brad nailer without a compressor.

[gychang]

I am a weekend handyman, looking for electrical brad nailer. My impression is most are staplers that have additional function.

Is there a recommendation for occasional light brad nailing work. So many on the magazines but would like to get a recommendation from actual users.

thanks,

gychang

[Tom Slick]

Dewalt is supposed to make the best battery powered brad nailer
Paslode makes a nice gas powered brad nailer.

The corded staple/brad nailers are very limited in the length of brads they shoot, usually 5/8".

[LCHIEN]

electrical staplers and probably brad nailers are hindered by the amount of energy that can dellivered at any given instant. Air nailers can deliver a great deal of impulse energy from the stored energy of the compressed air.
As a result, most corded electrical nailers and staplers are very marginal and only work with the shortest nails and brads into soft woods.

The recommendation for light, ocassional brad nailing work without a compressor is a hammer.

[cabinetman]

I never tried an electric brad nailer, but have used an Arrow electric stapler. It uses a T-50 staple up to 9/16" long. For putting up ceiling tiles into SYP it works great. Light weight and no heavy air hose.
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[gychang]

I never tried an electric brad nailer, but have used an Arrow electric stapler. It uses a T-50 staple up to 9/16" long. For putting up ceiling tiles into SYP it works great. Light weight and no heavy air hose.
.

can u recommend a particular model?, seems like there are several...

gychang

[cgallery]

I had a Senco (I think the AirFree 25). It shot up to 2-1/8" brads. Worked okay, but I wanted something that would shoot larger finish nails and ultimately sold the Senco and got a compressor with a Bostitch brad nailer and Bostitch finish nailer (both bought on special and it didn't end up costing that much).

I also got one of the Bostitch portable compressors. It is pretty quiet, is light weight, and charges quickly. Got it at Menards on special for about $125, and have been very happy with all the Bostitch stuff.

[cabinetman]

can u recommend a particular model?, seems like there are several...

gychang

My stapler is an Arrow ETF50P, and it only shoots staples. I ran across this Stanley stapler/brad nailer, that shoots both. Also found this brad nailer that shoots 1 1/4" brads.
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[jhart]

Got this for a Christmas present http://www.amazon.com/JacPac-J-6901-.../dp/B000QF7I7W

Just used it with my finish nailer yesterday to put in a small amount of molding in one of my apartment on the 3rd floor. It was great not having to lug the pancake compressor from my home and up the stairs.
If you have some nailers already, this might be the answer for you. A bit pricey, but I think will pay for itself, at least for me, in convenience.

[Alex Franke]

I have to admit, I read this post title and had this image of someone holding a pneumatic brad nailer and blowing real hard into the air inlet while pressing the trigger...

[luteman]

I use a portable air tank when I need to shoot nails, brads or staples. I got my tank at the BORG. The brand is Husky and the cost was only 29.95 which was about a year ago.I fill it up from my pancake compressor.

[Alex Franke]

I use a portable air tank when I need to shoot nails, brads or staples. I got my tank at the BORG. The brand is Husky and the cost was only 29.95 which was about a year ago.I fill it up from my pancake compressor.

Yeah, I saw that when I was there the other day picking up the $4 ladder platforms and nearly picked one up. Here's the link to the air tank in case anyone is interested. It's $36 on the web site.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100000784

It's about 25 lbs compared to the 35 or so of the pancake compressors.

[ejs1097]

I have an arrow brad nailer. shoots, 5/8, 3/4 and 1". had it before I had a compressor. Personally, I thought it stunk. 'usually' it could countersink brads in pine with alot of pressure at the head. hardwood and ply, forget about it. you'll have to sink the brads with a nail set. It's been hanging on my peg board untouched for years.

[jhart]

I looked at the portable units a while back also, but felt that 25 lbs. wasn't much more portable than the 35 lbs. for the pancake compressors. The JacPac is only a couple of lbs. and is truely portable. No electricity needed, but limited to the number of shots per cannister.

[JimD]

I also use an air tank when I am not in my shop. I have a little 5 gallon tank that doesn't weigh much, I would estimate 10 lbs. I do not know how many nails it will shoot but it has always been enough. I use a male to male piece to fill it rapidly from my main tank. I have a little hose (the coils itself up variety) attached to the tank so it is a simple matter of charging it and then I am off to nailing.

The only electric I've tried was a Craftsman stapler that was worthless.

Jim

[gychang]

in summary, anyone know of any electrical nailer that works for a weekend DIYer?

gychang