For you construction experts out there, I'd like to get a pneumatic nail gun. This would be for medium duty use... I don't need to shoot 16p nails or do framing. This would be more for finish nailing and smaller assembly work - 1"-2" nails. I don't know much at all about them, but was hoping to get something that takes a variety of nail sizes, if possible. Any brand better than others? I'd also like something easy to get into tight spots and lighter weight than some of the beasts that I've seen out there. Are the nails like staples... You buy a certain size and it fits all guns for that size? Or do have to buy a certain manufacturers nail specific to that gun? Last question, if you get something that can shoot a roofing nail (with a broad , flat head) can the same gun shoot a finish nail?
Thanks for any info!
-Bill

ditto..I'm looking too..
but I need a framer and a finish gun..
what brands are good and have the most standard nails(guns no use if you can't go out and get nails for it,everywhere)
are ones that use" clips" better than the ones that take "spools" etc
thanks .
hope this doesn't highjack his thread

I SHOULD have bought one 7 months ago. I finished remodeling 3 bedrooms....window, door, and baseboard trim.

Are you guys looking for a C02 cartridge? I already have a compressor.

no not me.. I'm use'n compreesor

I'm also looking for compressor powered. (shows what I know - I had no idea there were other powering options!)
"Clips?" "Spools?" Wow, I think I know more about flower arranging the nail guns!

As far as brad/finish nailers go, you can't go wrong with a Senco. I used to work for a company that makes kitchen cabinets, and the guys in the shop pretty much refused to use anything else than oil-less Senco. They are a bit pricey, but they are very reliable, lightweight, you never have to lube them and they are totally rebuildable when they get to that point. I have an 18 ga Senco 25XP that I use when I build cabinets, and it's really sweet. I'm thinking about adding a 16 gauge and a 1/4" stapler to my arsenal, and I will more than likely buy Senco again. There are many other good brands though.

There are a few different types of nails, depending on the type of gun, but most brad nails are standard. If you go to the store and buy 16 or 18 gauge brad nails, they'll work in just about any gun, the only thing you need to look for is a length that fits your gun. The larger nails can come in different configurations (stacks, coils etc), but I haven't used them much and don't have a preference. I have never seen a gun that takes different gauges or types of nails, only different lengths. There are guns that take nails and staples of the same gauge though.

Some things you need to look for when you're shopping around are:

-Oil-less guns are a bit pricey, but you'll never jam it or damage it because you forgot to lube it. It won't leave stains on the wood either, other guns can spit oil now and then.

-Some (most) guns take only certain lengths of fasteners, I would look for one that takes all lengths available.

-"Multitask" nailer/staplers are convenient and will save you quite a bit of money, but a gun that's built to take both staples and nails will more than likely not be as reliable as a dedicated nailgun or stapler. The head is wider than a dedicated nailer too, so it can be in the way in tight spots as well. I would still consider one if you're not using it professionally, it's two guns for the price of one.

-Spare parts. It won't make sense to buy a gun that's $50 cheaper if you have to throw it away after you drop it from a ladder.

I'm sure there are other things to consider, but this is what I can think about right now.

Thanks Olle!
Great info...

Olle covered it pretty well.

I have Bostich finish and brad guns. I've had the finish gun for, oh, 15 years now and have never had a problem with it. It isn't oil less, however, I've never had a prob with stains. Just don't over oil it and you'll be fine. I've only had the brad nailer for 2 years and also no problems with it.

The finish gun will shoot from 1" (maybe 1 1/4) to 2 1/2 inch finish nails and I've used it to do light framing when the wood is dry and my joints are nice and tight.

A framing I borrowed a friends Bostich framing gun when I did my basement. No problems with it either.

Like anything else it's going to depend on how you will use it. If you in a production shop or make your living in the field a high quality gun will be worth it's price. If you are a DIY'er then a mid level gun will be fine. As Olle suggests go with a name brand so that if you ever do need parts they will be available, and nails will be readily available too.

I'll put a vote in for Hitachi. Can't beat their framing nailers for doing serious work. I also have their 15ga angled finish nailer - works great for crown moulding, a little too big for baseboard work. They're a little pricer than most of the "mainstream" brands, but you'll notice a large percentage of commercial contractors use them for day-to-day work and abuse.

http://www.hitachipowertools.com/store_list.php?iDepartmentID=9&arrPath=1,9,

Home Depot carries some of the models. Believe it or not, Amazon.com has the best prices by far... at least when I bought mine.

Senco, Senco, Senco! You can't go wrong!!!!

