I am in the process of restoring my second old home–but this time I’m a little older, a little more lazy, have a LITTLE more money, but obviously, I’m still dumb enough to do this “old home thing” again. I don’t mind investing in good tools that will last.
I am in the market for a air nailer or two or three….and I need your advice–since I’ve never owned an air nailer before. Here’s what I plan on doing with it (them):
- Framing, sheathing, wooden siding
- Finish work (paneling, stairs, mantels, and outside victorian details)
- I also like tackling furniture in my spare time (which is more and more spare these days)
Can you suggest the following:
- What types of air nailers would you suggest?
- How many different types do I need given the various types of task that I plan to perform?
- Name brands (Senco, DeWalt, Hitachi?) and model numbers?
- Do you need special nails for each particular brand?
- Any other recommendations?
Thanks for all your help…
Edited 7/22/2002 4:33:00 PM ET by PNUTIII
Replies
Senco...
Framing, Finish and Brad nailers.
Steve - in Northern California
Edited 7/22/2002 4:34:40 PM ET by Steve Schefer
Porter Cable BN125, does 5/8 to 1 1/4 brads without complaint or jams.
Porter Cable finish and brad nailers. No problems so far.
Michael
PNUTlll, I would go with a Senco nailer, they have been making nail guns for a long time, and they seem to put out a solid product. My Grandfather owned 2 of them and I have 1 myself. Its a great tool, no complaints here. I plan on acquiring a finish nailer in the next few months to do a crown molding job when I return to San Diego. I am going to buy the 15 gauge angle finish nailer. Good luck!
Steve
I use a Paslode gas fired framing nailer at work. Nice but, takes a bit to recycle for second fire and a little topheavy. I'd like a pneumatic framer for a deck or something in the near future.
I own the 2" brad P-C. Good tool; well balanced with good features for ever increasingly better price! But, I belive the 1-1/4" would be adequate for most uses; the longer the brad, the more prone to blowout.
I'd recommend the P-C finish nailer; slightly heavier than a brad but, I wish I'd bought one myself. I'd also recommend the P-C framing nailers.
Nails are easy to locate @ reasonable prices and should be interchangable as long as gauge and offset and is same. I buy @ Farm& Fleet or Lowe's, both carry P-C products.
PNUTIII Do your self a favor ,go with SENCO there great nailers and parts like drivers seals etc... are readily available . the SLP20 is by far the best pin nailer out there and the SFN1 finish nailer is great., and no oil to play with. good luck
Probably get flaming responses for this, but ... Purchased a Senco stapler years ago for occasional melamine cabinet box. Works wonderfully, but I wouldn't wear it out in three or four lifetimes. When I needed brad nailer, asked about the Accuset I saw at the local lumber yard. It was about 40% (?) of the cost of the Senco. Was told it was designed by Senco, manufactured off continent by a sub. Was in use in their door shop for last three years, in heavy production situation, without any problem whatsoever. Bought an Accuset for myself and have had no problems. It will probably last 1.5 lifetimes. One big difference is that the Accuset requires occasional oil in the air intake, the Senco is oil-less. Have to be careful that I only use "tool" air hose with the Accuset and not my "spraying" air hose.
For framing the Hitatchi framing nailer is the, I believe, the best by far. I know of four home builders that agree.
For a finish nailer get a Porter Cable, they are great guns and are very versatile.
For fine furniture applications a sometimes a finish nailer will work with short nails, but get a brad nailer, again Porter Cable makes a great gun.
Have fun shopping. The Big Orange Box carries all three guns for good prices.
Matt-
PNUT,
FWIW, I agree with MPHARPER on the Hitachi framing nailer; back in my homebuilding days we used them without a lick o' problems. One nice thing about it is that you can run virtually any manufacturers' nail through it. Don't believe in using trim nailers; I hand bang when hanging trim so I can't make a qualified recommendation there. I do have a PC BN 125 brad nailer and have no complaints with it at all; haven't had a jam in the four years I've owned it and I like the cushioned grip...
Dano
I would get a brand that I can have serviced locally if you plan on relying on it. I used to work at a place that serviced air guns and we would provide a loaner while theirs was being fixed. That hundred bucks you save can come back and haunt you in the long run. Each guy will swear by each different make. Hitachi's are definitely top notch and since I worked at that place there's a slew of new guns out there which are fine. We also used to rent guns so people could try them and put that rental money towards the purchase of a new gun. They may seem simple to fix yourself but they can be a lot more frustrating than you can imagine.
I wanted to thank everyone for their responses--After much research, I've decided to go with the Senco Brad and Finish Nailers (SLP20 up to 1 5/8 inch brads and SFN30 up to 2 inch finishing nails)...I've decided to hold off on the framing nailer right now--but will probably buy the Hitachi in the Spring when we begin remodeling the ol' money pit....Thanks again for the help--I'll try to report when I get some use in...
PNut.
Great choice!!! you won't be dissappointed.
Take a look at the Senco Finish Pro 25 it shoots up to 2 1/8" brads. I find it very usefull.
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