Electric Brad Nailer Recommendations

[Keith Strong]

I know the pneumatic nailers are far better performers than the electric models. I am barely a weekend worrier and plan on using the nailer on projects in the garage and maybe some molding around the house. I know if I have to drag the compressor out, let it fill, it is not worth it for the few times a year I would use the tool.

I am interested in getting an electric unit that operates on wall power, 120V. I really do not want a cordless so I do not have to purchase batteries years down the road or have to worry about batteries becoming obsolete for this model. I really do not have a preference between a brad nailer or a finish nailer. If a unit does staples it may be a plus but not a necessary. I would like to keep it within $100-$150. There just does not seem to be a high demand, hence the low number of units and minimal reviews online. If anyone would know best it would be you guys.

[keith ouellette]

I Had bought two different electric nailers and brought both of them back right after i started using them for 3/4 in. brads. almost none of them made it below the surface.
If you have a compressor get a small brad nailer (18G) that has a two in. capacity.

[George Bregar]

Forget electric, run to Home Depot, buy the Husky Pancake Compressor/Brad Nailer combo for $69. Great deal for a nice little combo that performs well. I re-trimmed a whole house and never a hiccup...the pancake compressor drives my DeWalt 15G finish nailer well too. My buddy has had his for two years...reliable.

[Dave Lehnert]

I think you will find an electric model will not do what you want it to do. I purchased one years ago and it would not sink a small nail in pine. Just was not worth the money. Everyone I know that owned one had the same experience.

[Jim Becker]

What George said...a small portable compressor and a pneumatic brad gun is the way to go, even for an occasional weekend warrior. The electric units are barely good for putting down carpet...not enough power to drive the fasteners deep enough into wood. Even pine on some of them.

I have a very small and portable compressor that I use for incidental home improvement tasks in the house. 'Beats running a long line from the 60 gallon shop compressor...and just as effective. The only gun it's not good for is the framer. Everything else up through my 15 gage angle nailer works great with it. It's also very quiet compared to larger machines.

BTW, Welcome to SMC!

[Dan Clark]

I've owned several electric brad nailers and staplers. They all varied from mediocre to truly horrible.

Now I have a nice compressor, and six nailers and staplers. Best move I've made.

Find a small compressor that fills quickly and get a pneumatic nailer. You'll won't regret it.

Regards,

Dan.

[Dan Clark]

Jim,

What compressor did you buy?

Dan.


What George said...a small portable compressor and a pneumatic brad gun is the way to go, even for an occasional weekend warrior. The electric units are barely good for putting down carpet...not enough power to drive the fasteners deep enough into wood. Even pine on some of them.

I have a very small and portable compressor that I use for incidental home improvement tasks in the house. 'Beats running a long line from the 60 gallon shop compressor...and just as effective. The only gun it's not good for is the framer. Everything else up through my 15 gage angle nailer works great with it. It's also very quiet compared to larger machines.

BTW, Welcome to SMC!

[Jim Becker]

Dan, it was a little Husky from the 'borg...about $89 on sale. Small tank and surprisingly quiet for an oil-free compressor. I've even used it to unclog one of the dishdrawers when a couple peas somehow made it by the filters. Very handy little machine.

[Shannon Seelig]

I am a beginner and like you, thought an electric brad nailer was my answer. I purchased a craftsman electric 18 ga. brad nailer. It is not that great IMHO. Ok, who am I kidding, its terrible. I avoid using it! The "non-marking" tip does not hold true. Like someone said earlier, it barely puts the nails below the surface of the wood even on the highest power. I know what everyone means when they say, Buy a "good tool" and you cry once........ Buy a bad tool and you cry everytime you use it! Don't go electric!!!!!!!!! Unless you want to buy mine:D.


I hope to solve my nailer problems this year though. SWMBO gave me the permission to "pull the trigger" on the Hitachi 18 ga. brad nailer from amazon. However, Santa is delivering it X-mas morning. :D I haven't even been able to play with it yet! Its hard to wait, knowing its downstairs with the other gifts. My little ones think its a surprise. ;) What we do for our kids!!!! :rolleyes:

[fRED mCnEILL]

I have a shop compressor but bought a small portable one for under $50 for nailers. although I use it mostly for the small brad nailers and staplers I have on occasion also used it for my framing nailer. Its good for 2 or 3 nails and then has to recharge but it does come in handy in some situations. Get the compressor, its handy for many other things as well.