Thanks guys, I now feel at least ready to check out a few models. Mouldings, cabinet work and other smaller projects are what I'm interested in doing and I can tell I have a lot of options.
-Bill

I absolutely love my gun. Used for all moldings in my house as well as some 6 panel doors. The best investment ever. Its a Porter Cable FN250B. 16 gauge. Never an issue with it and let lots of people borrow it....

I have a Bostitch framing nailer that shoots either round or clipped head nails. It'll shoot anything from a 2" to 3 1/2" nail. It's already paid for itself several times.

I have a Porter Cable brad nailer and used (borrowed) a Porter Cable finish nailer during a kitchen remodel. I'm sure there are better quality units if it's for professional use but for average home use I don't think you can beat the Porter Cable guns. I'm pretty sure I'll never wear out the gun I have.

Do these guns consume a ton of air? I have a 2HP 22gal sears vertical compressor, 130psi max.

Then again, my neighbor is a roofer running many guns off of the gas powered compressor with maybe a 7 gal tank?

I got myself a Dewalt 15 ga cordless... Does the job and I don't have to worry about dragging around a hose...

Do these guns consume a ton of air? I have a 2HP 22gal sears vertical compressor, 130psi max.

Then again, my neighbor is a roofer running many guns off of the gas powered compressor with maybe a 7 gal tank?

You can run any nail gun with the compressor you have, you don't need to worry about the air demand as long as you don't have a crew working with several nailers.

Nailers don't use very much air at all, the pressure is the most important thing. About 90 psi is adequate for most types and without knowing for sure, I would say that a typical operating range is 80-120 psi. They don't need a large volume like spray guns, die grinders, impact wrenches and other pneumatic tools that you run continously, they just use a certain amount of air right when you pull the trigger. You can easily run several nailers (depending on size) off of a small 5-6 gal. "pancake" type compressor as long as it can produce enough pressure. If you, for example, go to Bostitch's web page (http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp?TYPE=STATIC&PAGE=HOME.HTM) and look at the different compressors, you'll get an idea of how many nailers you can use with each compressor. It's a bit of a crap shot though, if you have several guns hooked up to the compressor, the air demand will of course depend on how fast the crew can pull their triggers. But one gun on one compressor is not a problem.

I got myself a Dewalt 15 ga cordless... Does the job and I don't have to worry about dragging around a hose...

Cordless nailers are great for "run-around" jobs like moldings, but they come at the expense of weight and size. I think they are more expensive too. They're the perfect choice in places where it's inconvenient to use a compressor or for the casual remodeler, but a regular pneumatic gun is better for stationary work like cabinet building, large-volume jobs like trimming out several rooms or any job where space can be limited. You just gotta love them though, I helped my brother-in-law to build a privacy fence, and we rented a gas-powered nailer to nail the pickets. It did cost a bit, but it was sure worth the expense.

I have a Caftsman Brad nailer, a Paslode finish nailer, a C/H stapler, and a Hitachi framer. The craftsman is cool since it shoots 5/8-2" brads, I bought this one first. Then I realized I need something that shoots nails with a head, so I bought the finish nailer. When I was doing my insulation in the garage walls, I bought a stapler since it would speed me up. The framer I got very used from my Bro in law's buddy who's a contractor. I'm having problems with it shooting doubles and the second one will jam in the gun partway. The piston doesn't retract fast enough and the second nail head stalls it. I gotta get it looked at, but I like them all. If I had to choose only one, I'd pick the finish nailer since it can do most of what I would use it for, but then again I have a huge toolbox full of dedicated tools for limited use too.

As far as framing guns go the hitachi nr83a guns are tops. I've been making a living with them for close to twenty years. They shoot 2 3/8 to 3 1/4 full round head nails. All the framers i know use them, and you can buy nails at lowes or home depot. The new model is nr83a2 i believe is good too , and you can buy it at home depot for sure. ( about $315.00) I think you can pick a new one up on ebay for alittle less. my guns shoot 10- 15000 nails each on a good week. And i've never met a senco gun i liked.

Check the local pawnshops! I picked up a Bostitch finish nailer & a Bostitch brad nailer (complete in the cases, nearly new) for less than $200!

For the home "handyman" types this is the way to go.

Check the local pawnshops! I picked up a Bostitch finish nailer & a Bostitch brad nailer (complete in the cases, nearly new) for less than $200!

For the home "handyman" types this is the way to go.

absolutely! many are still fresh from the jobsite they were stolen from. Just make sure you get a bill of sale with the serial number on it, and from a reputable shop. I bought a whole tool chest full of stuff once since it had a few things I needed and they gave me a deal. Bought a Giant brand bike for my wife that was too.

