Just got back from Horrible Fright, with a 23 gauge pin nailer. I know, I know, I swore that place off a long time ago. But I’ve been building this semi-intricate (sp?) trim profile in my house and needed something that shot small for all of the molding returns. My question to you guys is, did I waste my money? I have a lot of doors and windows to trim up, so this thing will get a bit of use and it was at a rediculously low price………………….
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I think FastEddie got one there and loves it.
I got a Cadex ( big bucks) and a Bostitch..(med bucks) but I'd try a HF if I was shopping, I got a stapler there for rescreening screen doors ( 1/2 crown, lite gage) and it is great so far, exceot it wont take Arrow brand staples like my swing tacker and shooter does.
23ga pins are all the same tho'. The cadex shoots the long ones, AND slight headed pins..I got that after I liked the Bos. but the pin length wasn't helping me.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Did you waste your money? Not by buying a pin nailer you didn't.
If, as I did, you find a project that requires long pins, like 1 3/8" for instance, then you'll wish you had spent more and gotten a Cadex. I generally think it's worth spending more dollars for a very good tool that I'll use for many years and I was especially glad I spent the extra money when I was able to shoot those longer pins when I needed them.
I have the cadex as well. Love it, even comes with a air nozzle that allows you to dust off your returns before you add the glue.
Ya know what bozo, i have you on ignore, and this thread just reinforces that move. i opened you post because Duane mentioned my name. Why do you insist on referring to the vendor as Horrible Fright? Why even waste the effort typing about it? If you don't like the store, don't go there. And quit regalling us with your sophomoric attempt at intelligent postings.
I did buy one of their 23 ga pinners, and it has worked flawlessly. yes I can see whwere they cut a few corners to get the price down, but for what i do with it, it was money well spent.
Moron.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Horrible Fright sounds funny to me. I shop there. Some stuff is frightning, but it seems a pretty good deal for the price on many items.
It does to a point, but all he does is find ways to berate the the store, and then tell that he stopped in again."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I have a Bostich that does 1 3/8". Any less length would be a lot less versatile for me. I recommend the 1 3/8" or longer if at all possible. A number of regulars here buy at HF. So do I, for consumables, only. Yeah, the regulars get real tired hearing about what cr^p HF tools are, and I certainly understand that. Whatever works for you, fine, indeed, not my place to give you a hard time if that's your choice. For those that are new or just visiting here, let's just call a spade a spade. There is a reason and a result for HF being cheap tools. Have a great evening!
Edited 11/17/2008 7:49 pm by kenhill3
Sorry if I drug you unwillingly into it, I didn't realize you all had a tiff, and yes, he can be a PITA at times. Seems to me he kinda calmed down some recently.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Looks like replacements for the tavern booties are starting to come in............
"
"Looks like replacements for the tavern booties are starting to come in............"I was trying to think of a tactful way of saying something, but that was perfect. Thanks.
You didn't drag me in, I opened his post on my own volition. You were stating a fact. And the fact is, they do have some tools that are a good value. You just have to be willing to recognize the value. You can get a decent lunch at Burger King, but don't complain that it's not as good as Outback even though it's the same food types."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I had problem with him when he first came around, wrote a post to him explaining my view, and would like to give him credit because everything Ive seen from him since then has been real good, not inflamatory or insulting.
I say give him a chance because the posts when he first started to now seem totaly different. We all need a second chance and dont want to live with our bad choices in the past for all of our future. I think his effort has been good.
I thought you may have been a little harsh. There are many who have used the "Horrible Freight" "slur" long before Arc. I believe I was the one who sort of took him to task about his first tirade against HF. His first was in response to my suggestion to you to look at their pinner.
I think he has been posting in a much better manner lately however I do have an issue every once in a while with responses like "it is required by code" without any citation of what code or where.
Give the kid a break (;-). I did really enjoy your BK-Outback analogy, very appropriate!