Fred Mc.

[Keith Strong]

Thanks for all the great replies. I this is definitely the best place to get some great information. I had no idea that the electric nailers were such poor performers. I was wondering why none of the Porter-cables, Boschs, Makitas, etc did not make these. They probably do not want to tarnish their image with a product like these.

I am definitely going to keep my eye out for a good sale. There is still room under the Christmas tree for a small compressor and nailer. Having a January birthday is always nice to finish off any gifts that santa did not fit in his sleigh.

Thanks a lot for all your help and no I am not intereted in buying any of your used electric brad nailers;).

[Jim Becker]

The "combo deals" that are not unusual at the 'borg will net you a gun or three plus a small compressor for a VERY good price. All the major brands have these in one box. Excellent deals for more folks, IMHO.

[Dan Clark]

Jim,

Was this the Husky compressor?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100536065&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100536065&ci_src=17588969&cm_mmc=1hd.com2froogle-_-product_feed-_-D25X-_-100536065

I've been nosing around a bit looking for a lighter compressor. I have a Thomas T-200ST. It's a great compressor, but it's a bit of a compromise. It will power two-three framing nailers, has a very quick recycle time, is continuous-duty rated, and is pretty quiet compared to other oil-less compressors. OTOH, it's only got a 4 gallon tank and weighs 66lbs.

All of this means that it's a nice construction compressor, but not that great for continuous air tools like sprayers and a pain to carry around. I.e. a bit tool small to be a shop compressor and a bit too big to be a "pick up and run", small job, worksite compressor.

I've been looking at a small Thomas compressor (nice, but expensive) and a small Senco (nice, not too spendy, but I'm not sure of the quality). I'll add the Husky to the list.

Thanks,

Dan.

[Jim Becker]

Was this the Husky compressor?

No, mine is more like a miniature of a typical 20 gallon setup...but with about a horizontal 1 gallon tank, give or take...and was purchased a couple years ago. But the one you linked to should be a similar setup relative to performance. Perhaps this is "new packaging" for the same thing! Real nice for general utility when the expectations are realistic.

[George Bregar]

Here is mine, I saw them at my local HD for $59...normally $69. Really works very well for an affordable lil pancake compressor. Gun shoots 18G brads and staples. The second I got for my son this Christmas, a little bigger compressor with both a 18g brad nailer and 16g finish nailer. $179 at HD.

[Keith Strong]

George, thanks for the pictures, that helps a lot. How long ago did you get that deal at Home Depot? Do you know if they still carry it? I did not see it on their website. That is nice that it shoots both staples and brads, what is the longest length brads it can handle?

Any other brands or recommendations for these pneumatic nailers/staplers. Any brands I should avoid. Craftsman usually has some good sales between now and christmas. Not a huge fan of their power tools though.

[George Bregar]

That's why I took a pic, couldn't find it either. They seem to always have them, but IIRC never by the compressors. Just ask. It handles 3/8" to 1-1/4" 18 g. The two combo I got for my son was by the compressors.

[skip coyne]

George, thanks for the pictures, that helps a lot. How long ago did you get that deal at Home Depot? Do you know if they still carry it? I did not see it on their website. That is nice that it shoots both staples and brads, what is the longest length brads it can handle?

Any other brands or recommendations for these pneumatic nailers/staplers. Any brands I should avoid. Craftsman usually has some good sales between now and christmas. Not a huge fan of their power tools though.

home depot has a lot off stuff in store that doesn't show up on the website for some reason.

might want to check your local store

[Ed Bamba]

Just came back from Home Depot and I saw what may possibly be the compressor combo refered to here. The store here has it on sale for $59 and is displayed across from the Tool Center. I think I'll go back tomorrow and pick one up if it is still available. Has anyone used it for driving nails into crown molding?

