Finish Nailers - Seeking Recommendations

[Art Tripp]

I am seeking recommendations, input and thoughts on air finish nailers.

I have an 18 gauge B&D Firestorm brad nailer (inherited) that performs well but am in need of something larger in the 15 or 16 gauge size. I am presently researching the forums but in conjunction with my research, I would appreciate anything anyone would like to share, particularly in regard to your preferences, experiences & uses, and the pros & cons of each size, as well as specific brand and model recommendations (affordability, value and quality are appreciated over top of the line higher $$$ models).

Usage would encompass a variety of tasks from furniture making to a multiple other woodworking projects, though it will not be used for general construction type projects. Tasks may also include assembly of various wood projects (up to 1×4 to 2×4 fastening with glue & lap joints), other nail & glue joints and various other activities.

While my present focus is on acquiring a finish nailer, in the future I anticipate adding a 23 gauge pin nailer, possibly a stapler and the option of replacing the 18 gauge brad nailer I presently have if it should fail, so welcome recommendations there too, as well as the option of various kits that include several nailers / staplers.

Thank you in advance.

[Art Mann]

Many years ago, I bought a small Porter Cable air compressor that came with 16, and 18 gauge nailers and a narrow gauge stapler. I have used the two nailers extensively building furinture and remodeling houses and have never had a problem with either one. I have not had any use for the stapler. I bought a 23 gauge pin nailer on sale at Harbor Freight for something like $15. At the time, I didn't know whether such a tool would be useful and didn't want to invest $100 in a pin nailer I would never use. The plan was to replace the HF tool with a good one if it turned out to be useful. That has been at least 10 years ago and I am still using the HF pin nailer regularly. It just works like it is supposed to and I can't find a reason to replace it.

[Jim Becker]

I like my Grex pinner and would consider their 18 gage brad nailer if I had to replace my older Senco guns. And don't worry...the 23 gage pinner is really handy to have, both for use on projects but also for things like temporary jigs that are easy to disassemble after one-time use with little or no damage to the material. I think I use my pinner more than any other gun, honestly.

[Tim Bueler]

Art I went through this process recently looking for a micro pinner. Grex was generally highly regarded by others on this forum and I also liked what I saw about Omer but I couldn't pull the trigger :D on either one. I've been buying and using Senco since the 1980's. In fact my only foray from Senco was to buy, the still highly regarded, Hitachi NR83 framing nailer. The micro pinner I found was reconditioned and thus very reasonable priced...<$100 IIRC. I know Senco went through a troubled time but I thankfully wasn't looking to buy at that time. Within the last 3 yrs I bought that pinner and two different staplers. All have performed as I would expect a Senco to perform and, not having experienced the nailers from the bad times, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Senco. If you're not afraid to buy online it's open season on any brand. If you're buying locally it may boil down to what your local dealers carry.

[roger wiegand]

I've used a Senco SFN40 15 ga nailer for decades now, I find it hard to imagine something that would work better. I love the way the depth adjusts without playing guessing games with air pressure. They run ~$150 on Fleabay. I don't know how the current new ones compare. If I needed a new one for some reason I'd strongly consider a used model and a rebuild kit of this nailer.

I recently bought a Omer brad nailer and it is, head and shoulders, the nicest pneumatic nailer I've ever held or used. Feels and works like a precision machine. (and costs like one too, unfortunately!) The biggest finish nailer Omer makes seems to be a 16 ga that goes to 2-1/4" long. For old house trim work I frequently find a longer nail to be useful (or necessary).

Yes, a 23 ga pinner is incredibly useful!

[Tom M King]

Senco has been serving me well since 1974. I'm still using one finish nailer that was used when I bought it then.

[Osvaldo Cristo]

Makita AF505N is traditional in the market and I was one late adopter in last year. I drove just a couple of thousands brads 30, 40 and 50mm long and I never had a single fail.

I am glad with my purchase. I recommend it.

[Bob Vaughan]

Senco has been serving me well since 1974. I'm still using one finish nailer that was used when I bought it then.

I started later, maybe 1977 with Senco brand air tools. The newer stuff (1990 and up) is a little better designed and somewhat more powerful, but not as durable. Some of my staplers are from the 1960s and are still going strong. (the first two numbers of the serial number is the year the tool was made, at least for the older ones). Its going to be tough to beat Senco for long term durability and performance even relatively compared to what's on the market today. Eventually you'll need a whole herd of them for various tasks. Then there's the issue of storage. I keep them up high so I can reach way up and pick out the one I need. I'm not showing my fastener shelves. That's a real mess.

