Replies

1. 
   silver77 | Oct 31, 2002 03:53am | #1

   Hi Dave,

   I would buy a nailer that goes up to 1-3/4" or 2".Little more coin but much more versatile.

   For 3/4" pine I would use yellow glue with 1-1/2" to 1 3/4"brads depending on joint,etc.

   D penny is the yankee doodle system: 4d is 1":6d is1-1/2";8d is 2"

   hope this helps,

   silver

1. 
   jonsherryl | Oct 31, 2002 04:58am | #2

   Hey, wait a minute Silver. I'll have you know there's nothing "Yankee Doodle" about the penny system. It was the Brits who saddled us with that handicap. It used to relate to the cost of the nails, way back when they were hand made and metal was expensive...But anyway, the inch conversions should go: 3d = 1-1/4", 4d = 1-1/2", 5d = 1-3/4", 6d = 2"...Incidentally, 5d finish nails aren't commonly available, but they are ideal for the skimpier modern casing and base trim. 6d used to be the standard casing nail, but it's a little too beefy for today's slimmed down profiles.

1. 
   floman47 | Oct 31, 2002 05:28am | #6

   Jon

   You can still get casing nails, I use them for hardwood flooring.  They are heavier than finish nails, have a tapered head and in 5d--6d--8d.

    

   Jeff in so cal

2. 
   StanleyNiemiec | Oct 31, 2002 08:50am | #7

   Jon:

   It is not the Brit's who are to blame for that system but instead the Romans.  D stands for denarii which were Roman silver coins.  If I understand nail chronology, the system pre-dates the Medieval period and actually goes back to Ancient times.

   Thus the only connection that might exist with Yankee Doodle is the macaroni which probably originally came from Italy via China.

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 31, 2002 05:01am | #3

   OK, I'm confused (aach!  no comments, please).  Brads and finish nails aren't the same beasts are they?  I have the PC brad nailer outfit, those dudes are skinny (18 ga)!  Aren't the gun-type finish nails thicker and with heads?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   theRev | Oct 31, 2002 05:14am | #4

   You got yur 15 gauge finish nails, you got yur 16 gauge finish nails, and you got yur 18 gauge finish nails.

   Usually 15 gauge will be found to be used in guns with a slanted magazine, 16 guage in a straight/perpendicular magazine. 18 guage are popularly called "brad" nails. You can also get them with no head (no, I won't even go there!). And you can even find some t-head finish nails around as well.

   As per the original question, get a pin nailer (see, there's another name thrown out) which can shoot up to a 2" pin/brad/18 guage nail. All sorts of brands around. You'll find the extra capacity of length to 2" to come in handy some time.

   Scott

2. 
   slem2 | Oct 31, 2002 05:19am | #5

   Dave

       I do a lot of crafts-scarecrows,snowmen,boxes,shelves ect. I use two air nailers. One uses 18 guage nails 5/8 " up to 1 and 1/4" long and the other uses 16 guage nails 1 and 1/4 " up to 2 and 1/2 " long. I use both of them a lot and always use glue along with nails. If I had to pick one or the other I would go with the 2 and 1/2 "

       I also use an air stapeler which uses 5/8 " to 1 1/4 " stapeles which is good for tacking on thin boards, wire, florals, grapevines and a 100 other uses.

       Hope this helps!

        BT

3. 
   TimSams | Oct 31, 2002 05:39pm | #8

   Dave,

   FWIW, Porter Cable is running a promotion that I took advantage of recently for a finish nailer--16 gauge 3/4" to 2 1/2" nails--and compressor combo. I got it at Home Depot. The compressor is a pancake compressor and it's useable enough for trim carpentry and for small projects like you're talking about. It'll save you some cash and get you a good outfit.

   Tim

4. 
   3puttjay | Oct 31, 2002 10:44pm | #9

   I purchased an air compressor and finish nailer on E-Bay. I have to tell you if have to put down baseboards and door and window trim, nothing beats an air nailer. I got a bostitch 15 gauge nailer that can drive 1'' to 2.5" nails into anything including concrete block( BTW, it's no fun trying to remove the board you try this on). When I got my air compressor the guy I bought it from tossed in a Acushnet 18 gauge brad nailer as well. The ingersoll rand compressor that I got, I have been very happy with. You can find reviews of compressors and nailers on Amazon. When you made your choice, check out E-Bay for it. You might find a deal. My total package for both the compressor and the nailers was around $410. I looked at the porter cable package and it is a good deal. I have other P-C equipment that I am very happy with. The important thing with any system are the ancillary parts. Get a good hose and fittings. I hope this helps, good luck.