Stanley B&D 18 Gauge Brad Nailers (Porter Cable vs Bostitch) -- Differences?

[Farmall450]

I see Porter-Cable, Bostitch, and DeWalt all offer similar oil-free 18 ga brad nailers. Minus the DeWalt taking an extra 1/8" of length, and PC being oil free (yet coming with oil ), and differences in opening the nose, I wonder how different they all are?

Clearly the Bostitch I observed has a different casting. I ended up going PC, basically due to price. I've had good luck with DeWalt, and was just running a new Bostitch siding nailer over the holidays for a week, but am somewhat surprised SB&D even offers a distinction in the Bostitch/PC lower tier nail guns. I do see there is also an oiled 18 ga 2" Bostitch, and apparently not the complimentary PC.

To my knowledge, a similar situation occurs with the electric Bostitch are identical to the DeWalt (and not really any cheaper). 2 instances of perhaps identical branding, yet at essentially the same price points -- seeming to negate the benefits?

https://www.bostitch.com/products/t...brad-nailers/18-gauge-brad-nailer-kit/bt1855k

https://www.portercable.com/product...rim-nailers/18-ga-2-in-brad-nailer-kit/bn200c

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

I have had both the bostitch and dewalt air compressors, both the same, except one branded dewalt and the other bostitch. I could not tell any difference between the two. I am guessing it is just a holding over of the brand, since they were likely acquired by SBD. I have wondered the same thing, but my experience has been they were the same. I also purchased a craftsman that is a clone of one of my bostitch pancake and it performs the same. Only difference is color. Same size, pressure cut-off. I would probably purchase whichever one is on sale at the time.

 

[Farmall450]

I have had both the bostitch and dewalt air compressors, both the same, except one branded dewalt and the other bostitch. I could not tell any difference between the two. I am guessing it is just a holding over of the brand, since they were likely acquired by SBD. I have wondered the same thing, but my experience has been they were the same. I also purchased a craftsman that is a clone of one of my bostitch pancake and it performs the same. Only difference is color. Same size, pressure cut-off. I would probably purchase whichever one is on sale at the time.

I would like to hope the DeWalt is a bit better internally. Agreed, I've seen those pancakes side by side in store and the tanks are certainly identical. Craftsman is even worse, literally the same.