16-Ga. Finish Nailer Roundup, Part One

Rick Arnold got the opportunity to participate in every finish carpenter's dream: We gave him 20 16-ga. nailers and asked him to evaluate them. One rose to the top, but 13 others are worth considering, too, depending on the features you value most in a nail gun. Rick's top features: a side-loading magazine so that nails can be switched out with ease; obvious nail-length identification so that he knows whether he's got a 2-in., 2-1/2-in., or 2-1/4-in. fastener loaded; and an accurate line of sight (he tested this one by marking an X on his stock and aiming for the center). Finally, Rick determined a no-mar tip to be a valuable feature because it ensures that trim will stay free of dents and other imperfections.

Your top must-have features may rank higher or lower than Rick's. Watch Part Two of the roundup to learn which features Rick considers good-to-haves as opposed to must-haves.

And, to see Rick's in-depth review of the nailers on the table, read Tool Test: 16-Ga. Finish Nailers from Fine Homebuilding issue #200 (December 2008/January 2009), pp. 48-52.

Product Finder: Related Products

Bostitch - FN16250K2 16-Ga. Finish Nailer
The Bostitch FN16250K-2 finish nailer is a lightweight and well-balanced side-loading tool with an anti-dry-fire feature, a good line of sight, a quality no-mar tip, and nice depth-adjustment feature

Hitachi - NT65M2 16-Ga. Finish Nailer
The Hitachi NT65M2 16-ga. finish nailer is a comfortable, top-loading tool with a unique air duster feature that allow you to bypass the nailing function to expel air to clear dust and debris from the work surface in preparation for the nail

Paslode - T250S-F16 16-Ga. Finish Nailer
The Paslode T250S-F16 nailer is an accurate nailer even in tight spots with a nice short action and it also features a nail lockout to prevent blank firing and surface damage

Ridgid - R250SFA 16-Ga. Finish Nailer
The Ridgid R250SFA finish nailer is a powerful rear-loading tool with two no-mar pads to keep your work surfaces clear of tool marks and features a unique swiveling air-hose connector helps keep your supply hose lying flat

Craftsman - 18175 16-Ga. Finish Nailer
The Craftsman 18175 16-g. finish nailer is a simple solid mangesium-body tool with a rear-loading magazine