I am working with an older home with lat and plaster walls with paneling over it and would like to install baseboard. What would you recommend to help with the nailing of the baseboard?
Should I use a brad nailer or a finish nailer? Does anyone know of an electric one since I don’t have a small enough compressor to bring in the house.
Thanks
Replies
Couldn't you rent a compressor to do the job? If its a small enough job just use the old standby hammer.
I don't think those electric brad nailers are all that good, at least not that I've seen.
Doug
either a Paslode cordless gun, or a pneumatic set-up. One of the Porter=Cable deals, with compressor and gun, will run you about the same as the Paslode.
I agree with the other poster, I don't think there is an electric finish nailer that is good for what you want.
So run a longer hose...?
There is always the option of doing what we did before air nailers came along, and that is to drive finish nails with a nice 16 ounce finish hammer, then smartly sink them with the right sized nail set.
Even if you've a thousand feet to run of this, hand driving those finish nails could seem more like therapy than work.
There is always the option of doing what we did before air nailers came along, and that is to drive finish nails with a nice 16 ounce finish hammer, then smartly sink them with the right sized nail set.
How dare you turn up your nose at the millions of dollars tool companies spend on marketing. It's impossible to install baseboard properly without $300 in tools, and that is a minimum.
I don't know how the ancient trade of carpentry survived all these millennia without pneumatic nailers.
Stacy's mom has got it going on.
It is certainly something I ponder daily. How did they ever build anything without a cordless 12v impact driver? A wonder...
Alot of guys dont like the Paslode because of the gas, but I love mine. Actually I have two of them. They work well for me and I dont have to carry any compressor at all.
it should be a 15 or 16 guage finish nailer you use.
the little bradders usually won't handle much more than 2" brads. 1/2" baseboard (minimum) + 1/2" or 5/8" drywall (or plaster) doesn't leave much nail for the framework behind the wall
go onto amazon.com and look at senco finish nailers. They have packages with a 18 or 16 gauge gun with a one gallon compressor. I have that compressor and their 23 gauge gun, and the compressor will run up to a 15 gauge without missing a beat.
Have you ever used anyone elses nail products in your Senco gun?
Is it really as good as it gets? It's a big investment and I'm wondering if the cost is worth it ? It looks like these finish nails would break or bend easily have you had a problem with it?
I have two jobs to get done and want to use the gun: 1) baseboards 2) drop ceiling brackets in metal need to be mounted. Do you think it is worth the purchase?
Will it help me accomplish what I need to do?
Here in Canada, PC is running a promotion in which you buy a pancake compressor, an 18, a 16 gauge nailer, and you send away for a narrow crown stapler. It's about $320. A hammer and nail punch is still the best cordless nailer. If you are only ever going to use it for this project, just hammer it all.-------------------------------
People are entitled to their own opinions; People are not entitled to their own truth.Jacob
I have used other nails in my senco gun and they work fine. If this is just a one time job, I would buy that little senco compressor (by it's self, not with a gun) and I would buy a 16 gauge finish nailer, that will handle the base and crown. On amazon.com (tool crib), the compressor alone is $109.99. For the 16 gauge gun, I have a porter cable and it work great, and those sell for $149.99 on amazon. I think these are worth the investment, but the compressor will not handle any large guns (like framing), and if you are planning to do any of that down the road, I would get a twin tank compressor, and just buy a couple hoses to get in the house, I hope this helps,
Chance
Is there a big difference in cfm between the twin tank compressor you talk about and the pancake one? If so what cfm do I need for proper running of these tools?
Thanks again for all the input.
I am not sure on the cfm for the two compressors, but if you are only going to use finish nailers, the pancake will run them just fine. I think the twin tank does have a higher cfm because you need the greater air flow when running framing nailers. You can also adjust the psi on all these compressors to fit the application you are using.
Chance
i've been thinking about getting the senco pinner/compressor combo, how do you like the gun? does the teeny compressor cycle enough to be annoying if you're trimming a whole house with a 15 gauge?
"the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. one should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise."- f. scott fitzgerald
Edited 11/8/2005 8:15 pm ET by trimnailer37
I love that senco 23-gauge pinner. It is so nice when you can nail your miters together, and you can barely see the hole. The only thing about most 23-gauge, they do not have a safety release, so if you pull the trigger, you will shoot a pin whether or not it is touching your trim, but I have not had a problem with it, but watch out. I can't say exactly how many times the compressor would cycle with a 15-gauge, it depends on how fast you nail. I usually don't have my 15 hooked up to that compressor though, it is usually on a different line going out to my twin tank. I usually have about four different guns hooked up at once so I put the bigger guns on the bigger compressor (15 and 16), and will usually switch back and forth from the 18 and the 23 on the little compressor. But, the little senco compressor is so quite, I hardly notice it anymore, and it is usually in the family room or kitchen.
I hope this helps,
Chance
thanks for the review. i've split one too many miters with my 18 gauge. looks like those days are almost over."the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. one should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise."- f. scott fitzgerald
Can you tell me if there is a big difference between using an angled or straight nail gun?
Is there really a big enough difference to warrant the difference in price?
