Nail gun recommendations

[wendlwacker]

I have found myself in need of a nail gun or possibly several. I am a new home owner at age 23 and have a few projects where a nail gun would be very handy. These include replacing some brick mold, repairing some trim around the out side of the house, replacing some 12 inch Masonite lap siding, etc.

I am not familiar with nail guns in the slightest. I need some direction and I am hoping some of you guys can help out. I have an 80 gallon air compressor mounted in the garage but would probably need to invest in a pancake compressor for ease of working on projects I would think.

So great minds of garage journal is there a one size fits me approach to this nail gun need? Or is it not that simple?

Thanks!


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[Olinrj]

When I started doing renovations at my house I bought the Porter Cable combo set, including the finish nailer, brad nailer, 1/4" crown stapler and 6 gallon compressor. It has worked great for the past 6 years of part time use. If you can find a package deal, definitely go that r oute. I also eventually bought a framing nailer to complete the set. Just remember the oil.

 

[wendlwacker]

http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet....&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CPz2uMDeq7oCFYFhMgodN30A-w

Is this the set you were referring to?


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[wendlwacker]

http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/porter-cable/bostitch-3-tool-compressor-combo-kit

I also found this.


Anyone else have any recommendations? Or suggestions?


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[mpmarino]

I bought a Senco finish nailer about 20yrs ago. I'm not a daily user, but it still works like the day I bought it.

Bought an Airy brad and stapler combo maybe 15yrs ago - same. Still perform.

My porter cable framer should be in the trash after ~8yrs. leaks like a sieve. Probably got a bad one..

I don't know if Senco is the same as it was, but I sure do like that tool.

 

[cburnscrx]

I'm just a DIY homeowner at this point, and I am going with the Freeman combo kit.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NUP8BS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For under $230

21-Degree Full Head Framing Nailer
34-Degree 15-Gauge Angle Finish Nailer
1-1/4 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
1-1/4 18-Gauge Narrow Crown Stapler
7 year warranty

I currently have a Porter Cable and Ridgid roofing nailer, SureBonder stapler, SureBonder pinner, Freeman flooring nailer and a Ridgid 18ga brad nailer. That kit will pretty much round out my nail gun needs and it's cheap for what you get. I especially like the angled 15ga finish nailer, and will get a whole lot of use out of that.

Good luck

 

[wendlwacker]

I have narrowed down loosely to the porter cable and the bostitch sets. I ruled out the freeman because of wanting a compressor.

Which brand would you guys go with. Both seem to be basically identical sets with a small difference in price.


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[Mohawk Dave]

And when it comes time to buy a framing nailer, buy nothing but the Hitachi Nr83. Used of CL will be fine.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

For nail guns I like Bostitch, Hitachi, Paslode, and Senco. Going with a set is a good way to go as long as the set has the guns you really want. For many things around the house a 15 gauge angle trim gun works well. Add in a good framing gun and you have most things covered. Down the road you could add something like a heavy stapler, roofing nailer, and a maybe a smaller brad gun.

A smaller compressor does come in handy. I tend to use my small "Hotdog" compressor with my nailers most of the time. If it's a big job where I'm nailing a lot or fast, I'll use a longer hose attached to the big compressor in the garage.

 

[legenddc]

Might be a little different, but there's a Porter Cable combo at HD for $270. They just had a refurbished set on woot 2-3 days ago for $170. Wish I had bought it.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-C...ol-Combo-Kit-PCFP12234/203471431#.UmdE9yhQlb8

 

[skruft]

I have used various American brands. Many of the wood magazines have had test reports. The only one I used that was never satisfactory was a Craftsman angle trim nailer, because nails would jam in the nose and were hard to clear. Also it has been my experience that the Bostitch triggers can eventually fail and leak, but it is simple to get repair kits and rebuild them.

I do exactly what one of the other posters said for air. I have two large compresssors and could run lines, but for trim work it is much easier to carry a small "hot dog" compressor that I got for nothing and repaired, and plug it in where I am working.

 

[cburnscrx]

I have narrowed down loosely to the porter cable and the bostitch sets. I ruled out the freeman because of wanting a compressor.

Which brand would you guys go with. Both seem to be basically identical sets with a small difference in price.


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Just an FYI, I picked up my Porter Cable pancake compressor on clearance last year from HD for $50. Just saying...

*as for the kits and compressors...one thing to keep in mind, Black Friday! Most places let you order online to get good deals without waiting in line.