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[Tom M King]

I have a red 23 ga. 2" pinner that's been pretty good. That's the only newer Senco I have. My old Senco SN4 had been out of commission for a decade or so. I had been using the lighter framing nailers.

We built some huge trusses in place, in an 1850 attic (pictures somewhere on the Structural page on my website), and needed to shoot thousands of the longest framing nails I could find. The lighter framing guns were getting hard on wrists. I found an aftermarket seller of firing seals for the SN4 on ebay, and put that gun back to work. It shot thousands of 3-5/8" framing nails without missing a beat, and without beating up wrists. We just had to wait on a 5hp compressor.

I've told this story before here, but anyway. I was building my second spec house in 1974, on the lake. A nail gun salesman came in on a boat. I thought he was crazy trying to sell nail guns from a boat. It didn't take long to find out that he was a genius. He said all he had to do was go out in the middle of the lake, cut the motor off, and listen for hammers. It was a calm day. Since I put that firing seal in the framer, every one of the five guns I bought then is still usable, but the herd has grown substantially since then.

[Cary Falk]

I have a Bostitch 1/4" crown stapler, older Porter Cable 18ga and 16ga, Hitachi 15ga, and a no name 23ga. If I were buying today I would stick with Hitachi. My 15ga was a recon and has worked great. The 15ga and the 23ga are used the least. I use the 18ga the most.

[Mike Kees]

So here is my take, The O.P. asked for affordability,value and quality. The nailers that I have used that best meet all three of these criteria are Porter cable BN200 18 gauge .My first one I bought 19 years ago and it drove 100,000 + 1 9/16 pins in the next 6 months on a huge finishing contract in a condo unit. I still have and use that nailer and here is the kicker it has never been rebuilt. there are better ones but this is affordable.

[Jack Lemley]

I have and really like the Grex 23g 2" pinner, Grex 18g finish nailer, Grex 1/4" stapler (1 1/2" I think), and the Senco FinishPro 21LXP. Great nailers all!

Jack

[Art Tripp]

I appreciate the feedback and the very insightful replies, each of which broadened my knowledge base and was quite helpful. As often happens, the more I research and learn, the more my initial thoughts broaden then focus and begin to narrow.


In looking more comprehensively at my present and future needs, as well as the budget situation and the time frame I would like to work in, I am finding myself focusing more toward acquiring several more affordable pneumatic tools with the ability to perform a wide range of activities now, over a single limited and more expensive (albeit higher quality) nailer.


My focus is somewhat centering on the Freeman Nailer Combo Kit (16ga finish nailer, 18ga brad nailer, 18ga narrow crown stapler, and 23ga pin nailer with bag, fastener assortment, etc.) for $199 - basically $50 per tool.


https://www.amazon.com/Freeman-Pneumatics-P4FNCB-Ergonomic-Lightweight/dp/B00NCNRDKM/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1549729468&sr=8-1&keywords=p4fncb


The overall reviews I have found (of the kit and of the individual tools) at a multitude of sites seems to be favorable enough that it should fit my needs, particularly with the price point taken into consideration, and should it become necessary at some time down the road, the budget will hopefully allow for a higher quality and higher $$$ replacement. With my other woodworking wants & needs, this should be a better and more realistic overall fit with my personal needs.


I still have some research to do, as well as figuring out the various fasteners and such I need to get, but hopefully I can bring the final decision together sometime this evening.


Thank you for each of the replies.

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[lowell holmes]

Just go to Lowe's or Home depot, pick them up, make up your mind and buy one.

[Jim Dwight]

I have a framing nailer, two flooring staplers (one also drives cleats), a 15 gauge finish nailer, a 16 gauge finish nailer, a 18 gauge brad nailer, two narrow crown nailers, an upholstrey stapler and a 23 gauge pinner. I have a Senco compressor but the nailer brands are Bostitch, Porter Cable, or Harbor Freight except for one flooring stapler (I don't remember the brand of that one). All the recent purchases have been Harbor Freight. They are cheap and work fine. I see no need to pay more. If you have have one close to you, I would go there.

For woodworking, I almost never use anything other than a 18 gauge brad or a 23 gauge pin. In these projects, glue is really the fastener but sometimes I need something to hold it until the glue sets (and can't clamp it). Maybe staples on the back of a cabinet too. I have the other tools because I've put in some flooring in several houses and also a bunch of trim. For trim work, my main nailer is a cordless 18 gauge pinner. But I also use the 23 gauge pneumatic and occasionally the 15 guage.

