Pneumatic nail gun recommendation

[SBH]

I am ready to make a purchase for pneumatic nail guns, plural, because I want to purchase a brad nailer and finish nailer for now and I'm asking for recommendations. I've gained some knowledge of nail guns in just a little time but still learning more about them. I don't want to spend a great deal of money, but I don't want a cheapie either. I prefer an angled nail gun, though I'm not sure they sell angled brad nail guns, therefore, not a major issue though a brad/staple combo nail gun would be nice as well as a depth gauge and a good range of nail lengths. The uses will be for general home repairs and the beginning of some cabinet making ventures.

All help is much appreciated.

Thank you

[Oren]

Porter Cable - my choice for brad and finish nailer. Mine have taken a beating over several years. I add nails and a few drops of oil.

[Joe]

My choice is Senco because they are long time suppliers to the pros and they also make their own fasteners. I have several other brands, but the Sencos always seem to do a better job of setting each nail/ brad just right. Might be a good idea to visit a job site sometime and see what the finish carpenters are using. Odds are it will be Paslode, Bostitch, and such, maybe some Hilti tools, even Hitachi up on the roof. Porter-Cable IIRC is Asian made. Even Milwaukee has a couple of nailers out now, from Asian sources. Generally, nailers are not complicated tools, and for a beginner you might as well get started with the top tier (more $$) from Harbor Freight. Just be sure your compressor has the balls to handle the pressure. Some of the little pancake cuties don't get up enough pressure to let a nailer set well in harder kinds of wood, like yellow pine. Around 135 PSI is good. HTH

Joe

[SBH]

Aren't the new Sencos also Asian made? I just viewed a Senco at HD and it was "Made in Taiwan" I was led to believe the older Senco, which were made in the US, are the reliable ones while the Asian brands are not as reliable. Any truth to that?

[Chris Friesen]

I've got a Ridgid 18G brad nailer. Magnesium body (so it's light), oilless drive mechanism, exhausts out the back of the handle, and lifetime warranty if you register it with them.

I don't use it professionally, but it's worked great so far. No misfires, and the only times it hasn't sunk the heads have been due to operator error.

Chris

[JB]

I just purchased a Porter Cable kit from HD...Black Friday sale for $199. 6 gal/150 psi compressor and 2 nailers...16 and 18 gauge. I don't know much about compressors either and I'm hoping a kit will mean a good match between gun and compressor.

--Jeff

[TH]

[marson]

The first question is how much you are planning to use this nail gun. Porter cable makes some affordable kits, and they are just fine for homeowner use, but I have used them and feel they lack the features and are pretty rough around the edges for day in and day out pro use. Their compressors are loud and run sort of rough. But again, for homeowner use, they are fine. I've never really used a finish/brad nailer I didn't like, at least compared to the alternative (hand nailing). Any name brand will probably make you happy. I personally use Hitachi, but that is mostly because I have a store that sells factory recon Hitachi tools near me. (the overall quality of Hitachi is definitely a cut above porter cable). I have also used and liked Senco and even Bostich, though they are a bit clunky. Lots of personal preference here.

The angled finish nailers are 15 gauge, and they are usually fairly pricey, but they shoot a real nail. Much cheaper is a 16 gauge brad nailer which you can get you up to a 2 1/2" brad. These are a little marginal for things like hanging doors, but again, if you are not a pro, you will probably do fine with one (and I have hung doors with one). I personally like the versatility of my 18 gauge, 2" brad nailer---The 2" length often comes in handy, yet I can shoot a brad down to 5/8" if I need to.