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
I might have been harsh. maybe. But you know what ... I get tired of people (not necessarily him) who beat a dead horse. Like the Obama stuff. He's been elected, let it go. And people who criticize without a valid suggesstion, like an auditor: "you're doing your job wrong. I have to write you up. No I can't tell you how to do it right. but you're doing it wrong"."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
No argument here (:-), my sentiments exactly. By the way he had done a post saying he had reconsidered HF and seeing their hand tool lifetime warrany and pretty good quality on some of the hand tools.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
My two cents...
Pin nailers are priceless when you need them. I don't get mine out every day, but am glad I have it when I do. If you get it out every day, good luck with the cheap one. I probably could've gone with the HF one as much as I use (or don't use) it.
I personally try to splurge a little on tools I know I will use often, but at the same time, this tool may last 100 years and shoot a billion nails. The good thing is, if it doesn't, you're not out $400.
I also buy consumables and 2 wheel carts and stuff from HF. I have a framing nailer from there as well, since I'm not framing every day. I baby it (as I do my other tools) and it has lasted a few years with some minimal issues. I definitely don't want to get in the middle of what seems like an old argument, but I really like that place for some things!
K, I'm done.No Coffee No Workee!
I bought my Omer after working with Gary Striegler on an article way back when. It's a solid tool and I'm damn glad to have it. I think I paid 250 for it seven years ago, and it's still going strong.I think of it as a portable clamping device since the headless pins don't hold on forever.--
James Kidd
http://www.carpenterconfidential.com
cool website. keep the articles coming.
thanks. I appreciate it.--
James Kidd
http://www.carpenterconfidential.com
I'd also appreciate you not insulting me on my post. I was actually looking forward to someone's opinion who had used the tool, but I guess your opinion won't count.
I didn't realize we had a tiff either. For those of you who aren't wanting to fight..........................
I know that this has been a topic before, but I couldn't find it in the archives. Around here, Porter Cable and Bostitch pinners are the only thing you will find. Money is a little tight (for everyone, I think), and I saw the HF pinner in an add and decided, what the hey. Believe it or not, it was the last pinner post that made me even consider buying another tool from Harbor Freight. I've just not had alot of luck with their air tools in the past. Also, it wasn't until a recent crown molding job that I realized just how versatile they could be. I've seen the Cadex on jobs before, but my wife would only use a $400 tool as a weapon against me.
Edited 11/17/2008 8:45 pm ET by arcflash
Edited 11/17/2008 8:48 pm ET by arcflash
Not HF, but I've got an equivalent pinner- got it for $20 bucks off of Ebay. I've only shot about a thousand pins through it, but hey, it works just fine so far.Amateurs talk strategy, Generals talk logistics.
Easy there, Eddie (or maybe I should say, not so fast there, Eddie). As you probably know, the mods can be a bit temperamental lately and (justified or not), harsh posts can get you booted. Please consider toning it down.
We'd miss you.
I can understand your going back in to HF and buying something. Hard to turn down a ridiculously low price. Use it a few times, and if it dies, hey, only twenty bucks or whatever.
I bought the Grex that shoots 1.75" headless pins. I hardly ever use my other nailers now. Since I glue everything then the pins hold well enough until the glue dries. Sometimes the pins will curl with the grain and not go where you aimed them. I just bend them back and forth until they break off just under the surface of the piece. I bought the Grex because it sets the nail even when toenailing whereas others I have tried like the Senco and the Bostich do not set the nail unless you shoot it straight. Try to set a pin nail. It can't be done cleanly. You end up making a 15 G hole. My 15, 16 and 18 G nailers are mostly retired now.
I doubt a HF nailer would hold up to daily use. I always buy quality first. It pays off in the long run.
We use a bostitch extensively for doing molding returns on casing and for crown on cabinets. My boss was using it today, and commented that he didn't know what life was like before he got one. After we stained the molding, you can't even see where the pin is. If and when I do more trim on my own, I will not be without one. I'd say you didn't waste your money.