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,

Has anyone used it for driving nails into crown molding?
Kind of - I used the Lowes counterpart (Coleman 1 gal pancake style w/18 ga. nailer/stapler) - a great deal @ $49.00, but way overpriced @ it's normal $79.00.
18 ga, even 1 1/4" were ok to fair. I switched to a 16 ga finishing nailer w/2 1/2" fasteners for it's better holding ability.
FWIW - the tiny comprseeor had no problems keeping up w/either gun.
It's noisy though.

[Andrew Catron]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned these. I started off with a cordless 16 ga. angled finish nailer 7 years ago and the thing is great. yeah you have to buy gas cartridges and recharge the batteries but you can shoot plenty of nails before replacing either one. I added to the cordless paslode collection with the 18 ga. brad nailer and the framer. I love them all. They are what I reach for more often than the small compressor and pneumatics. (I have a 4gal Makita and 33 gal craftsman in the shop along with 2 18 ga brad nailers, 1 framer, crown stapler, 15 ga. Angled finish nailer and a few other specialty nailers.)

I will say I use the compressor setup when I have had more than 1 room to trim out at a time. anything smaller and I can grab the paslodes and not worry about setting up the compressor.

I am not a finish carpentry pro so I don't work as fast as one which is the primary complaint about the paslodes. But if you're not a pro either than they should be fast enough for you.

[Jamie Siegel]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has had troubles with an electric nailer. I honestly thought it was just mine. I figured I had a piece of junk. Mine was a Duo-Fast that was supposedly able to use 3-4 sized brads.
If anyone wants it, it may still be out in the middle of my street. I'm pretty sure that's where it landed.
I think I'm going to join up with the small compressor crew.

[Keith Strong]

I swung by Home Depot last night and took a look at their compressors and nailers. Those Paslodes seem to be nice but significantly out of my price range. HD is offering a free pin nailer with the Porter-Cable 6gal pancake compressor, stapler, 16ga finish nailer, 18ga brad nailer for $299. I think the special goes until Christmas but I really do not want to spend that much.

They also have a similar combo that George mentioned. It is a 100psi max 1 gal cylinder compressor with an 18ga brad nailer for $59. HD is no longer ordering these, there are 3 stores in my area with one or two left. The lady that helped me believed they may have been a promotional item. There was no product specs anywhere on the box refering to the length of brad nails that the gun can handle or the air delivery of the compressor at 40 and 90psi. I am going to swing by Lowes at lunch and kick some tires (or compressors).

[George Bregar]

I swung by Home Depot last night and took a look at their compressors and nailers. Those Paslodes seem to be nice but significantly out of my price range. HD is offering a free pin nailer with the Porter-Cable 6gal pancake compressor, stapler, 16ga finish nailer, 18ga brad nailer for $299. I think the special goes until Christmas but I really do not want to spend that much.

They also have a similar combo that George mentioned. It is a 100psi max 1 gal cylinder compressor with an 18ga brad nailer for $59. HD is no longer ordering these, there are 3 stores in my area with one or two left. The lady that helped me believed they may have been a promotional item. There was no product specs anywhere on the box refering to the length of brad nails that the gun can handle or the air delivery of the compressor at 40 and 90psi. I am going to swing by Lowes at lunch and kick some tires (or compressors). I posted the specs 3/8"- 1-1/4" 18g. As far as the AC, all I can tell you is that it handled both the brad nailer and my DeWalt 15g finsih nailer no problem. Kicks in every 8-10 shots. Like all oiless AC it's kinda loud. I bought it based on my buddy using his to retrim his entire 3500 ft house...I did the same inside and out at my lake home. Very small and lightweight is also a big plus, especially going up and down scaffold like I had to do. For $59 it can't be beat.

[Peter Quadarella]

I bought the Powermatic 1 Gallon compressor that came with a brad nailer/stapler at Lowe's. It was on sale for $49 and I'm pretty happy with it. Some day I'll get a big compressor, but this is fitting the bill for now.

[BOB OLINGER]

Keith,

All the replies are RIGHT ON. Regardless of what they say they'll do, forget the electric and go with the pneumatic. You won't regret it.