Air Nailer recommendations

[wrench409]

Been reading threads for a while now on air nailers.

First I want to use one to build a Western Red Cedar fence along my property. Next I want to build an 8x10 garden storage shed.

Is there one that can do both - meaning the nail interchangability. I don't want to buy two nailers and never need one of them again. There are so many out there and it's confusing as hell. Angles, degrees, yada yada yada.

Help a GJ bro out.....


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[jkwilson]

The angles mostly affect getting access into corners and other tight spaces. 20-23 degrees seems to be a nice compromise between access and not having to cut the magazine short to keep it out of your way.

Shop from the perspective of the nails you want to use. Choose a brand that uses nails that are stocked locally.

I'm partial to Senco. Mine is 20 degree and handles nails from 2-3/8 to 3-1/2".

 

[rlitman]

You cannot use finishing nails to build a shed, and you cannot use framing nails to attach fence pickets (you can use them to attach fence section rails to posts, but I prefer screws for this).

Sorry, but one nailer cannot do everything.

 

[Frank Dukes]

finish nailers are relatively cheap. i have a HF one that has served me quite well as long as you put quality nails through it. Framing nailer is on my want list and something i won't be cheaping out on.

 

[bcradio]

Hitachi 15ga is your friend... use screws for the rest and you should be ok.

2 nailers are ideal (framer and 15ga), but unless you are doing some serious building then the framer will seldom get used.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I had a hitachi 16 gauge finish nailer to so all the trim on my shed in rough sawn cedar. It was nice. I also used a HF coil nailer for the hardi plank siding and shingles. That thing took a beating.

We close on a new house next week. I will be undertaking all trim work, crown, etc. I'm seriously contemplating a Paslode 16 ga nailer. It's about 350 bucks. I am sold on the convenience but is price of entry, gas and nails worth it? I'm not sure. I also used a 2 gallon cman compressor to drive a HF finish nailer for years. I just hate dragging a compressor through the house.

 

[rlitman]

For exterior trim, I would suggest a 15 gauge over a 16 gauge.
16 gauge finish nailers use straight sticks of nails, and to get the clip straight, the nails have T shaped heads. In exterior use, the heads can pull through wood as it softens.

15 gauge nail clips are angled, so they have normal sized heads on them (for a finishing nail), and are much less likely to pull through.

 

[cheechi]

We close on a new house next week. I will be undertaking all trim work, crown, etc....worth it? I'm not sure.

I'm in the same boat, just a few days till closing. One of the first things she wants is to paint a purple room (who can blame her) so I figure trim and flooring are going to happen. Better to do it first than empty the room and do extra work. To me, Paslode is going to have to be one of those tools you use enough to justify the cost, ie use it till its dead. The resale value on those (around here at least) is very low since people assume you abused it regardless what it looks like. A lot of people apparently don't know how to load the gas right and you can blow the seals on them. The smaller the nailer the smaller the seals, so the more likely. Haven't done it personally, this was a contractor friend who told me he won't buy them used cause too many he got like that wouldn't shoot a full clip, they leaked gas too much, and the gas is too expensive to bring one and have it leak out of somebody's gun just to see if its worth buying.

For exterior trim, I would suggest a 15 gauge over a 16 gauge.
16 gauge finish nailers use straight sticks of nails, and to get the clip straight, the nails have T shaped heads. In exterior use, the heads can pull through wood as it softens.

15 gauge nail clips are angled, so they have normal sized heads on them (for a finishing nail), and are much less likely to pull through.

I was going to say all that, then you said it better.

 

[fivespdcat]

If I were attaching fence posts, I would use a narrow crown stapler instead of finish nails. They hold really well and just need a bit of after touch. I also use the stapler for putting together cabinets. I recently picked up the PC and it's been great, you can get the staples in just about any size, but I use the 1/2" to 1 1/2" ones depending on the application.

For trim, I would go with a finish nailer. Unfortunately there is no one nailer/stapler that will do everything. I currently have a stable of them, brad, finish, pinner, framing and narrow crown stapler. Each has their place.

One thing I would steer clear of is the terrible electrics, total wast of time. I picked up an arrow branded one and it's complete garbage.

 

[wrench409]

Thanks everybody for the input!


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[justme-]

Bostich is the only brand that makes nails that are specific to a model nailer - the other brands use standardised mail profiles - paper collated D (or clipped head) framers and full head plastic collated framers each have respective angles of the stack and all should share the same angles. Been quite a few years since I managed a tool store, but that's the way it was, and I have never had issues buying generic different brand nails for my nailers when I used them professionally since then.

I used to sell Senco, Porter Cable, bostich, and Hitachi most, I own examples (for different purposes) from all of those plus store branded nailers. After 10 plus years, my Senco full head framer, Hitachi 16Ga finnish, Porter Cable and Hatachi coil roofers, and Senco palm nailer all work flawlessly and have not had issue with nails.
I also have a 2nd gen PAslode framer, and had no mechanical issues for years, but alas the batteries are shot and the replacement cost is more than I can justify for the amount of use I have for it.
As said - there really is no universal nailer, tho Senco and Hitachi were trying to perfect a coil gun that would handle a wider range of smaller full head nails I don't think it made it to market.

I would skip the narrow crown stapler for fences and cabinets - tho they are great for picture frames and back panels in cabinets the narrow crown gives very little resistance to pull through and often is actually weaker than a similar sized brad because the legs splay in different directions and the crown weakens the surface of the wood where it is driven.