I’m looking for a pneumatic pinner as reviewed in the latest issue of FineHomebuilding.
What are your actual findings with the tools you have used?
How do they work with regular softwood crown and MDF?
Is glueing a neccessity?
Something versatile would be nice like the CadexCPB23.50. I think it shoots brads or headless 23 ga. pins from 5/8″ to 2″ long.
Did’nt see any posts or categories for this so maybe I missed it.
Replies
I have a PC. It does fine, no jambs, sinks the pins, goes to 1''.
You have to use glue and wait for it to dry. The pins will not hold much by themselves.
If to do over, I would sink the money in the machine that has the widest pin range and service/reliability.
Best of luck.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I cant imagine using the 2" long pins but maybe?
I've got a Cadex CPB23.35 shots up to 1 3/8".
http://www.floydtool.com/cpb2335.htm
This gun, the Grex, and the Max are all very good guns. I've heard some good things about the Nikel (sp?) but never seen one.
I'd have to disagree with what Calvin said about the nail not holding, I find that it does a very good job but of course that would depend on what it is that your actually nailing! And regarding glue, You need to use it wherever you think its necessary, that part hasnt changed any.
There has been a lot about written about the micro pinners here and over at Knots if your interested in reading more.
Doug
Doug
Ditto what Calvin said.
I have a Bostich. ok for the $ and shoots to 1 5/16" I think.
If you plan to use it alot, spend the extra.
Nikel
[email protected]
I've got the Grex and love it. I also see no problems with holding power. Excellent for cabinet crown, scribe mold, small miter returns, etc. I would not use on large moldings.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I have the cadex 23.35 and it's the best pinner I've ever used. (out of 4)
One thing to look for is one that takes slight head brads and regular headless pins.
The brads hold much better and I can't tell the difference in the "holes" each one leaves in the surface...buic
I don't own one, but have considering buying one as well. There was a review of 23 gauge pinners in JLC within past year that I thought was a little more informative than the recent FHB article.
The JLC reviewer pointed out that the Cadex, Grex, and one other brand were all made at the same Taiwan factory, but he chose the Cadex due some additional features it had. For a budget model, he selected the Bostitch.
My first 23ga pinner was a PC and I had problems with it not setting pins flush in hardwoods and also had problems with jambing and had to have the driver replaced. The PC is able to get into some tight spots that other guns are to large to fit into...in all other ways it is an inferior tool.
I now use a Bostitch and it has been great.
I think the Bostich is pretty hard to beat value wise. I love mine. If I was using it daily would probably look at one of the uper scale Cadex ones.
I have the Senco, It's an ok gun, if it broke I would replace it with a different model.
I just got the Cadex 23.35 from Floyd Tool. Great gun, I've shot maybe 1000 pins so far 5/8" to 1 3/8" with no jams. The lack of a nose safety takes some getting used too. I'd buy another in a heartbeat, Floyd Tool was great to do business with as well
I have the Max ... and love it.
build like a tank.
one of the other brands is it's exact twin .. can't remember which one.
I had the senco for years ... not the good old senco they don't make anymore ...
the one that was a senco/accuset model.
always sucked a little ... got old and started to suck alot.
I'm pretty sure I'da been happy with any of the higher end models.
Went with the Max because it's a brand I've heard nothing but raves about.
had some features I like ...
thot for a second about another brand which shoots longer pins ... but realized I didn't need or really want longer ... I think that'd just be one more blow out waiting to happen at the wrong moment. 23 bends against the grain pretty easy.
also thot about the headless and small head shooters ...
but I like "task specific" tools ... didn't want to blow something with a head thru a tool that I bought to sink headless pins for the next 50 yrs.
if U do any amount of trim ... the 23g is well worth buying.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
btw .... soft wood trim and mdf ...
any of those listed will work just fine.
I use mine mostly with prefinished hardwood trim ... kitchen stock ...
shoots thru the trim and into solid hardwood face frames no problem.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I have an old Senco Accuset, works great.
