B & D Firestorm Compressor, brad nailer combo

[arbee51]

OK, guys. Here's what I want to do. Repair a section of fencing (1/4 cyprus boards nailed to 1 X 2's). Maybe 100-200 brads. Install molding around perimeter of ceiling in a couple of rooms. Again, maybe 100 fasteners. Then build wooden frans for my wife's art projects. 16 fasteners per, and then just ocasionally. Was headed to Harbour Freight for a $100.00 6 or 8 gallon compressor and $15.00 brad nailer, but stumbled across a Black $ Decker "Firestorm" 2 gallon with included nailer, hose, fittings, etc for the same price. Have not actually looked at either that close, but assume everything I'm looking at is "cheap Chinese junk", but, hey, I'm not in construction or a production setting; just a homeowner wood hacker. Anybody have experience with these tools or advice you are willing to share?

Thanks!

[bdeditch]

[Leon]

Oups,,, stop right there. You want nails with larger heads than brads for out door fence work if you want it to stay together.

[Mike Marlow]

Hmmmmm... you might use that many brads just to hold the first board on permanantly.

Maybe, but I believe most of the lower priced brad nailers such as you mention below are 18ga nailers - correct? Don't believe I'd use and 18ga brad for trim. Others may have different opinions.

I expect this would work with a judicious application of wood glue.

Frames are light weight work. Fences are not. Yeah - these are Chinese tools, but not all Chinese tools are junk. For frames and light weight work they will probably last forever, and that makes them quite a tool. Possibly even for molding, but like I said, I wouldn't use an 18ga brad for that. Maybe not even a 16ga. You should probably rely more on a consensus for this, than on my opinion. For the work you describe and from what one might anticipate your long term desires to be (based upon this brief description), I'd say it sounds like you'd want two guns. One light weight brad nailer and one nail gun.

[Andy Dingley]

No, just don't.

Black & Decker stuff is rubbish, but the "Firestorm" range is barrel-scrapingly bad, even for them.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Are you serious? After all, a name like "firestorm" is tough, rugged, powerful, has plenty of energy. The B & D marketing department wouldn't use such a strong name unless it was high quality powerful tools. It is a name of a tool to be use by, professionals, craftsmen, you might say. Hey wait, that just gave me an idea for a name of tools.

[Evo]

Buy a Porter Cable Combo Package. You get the compressor, finish nailer, brad nailer and hose, think it's 299.00 with rebates. The other stuff is Junk! You may need a larger nailer for the fence.

RV

[Andy Dingley]

Yes. There's a recall out on the Firestorm jigsaws(?) after they overheated and caught fire.

[arbee51]

Thanks for all the replys! Found a "reconditioned" Dewalt D55151R compressor @ Tyler Tool for $143 & change with free shipping. That's in my budget.

Now for other issues and further explaination. 18 gauge brads or staples will work fine for the fence project. Am just dismanteling a former gate (about 36") and nailing the boards to stringers. The original construction was staples into 1 X 2's and that's lasted 20 years so far.

Sorry, but I don't umderstand why I need a heavier gun for the moulding.

1-1/2" brads should be plenty long enough, no?

Yes, the picture framing application is just to hold everything together while the glue dries.

Thanks, again. Any further thoughts?

arbee

[Edwin Pawlowski]

So it was appropriately named!