Graham
I don't know about that gun you bought, but having a 23 g pinner is a Godsend. I have the PC and it only shoots up to an inch. I think they were one of the first to come out strong with the gun and I bought it before the rush of 23 g became so popular. Sometimes I wish I had the Cadex, but for now, the PC is just fine.
I bought one when it was on clearance at HF for $7.00. Sure it's not as good as my little hitachi but I was working 800 miles from home. the HF nose piece is not as good and it jams once in a while but I thought if it gets me thru one job it is worth it. THere is a lot of stuff that I find at my local supplier that's made overseas and when I can buy at HF comparible for less I get it there.
Update: I used the HF pin tacker this weekend on another crown moulding job (well, same house, different rooms). I was actually quite pleased with its performance. We glued and pinned a couple of short outside corners with it before putting them up, and it worked well for that, as well as re-enforcing the other outside corners. We were installing that plastic crown, I don't know what its called, but for those of you who have ever worked with it you know just how easy it is to blast a corner off or break it. It didn't sink the pins very deep, but that is a good thing to me. Over sunk nails make for bad installations, i.e., less nail holding up the material.
I had brought my HF 16 gauge trim gun also. I had been bragging about how well it worked on the trim at my house, but I spoke too soon. Even with my compressor all the way up, I had to go back to almost every single nail with a nailset. I was upset, it slowed us down. I think that the difference was that those walls were slightly more dense with the texture it had and so was the trim we used. The 16 gauge gun worked just fine on the soft pine I used a couple weekends ago, but I will have to buy a better gun for the side jobs. Just thought you guys would like to know.
A lot of guns have a depth gauge on them. At least my Senco brad nailer does. Does your HF gun have one?I prefer to use Bostitch for trim work. They're light, oil free, and pretty darn tough. Although, I am looking to go hoseless soon.--
James Kidd
http://www.carpenterconfidential.com
My HF gun is very basic. Depth is set with air pressure. I do have to say that it appears to be all-metal construction, doesn't feel cheap, but it is clearly a get-what-you-pay tool."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thanks I was considering one for a while before this thread (I had heard they weren't too bad) Now I think I will probably pick one up, for what I use it for (side work like your talking) I cant see dropping the money for a bostich let alone a cadex or something. Probably only use it 12 times a year anyways.
Yeah, I'd wait till HF put them on sale for $7 LOL.
"did I waste my money?"
Nah........... if it works, it works. I haven't had much luck with HF but many do. HF has a good return policy and at their prices you could buy four or more pinners for what I gave for my PC PIN100. At some point you may wish for longer pin length but for returns the 1" max pin length of the HF (and the PIN100) should be fine. Went through a couple of Bostich and do miss the 1 3/8" pins for cabinet and bookcase crown. Both Bostich's worked fine for awhile and then stopped sinking pins. Supposedly there's an updated driver that fixes the problem. A Cadex or Grex (not sure which yet) is on my wish list. Think you'll be glad you got it and it should pay for itself in short order.
Sir Winston Churchill
I'm hanging out here this morning because I'm avoiding going into the garage and basement and organizing all of my tools (Hey, I'm stuck waiting for the fireplace guy to come check mine out).
One tool I just can't seem to shake is my Craftsman brad nailer.
When I was much younger and still learning I bought a Craftsman brad nailer and finish nailer. Everyone made fun of them because they were kinnda primative.
Well, I'm a Senco fan and have both the finish nailer and brad nailer now. Plus a set of Hitatchi.
But that cheap Craftsman brad nailer? Stayed in my truck until the day I took the tool box off it and closed up shop.................and lots of times, when the Senco was broken? The Craftsman pulled thru for me.
It's only wasted money if you don't use it because it's too difficult to use or it's broken.
Not a huge Harbor Frieght fan, there is one aboutt wo miles form my house..............but recognize it for what it is and use accordingly.
For example: I needed to do some very unpleasant sanding that I was sure would destroy my sander. No need to destroy my good Porter Cable or Dewalt or Hitatchi...............picked up three from HF for less than it would have cost to replace one of the others. They did the job AND I still have one left over.