It's a pain to change the pin length setting, only goes to 1" too.
If I ever buy another, I'd look for longer pin length, but I don't expect to wear this one out.
Watch your fingers, those pins hit grain and come out the side of the piece you're holding. First reaction is pull back, hurts pretty good. Everytime it hurts pretty good.
I use it to hold things while the glue dries, but it's ok for some things with no glue. But why?
Joe H
Accuset and an unknown Taiwan brand (think Harbor Freight reject).
Both work fine, the Tawain brand shoots from 5/8 to 1 1/2 , safety nose on it is junk though. But for $99.00 it performas as well as the high end ones.
Had the Tawain model for at least 10 yrs. the Accuset not quite as long.
Anybody who says they pins don't hold has never tried to pull one out of red oak , or beech .
They do hurt like hades though when they get under your finger nails ..
I also use a small stapler (fine wire) for some things, less spitting in soft wood, 3/16 crown , 1/2-7/8 lengths. Always glue with it though
They will shoot thru just about everything. I have the Grex and it is a great gun. The same gun also carries the Cadex and Max label. What ever gun you get, get one with a lock out feature. You can not tell when you are shooting blanks because they are so small.
Example:
http://grextools.com/grexusa/products.php5?id=P645L
I agree about getting one with the lockout feature. I have an old Senco, change the driver every couple of years and ground down the nose so it would counter sink the pins. Still have that one as backup and use the Grex exclusively now. I haven't shot any pins longer that 1 1/4 inch, and don't plan to ever do so.
I'll agree that having one is a must for most any trim work - man is it handy to have!I have the Bostich - it'll shoot 1 3/16" long pins.No jams with mine - but there is some sort of leak within the gun that's gonna need a looking over at the service center I think.Gotta be careful with em though - easy to accidently shoot at any given point, even with the dual handle/trigger safety.Paid $118 for my gun from Amazon.They are great for eliminating the need to clamp diff setups while the glue dries.JT
So you would you use it for crown with 1-1/4" pins?
Versatility of these tools would be great if the holding power is there with a 5/8 to 2" headless pin or slight head "brad" right?
me
I got a Nickle from Floyd tool...It couldn't set 1 3/8" pins in hickory. I traded it on a Cadex, which works much better for us...the guys call it the "hummingbird" Outside of the gates the trucks were unloadin',
The weather was hot, a-nearly 90 degrees.
The man standin' next to me, his head was exploding,
Well, I was prayin' the pieces wouldn't fall on me.
I HAVE SHOT ABOUT 20 GRAND THRU MY CADEX.NOT A MISFIRE YET. MY OPINION BEST 23 EVER
"I HAVE SHOT ABOUT 20 GRAND THRU MY CADEX"
Whoa, that's a lot of money to pay for nails!"...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Anybody have issues with the Bostitch? Bought one a few weeks back and consistantly have issues with it not setting the pins. 120 psi on the compressor and the depth gauge dialed to the max. I have never had an issue with my Grex. I'm wondering if maybe I got a defective one.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I have the bostitch as well and have trouble with the pins setting. Same deal, compressor up to 120psi, and the depth gauge all the way. I'm thinking about getting the Max--someday.
Dustin
I've already called the doctor. I'm taking it to the local service center tomorrow. They said it could have a bad seal or o-ring. After the good reviews on Breaktime, I was kind of disappointed. I'll stick with my Grex.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
Dustin
One of the two guns, Senco or PC, advises to file the tip down a bit so that the pin sets.
I think one of the downfalls of the PC and Senco is that if you fail to set that sliding adjuster thing for the nails you prematurly wear out the driver. I believe thats the no.1 part sold for those guns.
Doug
That's good to know-thanks for the info Doug.
Dustin
"I think one of the downfalls of the PC and Senco is that if you fail to set that sliding adjuster thing for the nails you prematurly wear out the driver. I believe thats the no.1 part sold for those guns."The Senco 23 ga. that I have doesn't have the adjuster, as far as I can see. Am I missing something?