Finish nailer definately. I think that brads are too small. My only experience is with the current model Paslode air powered 16 guage gun. I've had it a few years now, and have no complaints. If buying something like this seems excessive in cost for a few projects consider this. Buy a used gun on ebay or locally, and then sell it the same way when you are done. I've actually bought, used, and then resold Items this way on ebay and made money on the item.
With your Paslode how efficent is it? If you don't shoot enough nails with the cartridge not used up can you store it for any length of time of do you just lose the rest of the gas in the cartridge?
Not sure if I want this gun or one with a compressor. Help?
My Paslode is not the gas fired type, just plain compressed air. It's model T-250. $179 retail. I paid about $100 on ebay new but without it's box. I thought that at some point that I might want to upgrade to an angled nailer, preferably Paslode gas fired, but the straight nails haven't bothered me at all. Also the straight nails are a little cheaper and more readily available. As far as cordless, that would be nice, but I already have a 2 compressors and several air lines, so I can't justify the cost of airless/cordless models. The depth control works pretty well on mine, and it is powerful enough to drive it's maximum nail length (2 1/2 inches) all the way in. I don't recall it ever jamming in the few thousand nails I've gone through.If you already have the air supply and want to save some money I'd go with an air model. They are simpler, with less parts to wear out, and never run out of batteries or fuel. On the other hand if you don't already have a compressor, and don't want one for other tools or uses I'd go with the gas fired one as the price would be less than buying everything that you need with an air system. Or if you are going to use it very frequently where the air lines and compressor will be a drag, I think that the higher price is easily justified.
With your Paslode how efficent is it? If you don't shoot enough nails with the cartridge not used up can you store it for any length of time of do you just lose the rest of the gas in the cartridge?
I have the Paslode 16 gauge finish nailer. After each use, I remove the cartridge and store everything back in the case. There is no loss of gas during storage.
If you don't use it for an extended period, it would be a good idea to charge up the battery the night before. Nicads (which I assume is the battery type) won't hold a charge indefinitely.
For all day use, a second battery would probably be a good idea. A while ago, I borrowed a friends nailer and returned it with an extra battery as a way of saying thanks. Since I bought my own, I only have the one battery. See, you're better off being my friend than me.
-Don
Does the cartridge screw in or something? It is hard to believe that it won't leak out if I don't use all of it and store it.
I am going to install 4" baseboard with 1/2" quarter round with a ceramic floor. Can I use this the install the quarter round by shooting flat across since if I angle down as I normally would I would break or chip a tile?
Thanks
Does the cartridge screw in or something? It is hard to believe that it won't leak out if I don't use all of it and store it.
I am going to install 4" baseboard with 1/2" quarter round with a ceramic floor. Can I use this the install the quarter round by shooting flat across since if I angle down as I normally would I would break or chip a tile?
I know it doesn't seem like the cartridge would maintain a good seal when not in use, but it does. It doesn't screw in, it's just a pressure fit.
The 16 gauge is perfect for baseboard, but it may be a bit large for quarter round (or shoe molding, which is more typical). I've used it and it works, but you do get occasional splitting. It kind of depends of the wood. If it's not too dry and straight-grained, it works fine.
For my next job doing running trim, I think I'm going to use a 23 gauge pin nailer for the shoe mold. That way, I shouldn't even have to to spackle the holes. Of course, that means I will need a compressor (I don't have one yet) and once I have a compressor (and go to the trouble of bringing it to the job site) it might make more sense to just get an 18 gauge brad nailer also.
So, have you considered a compressor?
-Don
"A while ago, I borrowed a friends nailer and returned it with an extra battery as a way of saying thanks."
You are one in a million.http://www.costofwar.com/
I have the Paslode Impulse, and I would say it is very efficient, to use your word. Between times when I use the gun, I simply disengage the battery and the gas cartridge -- but leave them in the gun. That seems to keep everything ship shape for the next time you use it.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I have a Hitachi 15-guage nailer that runs off a (heavy) 30 gal. Campbell-Hausfield compressor. I use it to apply trim and baseboard over our new house (about 75% done). I've been happy with the performance but maybe the 16 guage Paslode (compressor-less) would be a better choice if you won't run anything else off the compressor. I've had no splitting on the 1500+ LF of trim I've nailed so far! (doug fir and white pine milled on a router table).
Pneumatic vs hand. Besides the obvious cost differential, the gun rattles the wall less...nice on old plaster walls. But you wanted a cool tool anyway, right?
I own and use both of these... oiless, reliable, what's not to love. The way I see it, better to have a great used gun, than a cheesy new one. Not all Sencos are created equal these days, they've entered into the lower priced arena that really aren't pro level tools.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-SENCO-SLP20-BRAD-NAILER-WITH-CASE_W0QQitemZ7559602842QQcategoryZ42293QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/SENCO-SFN-40-SFN40-15-GUAGE-FINISH-NAILER_W0QQitemZ4417099395QQcategoryZ42242QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
i got the paslode 16 ga str8 finish gun. cordless. love it. i'll never go back to a hose!!!
tyke
Just another day in paradise
I finished a job in Arlingtion VA with plaster, etc. Installed chair rail, base board and crown molding. Used a PC 15 ga with 2 1/2" finish nails. The PC nailer did a geat job of punching through the plaster and holding the trim. I also have a PC compresser with double tank. Sometimes you have to bite bullet get the right equipment and move on.
Customer loved the work.
Benny