Brad nailers and staplers

[LCHIEN]

This may be a stupid question, but it is somewhat related to this thread.

Does the HF 18 gauge nailer require specific Brads? Do I need to get the HF brads? I'm asking, because I've used a nailer at work, but never bought one and never had to worry about brad size since they were provided. I just ordered the HF 18 gauge nailer for the $14.99 sale price, but didn't order the brads, because the minimum brad quanity was 5000 and I thought it was a bit much for personal use. Will the 18 gauge Bostitch brads at Lowes work?

Thanks

Pretty much the 18 ga. brads are universal.

But pretty much they come in boxes of 5000.

Lowes I think used to sell some Accuset/Senco brad assortments -
two packages, shoter and longer. The shorter one had 200 each (two strips of 100) in sizes from 5/8" up to around 1-1/4 and the bigger one had assortments from about 1.25 to 2".
For about $5-6 each pack. A good starter pack to find out what sizes you need.

Here they are at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

[Brian G]

The Porter Cable 18 ga. brads work great, too.

[AlanWS]

I'm also using Porter cable brads in the HF nailer. I think someone recommended against using the HF ones, and they cost almost as much.

[JimD]

My only caution on the HF nailers is my very limited experience is they need high air pressure to drive the maximum fastener they are rated to drive. I am interested in others experiences. I have the 1/4 crown stapler and it almost will not drive the 1 1/2 staples it is supposed to be able to drive - even in pine. If I jack my normal ~90 psi to 125 psi it will work in softwood but I hate to mess with my regulator when all my other guns work fine with 90 psi. It is still useful and well worth the price I paid, however, since it will drive 3/4 staqples well and they are long enough to secure cabinet backs. That is the main thing I bought it for.

I also plan to buy one of the 1/2 staplers for $12. Even if it won't drive 5/8 staples that well if it will drive 1/2 inch long staples it will be very useful.

I have a Bostitch 16 gauge finish nailer, a Porter Cable 18 gauge brad nailer, and a Bostitch 23 gauge pinner. These brands definitely work better than HF, IMHO, but I would probably never spend another ~$100 for the 1/4 or 1/2 stapler of these brands. At the HF price, I can justify an occasional use tool.

Jim

[MoldnMaker]

Thanks everyone, you have definately answer my question.
and thanks LCHIEN for the links I may have to get a pack of those like you said to figure out how long a brad I actually need for my application.

[lcm1947]

Yes thanks Loring for the Amazon pages. I didn't even know they made assortment packs like that. How great! just exactly what I need.

[LCHIEN]

Yes thanks Loring for the Amazon pages. I didn't even know they made assortment packs like that. How great! just exactly what I need.

Lee, like I said, unless you need something from amazon, I got mine from Lowes a few years back, and you might also find them at Rockler or Woodcraft if they still carry Senco or any tool store carrying Senco.