 

[WVBrady]

If you are doing something that must pass inspection, you might need to have one that drives a full head nail, as opposed to a clipped head.

 

[wendlwacker]

If you are doing something that must pass inspection, you might need to have one that drives a full head nail, as opposed to a clipped head.

Can you elaborate on that? I am a rooky at life in general! What type of things are you referring to.


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[mrjaw14]

I have a Ridgid full head framing nailer, a Ridgid finishing nailer, a Ridgid palm nailer for using standard nails, and a harbor freight brad/staple nailer.

I tried some campbell hausfeld kit, but they sucked. I hear porter cable is decent.

Some codes require a full head on a nail for structural applications, not the clipped head framing nails. clipped head are less bulky, full head are better.

 

[tarbellb]

Ive had the PC combo set (Pancake compressor + 3 guns- 2 are nail, 1 staple) for a couple of years now. I use them off and on, maybe 20-30 times a year?

1st, whats your budget or frame of mind on tools (cheap, want the best, best of both?).

The PC kit is decent for the money, be sure to look for the Refurb kit, its ~$100 less. But ive never been completely happy with the compressor. Its *****, not blows. Its been in the warranty/claims place 3 times and still not leak proof.

I would consider buying the Makita Big Bore compressor (5gal?) and then pickup a set of decent guns.. ie PC, Bostitch, Hitachi, etc...

Or go get a portable tank to fill and just connect to your gun?

 

[wendlwacker]

Ive had the PC combo set (Pancake compressor + 3 guns- 2 are nail, 1 staple) for a couple of years now. I use them off and on, maybe 20-30 times a year?

1st, whats your budget or frame of mind on tools (cheap, want the best, best of both?).

The PC kit is decent for the money, be sure to look for the Refurb kit, its ~$100 less. But ive never been completely happy with the compressor. Its *****, not blows. Its been in the warranty/claims place 3 times and still not leak proof.

I would consider buying the Makita Big Bore compressor (5gal?) and then pickup a set of decent guns.. ie PC, Bostitch, Hitachi, etc...

Or go get a portable tank to fill and just connect to your gun?

Frame of mind is I am a 23 year old first time home owner. I am buying stuff to last me well down the road but doesn't need to last me the rest of my life. Technology is moving to fast for this type of tool. (A 100 year old wrench is basically the same design where as I'm not even sure nail guns were around then)

The solution doesn't need to come in a kit but that is easier. Price would be around 300 or under i think. Obviously the lower the better because I never have enough cash...

So after some more research I have a little siding that I need to do some work on. So as I am researching this it looks like a framing nailer is more what I would need for this task. so guys i need some more guidence


So who has suggestions now! Lol we are getting closer to a solution! Man I love this site!


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[Mr Ratchet]

The solution doesn't need to come in a kit but that is easier. Price would be around 300 or under i think. Obviously the lower the better because I never have enough cash...

So after some more research I have a little siding that I need to do some work on. So as I am researching this it looks like a framing nailer is more what I would need for this task. so guys i need some more guidence


So who has suggestions now! Lol we are getting closer to a solution! Man I love this site!

Pretty much the same.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A7PAS0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JPJGFO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000225IB/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017WFB7W/?tag=atomicindus08-20



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002OU8X2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H58GA/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I like the bottom two the best. They have inline magazines that are shorter. This impoves the balance of the gun and allows it to get into tighter spots. The down side is more frequent reloads.

 

[cheechi]

I am buying stuff to last me well down the road but doesn't need to last me the rest of my life. Technology is moving to fast for this type of tool.

Technology for air nailers is either stopped or crawling. Basically changing the size/shape/weight of the gun is the only real changes since I started using them in the 90's.

Any nailer you buy, so long as you take care of it and it's not junk out of the box, should last a homeowner reasonably their lifetime. Contractors who put 100k nails through it would not see that same longevity but usually when a nail gun goes, it can be rebuilt at least once unless it's just physically damaged from a fall or misuse.

If you are doing something that must pass inspection, you might need to have one that drives a full head nail, as opposed to a clipped head.

Can you elaborate on that? I am a rooky at life in general! What type of things are you referring to.

A full head nail and the specific size/type of nail is a requirement in some parts of building code. In general, a full head nail has more surface area holding the things that you nailed together or in compression than a clipped head nail.

Think of how much grip you want if you're falling. you'd rather have a full railing to grab hold of than half a railing like some flimsy decorative junk.

 

[mrjaw14]

To my knowledge, you can get finishing nailers in. Cordless form factor, but framing nailers aren't there yet. That'd be the only advance I'd be looking for. Bit other than that, I haven't seen any movement on new nailers since I got mine 5-6 years ago.

