Air Compressor Nailer

[cglass]

I am looking for a nailer for smaller projects. I just don't know what too look for. I am trying to find deals where the kit includes just one nailer.

What do I look for in an air compressor Nailer?

Any ideas?

[poolhound]

There is quite a lot out there to choose from, can you let us know the types of projects you are thinking of using the nailer for and what sort of budget you have?

I have one of the PC pancake compressors. I got the one with three guns and the 18ga brads get 90% of the use.

[sweensdv]

In order to help you, we'll need more information. Just what is it that you intend to nail? How thick will the material you'll be using be? Are you looking for holding power or just something to tack two pieces together "while the glue dries"? How much are you willing to spend?

[Bill in Buena Park]

Welcome!

Welcome to the forum!

There are many types and sizes of nailers, and depending on what you'll be using it for, you'll get a variety of recommendations.

Your joining needs will establish the gauge and length of nail you'll want (and the nailer to fire it); 23g pins through 15g brads are probably what you'll find most used in small projects and cabinetry, and different brands/models can accept varying lengths - a 16g nailer that will fire 3/4in to 2-1/2in brads can cover a variety of needs.

Tell us what you're working on, and you'll no doubt receive numerous recommendations to consider.

(p.s. Be forewarned - - After your first nailer, you'll probably want another to cover other applications. There are several Harbor Freight fans on the site, including me, and I own their 23g, 18g and 16g nailers - not one of which cost over $25, and all have performed very well for me. I also own their 10g 21dg framing nailer, no complaints.)

[cabinetman]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

It doesn't take but a puff of air to shoot a nail. Most of those small compressors will handle nail guns just fine. But, if you plan on ever using it for tools that need continuous air, there is a simple way of figuring. Determine what will be the most demanding tool you might use, like an air sander or an air drill. Check the CFM requirement of the tool. Then, a compressor with that CFM amount or more of continuous duty will support the tool.

The tank size (in gallons) is really not a factor in making a decision. Once the tank's air has depleted to the "kick on" pressure, the compressor will have to run to fill the tank and support the tool. If the CFM output is less than the tools' demand, it will not have the output to keep the tool efficient.
.

[tribalwind]

another vote for harbor freight brad nailer.. i forget which gauges it does, i'll jsut say its teh "purple one" :-p .never a problem in hm,5years owning it..yep like bill said. it was like 14 bucks...

[dlminehart]

Me too for the purple HF brad nailer. One of my bigger bangs for the buck.

[jackellis]

I have the HF 23 ga pin nailer and a HF finish nailer. No problems with either and both are considerably less expensive than the competition. Much better than using a hammer for certain appplications.

[drillman88]

I have the harbor freight 18ga and 15ga nailers and a 4 gallon "hot dog" compressor.The twin tank seems to recover faster than a larger single tank. A 8 gallon with wheels is also a good option.I had one until it died it takes up more room but worked good.Like the others said just be sure to get a nailer that will shoot at least 2" long nails.

[cabinetman]

Somehow I got the idea from the OP that it was a "small air compressor" for a nailer. If it's a nailer, the info can be used if the question comes up.

I'll ditto the votes for the HF nailer. I've got Duo Fast and Senco, that don't perform any better and they're over $100. I use both the HF nailer and stapler and for the money is a much better deal than major brands. I have to pay a $45 bench fee just to service those other brands from independent repair shops. The only consolation is that if one does need service, and I buy staples or brads from the guns' supplier, the rebuild is free.

So, for the times the HF nailers go on sale for about $20 they are a good deal. They should get 3-4 drops of air tool oil before use for the day.
.

[JimD]

I bought a Bostitch package of a 16 gauge finish nailer and a compressor when I was finishing my basement 6 or 7 years ago. I added a PC 18 gauge brad nailer and later a Bostitch 23 gauge pinner and a HF narrow crown stapler. I most recently added a HF upholstrey nailer.