It is hard to beat a Porter Cable. I borrowed one from a friend and liked it so much I bought one from Lowe's. Never a problem with this brand. Good luck.

I picked up a Porter Cable FR350 framer from a liquidator, someone had returned it unused to Sam's Club, and they sent it to this place. I paid $27 for it. :cool: I've been using it on an off for about six years now. I also have a 16ga PC and an 18ga Craftsman I use, none of them have ever given me any problems. With the framer, I called PC and they sent me the single shot trigger, the one that comes with it is really sensitive, and if you bounce the tip, it'll shoot 2-3 nails before you can blink. The single shot trigger needs to be pulled for every nail. Much safer to use, though it might be a bit slow for someone who uses it all day long.

I have the 18 gauge Bostitch 1850, it shoots 5/8 to 2" 18 gauge brads. I have never had an issue and like it a lot. I like an 18 gauge is nice for trim as you can barely see where it went in the wood.

I'm bringing this one back.

I will be buying one soon and am having trouble deciding on what size gage nails would be best. It seems that I may need an 18ga, and a 16 or 15 as well.

Upcoming projects will be installing kitchen cabinet trim, baseboard & shoe, window trim, and crown molding. I would consider all these light...I'm not using huge baseboard trim or crown molding.

I was at HD the day and noticed that baseboard and crown usually leans toward the 18ga to 16 ga nailers, I guess depending on size. The price is almost double going from 18 to 16ga.

So the question is, will I be able to complete all work mentioned above using an 18ga nailer? Or will I also need a 16ga? I usually use 2 gages when using the good ol’ hammer on baseboard and shoe.

Thanks.

Look for the Porter Cable 16/18 combo pack, I've seen them before. 2 guns, 1 case, 1 decent price. The 15ga nail has a full head, not something you'd want to see with nice trim.

I used a friends 16g Porter Cable for a lot of the trim in my kitchen. I test fired it into some filler pieces that go between the spindles of a bannister and it split the wood. I went out and bought the 18g Porter Cable and finished up with that. Used it on window cashings, corner moldings, shoe modlings, 3/4 round, etc. I wish I had started with the 18g brad nailer, it would have been perfect for all of the trim. The trim I installed is oak and the 18g nailer did a great job. It also left very small holes that required filler, you'd have a very hard time finding any of them now. The holes left by the 16g were obviously bigger and are easier to spot after filling.

The 18g shoots brads up 1 & 1/4" which is plenty for finish and trim work.

I used a friends 16g Porter Cable for a lot of the trim in my kitchen. I test fired it into some filler pieces that go between the spindles of a bannister and it split the wood. I went out and bought the 18g Porter Cable and finished up with that. Used it on window cashings, corner moldings, shoe modlings, 3/4 round, etc. I wish I had started with the 18g brad nailer, it would have been perfect for all of the trim. The trim I installed is oak and the 18g nailer did a great job. It also left very small holes that required filler, you'd have a very hard time finding any of them now. The holes left by the 16g were obviously bigger and are easier to spot after filling.

The 18g shoots brads up 1 & 1/4" which is plenty for finish and trim work.

My trim will be white primed wood, which I believe is pine? I might go with the 18ga since 16ga might to too big as you mentioned.

After reading some reviews on 18ga brad nailers at Amazon, I think I will pick up the Hitachi for $65:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H399PC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

The Bostich reviews had too many “misfire” incidents and cost more.

The Hitachi has to be oiled vs. the oil free Bostich.

you can't beat Bostich for my money. I have several that I had back 15 or more years ago when I was in the business that still can work rings around most of the ones on the market today. Do yourself a favor. Run down to the local lumber yard and ask the contractor sales guys if there is a local gun repair guy. Then call him and ask him if he has any reconditioned/rebuilt guns for sale. I have bought them for 50 cents on the dollar with a year warranty from my local guy a number of times.

I got a Senco 41XP at Home Depot on closeout - saved $60 or so. I decided to get the biggest one I felt I would ever use for light to medium construction/trim work and will get an 18 gauge later if I need to go smaller. The Senco can dial back the force, so I'm hopeful I don't get too much splitting. I noticed also, the Senco nails are blunt cut so that in itself should cut down on splitting. I don't know if other brands are that way.
-Bill

I was about to buy one, until a buddy of mine said he owned one that I can use anytime.

Paslode 16ga angled finish nailer:
http://www.paslode.com/products/tool_catalog/t250a-f16.html

It worked great for the soft baseboard, shoe, and door casing I did last night. No misfires, adjustable air exhaust, and not too loud. It's amazing how much time these nailers save! Not to mention no dent marks or bruised thumbs from using a hammer!:thumbsup: