Hi All, I’ve used the Senco, Dewalt, and the Paslode 16GA. finish nailers and I’m giving strong consideration to purchasing a new Hitachi (with the air blower on it, since I don’t know the model #). Can I get some input on it from a few of you. Thanks for the help in advance. ~Zorro~
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Replies
I have the 15 guage and love it, only major improvement needed was the addition of a max swivel. I have put swivel fittings on all of my guns since that and it makes me super happy. I have found the guns easy to load, have not had any jams, and have rarely had double fires (the double fires have been mainly my fault too) I will say that the nose piece seems to mark a bit and wish it was made out of a different material.
Jeff
I also bought the 15 ga. and love it. A well built gun. Been running Senco 2" through it with nary a jam.
I got a load of stainless nails from http://www.manasquanfastners.com for some cedar trim I was putting up (I used pl adhesive and then nailed it up). You can barely see the nail heads from 10 feet out, and there will be no reaction to the cedar. The gun sank through cedar, plywood and into 2x4 with no problem. Love that gun.
I got the cordless dewalt 16 gauge nailer and use it to temporarily nail cedar fence boards to run my strings and I shoot 2.5" nails and they set all the way with a half inch sticking out the back of the treated 2x4.I do this so when I pull the board off it doesn't tear out the backside. Two nails is all it takes and they hold very well.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
I've got one. Like most of Hitachi's nailers... it's a nice gun. But I guess I just don't really like 16 ga nails. Seems 16 ga nails are always too big or too small for whatever I'm doing. Seems like I just about always need a 15 guage or an 18 guage nail.... so it sees more idle time than any of my other nailers. Now the 15 guage Hitachi..... that's a real honey.
My 15 ga Hitachi also has the little blower. I thought it was pretty gimicky at first. But the truth is I use it all the time now that I know it's there.
hey dieselpig,You mind explaining what that "blower" business is all about - I'm totally ignorant of what you mean.
The new Hitachi 16 and 15ga nailers have an integral little "blow gun" feature. There's a little orange button on the gun that releases air out of the exhaust port to clean off your work or work area or whatever. Seems gimicky at first, but actually comes in very handy.
You can see the orange button right above the handle and below the exhaust port. Exhaust deflector is also adjustable so you can direct your air where you want it.
View Image
Thanks - I was envisioning "more power" (a turbocharger) for the piston, ha. Glad I asked. It sounds comparable to the little light on the impact driver-drill (I didn't think it would be that handy, but it has worked well a few times)
i love that gun but i actually hate the blower, it is handy sometimes but imho that doesent make up for all of the times that i accidenally hit it and havto hear that high pitched blowing noise followwed by the compressor kicking______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
I know it's not funny, but I laughed at that one......I'll see cuz I bought mine this friday last. Curious about the plastic depth adjustment wheel that is on mine and the new green color AND being made in Taiwan. Seems the gun still has a GREAT build quality with all the hard metal and extruded aluminum nailrail parts, there's just that plastic wheel and the new gun doesn't come with wrenches anymore I guess. Still looking VERY forward to putting it thru the paces and enjoying it. Hope it doesn't misfire like the Dewalt and the Paslode we've been using thus far. Thanks
Edited 1/22/2006 8:41 am ET by zorrosdens
Edited 1/22/2006 10:03 am ET by zorrosdens
Only time I don't like the blower is when I hit it by accident and scare the crap out of myself.View Image
okay then for me i dont like it twice a day. But i love in between those times. Youd think i'd wise up and expect it.. but nope!______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
That gun (or maybe the old version) is on clearance at Lowes for $149.00 in Southfield, MI.JT
That's a great deal Julian.View Image
$149 on lowes.com, $169 on amazon.com, for the NT65M
The NT65M replaces the NT65A3. The NT65A3 is still on amazon.com for $251.13!
NT65M: blower, 3.7lbs, 100 nail capacity, comes with case. Manual printed in Taiwan. Depth of drive adjuster.
NT65A3: no blower, 4.4lbs, 150 nail capacity (longer magazine), no case. Manual printed in Japan. No DoD adjuster (likely using screws, but nothing in owner's manual).
http://hitachi.schematic.com/store_list.php?iDepartmentID=40&arrPath=1,6,40,
...karl
The one at Lowes had the blower. I guess that was a heck of a deal, huh?Haven't been following the discussion too close, cause I have a Paslode 16 - should I upgrade to the Hitachi? Is it that much better?I've been staying away from everything Hitachi cause they've put out all of those crappy cheap tools at Lowes, and just about everything from them looks like a basketball shoe on steroids - totally tacky and cheap looking.JT
I agree that a lot of Hitachi's new stuff looks like cheap toys. But their nailers are top of the line.View Image
Heck of a deal? Looks like $149-$169 is normal street price including shipping and taxes. I'd say it doesn't look like that much of a deal to me. Good, but not a heck of a deal.
...karl
That was if the old one was being dis-continued. Someone mentioned the old-style was still at Amazon for $251.JT
But why would you want the old one?
old one = heavier and no DoD. Ok, it was probably made in Japan.
new one = lighter, DoD, case and blower. And $100 cheaper.
