Looking at Brad nailers

[soloz2]

I'm looking at picking up a Brad nailer for some projects that I'm planning. I already have a twin stac cman compressor. It should run any nail gun I throw at it without issue.
I will not be using this professionally, so I don't want to spent a ton of money. Under $100.

I can get a Hitachi NT50AE2 from Lowes for $50 which gets pretty good reviews. I've never used any Hitachi tools though.
Or, I can get a Porter Cable BN200C from Home Depot for $72 (maybe less if I can get them to use a HF coupon)

I've used Porter Cable finish and framing nailers as well as Bostish roofing nailers before. They all worked well and didn't jam very often, yet were put through hell.

I'm wondering if the PA is worth an extra $20ish over the Hitachi, or if I should look elsewhere all together. Thanks for your input!

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[drivesitfar]

I haven't used Hitachi, but one of my high end builders uses the big one for his framers.

I can tell you I bought several of the small Porter Cable nailers from Home Depot maybe 10 or so years ago and every time I use them they are flawless with the little Porter Cable pancake compressor. I've also loaned this set up out to a few friends and they didn't have any issues either.

Porter Cable has my vote for the small nailers.

 

[Eagle Point]

I bought the Porter Cable compressor at Home Depot packaged with 3 nailers and it seems to work great so far. I put up lots of base board and trim and was very pleased with the setup.

 

[Zbrums]

My 18ga HF brad nailer has worked better than expected but I've only used it to fix interior trim

 

[Givl Reggin]

Get a Senco SLP20 Brad Nailer it's the industry standard... But, don't buy Senco at the big name home centers - their not the same quality.

 

[cheechi]

I own 18ga nailers from Dewalt, PC, JCB, and HF. No discernible difference between a good HF brad nailer and one that costs 2-3x its price or even more.

I have used Hitachi & Senco nailers also, they do cost more but I don't know that they're worth even more than the Dewalt/PC ones. They are nice, especially Hitachi as light as they are. But realistically how many brads are you going to shoot at one time? If it's just a few this weekend and then a few 3 years from now, get the HF one.

 

[tshetter]

I picked up an 18ga brad/staple nailer at Harbor Freight for ~$12, IIRC, it was 15.99-25%.

Keep it oiled, don't abuse it, and I don't see why it shouldn't last a few years. And at that price 2-3 projects will pay for it.

 

[RivennHewn]

I own a few Hitachi guns, and they have held up fine.

I mostly run Senco, but have a few Bostich and PC guns as well.

I'd say anything other than the HF will be adequate for homeowner type use.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have an oil free porter cable finish nailer, brad nailer and crown stapler. All three work great except the brad nailer wont shoot a certain length nail for some reason.

 

[evintho]

I bought a reconditioned Porter-Cable brad nailer off of Ebay for $20 seven years ago. It was like new and has never given me a problem. Very nice tool. PC has their own reconditioning shop and they sell their remanned tools cheap!

 

[soloz2]

Does the HF gun have a rubber tip so it doesn't dent the trim? I looked at it and almost picked one up for $15, but wasn't sure if I would be happy with it for detail work, and don't remember if it has a tip. Also, how is depth adjustment?

For right now I only have a couple projects, but I am looking at houses and will probably purchase one within a couple years so it may see some use and I'll probably eventually pick up a framing and finish nailer too as I have need.

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[tshetter]

Does the HF gun have a rubber tip so it doesn't dent the trim? I looked at it and almost picked one up for $15, but wasn't sure if I would be happy with it for detail work, and don't remember if it has a tip. Also, how is depth adjustment?

For right now I only have a couple projects, but I am looking at houses and will probably purchase one within a couple years so it may see some use and I'll probably eventually pick up a framing and finish nailer too as I have need.

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I will have to check in the morning, but I will get back to you on that.

 

[Koken]

I just purchased, thru Amazon, a Senco Finish Pro 18MG. I haven't received it yet so I cannot tell you anything other than it had good reviews and it was $79.99. It also has the protective tip and it is oil-less, so you don't stain your wood.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

I'm not sure what projects you have waiting in line but depending on what they are (boxes or heavy trim) maybe consider an 18ga Narrow Crown Stapler. I have the Ridgid Brad Nailer and love it but it lacks in holding power on anything but trim. Looking at getting their 18ga Narrow Crown gun. Just an idea.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I love the bostitch ones. Angled gives a little more clearance, but I have had mine for years. My dewalt framer is a beast. Never any problems with that either. The small one is 18guage..the middle is 16guage and the framer takes 2" to 3.5" 20-22 degree framing nails. I also have a 16guage porter cable somewhere which is very good too.

 

[rharman]

When I bought mine, DeWalt got the best reviews for brad nailers and Milwaukee rated better for 1/4" crown staples.