 

[Jbizzle]

I was thinking of doing the Freeman nailer set as well. On the Costco website they are $219 and you also get a palm nailer.

 

[cburnscrx]

I was thinking of doing the Freeman nailer set as well. On the Costco website they are $219 and you also get a palm nailer.

Thanks for pointing that out! $10 cheaper than anywhere else and a palm nailer to boot!

 

[bcradio]

Frame of mind is I am a 23 year old first time home owner. I am buying stuff to last me well down the road but doesn't need to last me the rest of my life. Technology is moving to fast for this type of tool. (A 100 year old wrench is basically the same design where as I'm not even sure nail guns were around then)

The solution doesn't need to come in a kit but that is easier. Price would be around 300 or under i think. Obviously the lower the better because I never have enough cash...

So after some more research I have a little siding that I need to do some work on. So as I am researching this it looks like a framing nailer is more what I would need for this task. so guys i need some more guidence


So who has suggestions now! Lol we are getting closer to a solution! Man I love this site!


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Actually I would recommend a roofing nailer or a specific siding nailer for that job. A framer probably would get the job done (so would a 15ga nailer), but wouldn't be that good.

 

[Olinrj]

As a follow up to my previous post, yes, that is an updated version of the Porter Cable kit I bought.
All the recommendations above are solid pieces of advice.
For the Masonite siding, I have found it was easiest to use hand nailing for repair work. Galvanized Maze brand nails were what I used if I recall correctly.

Either way, good luck with whatever you select and keep us posted on the repairs.

 

[PugetDude]

To my knowledge, you can get finishing nailers in. Cordless form factor, but framing nailers aren't there yet. That'd be the only advance I'd be looking for. Bit other than that, I haven't seen any movement on new nailers since I got mine 5-6 years ago.

Paslode makes cordless framing nailers. They run on a butane cartridge.

 

[skruft]

There are many good air framing nailers, some "stick" fed and some coil. I have used three stick types, a junky one from HF that was fine for the money, a Bostitch, and two Spotnails that were like tanks and quite heavy.

Bear in mind that the nails for framing nailers (and for angled trim nailers) are not standard, so you need to be sure they are compatible.

 

[tarbellb]

Ok, reread all of this. From your own post and the advice on here, plus my similar situation (younger, never enough cash, want good investment). I would recommend the following:

Buy a full head or clipped head framing gun (Hitachi?) on CL ~$75-100
Buy a combo set either from PC or Bostitch ~$200-250

Done and done. If you get more ambitious then replace as needed.

Be sure to check a gun if you buy it off CL. Ask the seller to air up and give you a strip of nails to shoot into some 2x4"s.

Good luck.

Ps. Sure a full head nail is better, but clipped is fine. BUT def check local codes to make sure clipped is ok if you doing lots of permitted work.

 

[captain14]

Related question but not to steal the thread, the nails for all of the above nail guns are they all galvanized or do you have to get exterior nails for exterior work and interior nails for interior work?

 

[skruft]

As to the clipped common nail heads, also some places permit them but require more nails than usual. You should just find out what the rule is where you are.

Some nails are galvanized, some not, some even stainless, but most are used indoors so don't need to be.

 

[wendlwacker]

As one poster pointed out the freeman kit at costco is a great deal! Now since I need a small compressor what size would you recommend that would keep the framing nailer aired up. A specific model would be awesome.


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[James-W]

Nail guns are wonderful tools to have, but from the list of projects you mentioned in your opening post, I would say that it would be better to use a hammer and nails on those particular jobs. You had mentioned "...replacing some brick mold, repairing some trim around the outside of the house, replacing some 12 inch Masonite lap siding..." and for those particular jobs I would think using a hammer and nails would be a better way to do it.

For doing framing work, or roofing, or putting up trim inside your house, stuff like that, nail guns are wonderful tools. But for the jobs you specified, personally, I would use a hammer and nails. I am sure others may feel differently about it, but like I said, if it were me I would do the tasks you specified by hand.

 

[WVBrady]

Don't forget to put some air tool oil in where the air goes in before you use it. You should see a little of the oil where the air comes out. A lot of guys put a few drops every time they recharge with nails.

Don't be misled by some requirement such as 10 cu ft per minute (cfm) in the specification of the air consumption. That is for mass production where they hold the trigger down and bounce the gun to fire. For home usage a smaller pancake (noisy) should be sufficient.