which finish/pin nailer?

[mrojec]

I'm looking for an air nailer with a fine tip to get into corners, like Norm does when he nails a cabinet shelf into the dado on the side of the carcase. Is this a pin nailer or a finish nailer, and what have you had luck with? Thanks!
Mark

[cabinetman]

There are a few that have a fairly long nose, like this Senco:
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Or, this Duo-Fast:
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For the money, this HF brad nailer is a pretty good deal. I don't notice a problem getting into corners with it. Those others are considerably much more money.
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[Tom Slick]

a 23ga pin nailer is easiest to get into corners and usually has no safety device on the tip to get in the way. I've used the senco, ridgid, and porter cable, 18ga brand nailers and they work good also, I like the ridgid's features best.

[gsmittle]

I have both the HF 18 ga brad nailer and 23 ga pin nailer and have no complaints. Both are pretty bare-bones, but for the price, what the heck...

For the amount I use them (mostly weekends for a couple of hours) they are holding up fine. I'm not sure they'd outlast a Senco or other premium brand, but I'm not making my living with them, so for me it works out pretty well.

Just my 2¢ worth...

g.

[poolhound]

I have PC and Bostich 18ga brad nailers, both work fine although I prefer the feel of the PC.

I had wanted a pin nailer for a while but didnt want to spend the $$ for a grex so got the HF one for $25. so far it has worked just fine.

[LCHIEN]

if you are building furniture an 18 gauge brad nailer is probably what you want.
usually available to shoot brad lengths 5/8" to 2" (altho some are limited to 1.25", I'd make sure mine did 2" FOR THE EXTRA VERSATILITY).
as cabman posted they have long, and tapered noses to toenail 1x assemblies well.

23 gauge headless pinners don't have the length (usually no more than 1" long) or the holding power (no heads) for furniture work- i consider them good for models, dollhouses, etc where no hole showing is great and holding power is supplemented by glue.

[herb fellows]

There are a number of models of 23 gauge pin nailers that go to 1 3/16, I believe it is. Grex is one of them. If you decide to go with a pin nailer, and if you're shooting 3/4 wood, the 1 inch nailers fall a bit short, IMHO.

[jhart]

I think the choice of 18 ga or 23 ga depends on the project you are doing. As others have said, the 18ga has more holding power due to the head. If you're using it to just hols it until the glue dries the 23 ga does the job. I have the PC finish and brad nailer and the HF 23 ga pin nailer. For under $20.00 for the HF (on sale with coupon) it's a steal. Not the fit and finish of the PC's, but I haven't had any problems with it. Looked at the Grex, but couldn't justify the price. My use for all of the nailers I own is occassional, not everyday.