Ken
You may actually have the older more better Senco 23g nailer.
I dont think they make that one anymore. The new one is a copy of the Accuset nailer that Senco used to make and realized what pieces of sh!d they were so instead of stopping production of them they just changed the name on them to SENCO! Pure genius.
Doug
Senco used to make good nailers. Not any more._______________________________________________________________
I been wanting to procrastinate, but I keep putting it off
I recently bought the Bostitch. It's OK but I also find that it doesn't set the pins. It will drive them flush, however. When looking at the Senco, the sales guy told me that 23 ga guns were designed to not set the pins below the surface. Theory being all one had to do then was to prime and paint. Or, because the pins are so small they won't be noticed. I didn't really buy that at all, but then found that the Bostitch seems to behave that way. I think I'll be grinding down the nose a bit to make it set the pins. I'd rather fill then have a shiny pin spot.
People seem to have different feelings about whether the pins should be flush or set.
Since I do alot of arch. millwork installs, I prefer flush. I also take the rack of pins and pre-stain or color the top edge with a marker or stain. When you shoot the pin, it's pre-finished.
I have a Cadex gun from Floyd tools. Couldn't be happier with it...buic
"Since I do alot of arch. millwork installs, I prefer flush. I also take the rack of pins and pre-stain or color the top edge with a marker or stain. When you shoot the pin, it's pre-finished."Great idea! I'll try that. I make custom furniture and occassionaly a built-in. I just got my pinner and that was for some custom art framing I did. A touch with a small Sharpie marker was all it took to make the pins disappear on the black frame. Your method would be way much faster. Thanks.
That is a good idea, coloring the pin heads first. I've given my new PC a bit of workout and so far it's been just great. As I mentioned, I'm edge banding some cabinet doors. The panel is oak ply and the banding is 3/8" solid stock. No problem whatsoever with the pins penetrating the oak and setting at the surface. Can't wait to get to the rest of the doors!Bob.
I had issues with my Bostitch and was going to take it to the service center under warranty. It was only 2 months old. Instead of taking about 3 hours of my time to drop off, drive back, and then do it all again to pick it up, I exchanged it at the store and got a new one. New one is good.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
you have one of the SHP series by Senco then..Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I tried the cadex out at tooltown in paramus, and holy cow, it is sooooooo sweet. it is amazingly well balanced and sinks the pins into hardwood so well. I want it, but managed to walk out with it
How much did the bodybuilder dudes want for it?
Big dudes there! I think it was 320-345 ish... super sweet...
jmmmm
Yikes, I guess I'll look on Ebay.
You should have said something.
I could have demo'd my Cadex for you when I was showing my MultiMaster to Don.
If its a tool for finish work, there's a good chance I have it.
I read the article in FHB just about the time I was going to do some slab cabinet doors with oak edge banding. Seemed like a good excuse to get another toy....er....tool. Tried to find the Bostitch but it was 2-3 weeks to ship. Ended up getting the PC and can't wait to give it a workout. BTW, where's a good place to buy pins? My local box stores don't carry the 23 g. Bob.
Try these guys. Best prices I have found so far.http://thefastenercompany.com/micro_pinner_to_order_pins_by_the_box_on_line___.htm
Thanks, got it bookmarked for future purchases.Bob.
My problem is I cant afford it, but totally want it.
jmmmm
that's never stopped me with tool purchases
No matter what you get, you will fall in love with your 23g pinner. I have the PC that I got on sale. It's a great tool. It only goes up to an inch, but so far I haven't needed any longer pins.
Not sure if this fits your needs, but an ad on Thursday for either Home Despot or Blowes (I think HD) had a Senco set of pinner, stapler, and finish nailer for $199.
I have the Cadex CPB23.35. Like everyone says, it's a great gun. The headless pins hold well, but if you have some warped molding that you're straightening as you nail (which is most of the time), you can get some shifting of the wood after nailing with the headless pins.
Billy