Recommend an all-purpose nail gun

[allinon72]

I'm in the market for an air powered nail gun but there are so many different types, from staplers to huge framing guns. I'm looking for a general purpose gun that will shoot some average size finish nails and but can also shoot some average size framing nails as well. Any suggestions?

 

[Macgyver_ga]

There's not really a one size fits all unfortunately.

I have a 3.5" Framing nailer for framing nails (it will shoot shorter nails), a 16ga angled finish nailer for finish nailing (crown, baseboards, door and window casement, bigger trim), an 18ga 2" brad nailer (tacking together cabinets and stuff, I use it for 1/4 round and smaller trim), and I have a 1/4" narrow crown stapler (mainly used for tacking backing on cabinets, bc it holds better than brad nails)

 

[moserjj]

I doubt you'll want to use a framing nailer to put up trim and vice versa. Some of the box stores sell kits with 3-5 different types in them for not much money if you're only using it occasionally. I have a kit like that for finish trim guns. I have a separate Paslode framing nailer for the big stuff (framing and sheeting walls, subfloors). There really isn't a one-size fits all type of nail gun so I'd recommend buying the right type of gun for the work you'll do, even if its multiple guns.

 

[bcradio]

There's not really a one size fits all unfortunately.

I have a 3.5" Framing nailer for framing nails (it will shoot shorter nails), a 16awg angled finish nailer for finish nailing (crown, baseboards, door and window casement, bigger trim), an 18awg 2" brad nailer (tacking together cabinets and stuff, I use it for 1/4 round and smaller trim), and I have a 1/4" narrow crown stapler (mainly used for tacking backing on cabinets, bc it holds better than brad nails)

I don't think you'll want AWG nail guns as AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. Just giving you a hard time but yes the above is a good setup for guns. I personally prefer 15ga if I have an 18 brad nailer. Also, consider if you might want a roofing gun.

 

[countrytech]

There's no one-size-fits-all nail gun. Different tasks require a different gun.

I got the $229 Campbell Hausfield 4 gun combo set from Lowes the other week and love it. For the price it was worth buying the set as opposed to buying 2 separate nail guns.

I even found the CH brad nailer works better than my dad's Bostitch brad nailer. Doesn't jam every other nail like the Bostitch and on the rare occasion of a jam it's much easier to fix.

Careful using the big framing nailer.... it'll take out an ear drum.

 

[pipsters]

I used a Hitachi when building houses for Habitat for Humanity and they are very nice. They also had a budget nail gun but the cost difference in the lower end units is generally weight - I found they operated all about the same.

 

[Macgyver_ga]

I don't think you'll want AWG nail guns as AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. Just giving you a hard time but yes the above is a good setup for guns. I personally prefer 15ga if I have an 18 brad nailer. Also, consider if you might want a roofing gun.

Haha good call on the awg. fixed. Come to think of it, I think my angled finish nailer is actually a 15ga.

Roofing gun is next on the list. Whenever I need to do some sort of roofing, I'll buy one.

All my stuff is Hitachi, but I also have a Paslode framing nailer but it's currently broken, i can't seem to get it to fire. I've replaced all the O-rings and put a new trigger valve in it...still nothing. I've only fired about 2 cases of nails through it.

 

[mixxmstrmike]

I think you can get away with using two nail guns for the majority of "general" work. Anything else, perhaps you're looking at a specialized gun. From my experience, I reach for my 15 & 18gg nails the majority of the time. For specific projects, I purchased a 23gg headless micro-pinner. I also have a 16gg for my cordless gun.

Sencos are great for their customer service and warranty and I never had one jam when I did all the baseboards in my house. My Max nailer (Japanese brand) seems to be the Cadillac of my 15gg nailers.

-Mike

 

[allinon72]

I will clarify to say I want a gun that will handle finish nails but also a regular 2" nail, not necessarily a framing nail.

 

[FJ 432]

Does not exist. Sorry. It's quite the racket.

 

[Macgyver_ga]

BAM!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QTWNTS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H399PC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RKA]

I will clarify to say I want a gun that will handle finish nails but also a regular 2" nail, not necessarily a framing nail.

I don't understand what that means. You can get a 15/16/18 gauge nail in 2" What's a "regular" nail? It's more about what you want to do than anything else. Different tasks, different size nails. The length is based on the thicknesses of the materials you're holding together, so you get the length appropriate for a task. In general, I think mixxmstrmike covered it pretty well for you. For household stuff, the 18 and 15 or 16 gauge guns should cover 90%, so that's where I would start. And I agree with him, if you're going to get an 18 gauge, get the 15 to compliment.

 

[MarkH]

For most purposes use 16q angled Paslodes outside of actual construction work. A nice one gun compromise.

 

[bcradio]

BAM!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QTWNTS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H399PC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yes those Hitachi guns are amazing. I've used about 5 different kinds and the Hitachi is my favorite by a mile.

 

[ChrisF250]

You need two guns that's honestly the only answer. Buy a 16ga and a framer and be done with it. Oh unless you want to roof then go ahead and buy a roofing nailer if you find one that does all let me know please.

 

[Mori55]

I have the Paslode framing and finish guns , gas operated , did all my trim in my house and still had gas leftover. What a great nail gun these are. Nice no compressor , no hoses .