Finishing nailer's

[alexp1289]

I need help picking a finishing nailer. I don't want a cheap one even though it's for home use. I want professional grade so far I already have this framing nailer--- Hitachi NR90AE(S) 3-1/2-Inch Full-Head Framing Strip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JPJGFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20 --- I'd like to stick with this type of light weight new design from Hitachi. I'm just not sure what size nails it needs to be able to shoot for fixing up a house

 

[sam.coll]

Depends what you need it for, finish/brad nailers come in 15Ga, 16Ga, 18Ga and smaller pinners still. 16Ga is probably a good allrounder most will shoot nails up to 65mm in length and are available in straight or angled magazine, probably a good idea to buy a gun that nails are easily and cheaply available local to you. I have a senco 15ga gun myself and paslode 18Ga and 16Ga as well

 

[signcrafter]

Just an FYI the 90 series of hitatchi nailers are home owner grade and not professional grade. The 83 series is the pro grade hitatchi framer. Not saying the 90 isn't a decent nailer, just saying it's the cheap model from hitatchi.

 

[toplessHO]

you wont find a one size fits all but for larger nails I love my Senco SFN 2
also have a smaller bostitch as well as stapler and stick nailer as well as a couple brad nailers
I love my nail guns!

 

[jgorm]

I have a small porter cable brad nailer, a bostitch finishing nailer, and a bostitch framing nailer. They all work great.

 

[woodstockva]

I just reviewed the Senco FinshPRO 21LXP.....it is a 21 ga micro pinner --- basically has the same thickness of nails as an 18ga brad nailer w/half the head size. It worked great & the holes are so small, you can barely see them. It is very lightweight & definitely a "pro tool" & not homeowner grade.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SkTohqmcY4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[shoot summ]

My primary finish gun has always been a Senco. For the smaller brad guns I've bounced around, haven't found anything I didn't really care for. I've got a pin nailer also, they are awesome.

I recently picked up a Paslode Cordless finish nailer, have to say I really like not dragging a hose around, and not lugging a compressor around as well.

 

[alexp1289]

Hitachi is a good brand right? I like them because the line of nail guns I'm getting are light weight. It says on the box for professional and diy. I've always heard good things about Hitachi.

 

[michiganman18]

I've always like my Hitachis. I bought mine 8 years ago it sees daily use for a few months then sits for a few and it's never given any issues. So unless some things changed from them in the past 8 years you should be good.

 

[alexp1289]

Okay cool

 

[sam.coll]

Have you looked into those kits where you get I think a 15Ga finish nailer 16 or 18Ga nailer and stapler? I think the kits are usually a bit cheaper than purchasing individual. Could also buy second hand or reconditioned. As far as Hitachi goes IMHO they have face planted hard in the last 10years when it comes to quality and reliability with there power tools.

 

[Zeke]

I have used Senco for 35 years. I've got the old cast AL models still going. Just rebuilt an old SN IV for which parts are obsolete. Happened to find a guy that knew a cross reference for the firing valve.

But, I used a buddy's Paslode and if I were to buy a finish gun that would be the one. That's the 15 gauge finish nailer, not a pinner. And it drives long nails if you need to.

 

[defektes]

Bostich from lowes, oiless and work great.

 

[alexp1289]

Have you looked into those kits where you get I think a 15Ga finish nailer 16 or 18Ga nailer and stapler? I think the kits are usually a bit cheaper than purchasing individual. Could also buy second hand or reconditioned. As far as Hitachi goes IMHO they have face planted hard in the last 10years when it comes to quality and reliability with there power tools.

I buy my nailers based on online reviews since I want my tools to last and only want to have to buy them once lol. I look at them as an investment. So I don't like going for bargain tools since a lot if them are cheap for a reason IMO. So basically just buying the best of each tool I need no matter who makes it [emoji4]

 

[RedRabbit]

I buy my nailers based on online reviews since I want my tools to last and only want to have to buy them once lol. I look at them as an investment. So I don't like going for bargain tools since a lot if them are cheap for a reason IMO. So basically just buying the best of each tool I need no matter who makes it [emoji4]

That's a great attitude to look at tool buying with. There is no best brand but many great brands.

 

[Kracin]

Have you looked into those kits where you get I think a 15Ga finish nailer 16 or 18Ga nailer and stapler? I think the kits are usually a bit cheaper than purchasing individual. Could also buy second hand or reconditioned. As far as Hitachi goes IMHO they have face planted hard in the last 10years when it comes to quality and reliability with there power tools.

i bought mine seperate as i needed them. the bostitch was a pawn shop find. used but in good condition. no issues at all and i don't see paying full price as i'm going to beat on it as well. nail guns are simple machines, and fixing one entails replacing one of two parts it seems in most cases.

the porter cable was an amazon "reconditioned" model. arrived brand new in box it seemed, was a return of some kind i take it. and it has shot over 350 nails no problem so far.

deals are deals.

I buy my nailers based on online reviews since I want my tools to last and only want to have to buy them once lol. I look at them as an investment. So I don't like going for bargain tools since a lot if them are cheap for a reason IMO. So basically just buying the best of each tool I need no matter who makes it [emoji4]

thats terrible. online reviews are horrible. any jo schmoe can buy up something and say how awesome it was because he built a birdhouse with 3" nails sticking out of it everywhere, then say "awesome gun, hasn't jammed once, this thing is a beast! 6 stars if i could!".

on the other hand, personal experience trumps all. stick with well known brands that have established quality. one is not going to be better in all aspects than another (including price).

i have a porter cable 16ga straight nailer. and bostitch fn style 15ga nailer. as well as an 18ga bostitch crown stapler and 23ga HF pin nailer. they all work great, i've been working the PC and bostitich for a month now redoing all doors and trim and floor in my house. haven't had a single problem, so if someone is looking to buy something, i'd say don't take my word for it. buy one, use it a lot, and decide whether or not it's for you.

