how many times), knocked around in an installation van, and stood up to jobsite rigors very well.
Good luck with your search,
-Paul
Paul,Thanks for the added info. It does sound like your guns, regardless of the plastic, etc., have stood up to heavy use. Sounds like a ringing endorsement!Thanks, again.-Bill
I myself like the Bostitch N62FNK-2 finishing nailer. Its got plenty of power will sink a 21/2" nail without a problem and its oil less gun so there will not be any oil spots on the wood if your going to stain your work. Also I like the angle for getting into tights spots ,while the straight nailers sometimes it more difficult. Bostitch nails are not that difficult to get, and you also get SS nails for ACQ wood or out door work. Good luck
BenA,Thanks for your post. I have a thread going under the Air-Powered gategory(same question). I'm curious what you think of the post James left: "I own a Senco FinishPro 35 which is their 15ga nailer. I have to say, after two years of regular use, it has be ok. My gripe with it and all new Senco guns is their poor choice of materials (foam on the handle shredded immediately) and just average design for a supposed top brand. I am now seriously thinking of selling it on eBay and getting a Hitachi 15ga. I recommend Hitachi hands and fists over Senco and Bostich (who use a lot of plastic in the magazine...flimsy.)"Is it true that Bostitch uses a lot of plastic in the magazine? Doesn't appear this has been an issue for you, since youi didn't mention it.Thanks, again, for posting. -Bill
I'd select the Senco, Hitachi or Bostitch over the Porter Cable.
I own a super-old PC brad nailer, which I love. Around a year ago I bought one of the combo pancake compressor/dual gun packages...and turned around and immediately sold the PC brad nailer....because I already had the older one.
When comparing the old to the new, the new guns seems to use much more plastic, etc. I had to have my old nailer repaired recently (don't try to drive a brad nail into your cast iron table saw top!!) and the repair guy was telling me to hold on to the old PC gun...the new ones are built for the consumer market..not for construction pros...his opinion that, since B&D bought them, that's the market that PC is building things for...
Good luck.
lp
I have a porter cable and concur with others that it is very good. I believe you will find that most contractors (good ones) use porter cable finish nailers. You cannot go wrong with the porter cable, but it will be a little bit more than other brands. In regards to the air compressor. Find out what the cfm's are that you will need and the amount of portability you want. Then match that to your choices. It is also important to consider what else you might use a compressor for in the furture such as framing nail guns or powering air tools. Air tools require more powerful air compressors than do nailing guns. You can get a good air compressor that is portable to power nailing guns for between $100--$150.
Senco is also highly recommened for Finish and Trim work. It's what they're best known for. They have a little bundle kit with a small air compressor and brad gun that sells for under $200 thats really cool. PC0947
Edited 1/4/2006 2:59 pm ET by mvflaim
Thanks, jsg, for your feedback. Seems most of the posts on here come down to PC, Bostitch, Senco, and Hitachi. The Bostitch is a bit of a problem for me, because I've noticed the HD near my house doesn't always keep their nails in stock. Several on here seem to think that Senco's newer models use too much plastic, etc., although nobody has complained about broken parts(only the foam on the handles shredding). You and a number of others swear by the PC; others feels quite strongly about the Hitachi. It seems like a toss up, at this point. Thanks for your input on the air compressor, too. The guy who lived here before me, put a fairly large compressor in the garage. He was a motorcycle mechanic and ran a lot of air tools. I'm wondering, with enough hose, if I can use that for my nailers?Thanks again,-Bill
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