23-gauge Pin Nailers Change Everything

On many job sites, a 23-ga. pin nailer might be a specialty tool, but Arkansas builder Gary Striegler sees them as becoming more mainstream. In this tool review, Striegler and his building crew test eight pneumatic pin nailers, rating a Nikle nailer best overal and a Bostitch pinner as best value. He also discusses fastener length and the best places to use pin nails. In a sidebar, Striegler outlines the types of headless pins available.

Product Finder: Tools in this Article

Nikle - NS2340 Pin Nailer
This pinner from Nikle holds two racks of headless pins or slight-head brads in lengths up to 1-9/16 in and has an adjustable air exhaust

(1 user review) Bostitch - HP118K Pin Nailer
Bostitch's 23-ga. pinner holds two full racks of pins up to 1-3/16 in. in length and doesn't incorporate a lot of extra features that seldom are used

Cadex - CPB23.50 Pin Nailer
This lightweight pin nailer from Cadex shoots fasteners up to 2 in. in length and holds two full racks of either headless pins or slight-head brads

(3 user reviews) Grex - P635 Pin Nailer
Grex's pin nailer can drive pins from 3/8 in. to 1-3/8 in. in length and includes an onboard wrench and a pivoting belt hook

Max - NF235A Pin Nailer
This lightweight Max pinner has a large slot in the track for viewing pins and a rear-exhaust feature that eliminates those annoying puffs of air in the face

(1 user review) Senco - FinishPro 10 Pin Nailer
Senco's 23-ga. pin nailer fires pins up to 1 in. in length, and the track must be adjusted when switching to different fastener lengths

(1 user review) Porter-Cable - PIN100 Pin Nailer
Porter-Cable's 23-ga. pinner is a compact, no-frills pinner that offers a fastener length of between 1/2 in. and 1 in.

Spotnails - SP2340 Pin Nailer
This 23-ga. pinner from Spotnails features a longer-than-average track that holds two racks of pins up to 1-9/16 in. in length