Seems pretty obvious to me which one I'd pick, assuming that Hitachi maintains their same quality for current nailers (I think almost all their new nailers are made in Taiwan).
The newer MT65M seems very similar to the 15 gauge Hitachi with blower that everybody likes. So yeah, I'd buy the new one for $150 clams.
...karl
What's the DoD?I thought it was mentioned here that the new one had no blower?Needless to say I could answer all of my questions by a quick look at Amazon - just hadn't got around to it yet...JT
DoD = Depth of Drive. Thumbwheel to set the depth.
The old NT65A3 needed an allen wrench to change it. The newer NT65M has a thumbwheel to change it.
...karl
You don't think that saving 25% on a tool is a heck of a good deal? Must be nice.View Image
Zorro,
Have the 16 ga Hitachi w/o the blow gun and like it better than the Paslode and Dewalt. Have the 15 ga Hitachi with the blow gun and really like it. Hitachi guns are my favorite, but I never tried a Max gun. The blowers are icing on the cake. Though I am with the above poster who does not have much use for the 16 ga. We use the 15 ga for heavy work and 18 ga for applying trim, the 16 ga hardly gets used.
What does this situation in my life ask of me?
I also like and prefer the 15 GA. nail size for it's hold and stiffness factor (being from Southern California this is the std. gun) and I have a sweet MAX 2 1/2" nail gun which I bought recently.......works VERY nice......it's just that I work here in South Carolina and EVERYONE that I have worked for in the larger finish game HATES to pay the slightly higher price for these nails.....so I'm going to finally give in and buy a 16 GA. for this reason alone.....sounds weak but whatdaya do!! I'll keep the 15 GA. for my own work. Thanks for the input...I actually think the newer Hitachi is made by MAX....my other gun has some extreme simalarities and I like the wieght and size and it's build in the hard metal parts. Thanks to you all again!! ~Zorro~
With the Max 15 Ga nailer you have, do you have to buy their nails, or will any of the "Senco style" nails work in this gun?********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I've got the Max and any 15ga angled "Senco" nails work.
Thanks. I've got an old Bostich that's about to give up the ghost, and I am tempted to replace it with the 15 Ga Max.Nobody (that I know about) sells Max around here; do you have a good online source you can recommend?********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Hey John, Also, I think I got a SUPER deal on the NF550 2 1/2" 15GA. SuperFinisher. I paid $230 for it, I think they had it in stock at a special purchase; it may have been the last of it though. I've seen it online for about $275 or so.......MAX isn't cheap, I think you know, but their quality is the top. Don't know what you turn up with this.....Kentec Megatools in SC, http://www.kentec.com, or call 1-800-241-0148, or AOL search for it and do your best.....Good Luck. ~Zorro~
PS They now have a 23GA. micro-pinner 1/2-1 3/8".....I want it for those prefinished cabinet crown molds and other handy work where even that 18 GA. feels like a slugger.
Edited 1/13/2006 11:13 pm ET by zorrosdens
Thanks for info. I checked the Kentec link, and for some reason, they are not selling any Max nail guns -- at least right now.The Max guns are hard to come by; looks like they should give some effort to building their distribution network. BTW, I have a Cadex 23 ga pinner, which is the best gun I have in my arsenal. In fact, I heard it is made by Max, which is what got me interested in their finish nailer.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Ironically I bought my gun locally in Atlanta at Stone Mountain Power Tools that is affiliated with Kentec. I paid $199 for it about two years ago. I've also been using the Hitachi and as noted they're quite similar.
It's interesting that Hitachi's are everywhere, yet there seem to be very few online places that sell Max. I did find one place that was selling the 15 ga Max (angled mag) for $245, which is not too bad.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
You may want to just jump out there and get it as everytime I have inquired for any of the MAX guns the prices are really out there in the high range ($245 isn't low compared to the Lowes or Hmdpt runs but....). Everytime I called "my guy" in Kentec he would scoop me if it could be done. The one I bought was a special purchase that he had to get from their store in Georgia and it was the last one there....they did have a special price deal on their framers also that went by the way when I was setting up to get all the guns I would want ideally and that special was gone....I've wanted their 2 1/8" pinner 18 GA. but that price was about $370, it has a no nails lockout so it won't fire when empty. I'll try and get the phone # for SC (I always get on the Nextel to talk with him, if you have Nextel I could email it to you). ~Zorro~
If memory serves the Cadex goes to 1 9/16", which is outstanding and I was thinking it would be a great gun, just never heard of the make....but youallses remarks make for a good buy.......seems the nose is sweet and pin pointy. Just for your research or other's the MAX 23GA. model # is NF235A/23-35. ~Zorro~
I too never heard of Cadex before it came up here about a year ago. I liked the thing so much, I corresponded with the people at Floyd Tool (where I bought it), and they all but said the other Cadex guns are junk. He said this one was made by someone else (and I am guessing it is Max).Before I just order a Max 15 ga, I want to check around here to see if there is someone who will service it. That time always comes, even with a good gun.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Maybe check with the Max web site, http://www.maxusacorp.com, see it will help locate something for you. I'd be interested to know how well the Cadex drives what lengths into what kinds of material and do they go up to 1 9/16", seems enormous for a 23GA.....Thanks. ~Zorro~
Edited 1/15/2006 12:46 pm ET by zorrosdens
I found and tried the Max home page a day or so ago, and it would not load up on my machine. Still won't. Maybe they only open the web site during "business hours".********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Hey John.......I have used Senco nails in it so far and have had no trouble. I believe the other "Senco" generics will work fine as they have in all the other Senco guns that I have used them in with no problems. The MAX gun exudes quality in every area and, if you want, it will toenail beautifully when set for deep drive and no nose rubber on. Also, the spring on the nail retainer/feed is extremely robust and when you pull the nail catch back for loading more nails, if you want, just tip the gun nose up and all the nails you wish to remove just slip out effortlessly into your hand so you can change nail sizes without working to get all the other ones out, nice! Buy one of the Senco hooks and put it on for easier hanging on your belt (position: gun in right hand, hook facing toward you and just clearing the magazine...works fine), you can modify the case to still close with it on the gun with a utility knife. ~Zorro~
Edited 1/14/2006 12:04 pm ET by zorrosdens
Deiselpig and trimcarp (or anyone else for that matter)
Would you mind giving a few specific examples of when you would use the 18 guage and when you would use the 15 guage.
Particularly, what would you use for indoor window and door caseing
Thanks
With window/door casings, for example, I use a 15 ga nailer to attach them to the trim studs, then an 18 ga to nail them to the jamb.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I used to be a 15 ga. and 18 ga. guy to the end. That was before they came out with 23 ga. pinners and moving to the South, using 16 ga.ers....I've been using a 23 ga. 3/16" crown stapler that shoots 3/8 to 5/8". I needed it to pre-nail together some very intricate panel molding before we planted them onto the wainscot faceframing. I'd seen one of guys that had "everything use one and thought they were toys...needed it so I bought it and boy...I use that all the time for special things where a fine staple will work BEST, really handy when you get one. I have the SFW10, product# 1D0001N.
15 ga. and 18 ga.,like Nikkiwood said, for window and door cases. I've been using 16 ga. on the outside rim and 18 ga. in jambs. If you do full 3/4" mdf 1x4 trims I use the 16ga. or 15 ga. for it all. The 16 is handy to have, I'm finding, for certain things, nothing beats a good 15 ga. nail job for strong hold. Closets 1x4's and 2's onto drywall, 2 1/2" 15's are great and strong. Just watch 15 splitting, we all learn where to place nails to avoid this when we can.
Baseboard, crown, straight to drywall; 2" 16's or 15's are fine. You can use 18's for some things more like composite products we all seem to be so much of now. I've wanted to use 2" 18's for composite window cases for paint-grade, since they will get glued with caulking and the stuff is so stable and non-active , like wood is.
For woods you want to fasten the best and strongest the wood will hold up to because it can move naturally....stresses.
Good joints means glue them.....it's what hold things together over time, not just nails. OK...I guess that's enough.
Edited 2/3/2006 9:19 pm ET by zorrosdens
Edited 2/3/2006 10:04 pm ET by zorrosdens
i bought the hitachi 16 ga this summer and haven't put it down. i've gone through many boxes of 2 - 2 1/2 " nails and have had about 2 jams. very easy to clear out with nosepiece design. highly recommended.
I just got the cheap $75 Hitachi 18 gauge, NT50AE, from Amazon. So far, I've just used it to do crown in three rooms. No problems, using the generic HD nails. It's solid and well built.
-- J.S.
Sounds good....Hitachi's seem to do a pretty good job. I've been a long time using 18's....The one that I have now and use is the slightly older Senco SLP20. It's the one that shoots 1 5/8" brads. I've done what I do to most of my guns...modify anything that I think will improve it's use. With this gun I drilled and taped for a small allen head screw in a place that would keep the safety held back as far as it would go. The safety kept catching and slipping into some molding details, keeping me from nailing where I wanted. That put it out of the way. Next I, very carefully, (with a fine, old belt on the beltsander), shape the nose a bit more allowing me to angle nail without a fatter nose keeping me from sinking the heads of the brads. All this said, I would like to get the MAX 2 1/8" NF255-ST/18....the price on this gun is astronomical, about the most expensive gun they have per ounce. It has a feature I wish all guns had....a lock-out mechanism, won't fire when it's out of nails.
I know it seems like a lot to go through, but anyone that ever uses this gun wishes their's was like it. I used to have the old, old Senco. Then, when they were orange, a Fasco from Italy. Back then, they had an EXTREMELY well made gun and it was heavier, more hardened metals...I loved that one (it got the same as above treatment). The repairmen always said they would replace one Fasco driver for every 50 Senco "pin" drivers. Both went by way of a garage fire.
A new gun is great to use (if it give good performance).