Choosing nail guns...

[Innovate1]

I picked up an air framing nailer for the garage build. I had others do the majority of the framing but it still was worth it. I haven't decided if I will sell it now that the major work is done. But I need to get some for smaller fasteners. Trying to sort through all the choices - trim, pin, staplers, etc... I plan to do a little wood working so probably need something to do things like trim around windows and a smaller one. Thinking something like this with two sizes of nailers would do almost everything I would want to do:

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/air-compressors/bostitch-reg-6-gallon-150-psi-portable-electric-air-compressor-with-2-tool-combo-kit/btfp2kit/p-1444425523601-c-12910.htm

I have a decent older compressor on wheels but not nearly as portable. Battery units seem nice but I don't expect to use them a ton and think avoiding batteries going bad is probably worth the inconvenience of using hoses.

I went with Metabo brand on the framing nailer. Just looking for some feedback on brand preferences, things I may not have considered, etc. Since I expect to have these for some time I may step up to a little better than entry level stuff but not enough use for high end.

 

[egdede]

Unless they have recently cheaped out on the airless kit packages, that is a good start. I bought a 3 nailer Porter Cable combo, it has lasted years.

Staplers are nice, pin nails can't hardly be seen. I'm going to pull the trigger on a 15g nailer because they are much more robust than the 16g nails.

 

[matt_i]

I have an older 18ga Porter Cable brad nailer, but prefer the Grex pinner (can't recall the model #) these days.

The PC does its job but then the holes are left behind...the pinner is close to invisible. Combine that with some adhesive to firm the bond and good to go.

I would like to get a narrow crown stapler someday, but that's for rougher work.

 

[Innovate1]

They put up some paneling here with a narrow crown stapler. Worked fine but I think a finish nailer will cover most of what I need to do. May pick up a pin nailer when I get into finer work.

 

[jonshonda]

I have the same kit.

The hose *****, so plan on getting a flexilla or similar. The nail guns are nice, only issue I ever had was the grips rubbing off on my hands turning them black. I wrapped them in electrical tape and they have been fine. It is a great little setup imho. Not pro level by any means, but they have never let me down.

 

[Den69rs96]

I have porter cable guns. I have the framing, the 15 gauge angled finish nailed and a smaller brad nailer. I don’t do much stapling, so I used a hand stapler. The angled finish nailed helps get into tight places and the brad shoots small nails which is great for small thin trim. I haven’t had a single issue with any of them. I thought of selling the framing gun, but every now and then projects come up and I use it.

 

[Ton ton]

Figure out what brand of staples/ nails are most readily available and go from there. Just my 2 cents.

 

[nadogail]

OK, I am far from being a professional but, my Harbor Freight nail guns and stapler have yet to disappoint me.

I paid the extra bucks to buy the 3 way adjustable framing nailer so I could use what ever angle nails came my way.

 

[southalabama]

We’ve got porter cable, dewalt, paslode and senco along with a HF.

The senco are a stapler and brad nailers. They were used commercially in a custom picture frame shop.

All have served us well.

Upgrade your hoses.

 

[MushCreek]

When I was building our house, I bought a framing nailer, a flooring nailer, a 15 ga. finish nailer, a brad nailer, a palm nailer, and a strap shot, or positive placement nailer. The last one is used for nailing structural connectors like Simpson. Very, very handy if you're doing a lot of connectors. The tip of the nail sticks out so you can guide it in the hole and fire a nail. In many places it is a code violation to put a nail through an engineered connector where there wasn't a hole. A palm nailer works for this, too, but is way too slow on a bigger project. The money you save on a DIY build is well worth the cost of the various nailers. I never owned a nailer prior to this, and I was shocked how wonderful they are!

 

[Ron_J]

I also bought the 3-1 nailer from HF. It has served me well. Helped me finish the walls on my 30x48 with no issues.

Figured as long as it made it thru this project, it would have paid for itself.