Replies

1. 
   Anderson | Sep 29, 2007 04:57am | #1

   I've got a Grex, myself, and really love it. They have two models. One that goes to 1 3/8" and a newer model which goes to 1 3/4". I've the smaller. Really can't think when I'd need a 1 3/4 pin  ... particuarly for the $84 dollar difference! Excellent product, well made, works fine!!

   Barry in WV

2. 
   Sean2112 | Sep 29, 2007 07:58am | #2

   Nickel and Cadex offer a 23ga. micro-pinner that shoot both headless pins and slight head brads. I have the Cadex, and, after a slight nose modification,  works brilliantly. Be prepared for broken drivers though. The very small driver head doesn't last very long, although the part is cheap and takes about 3.2 minutes to fix, mostly looking for the proper Allen wrench.  I got about 35,000  nails through my first driver, compared to roughly 1,000,000+ for an 18ga. BUT, I have NEVER had wood split with a micro-pinner. I even tried to shoot it into a 1/8" piece of end-grain cherryoakwalnutpoplarmahogany and it won't split no matter what.

   Hope this helps,

   Sean

   P.S.  Cadex, Nickel and Grex guns are all made in the same factory.

3. 
   Moksha | Sep 29, 2007 04:36pm | #3

   DanAlberta,

   Almost a year ago I bought a cheap Pin Nailer on a whim... it is perhaps one of the most useful tools in the shop. The one I purchased is a Grip 23 gage pin nailer by Grand Rapids Industrial products. The $40 purchase price gave me the impression that it might not last so well.
   It has gone through many thousands of pins and it has never jammed. Just be certain to install the pins in the nailer with the arrow going down. I have been careful to put a drop or two of oil in it each time it is used.

   Moksha

1. 
   woodwish | Sep 30, 2007 06:03am | #4

   I bought a Grex at a WW show a couple of years ago, just seemed like something I may need someday.  Turns out I probably use it as much or more than all my other nailers put together.  Pin holes are hard to even see, grip much better than I expected, and never jams like others I have tried.  I love it!

4. 
   BruceT999 | Oct 01, 2007 06:38pm | #5

   I have the Cadex 23ga with 1 3/8" capacity. It sets the pin slightly, whereas Senco drives flush unless you modify the tip.

   I have pinned an oak transition piece that tapers to less than 1/8" without splitting, even close to the end.

   I use longer pins to tack casing together before mounting on door jambs and for tacking one end of crown in place while working on the other end. I have even used them to attach pre-painted casing where holes from 18ga would have been easily visible.

   BruceT
5. 
   tmaxxx | Oct 02, 2007 09:07am | #6

   i just recently bought the nickle cause i wanted a good quality one.  its the king of miss fires.  Dick Cheney fires better than this thing.  i am using the slight head pins and if they are jiggled a minute amount off its track, nothing comes out.  drives me nuts.  i took it back and we diagnosed it.  if they are in line perfect, fine.  bump it and nothing comes out.  it dosent seem to be broken, bent or flawed in mfg, just nature of the beast.  i am not happy still so i might trade it for something else.

   Tmaxxx

   Urban Workshop Ltd

   Vancouver B.C.

   cheers.  Ill buy.

1. 
   dougmeyer | Oct 02, 2007 08:26pm | #8

   Cheney's fireing was not the problem, ask the guy he shot :)

   Doug

2. 
   jacktchick | Oct 04, 2007 02:18am | #13

   I have the nickle 23g as well but I must say I've been pleased. No trouble at all.
   -nickt.-

6. 
   Hastings | Oct 02, 2007 05:18pm | #7

   Dan:

   I bought the Cadex 23 ga and have had no problems at all. I was going to get the Grex at Woodcraft, but a search of Knots revealed a number of happy Cadex owners.

   I recall reading that although Cadex, Nickel and Grex are made in the same factory, though the products themselves are slightly different. I have no idea how those differences manifest themselves in your day-to-day use.

   One poster seems to have had problems with the Nickel, but don't assume that the other brands will necessarily have the same problems.

   Regards,

   Hastings

1. 
   BruceT999 | Oct 03, 2007 12:49am | #9

   What a co-incidence. I got an e-mail from Tools of the Trade mag with comparison tests of 23ga pin nailers. They like the Cadex best.http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1489&articleID=536624&artnum=1
   BruceT

1. 
   DustinT | Oct 03, 2007 04:50am | #10

   I have used the bostitch, porter cable, and the max. 

   I like the max the best, great power, comfortable in the hand, belt hook, and no mar tip. 

   I liked the bostitch the least.  I had problems with it not setting the pins.  I tried cranking the compressor pressure, and turning up the depth of drive on the gun to no avail.

   Dustin

1. 
   frenchy | Oct 03, 2007 09:29pm | #12

   Dustin,

    Interesting that you should have trouble with Bostich and no trouble with Porter Cable..

    I had just the opposite experiance.. My Bostich has been 100% reliabable compared to the nail starter Porter Cable..

     I've learned to keep a hammer and set nearby if forced to use the Porter Cable while I leave them in the belt when using the Bostich..

      Funny because I most often wind up using Porter cable nails rather than Bostich.. Maybe that's the trick, use of Porter Cable nails in other brands..The real profit is in the selling of nails rather than in selling the nailers..

7. 
   Spalted | Oct 03, 2007 05:25pm | #11

   I own a first generation (1 1/8" capacity) and it was money well spent. I actually cleaned the first jam out of it yesterday since i bought it two years ago. I would recommend it to anyone. IMO, if you need a pin longer than 1 1/8" you'll more than likely go to a brad anyhow, so choose your dollars wisely.

8. 
   kesac | Oct 07, 2007 03:09am | #14

   Grex.