Need nailer suggestions

[cgallery]

Okay, I went to Menards and got that little compresser. I like it. It fills and regenerates fast enough, it doesn't weigh a ton, and it was $60 (I thought it was going to be $50 after the sale but the price marked already had the reduction).

Now for a couple of nail guns. I would like a finish nailer than can handle up to 2-1/2" 15 or 16-gauge nails. And I would also like another nailer than can handle small nails that would be helpful for the assembly of projects.

I noticed that HF has this unit:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95218

It seems to handle a variety of fasteners (18-gauge brads up to 2" long and crown stables). It is oil-free, which I think would be nice. I guess the question I have on this one is whether the mark it would leave it in the wood would be wider because it also can handle staples. I'd rather not have a real wide "dimple" left behind.

I have also seen some deals on Bostitch posted lately. I guess I could check my Lowes.

How nice is oil-free to have? Are there substantial compromises to tool longevity or anything?

Has anyone found a line of lower-end guns that they've had good luck with?

I'm not going to use them a ton. I'm mostly interested in good bang for the buck (pun intended).

Nahm seems to use some Porter Cabler nailer, a very small one, for assembly of many of his projects. What is that thing firing and are there any good options for a less expensive version (I know Porter Cable is going to cost some bucks).

Thanks for any help.

[LCHIEN]

yes, those combo nailers have a wide striker and leaves a staple-sized dent even when shooting brads. HF nailers are cheap enough, get a $20 2" 18 ga. brad nailer and a $20 wide or narrow crown stapler of your choice (I'd say wide is a better first choice for nailing down cardboard, fabrics, thin plastics, etc.)

[JimD]

I have a HF stapler and a couple Bostitch (24 and 16 gauge) and a Porter Cable (18 gauge). I had to do a little bending of parts to make my HF work and it is noticably worse in performance than the others but it works. It is supposed to drive 1 1/2 staples but it will in softwood if there are no knots and you jack the air pressure WAY up. That is my only real complaint. My other nailers will drive the maximum fastener they are rated to drive into hardwood at no more than 90 psi. For shorter fasteners, the HF works fine. The price is certainly better.

I don't know what an oil-less nailer would be. If you use an oil lubricated compressor, the little bit of oil it puts into the air it delivers are all the nailers need. If you use an oil-less compressor, which is what I use, you put a couple drops of oil into the nailers every once in awhile. The amount of oil is so small I have never seen it on my work.

Jim

[sweensdv]

There have been many posts praising this HF 18ga brad shooter. I believe it goes on sale fairly regularly for under $20.

I own this HF stapler and although it doesn't get a lot of use I haven't had any problems with it at all. I only paid about $20 for it on sale.

I also own a HF pin nailer that also doesn't get a whole lot of use but it also has performed well for me. It also was under $20 on sale.

[Greg.B]

I have the 18g HF brad gun and it works get for $20, I mean you just can't beat that.

I also bought my 16g finish nailer at HF for like $40, another good gun.

[John Hunter]

I have several HF guns, brad and stape, brad only and the pin nailer. I have been very happy with all of them.

[sparkeyjames]

I own the Bostitch oil-less 16ga finish nailer. Works like a charm. Magnesium body so it is light weight and handles very well. Had only one jam in hundreds and hundreds of nails and then only because I hit another hidden nail. Would recommend it highly. I paid $169 for it about a year and a half ago. I bought a 16ga over a 15ga because I don't want risk splitting the wood with a thicker nail. Great for trim work.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d_i=B000LQI7KS
Amazon has it for $154 this is the kit, nails, shaped tips, tools, case and gun.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

I'm an admitted HF-aholic. I have a number of HF nailers and I like them all. All have a one-year warranty. They probably won't last as long as name-brand nailers. But they are fine for my hobby use and cheap nature.

All of them go on sale regularly.

23g pin nailer.
~$16 on sale with coupon. Tiny hole. For holding small, light weight trim/decoration. Not as much holding power as a 18g nailer. Front mounted safety can get in the way, but can be easily retracted. Pins up to 1"
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93656

18g brad nailer.
~$18 on sale.
I use this gun the most -- small projects, holding glued items, etc. Doesn't have a rubber bumper on the tip; it will dent soft wood. Based on the way you worded your question, you will probably use this gun more than all others, too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46309

18g narrow crown stapler.
~$19 on sale. I am surprised how often I use this gun. Has a lot of holding power. Especially good for attaching thin goods. Max staple = 1-5/8".
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40073

15g finish nailer.
~$59 on deep ad, or ad+coupon. ~$79 frequently on ad. This is the new model - light weight and a pleasure to use.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94440

10g 21-degree full head framing nailer.
Sometimes as low as $59 on deep sale. Normal sale price is $79.
I bought this one because nails are more common. It is heavy!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93909

- Lonnie

[cgallery]

Thanks for the help everyone. I really appreciate the summary, Lonnie. I'll be bringing it w/ me to HF.

[cgallery]

I thought of another Q: This little compressor maintains tank pressure between 70 and 100-PSI (once is drops to 70 it recharges back to 100). I realize 100-PSI is enough for most nailers, but how about 70? Will the 15-gauge finish nailer struggle to drive a 2-1/2" nail w/ 70lbs of pressure?

My recollection back to the days of the Porter Cable I had was that I was able to drive 2-1/2" finish nails with substantially less than they said would be required. Perhaps some of that was due to the 5/8" of drywall that was between the trim and the stud. But my recollection has been bad before, and perhaps the HF nailers aren't as efficient as the Porter Cable nailers, so I thought I should ask.

[Cheeky]

I thought of another Q: This little compressor maintains tank pressure between 70 and 100-PSI (once is drops to 70 it recharges back to 100). I realize 100-PSI is enough for most nailers, but how about 70? Will the 15-gauge finish nailer struggle to drive a 2-1/2" nail w/ 70lbs of pressure?

My recollection back to the days of the Porter Cable I had was that I was able to drive 2-1/2" finish nails with substantially less than they said would be required. Perhaps some of that was due to the 5/8" of drywall that was between the trim and the stud. But my recollection has been bad before, and perhaps the HF nailers aren't as efficient as the Porter Cable nailers, so I thought I should ask.

i have 3 PC nailers, and they recommend operation between 90-120 psi. Mine work fine ~80psi.

also, here's a deal on a milwaukee 16g nailer for $87 and change. just use the coupon code.

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-7145...d_i=1000108051

[Lonnie in Orlando]

cgallery:

My compressor recycles at 80#. I usually keep it set at 90# max pressure, unless I'm using the 10g nailer.

Test at 70# before nailing anything important.

The smaller guns will probably do ok at 70#.

The 15g may sink at 70#.

The 10g sometimes leaves nails proud of surface at 80#.

- Lonnie

[cgallery]

Well, I've rethought my compressor purchase and I picked-up one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Bostitch-CAP15...4724986&sr=8-1

for $149 at Menards. It fills to 125-PSI and recycles at about 90. And man does it fill/recycle fast.

So almost three times the price of the first compressor. But it is still only 20 lbs and easy to carry and pretty quiet and charges fast.

I can save money on the guns. I plan on visiting HF tomorrow.

Thanks everyone!

[cgallery]

cgallery:

My compressor recycles at 80#. I usually keep it set at 90# max pressure, unless I'm using the 10g nailer.

So even if you're firing 1" 18-gauge brads, you keep the regulator set to 90#? Or do you reduce the pressure when firing smaller fasteners?

[Lonnie in Orlando]

90# for everything, except 10g as noted. Occationally adjust up or down for depth with brad and staples, but not very often.

- Lonnie