Pro vs homeowner sometimes has very little difference between the two. pick what works best for you.

 

[montanafordman]

I recently bought a Hitachi 18 gauge finishing nailer for some new baseboards in my kitchen /dining room and some new casing I put around a new sliding door in my house and was very happy with it. It worked great and fastened everything the way it should, I used both 1" and 2" nails between the casing and baseboards. The depth adjustment was easy and I had no trouble. I'm just a homeowner and in an ideal world I would have also bought the Hitachi 15 gauge angled finish nailer for the baseboard and future larger projects but I was installing relatively small baseboard and couldn't justify the cost especially for pretty occasional (at best) use, and it sounds like 18 gauge fit the bill for many people as an all around nailer and I found this to be the case also. It sucked the base up tight and seemed to fasten securely. The Hitachi 18 gauge gun seemed like it was decent quality, I liked the simple operation, the way the spring loaded nail door and loading worked, and the simple depth adjustment. I think you'd be happy with it.

 

[skruft]

If you mean the larger 15-16ga, I have used Senco and Bostitch angled ones with no problems. The first one I had was a Craftsman, which I did not like because nails would often jam and it was not easy to clear. Four screws had to come out. No kind of nails would work smoothly.

If you mean 18ga, I have used Senco and Makita with no problems. The first one I had was the best of bargains, a Reliant that worked perfectly but tended to ding the surface around the nail. It would jam very rarely.

 

[michiganman18]

Have you looked into those kits where you get I think a 15Ga finish nailer 16 or 18Ga nailer and stapler? I think the kits are usually a bit cheaper than purchasing individual. Could also buy second hand or reconditioned. As far as Hitachi goes IMHO they have face planted hard in the last 10years when it comes to quality and reliability with there power tools.

Please elaborate. I have not noticed a major quality drop in the past 10 years aside from the usual quality drop from most major manufacturer companies post '04-06.

I saw some metal to plastic parts transition but that is almost everywhere sadly around mind 2000s.

I didn't think the Hitachi air tools suffered majorly.

 

[sam.coll]

Please elaborate. I have not noticed a major quality drop in the past 10 years aside from the usual quality drop from most major manufacturer companies post '04-06.

I saw some metal to plastic parts transition but that is almost everywhere sadly around mind 2000s.

I didn't think the Hitachi air tools suffered majorly.

Like I said just my opinion based on a few tools I have owned recently, but alot of pro carpenters I speak to have said the same, I feel they offer inferior products compared to Milwaukee and Makita especially when it comes to cordless tools, I wont be buying any again.

 

[cabranch47]

I recently replaced my my old Bostich with a new Bostich finish nailer. I really wanted a Hitachi but it uses "D'style nails instead of "N" nails. "N" nails are more readily available in my area and I have lots of them already. I have a Hitachi framing gun and have gotten good service from it.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I have gone to hell and back with a HF 18 ga nailer. It also shoots staples. BUT I wanted something a little more robust. I had a Hitachi 15 or 16'ga nailer. It was nice, but I really just wanted cordless. So o ended up with 16 ga lithium ion Paslode angled finish nailer. It's loud, and that my only complaint. I wear plugs. Especially hunkered down in a corner holding trim together with my fingers.

 

[michiganman18]

Like I said just my opinion based on a few tools I have owned recently, but alot of pro carpenters I speak to have said the same, I feel they offer inferior products compared to Milwaukee and Makita especially when it comes to cordless tools, I wont be buying any again.

I suppose I was thinking more air tools and not cordless. I have not tried any cordless products as I too think there are better out there than those. But nailers Ive found all my hitachis to be great for me

 

[tarbellb]

Ive been abusing my PC 3pc kit thats always on sale at HD for 5yrs now.

Literally boxes and boxes of nails (+staples) and no complaints. A few jams, but thats likely a 1:1500 ratio.

 

[alexp1289]

i bought mine seperate as i needed them. the bostitch was a pawn shop find. used but in good condition. no issues at all and i don't see paying full price as i'm going to beat on it as well. nail guns are simple machines, and fixing one entails replacing one of two parts it seems in most cases.

the porter cable was an amazon "reconditioned" model. arrived brand new in box it seemed, was a return of some kind i take it. and it has shot over 350 nails no problem so far.

deals are deals.



thats terrible. online reviews are horrible. any jo schmoe can buy up something and say how awesome it was because he built a birdhouse with 3" nails sticking out of it everywhere, then say "awesome gun, hasn't jammed once, this thing is a beast! 6 stars if i could!".

on the other hand, personal experience trumps all. stick with well known brands that have established quality. one is not going to be better in all aspects than another (including price).

i have a porter cable 16ga straight nailer. and bostitch fn style 15ga nailer. as well as an 18ga bostitch crown stapler and 23ga HF pin nailer. they all work great, i've been working the PC and bostitich for a month now redoing all doors and trim and floor in my house. haven't had a single problem, so if someone is looking to buy something, i'd say don't take my word for it. buy one, use it a lot, and decide whether or not it's for you.

Pro vs homeowner sometimes has very little difference between the two. pick what works best for you.

You shouldn't bash me and my methods you barely even know me its not like I go online looking for some novice review or something like that and take their word for it I do my homework before I buy something not just nail guns. These are the types of web sites I used I posted a link to one of them for finish nailers not that I really care about what you think but its not like I took the advice from some Joe Schmo. Usually my research consists of YouTube videos and searching the net about reviews before I make a purchase.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/g178/finish-nailer-face-off-we-test-the-top-10/