Replies

1. 
   Mongo | Nov 21, 2003 09:26pm | #1

   I had the same choice to make a while ago, I went with 16g.

   Never had a problem with holding power, except a few times when trying to pull work apart and the nails held too well.<g>

   Trim that was 'persuaded' into position holds fine as well.

2. 
   mike4244 | Nov 22, 2003 12:16am | #2

   I prefer the 15 gauge as it is an angle nailer, easier to get into tight spaces. The slight difference in wire gauge or the difference in cost is minimal.

   mike

1. 
   allenschell2 | Nov 28, 2003 11:10pm | #12

   the difference in cost is minimal

   In my neck of the woods 15ga  is nearly twicw as high.......made me get a 16ga. gun....pay for itself in a year.

1. 
   mike4244 | Nov 29, 2003 07:27pm | #13

   I just checked on an internet site, 15 Ga. $209.00    16Ga. $179.00  for Porter Cable nail guns. That's only $30.00 difference. I used PC guns for a search as I believe they are representative of most nail pricing.

   Mike

1. 
   allenschell2 | Nov 29, 2003 08:00pm | #14

   sorry......I was talking about the price of nails not guns.

3. 
   hammer1 | Nov 22, 2003 12:45am | #3

   I bought a 16 for the range of smaller nails it would handle. They don't seem to be available in slanted version like the 15s. If you have a brad nailer anyway I would choose the 15 angled. Nail head holes are not much different. Not everyone carries 15ga. nails and you have to add a removeable nail support to your gun when shooting smaller nails. A bit of a pain when changing from 2 1/2 to 1 1/4 nails.

4. 
   bill_1010 | Nov 22, 2003 02:47am | #4

   Most trim I hang is with 16ga.  If youre doing lots or doors or heavy trim youll need the 15ga.

   Senco has their Pro 32 nailer at a good price and comes with a 18ga brad gun for like 150ish @ amazon.

   But for most overall things the 16ga will work well, and you can just hand drive the rest.

   Eventually youll need both if you make your living with a trim gun. but to start out 16ga is youre best bet IMO.

5. 
   handhewn | Nov 22, 2003 03:43am | #5

   I assume most of you have the Paslode corless guns?

   I own 5 and love them.

   1 angle finish,1 straight finish, 3 framers.

   Have dropped the framers from the roof(installing medium hand splits) 25 feet onto a boulder. Went down to get it expecting the worst. The battery had popped out. Pushed it back in, and bingo-back in action.

   Curly

   Hand Hewn Restorations Inc.

   Restoring the past for the future.

1. 
   Shep | Nov 22, 2003 03:52am | #6

       Curly-- I mostly work on my own and wouldn't be without my Paslodes. I have the straight finish and framer. I've tried the angle finish and like it alot. I'm waiting for my straight finish to die so I can get the newer gun,  but it just keeps on working and working. I know some people here have had problems with them, but they've been great for me.

6. 
   ccal | Nov 22, 2003 04:41am | #7

   I would say get the 15 if you are getting a brad gun too. The 15 will do anything the 16 will do except maybe thin moldings and a 2 inch brad gun will handle it. With the new 2 inch capacity brad guns you can get by with 2 guns for most trim jobs now.

1. 
   exchef | Nov 22, 2003 07:35am | #8

   i would a;so go with a 15 ga and a brad gun that does 2" brads it covers the range well and with my 16 ga i tend to see more shiners( i know it's me not the gun) and i love my hitachi 15ga

   noah

1. 
   dIrishInMe | Nov 22, 2003 08:13am | #9

   I have both the 15 and the 16, but when I reach in the back of my truck, it's the 15 that comes out 80% of the time.  The 16ga is better for shoe mold though...

   Matt

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Nov 26, 2003 08:36am | #10

   I have a Paslode framer, a Bostich 18 ga, and i like the idea of the Senco cordless. Or should it be called the hoseless, which doesn't sound quite right, does it? Guess that's why they call it the "Airless". Anyway, someone here mentioned a Hitachi version due out soon. Any truth to this? Any more info or links to follow?

   Thanks.Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

1. 
   reinvent | Nov 28, 2003 05:42pm | #11

   Talked to hitachi dirrectly. They woudnt/coudnt tell me anything. A friend who repairs tools for a living says all the major manufactures will be coming out with 'airless' versions some day. They have too, inovate or die. Just dont know when or what they will be. BTW he dosent like the senco much. The flywheel cord gets stretched out and then it wont sink nails(especialy when its dry fired).

7. 
   MojoMan | Nov 30, 2003 12:00am | #15

   Rather than worry too much about the cost of the gun, check out availability of nails in your area. In the long run, cost and convenience of getting nails may be most important.  I have a Spotnails framing nailer that I've always liked a lot for it's small size and range of nail types, but getting nails has always been a pain.

   Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

8. 
   Scott_Johnson1986 | Jul 23, 2019 03:37am | #16

   I opted for the 15 gauge. I needed it for tight spaces and it works great.