I don't think anybody needs both a 16 gauge and 15 gauge. They do the same thing. I got the 16 first because it was cheaper and now I don't use it. For your situation, I would get a 23 gauge next and maybe a 15 gauge if you find you need it.

Staples hold a lot better than nails. If you are depending on the fastener, not glue, they have a place. But only on relatively crude things or when they will not be seen.

[Ole Anderson]

Bostitch 23 ga pinner, 18 ga brad and angled 15 ga finish nail gun mostly used for casings. Yea, the 18 ga is the go-to tool. Also have a HF upholstery staple gun I used on my pool table felt. Didn't regret any of them, although my old 18 ga gun has been replaced by a newer one (my son has) that does 2" brads and has a pointed nose. Oh, and a HF flooring nailer.

[Bill Fleming]

I have been looking at the Grex 18 ga. cordless but then found this Amazon review so have sitting on a decision...

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/amazon-avatars-global/default._CR0,0,1024,1024_SX48_.png

A. Khan
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AFCQFSQTSAMN7TSEKP3VGQIPUYHA/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_gw_tr?ie=UTF8)
1.0 out of 5 stars (https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1TRJV2FGIGZ3R/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07F8ZL7P4)Nothing but Problems (https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1TRJV2FGIGZ3R/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07F8ZL7P4)
December 8, 2018
I bought one of these a few days back. I didn't buy it from Amazon but from another retailer. I am posting this review as there is a lack of information on this unit online.

From the day that I used it it only worked fine for a few shots and then started giving problems. I would hear a weak pop and the nailer did not fire. After waiting for a few minutes I would get one good shot and then a couple of duds again. I called Grex and they said that I should try fresh fuel and batteries. I told them that I used new fuel cartridges and the batteries were fresh. Then they wanted me to try using grex brad nails which I cant find where I live.

I called a few Grex dealers in the area looking for brads and they told me that a lot of their customers have had the same problems with this nailer. Grex always tells them that they have fixed it but it keeps on happening again.

If you choose to buy this nailer make sure they seller has a good return policy so you don't get stuck with a $500 paperweight. My experience with this nailer has been problematic

[Ken Kortge]

I have a Bostitch 1/4" crown stapler, older Porter Cable 18ga and 16ga, Hitachi 15ga, and a no name 23ga. If I were buying today I would stick with Hitachi. My 15ga was a recon and has worked great. The 15ga and the 23ga are used the least. I use the 18ga the most.

Though I currently use Porter Cable 16 & 18 gauge nailers (the kit), I've read lots of good things about Hitachi nailers and would buy them. Remember that Hitachi may now be branded as "Metabo".

[Dick Mahany]

In the mid 80's I purchased a Senco SFN2 for door casings and trim work and it works flawlessly even today. The disadvantage was that the 15 gauge nails needed too much fill work as I was using mainly stained trim. In the late 90's I decided to get an 18 gauge Senco SLP 20 and it has been my main nail gun for trim and cabinetry work. It has also been super reliable and problem free. About 2 yrs ago after having such good luck with Senco I purchased the Finish Pro 23LXP micro pinner and have been disappointed. I bought it because it takes 8 sizes of 23 gauge micro pins ranging from 1/2" up to a full 2", but it has been jamming and sticking even though I faithfully oil it at every use. It has been easy enough to un-jam and free up from sticking, but it takes too much time as it happens frequently. I really like the 23 gauge for applying fine trim and crown molding to cabinetry and holding parts while glue cures, but I can't recommend that model based on my experiences. I suspect that part of the problem may be due to it's extended range of pin sizes but don't really know.

[Tom M King]

My Finish Pro 23LXP has been flawless shooting 2" Grex stainless steel pins, but that's all I've ever shot with that one. I have another older one that only goes up to 1-1/8", and that one gets used for all the 23 ga. pins except the long ones.

[Jon Nuckles]

I bought the Hitachi NT50AE2 18 gauge brad nailer in November of 2018. While I have been happy with it so far, I was not going to offer an opinion because I haven’t used it much. However, since you are looking for something moderately priced, this might fit the bill. It was 39.98 through Amazon Prime when I bought it. Looks like it is up to 62.79 right now via Prime, but maybe the price fluctuates frequently and you can catch it when it’s down again. It is also available refurbished as low as 27.95 with free shipping (grade C refurbished, whatever that means).