I bought one of each.

 

[Coach James]

A couple or 3 years ago, Fine Woodworking gave their highest marks to Bostich. My brad nailer is a Bostich from Lowes. Cost me less than $100 and has driven several hundred brads with not a single jam or problem.

Coach

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm partial to Hitachi brad & staple guns. we shoot several thousand staples and brads per month & in the last 3 yrs have replaced 1 driver and 1 feed spring ( in different guns) Mind you that's in the old style guns, I can't comment on the new line.. we have them but don't use them as much . THey appear to be cheaper made .

 

[soloz2]

I checked my SYWR this morning and I have about $45 worth of points. Are the cman nailer good?

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[tshetter]

So, I used the 18 gauge HF brad nailer with some 1" staples to fix a kitchen drawer.

It does NOT have a rubber anti-mar tip on it.

 

[scaron]

my parents got me a little package deal with a bostitch pancake compressor, staple gun and two air nailers. the bostitch nailers seem to be pretty high quality to me.

 

[zip95864]

I haven't used Hitachi, but one of my high end builders uses the big one for his framers.



I can tell you I bought several of the small Porter Cable nailers from Home Depot maybe 10 or so years ago and every time I use them they are flawless with the little Porter Cable pancake compressor. I've also loaned this set up out to a few friends and they didn't have any issues either.



Porter Cable has my vote for the small nailers.

Yep. I got this for christmas a few years ago. Still going strong. Have put up a ton of crown molding etc.


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[soloz2]

It seems like the overall consensus is pro for Porter Cable, although most Brad nailers will be fine for occasional use. I think I'll see if I can get home depot to accept a HF 20% off coupon this weekend. Any tips?

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[coal_man]

I checked my SYWR this morning and I have about $45 worth of points. Are the cman nailer good?

I have the Craftsman 18 gauge brad nailer. I haven't used it a ton, but it has always done a good job. It does have the plastic/rubber protector on the end of it.

coal_man

 

[Mr Ratchet]

For pneumatic nailers/staplers I like Bostitch, Hitachi, Paslode, and Senco. One other brand that I don’t have experience with is Max. I’ve talked to a few who do have them and say they like them as well as the four brands above.

I’d rather get a better quality nailer that what you originally think you need. You never know how much you’ll end up using it down the road. My nailers/staplers are a tool that I often lend out to friends and family who want to borrow them.

 

[cheechi]

I think I'll see if I can get home depot to accept a HF 20% off coupon this weekend. Any tips?

Yes, use a 25% if you can.

HD nearby me clearanced out some of their PC nailers then got different models that I haven't seen up close. Might want to take a look at the display real close.

 

[Lemonhead]

I have a Bostitch that I would like to throw in a river. It sends more doubles and half nailed brads in projects than I can take. It will do 2-3 then it just starts messing up and I have to clear it. I would never buy one again.

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

I have two, a Ridgid and a Porter Cable (that came as a package with the 6 gal HD compressor).

I have used the Ridgid Mg brad nailer extensively. It came with a great hard case with ample room for extra brads. It has NEVER fired a brad halfway and only once ever jammed on me. It's light, and has a nifty directable exhaust port. It has by far the easiest mechanism to load brads of any nailer I've ever used. It's very reasonably priced, and if for some reason it ever breaks (it hasn't shown any signs of weakness), I would buy another without reservation and I'd recommend it to anyone.

I have yet to use the Porter Cable. It looks great, feels good, and probably works fine. The lockout mechanism is very clunky and external and I honestly couldn't figure out how to reload it without first consulting the manual. I probably wouldn't have bought it for myself if it didn't come with the compressor (which was a gift).

 

[rharman]

It seems like the overall consensus is pro for Porter Cable, although most Brad nailers will be fine for occasional use. I think I'll see if I can get home depot to accept a HF 20% off coupon this weekend. Any tips?

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Check Amazon or AcmeTools also.

Correction on my post: Brad Nailer was DeWalt - from Amazon.

 

[soloz2]

Just saw this on slickdeals and ratings look to be very good. I might have to see if I can find some to look at.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-4-Piece-Pneumatic-Finishing-Kit-HDX4PFNK/204323604#

I'm going to try to find some external reviews first

 

[soloz2]

Well, I went to HF this afternoon planning on taking a serious look at the Brad nailer and possibly getting one. They were out, but I picked up a pvc/rubber air hose that looks like a knock off Flexzilla.
Then I went to Home Depot and they told me they would beat Amazon for the Brad nailer. I picked up the Porter Cable for $55 plus tax!

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[fourtythree]

Grizzly sells some nice brad nailers. I've been using one of theirs for years with no complaints.