Finish Nailers

[Jay Pique]

I've heard that I might as well just get a Harbor Freight special, since they're all fundamentally the same. Any thoughts on 15 v. 16 gauge? Thanks.

JP

[Leon]

Basically very little difference but the 15 is going to grip slightly better and be a bit less likely to deflect with all things being equal. Which nails can you get more readily or which is nail is cheaper?

[Jay Pique]

My gut would be 16's are cheaper but tougher to get. I saw a review that said the Hitachi, Dewalt and Botstitch were rated the best. These

3 are in the $200 range new though. HF is looking more and more appealing.

JP

[Leon]

I would think cheaper if you can get both at the same store. If you have to drive a distance over 10 or so miles to get the smaller nail it may end up costing more.

I saw a review

I am partial to Senco.. still more money. With the more expensive models you get a more comfortable grip, better guards, some are oilless, "a plus IMHO", built to last, easier to adjust, "sometimes with out tools", typically fewer jams and easier to clear when you get them.

[Robatoy]

I'm a Paslode snob. I also like the Senco wide crown (Upholstery) staplers. I have a 16 ga Paslode finish nailer that has been through a bezillion 1-1/4" nails. I replaced the bumper-O-ring thing and all looked well inside. Of course, I oil it every clip of nails I put in it. I kept that one when I sold my business, because the newer Palode (The green hammer-tone paintjobs) didn't fit me as well as the old style. For brad nailer (18 ga) I use a Porter Cable. It came with my pancake compressor (I needed portable air for my vacuum clamps) I am quite fond of the Porter Cable brad nailer. I also have a 'Superior' (read off shore cheapo) narrow crown stapler which serves me well the few times I need it.

[Patriarch]

"Jay Pique" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

I bought a Porter Cable 16 ga at the Orange BORG for maybe $159 or so, last summer. And 5000 nails/brads/whatever.

Works fine.

Patriarch

[Frank Boettcher]

I initially got a PC FN250B 16 ga. with a length range of 3/4" to

2-1/2" . good nailer but requried an adapter change to switch from short (less than 1-1/4") to long. I got tired of doing that and bought a PC DA250B 15 ga. Now use the 15 for long and leave the 16 set up for short.

both are good nailers. just trimmed out a Habitat house using both at a high cycle rate. No jams or problems.

Frank

[JGS]

[Robatoy]

Just a couple of small drops. The hard part was to find a dispenser that would let me dribble a couple of drops only. I finally found a small plastic glue bottle that worked well. I tried oilers as well, but they're messy things as they lubricate the hoses too.