[Jim Dwight]

The Ryobi 18 gauge cordless works great. I have many other 18V tools so I have batteries. I've put close to 10,000 brads through mine, mostly 2 inch, and it rarely jambs or gives other issues. Jambs are normally because the brad hit another bigger fastener. Most of the brads were used to install trim (crown, base and casing).

[Sam Beagle]

Check out the primatech nailers. They are a flooring nailer company. But make some great nailers

[Jacob Reverb]

I have a Hitachi NT65MA2 15-ga finish nailer that I love. Also an Accuset 18-ga brad nailer that works really well.

Then again, the Chicom cheapo HFT 18-ga nailer/stapler that I paid the princely sum of $15 for about 10 or 15 years ago works really well.

One feature that not all nailers had when I puchased mine was a piston that didn't reset until you released the trigger. I suspect all guns have this feature today, since it helps prevent dents in the workpiece caused by the equal-and-opposite force created when the piston resets...

Every time I use these tools, I marvel at what a nice job they do for things like building up trim, etc. Don't know how I ever lived without one...

[lowell holmes]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Cable-18-Gauge-Pneumatic-Brad-Nailer-Kit-BN200C/203555573

I have this one. It is a good tool.

[Tim Einwalter]

I've been using the Bostitch line for 30 years now and I've been really satisfied with the product line. Their gun line is nice and stable and some have been in production for over 30 years. I like this because that means they're common and parts can be had for the older guns. For a 15g, I'd recommend sticking to the angled magazine style. If you get into any trim work, the clearance provided by sloping the magazine will be mandatory. My next suggestion is the check your favorite supply source for nails that they stock. There are some guns out there that use a less than common nail that can be hard to source. Now that my gun collection is getting up there, I made a "Note" in my iPhone to keep a list of the model numbers and types of nails that I want. This way, when I want "finish nails", I know what I should be shopping for.

[Mike Kees]

Another great place to buy air tools,pawn shops. If the OP is on a tight budget check them out.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I know the OP said air nailer. I already have an air nailer, so I'm not in the market, but recently I have been exposed to the cordless 18v line of finish nailers. It has 1 tremendous advantage that I can visualize. No air hose that drags on your recently final sanded or finished wood. Not often that this may have to be done, but I have left those hose black marks on my freshly sanded shelf.........
The LiIon batteries are changing the tool world. The Hitachi cordless finish nailer cycles almost as fast as an air nailer, but, for a finish nailer, cycle speed is at the bottom of my list. They are not cheap, but if I were to start anew, I would seriously take a hard look at one. I have played with the Hitachi at a demo show, and I was impressed. Others make them too. Just thought I'd throw this out there, didn't see anyone else mention it. Yeah, its a lot more clunky, but I think I could get used to that. My corded drill is a lot lighter and smaller than my cordless, but I don't even think of using it anymore. Not having an air hose to drag about? I could get used to that.
Just my $0.02.

[Art Tripp]

The Freeman nailer kit came today and my first impression is that I like it, though the truth will come once I have had an opportunity to use put them to use. I ordered it through Home Depot, delivered by FedEx and arrived in good shape with no damage and with all of the parts. I’m doing a read-through of the manuals and am looking forward to doing some tinkering around with them in the shop.

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[Ed Gibbons]

Jim,
Which Grex do you have?

[Tim Cardinal]

I used a 16-ga for a long time, then went to a 15-ga MAX and a 18-ga porter cable. can't get parts for the PC anymore so I will be replacing it soon. I also have a senco 23-ga..nice little gun.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Grex makes arguably the very best pin nailers on the planet.....

Their other nailers,,,,not so much....I sadly found this out after spending $99 on a 15 ga. Grex finish nailer. (bought on closeout. Gun was $199 marked down to $99)

While mine has yet to give me any problems,,,it's just a matter of time,,,it doesn't do such a good job of leaving a divot free surface.

Speaking of which- -the big difference between a decent gun & a cheapie is:
- How little divot the hammer leaves.
- Availability of rebuild parts kits.
- Proper operation at lower air pressure.

Since there isn't much mystery about how an air nailer is put together by the factory, it's the finer things & attention to detail that escalate the cost - - or as in the case with Grex - a long buck is charged on name alone.

[Joe Chritz]

Craigslist or marketplace for the win. I grabbed all bostich 23 ga, 2 18 ga and 2 16 ga finish nailers for $100 a bit ago.

Joe