Any feedback on HF air nailers?

[Teach]

I do a little carpentry, but most of my work is on cars. I have a huge compressor, but my air tools are all automotive type tools- no air nailer. I am finishing the inside of a workshop with shiplap pine and think it would be worth my while to pick up an air nailer.

I normally don't buy Chinese junk...most of my tools are S/O, Mac, Matco, etc. but I am reluctant to spend real $ for something I may not use again...or at least not for years.

Does anyone have any feedback on HF air nailers? Good or bad would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

I bought one similar to this a few years ago when they were blue. I've used it from time-to-time for woodworking projects and it has served me well. Perfectly fine for light use:

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-brad-nailer-68021.html

 

[spoolgarage]

I bought a nailer for 15 bucks used it all day a month ago. A decent brand one would have cost at least 4 times that. No reason to spend so much.

 

[Teach]

Thanks, guys.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Try your local pawn shop. With the economy in the shape it is, they should have plenty of top name nailers for not a lot of cash. Just have them hook it up and try it out or get a "return for another" policy in case it doesn't work.

My personal opinion is that I would rather have a good used bostich, hitachi or similar than one from HF. If you do wind up with one from HF, get some goood nails for it from someplace else unless you like clearing bent nails.

 

[Teach]

If you do wind up with one from HF, get some goood nails for it from someplace else unless you like clearing bent nails.

Jams caused by a cheap gun were my concern...I didn't give much thought to bent nails jamming things up. Are nails sized according to an industry standard so that they are interchangeable? If so, is this true with HF, or are theirs proprietary?

 

[waltinbatonrouge]

for a one time job, go rent one.......they are usually excellent quality guns....and they guarantee 'em...

my rental store uses Bostich brand..i rented an air stapler for the day for $22 including a 1/2 box of 1/4" staples.. worked perfectly.

 

[Teach]

Follow-up: I bought the HF nailer that jtbinvalrico provided a link to. It worked great for about 100 nails then started leaking....like crazy...I have a huge compressor and even so it was kicking on constantly. I used it for about 1500 nails.It only jammed once, and it cleared easily. I brought it back (with the receipt- air tools are not lifetime warranty like hand tools) and they gave me another with no hassle. The second one worked great (no leaks, no jams) for the final 1000 or so nails.

So, thanks for the suggestion, and I guess I'll have to update the project thread.

 

[Rickster]

I have a small purple one from HF. Its worked fine for putting up crown molding and base boards around the house. Just limited use. If I needed one for moderate to heavy use it wouldn't be this one from HF.

 

[rlitman]

Follow-up: I bought the HF nailer that jtbinvalrico provided a link to. It worked great for about 100 nails then started leaking...

I didn't have this issue with any of their nailers, but I did have this with a pneumatic grease gun. It turned out that an o-ring in the trigger mechanism had split. A 2 cent replacement part, and it was all good. It wasn't worth my while to even make the trip to the store, when I have an o-ring kit in the toolbox.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I picked up one of the grey & red 18ga? nailers, and we used it for all kinds of trim, and even nailed down 300sf of 1/4 underlayment every 4 inches literally without a single jam. I bought the nails at home depot.

I got my $17 worth