Which Air Finish Nailer?

[Krodad]

I am in need of a finish nailer, and have never really looked into them before... I am a little confused about the 15 and 16 gauge versions. Most of the work I will be doing is baseboard trim, quarter round, etc.
Which would be more appropriate...the 15 or 16 guage?

Thanks for any help on this!

 

[Fultrtl]

All my nailers are from Paslode,I've had good luck with them so far. I bought them both off ebay.Do a search for Paslode and you should find what you need. Mine was a 16 guage version.

 

[Krodad]

All my nailers are from Paslode,I've had good luck with them so far. I bought them both off ebay.Do a search for Paslode and you should find what you need. Mine was a 16 guage version.

I was looking at the Paslodes...I like the ability to go without an air line since a lot of the stuff I'll be doing are in tight places. Looks like Paslode only offers the finish nailer in a 16 ga. version.
Does this do everything you've needed, or have you ever been in a situation where you wanted a 15ga. nailer?
How about using these fuel cell nailers inside without great ventilation, like finishing off a basement in the winter? are there concerns about the exhaust?

Thanks for the reply!

 

[vjquan]

The 15 gauge nailers tend to be the angled version and are much more in price (gun and nails) than the 16 gauge. For finish work such as baseboards and mouldings, 16 gauge is plenty. For quarter rounds, you'd probably want to use a brad nailer which is 18 gauge. The heavier the gauge, the bigger the dent the gun will make and later have to fill. With brad nails, it's hardly noticible! I bought a compressor combo pack with both brad and 16 gauge nailer. Never had the desire or need for a 15 gauge.

 

[mleichtle]

I got a Bostitch brad nailer, it fires brads from 5/8" to 2". I don't see a need for anything heavier. I even used it for crown moulding. The new senco has belt hook, those are handy.

 

[snorvet]

Paslode here. That thing is amazing. I finished off about 500 sf of basement last winter, used the nailer about 6 hours with no ventilation with no effects

 

[eschoendorff]

Paslode here. That thing is amazing. I finished off about 500 sf of basement last winter, used the nailer about 6 hours with no ventilation with no effects

... that you know of : j/k!

 

[sjsfire]

I got a Bostitch brad nailer, it fires brads from 5/8" to 2". I don't see a need for anything heavier. I even used it for crown moulding. The new senco has belt hook, those are handy.

I have the same kind. For homeowners use it works fine. Contractors in my area use Senco and they seem to like them.

 

[jonny1309]

I like Senco. I got a Senco kit from Home Depot for an awesome price. If I remember correctly I paid just under $200.00 for a 15g angled finish nailer, an 18g brad nailer and an 18g stapler. All this with a case. I finished a basement and did some remodel work and they worked great.

 

[katit]

I have same question. I guess I need angled one. I will be laying hardwood and this is going to be nailer for last rows and second one. Which brand model to get?

 

[Northstar9126]

Paslode guy myself but am interested in that new pneumatic rig in the Lowes commercial. Looks like you wear a small air take on your belt with a hose that runs to the gun. Wondering how many brads it will fire before it needs to be refilled. Got to be cheaper than a Paslode.

 

[kvom]

The Lowes "tank" has 2 pounds of liquid CO2. I have a 20# tank I use for offroading; when I was redoing my baseboards last year I ran the nailer off of the tank. I used a lot less than 2 pounds for 200+ feet of 3" baseboard + quarter round molding.

Not sure about refilling the tank. I believe you trade in the empty for a full one. My big tank I refill at a welding supply store for about $1/pound.