Brad and Finish nailer combo?

[Grant]

I'm in the market for my first nailer tools. I'd like to get good tools for my home shop so I've been looking at the Senco FinishPro 25XP, Senco SLP20, and even the Finish Pro 18 in the Senco line. Also for brad nailers been considering the Porter Cable BN200.

For finish nailer I'd like the Senco FinishPro 41XP.

I don't really have anyone else that I can ask for suggestions or try these models. But I would rather buy a good tool that is gunna last a good long time. My compressor is a 120psi with a 3 gallon tank, but I would like later to upgrade that for other airtools that I plan on getting. Maybe I should consider other brands besides the Senco and Porter Cable? Any ideas are welcome.

[phildcrowNOSPAM]

For Christmas, SWMBO bought me the Porter Cable 'presser/nailer combo. With coupon for crown stapler. I'm extremely happy with all of the tools. However, I knew what I was getting and what I could reasonably expect from it. See below.

If you're looking to upgrade your air compressor, well, that's a whole 'nother thread. If you're asking the group, i.e. me as a member, I say you can't go wrong with the PC 16ga and 18ga brad nailers. If I'd had my druthers, I think I'd have had the 15ga rather than 16, but a helluva gift is a helluva gift, right? Also, I've noticed that "finish nails" are significantly more expensive than "brad nails" although I've never bought finish nails, but I did price them while buying brad nails.

As always, YMMV.

-Phil Crow

[Leon]

Senco is a pro quality tool and Senco invented the nail gun. So uh they have been doing this for a very long time. Porter Cable, way too early to tell if their nail guns will last or hold up compared to a Senco. Some of the PC guns have been real dogs and others are well liked so far. If you can afford the Senco, it will likely be your last unless you use it daily for years on end. Your compressor will do fine for any conventional gun.

[Leon]

Snip

Also, I've noticed that "finish

LOL... Why yes they are. I typically pay $25 to $30 for a box of finish nails. If you ever consider getting a framing nailer, check those nail prices too. Yup, they are more expensive too. IIRC last year I paid $75.00 for a box of 7500, 2" galvanized ring shank nails.

[phildcrowNOSPAM]

Leon wrote: Snip

Funny you should mention that. I received a Paslode framing nailer as "compensation" for doing a job for some friends last week. Yeah, those

8d galv. ring shanks are about $85/box. Even the spikes are over $40. The whole time, I kept saying, "I'm saving time." CHOCK, CHOCK. "I'm saving time." CHOCK, CHOCK.

btw, I managed not to shoot a nail into my eye the whole time :)

-Phil Crow

[Leon]

That is the one I use. If you build fences it is insanely faster. My partner and I can put up 50' of fence with 6" wide pickets with 3 rails/6 nails each in less than an hour. I wonder how fast we would be with 2 guns?

[CW]

How about the one in your foot? :) Sorry, couldn't help it.

[Woodcrafter]

Here's a review of the Senco 41XP that should help

is giving away a free brad nailer with the 41XP at present as well.

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Dean Bielanowski Editor, Online Tool Reviews

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[B a r r y]

In December, I picked up a Senco kit with 15 ga. angled finish nailer,

18 ga. brad nailer, and 18 ga. stapler for $199 at Home Depot. My local store (Middletown, CT) has two more left, they've been stuck in the overhead overstock all along. I had to beg someone to take the box down and get me a kit. The store didn't have display space for the kit, so it never got put out.

I'm happy with all three tools, I just used the 15 ga. and stapler to install 3/4" oak flooring and trim. The 15 ga. did a terrific job on the edge floor boards and the trim, the stapler was handy and very controllable for tacking down rosin paper. I use the brad nailer a few times a week. I'd buy this combo again in a heartbeat.

Barry

[Grant]

Was this the FinishPro 25XP with a free brad nailer for $199. Thanks Barry.

"B a r r y" wrote > In December, I picked up a Senco kit with 15 ga. angled finish nailer,

[Grant]

Learned how to search the archives on Google. So now all you top-end brand likers are gunna hate me...I bought the Harbor Freight brad nailer for 19.00 and some of the differents sizes of brads in quanity of 5000 for like $6-$8. I'm gunna give this brad gun a try for now. On the NG here there were lots of good reviews of the brad nailer for the price. Just seemed like too good of a deal to pass up for the price since I'm just starting out.

At this point I really only want to build cabinets for my garage workshop and work tables for my workshop for starters. I'll use the brad for holding glued datos like Norm does for MDO cabinets.

What I want now is a finish nailer for this job as well. But reading the archives it looks as if the finish nailer is the most important to have. That is why I decided to go with the HF for the brad and save some money for other things at this point.

So now I need to find a good deal on the finish nailer.

[JB]

Hi Grant, I'm looking forward to the review. I think I might use a brad nailer once a month or so, so a "cheapie" might be about what I need.

[JAMES M. PRENDERGAST]

Grant,

I purchased two Harbor Freight brad nailers - one and a quarter inch for $19 and 2 inch for $24. I've shot over 1 thousand brads with these gun and the only problem I've had was when I let the pressure in my tank drop below 55 pounds. I usually shot at 60 pounds. Just finishing up a major remodeling project at home and they have been an absolute life saver - even if I only used them for trim. These guns may not be up to the standards need for contractor service, but for the home woodworker/remodeler/hobbyist they have been just fine for me and I'm sure I will be using them for years to come.

[mac davis]

I either use mine every day or not for a month or two.. depends on the projects or mode I'm in.. I liked my HF 18 ga. brad driver so much that I got a 2nd one.. also bought their splitting manifold and 2 pigtails, so I can have both drivers on the bench and ready, one with 3/8" or 1/2" and the other with 3/4' or 1".. Seems like I spent a lot of time changing nail sizes during a project.. like short for hardboard and long for stock, so adding a 2nd driver made sense to me..

mac

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