My Bostitch is typcial for one of the package compressors. If confortably runs the nailers. I also spray with it using a Wagner HVLP conversion gun which stresses it significantly. It works but barely. Many guns will not work on something this small.

For finish carpentry, you need a 15 or 16 gauge finish nailer to shoot 2 1/2 inch nails. An 18 gauge brad nailer is handy too but they only go up to 2 inch brads (and some won't shoot that long). That is not long enough to go through thick casing, 1/2 drywall and still go an inch into the stud. For furniture, I use the pinner whenever possible but it is limited to 1 3/16 pins and I don't actually have any that size so I use 1 inch or less. If the pinner won't do it, I use the brad nailer if it will show and sometimes the 16 gauge if it won't.

Of my HF tools, the narrow crown stapler has been a bit of a disappointment. It works fine with 3/4 staples but is supposed to shoot 1 1/2. It will but only with the pressure real high into softwood. All my other nailers work fine at their maximum length fastener at 90 psi or less. I have hot tried the upholstry stapler with 5/8 staples but it slams the 3/8 in hard enough it may work fine. Both are a bit crude versus the PC and 2 Bostitch I have but they cost less than $20 apiece versus about $100 for the others. In other words, I think they are good buys but I prefer working with the Bostitch and PC. It's a question of get the job done versus a pleasure to use.

If you get an oil lubricated compressor you don't have to put oil in your nailers but you have to trap it out to spray. I used to think that was a bigger deal than I now think. You have to trap the moisture anyway and the devices are supposed to get oil too. Oil lubed compressors probably last longer and run quieter. Cheapest way to go is to get a HF oil lubed compressor and a handful of guns. For around $200 you can have a compressor and several nailers. You can get a better brand compressor and one nailer for about the same money, maybe, if you catch a good sale.

Jim

[LCHIEN]

I assume you already have a compressor?
And by "air compressor nailer" you mean a PNEUMATIC nailer.

For small jobs, I would recommend a 18 ga. brad nailer. They come in basically two versions, one for 5/8" to 1.25" brads and one for 5/8" to 2" nailers. I would spend a few bucks extra for the 2" capacity since there's no problem using it with shorter brads. Most every 18 ga. brad nailer I have seen uses standard interchangeable brads from all manufacturers.

The 18 ga. is an all around for small projects - a modest amount of holding power by itself. When used with wood glues the assemblies can be nearly indestructable. I often use glue to fasten and brads to capture the precise position before the glue sets and avoid having to clamp. Small furniture, planters, toys, fixtures etc are perfect candidates. If you get the 2" capacity like i suggest you can fasten 1x material to other things. Good for small molding but not for larger molding or 2x4's.

There's also a 23 gauge headless "pinner" that shoot pins. This is great for small crafts, boxes, toys, etc. Usually 1/2" to 1" pins are available in strips. They leave a much smaller entry hole compared to 18 ga.; good for appearance sake.

And there's 15-16 gauge finish nailers. They leave a huge entry hole compared to 18 ga. and are used for larger furniture and molding and such.

The HF pneumatic nailers are usually quite a good bargain, kind of bare-bones but very servicable, if you want to keep you investment low while learning.

[Gator95]

If you don't have a compressor or nailers, suggest you use the microsoft live search to get a combo kit and get cashback from a buy-it-now item off e-bay.

[Sawatzky]

I have never used the HF gun, but am sure it would work fine. I have a Bostitch 15 guage nailer and a Bostitch 18 guage brad nailer. I use the brad nailer on every project. I would be lost without it. It does cost quite a bit more than the HF, but I have never had a single issue in the 4 years I have owned it. Once you have a brad nailer you will fine more uses for it that just your projects. I use it all over the shop to hold things down, nail on stops to fences, jigs, etc.

[bigstick509]

I don't think you can go wrong with practically any HF gun. I have the framing,braid and stapler guns at the moment. I did go with a Porter Cable 15G gun, at the time the HF 15G was priced at 129.00 but now can be had for less then 80.00.