Nailgun Suggestions Needed

[MikeinLA]

Hi all. I'm putting in new base moldings around the house. In the past I have just used a stud finder and hammered in 1"- 1 1/2" nails. This time I'd like to try a nail gun, but have never used one before. There seems to be a large variety to choose from and I was hoping to get some advice on choosing one that's tough enough to do the job, but not one that would be total overkill. This will be all I ever use it for. Also, I always pre-drilled the moldings for the nails, is there a big chance of splitting them with a nail gun? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

 

[sam.coll]

Thought about renting for a one time job? Id probably look at a 15ga myself and make sure the nails are readily available. I have a Makita 15ga gun but keep in mind im a carpenter so use it all the time.

 

[DonPowers]

I have four Bostitch nailers. Went with the brand mostly because they're sold everywhere from small hardware to big box stores along with a good assortment of fasteners.

I agree with sam.coll on the 15 ga as it would also be my choice for moulding work.

The 15 ga finish nailer will accept nails from 1-1/4" to 2-1/2" and is designed for finish work such as moulding. Mine also came with rubber head protectors to mitigate damage to the work from the tool.

The 18 ga brad nailer will accept brads from 5/8" to 2-1/8 ". Brads will also work for moulding and will leave a slightly smaller hole to be filled but won't be as strong as finish nails.

 

[lotsoftools]

I just bought the Ryobi P320 cordless nailer. It shoots up to 2" 18 gauge nails, which are perfect for trim in my opinion. I used to use my Bostitch or Ridgid nailer, but got tired of dragging air hose and firing up the compressor. It is big and bulky compared to an air nailer, but not having to deal with air is definitely worth it to me.
I'm only one stick of nails in to using it, and so far I like it a lot.

 

[dlcwent]

I have four Bostitch nailers. Went with the brand mostly because they're sold everywhere from small hardware to big box stores along with a good assortment of fasteners.

I agree with sam.coll on the 15 ga as it would also be my choice for moulding work.

The 15 ga finish nailer will accept nails from 1-1/4" to 2-1/2" and is designed for finish work such as moulding. Mine also came with rubber head protectors to mitigate damage to the work from the tool.

The 18 ga brad nailer will accept brads from 5/8" to 2-1/8 ". Brads will also work for moulding and will leave a slightly smaller hole to be filled but won't be as strong as finish nails.

I bought Bostitch for the same reason. And if you check with Lowes, I think they have a deal for a compressor and two guns 16 ga. and 18 ga. , and a stapler for $200. .It's a nice package for the price.

 

[Bro-Hio]

If you can swing the price tag, go with the Paslode 16 GA cordless angled finish nailer. I just finished my home remodel and I re-did EVERY SINGLE PIECE of molding in the house.

I also have a small pancake compressor and HF nailer and it doesn't compare. Not only in the quality of the gun, but it is just cumbersome dragging an air hose all around your house.

Seriously, go with the Paslode. You won't be disappointed. I think the gun retails for $300?

 

[GirchyGirchy]

To you guys with Bostitch nailers, are they the older oiled ones or the newer oil-free? If they're the oiled versions, that might be why you like them. Newer oil-free ones get pretty crummy reviews online.

I have two oiled Bostitch nailers which I like. The 15 ga finish nailer is an N60FN I drug out of a contractor's trash pile and rebuilt. The other's an 18 ga trim nailer, a refurb I bought cheap online.

I'd look around at used or refurb ones, you can find some great deals.

 

[bcradio]

Go with air for sure. I would go with 16ga for what you are doing.

Hitachi is a good bet for a solid gun.

 

[lll otto lll]

Hitachi NT65MA4 It's a 15ga which is more versatile IMO and it gets good reviews.

Finding a decent compressor presents more of a challenge. A Makita MAC700 is worth consideration.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Finding a decent compressor presents more of a challenge. A Makita MAC700 is worth consideration.

For a nailgun? A cheap pancake would work just fine, like the Porter-Cable you can often find for $99 at Lowe's.

 

[lll otto lll]

I put PC compressors in the same category as HF's.

 

[TomB19]

I like my 15ga finish nailer a lot but prior to getting it, I used a brad nailer for many years. While not as good as a finish nailer, Brads hold most trim just fine.

Were I you, I'd consider the brad nailer from Harbor Freight. The cheap brad nailers have come a long way and the prices are ridiculously cheap.

One thing about brads is, the long ones can be dangerous. If you hit a not, it can curl around and deflect to the side or come shooting back toward you. IMO, 1.5" brads are the longest you want to shoot except in very special circumstances.

Also keep in mind, multiple brads do not equate to a finish nail. If you have to pump in a bunch of brads to get something to hold, you're using the wrong fastener. I've seen jobs where someone punched in a half dozen brads at every location. That is the wrong tool being used for a job.

 

[Bro-Hio]

I would advise against the HF nail gun. I have the 16 GA finish nailer and it is junk. It jams super easy and the black rubber tip can/will leave marks on your molding. All of the molding I put in my house is white, so that was obviously a problem.

Seriously? No one else advocates the cordless? Having both, it is seriously the way to go. By the time you get your gun, tank, hose, and other accessories the price is about the same. Plus, you don't have sound from the compressor. You don't have to plug in the compressor and there is no hose to get tangled up in.

 

[bcradio]

Cordless is nice, but an air nailer will last a home owner the rest of his life.

 

[rick carpenter]

To answer the question about splitting the moldings, 16 ga finish nails generally won't split substantial sized moldings because they're driven in so fast. For small quarter-round or other trim of that size, a brad nailer and wood glue will do you fine.

 

[Thumper68]

Here is a tip to get past hauling the compresser and hose around all day.

When doing trim I use my 11 gal portable tank and a coil hose, small trim nailers do not use up a lot of air.

I have a older grizzly brad nailer and I can shoot a few hundred brads before I have to re charge the tank.

Same with the 1/4 crown stapler, I can use it for most of the day doing tongue and groove on one fill.

 

[DonPowers]

With regard to dragging the compressor around, I typically set mine up in an out of the way location and use 50 to 100 ft of red rubber hose to get me close and a 25 ft section of light weight flexible Polyurethane hose to the nailer.

 

[guy48065]

Make sure whatever gun you're considering will accept popular nail strips. Check the stores you frequent to see what gauge/angle they carry.
Couple weeks ago I got a smoking deal on a Bostich 15Ga angled trim nailer--only to find out nobody else carried the particular nails it needs except that store. I took it back. I don't have room for one-off proprietary tools that'll be useless in 5 years.

 

[sam.coll]

Make sure whatever gun you're considering will accept popular nail strips. Check the stores you frequent to see what gauge/angle they carry.
Couple weeks ago I got a smoking deal on a Bostich 15Ga angled trim nailer--only to find out nobody else carried the particular nails it needs except that store. I took it back. I don't have room for one-off proprietary tools that'll be useless in 5 years.

Yep Bostitch are the only brand that make a 15Ga gun that does not take standard universaly available DA series nails, they have there own series ND.

 

[MikeinLA]

Thank you all for your responses. You were a big help!

Thanks, Mike