Okay, so after putting it off time and time again I bought a Bostitch 23ga pinner today while picking up some other odds and ends. I’m towards the end of finishing up a staircase with a lot of smaller moldings and detal pieces, perfect applications for a pinner. Local shop carries and services Bostitch so I figured I couldn’t go wrong. Well, I think I did. It won’t even sink a 1″ pin into red oak – leaves them just proud of the surface even with the pressure cranked up to the max. Beyond that, it won’t consistantly feed the pins. Load in a rack of pins, close the magazine, and get off one shot before it starts dry firing.
So, after about a half dozen pins, it’s back in the case and heading back tomorrow.
Has anyone else had this kind of problem? I know Bass and Forrest both have the Bostitch pinners as do a lot of locals and from what I gather, they all like them a lot. As of right now, I’m planning on ordering a Cadex from Floyd Tools to replace it.
Any words of wisdom?
Nick
Replies
Must be a lemon, mine is great.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
Evening Sphere,
That's what I keep hearing. I'd much rather keep the Bostitch even if it's only because my local shop can service them in house. Truth be told, I like it quite a bit and it feels nice in the hand. How does yours handle countersinking the pins into hardwoods?
No problems. Oak, ash, Maple so far. I even made a Bondo repair dam, with .0235 copper, it shot 1" pins just perfect through it, and didn't blow thru...but I think that was just lucky.
I do wish it would shoot longer pins tho' and I am thinking of another ( prob. Cadex) one for the shop and one for the site van.
I don't know which one would live where yet, and I also wish that pins were more easily had in a store vs. order/shipping.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
I'm very biased...get the Cadex. It shoots brads. Brads will make you forget pins. Really. Floyd Tool rocks!
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
What is the difference between 23 gauge "brads" and 23 gauge "pins"? I'm guessing the brads have a head.Bill
what somebody is calling them...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!!!
You mean they are two words for the exact same thing?
alwayts thought so till Peter set me straight...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!!!
Brads have slight head, not one you can see so much as feel. It does add a little holding and "drawing together" power. Small difference but noticeable, the pins I bought originally with the gun sit unused while the brads get replaced...I thought I would use both equally. Hole size is indistinguishable to my eye. Honestly, I see no down side....a benefit I didn't really consider when purchasing.
A friend of mine had a Senco and after using the Cadex a few times purchased one for himself, it's that sweet a tool. His has the air blower....dang!
http://www.floydtool.com/brad_nail.htm#ca23bPJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Thanks. That made sense.Bill
Tell me- Do the 23ga. brads work in any 23ga. gun, or just the Cadex?
Tell me- Do the 23ga. brads work in any 23ga. gun, or just the Cadex?
Cadex for sure, possibly its cousins Max and Grex. I don't think anyone else, but if they do I'm sure they'd crow about it in sales lit.
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Peter
I dont think the Max or Grex can shot the brads - a function limited to Cadex, at least thats what I was told.
Doug
All 23 gauge guns will shoot pins. Only a few models / brands will also shoot the "slight head" brads.
I use the brads mostly because I too can't see any difference in the size of the mark made.
I use pins when the piece is particularly fragile or if I want to temporarily tack a piece in place...buic
Of the eight models tested in FHB 186, they said the cadex and the nikle could shoot slight-head brads.
Edited 8/28/2007 10:42 pm ET by snap pea
What Peter J said!
Doug
No problem with mine, either. Did you try the high power setting?
Ya, I would have preferred the Cadex, a mighty fine piece of equipment.
If you can spring for the few extra bucks, you'll never be sorry you bought the Cadex.
I got mine from Floyd tools too...buic
I wonder if yours was dropped in some point in its early life and bent the nosepiece or feed end of the rail?
I haven't used mine a ton, but have had zero problems - pine, heart pine, poplar, even occasionally in oak.
Forrest
Hey Forrest,
Yeah I suppose it could have been dropped at some point. In any case, I brought it back to the shop this morning on my way into work and they took it back no questions asked... benefits of going local.
I'm actually just in the process of ordering the Cadex now. Can't wait for it, one day with a pinner that only half-functioned and I'm hooked.