finish/brad nailer

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ahoiberg

ahoiberg

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
1,765
Location
Ames, IA, USA.
i'm looking to purchase a nail/brad gun. i'm pretty ignorant on these things, but i'd like to be able to use it for finish/brad nailing and also some slightly heavier duty stuff (like refinishing my ceiling with knotty pine - don't necessarily need 'nails'). is this a possibility or are there two different guns for two different jobs?
 
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Andrew,
I bought a very inexpensive brad/staple nailer from Harbor Freight. Under $25 if I recall. The brads work well. The staples are rather narrow but long. There are probably lots of better units at the big stores but for the price it works just fine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40116
Double-duty gun handles 18ga staples up to 1'', brads up to 2''. Patented.
* Single sequential safety trip mechanism
* Depth adjustment for flush or below-level
* 360° exhaust
* Magazine viewing window
* Fastener length: 1/2'' to 2''

Magazine capacity: 100; Operating air pressure: 60 to 100 PSI; Air consumption: 4-6 SCFM; Air inlet size: 1/4'' NPT

ITEM 40116-6VGA

$16.99 ON SALE NOW



20082240415_BradGun1.jpg
 
thanks for the info bob. strangely, i had just finished looking through the HF catalog when i read your reply and was considering that one to start with. can't go wrong (well, i guess you could) for that price. :)
 
Actually you can go wrong with that one. I've been through 3 HF nailers. None of which lasted. Dont get me wrong, I am a fan of HF, but the nailers have issues with triggers and o-rings going out. You can get a decent quality nailer for 50-100. I paid 70 for an 18ga. Bostitch that has shot 1000's without issue. Also the type of work your going to do will dictate the size. 18ga will cover most work that is lightwieght or has glue helping it hold. For more structural stuff 16 or 15 ga work better but leave much bigger holes to patch. 18ga holes are pretty small.
 
Pass on a trick here, I put pieces of blue masking tape where I was going to shoot a nail. The wood was pre-finished. Then I was able to apply a color match putty. Worked great...

I have a Porter-Cable compressor set from Home Depot with the 5 guns. It has the 23ga pinner. That is slick. The pins need an arrow to show load direction. Hard to see the holes...
 
As a former field service rep for StanleyBostitch, pardon my prejudices, but was glad to see Scott's post above. Its true, folks, you DO get what you pay for. Having said that, no matter what type pneumatic stapler, brad nailer or nailer that you buy, GET THE PROPER OIL FOR IT!!! That is PNEUMATIC tool oil [NOT AIR TOOL OIL!!] and absolutely not WD40, both of which will destroy your O-rings in short order! If you have any in-depth questions, don't hesitate to pm. Good Luck!
 
I have HF 18 G 2" that is over 5 years old and never had any trouble with it. Have the HF staple gun 1/4" x 1 1/2 " for over a year and no trouble. A drop or 2 oil in air inlet every time I hook them to the air hose. Would do it again if they die.
Bob
 
One thing to note on this is the safety issue with nailers. On another forum there was a poll on the "most dangerous power tool". Well most everyone put the most dangerous PT in their shop and for most of them it was the table saw.

A couple of people in the know (and yours truly here), noted the frequency of emergency room visits to tool usage was higher with the nail gun.
Many visits due to stupidity of the user in testing the gun!
Some visits due to accidents such as dropping the arm down to the side when finished nailing to examine the work, only to accidently bump the leg and get nailed!
. . and many visits were due to improper holding the boards in one form or another - only to have the nail exit at an angle into a hand, finger or belly!

Please consider this when using the nail gun.
 
Andrew, I'm also fairly ignorant to nailers etc. But I did pick this up at HD for black Friday and have been very pleased with it:

http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/black-friday-4230-Husky2GallonMiniAirCompressorKit.html

I used it again yesterday for installing trim. I have no issues with the tank and gun so far. I have not tried HF.

Not sure what the normal price is, but the invetsment for me was small and I'm happy to have this tool in my shop for my needs.
 
I have a pawn shop near my work. I stop by about once a month. I have purchased air tools for really low prices.

I think I paid $20 for my 18ga. Bostitch. It still looks new.
 
I have the Stanly Bostitch framing nailer and finish nailer. I recommend both. I did pay for them but will never have to again. the framing nailer needs to go in for service after 11 years of fairly heavy use. the finish nailer is just as old and is doing fine. I think I paid a total of $600 between the 2 and got the framer at closeout price. I can find nails for either anywhere as well. that is nice when you run short 30 minutes from finishing a job ;)
 
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