I am shopping around for a finish nailer, 16 or 18 gauge and compressor. This will be used primarily for small tasks, like nailing tongue and groove floor ocassionally, small crafts for the wife to build etc….light duty.
What gun and compressor would you get?
Thanks
Replies
I don't think you can nail t&g flooring with a 16G and I know you can't use an 18G. On the other hand, I wouldn't use anything bigger than 18G for the crafty type stuff. That said, I suggest that you either get two guns, or forget about doing flooring with it and just get an 18G, it will do most jobs that a 16G will. Make sure you get one that will shoot up to 2" nails. As far as brand, you should be able to get one for around $100.00 give or take. Stick with the "real" name brands like senco or porter cable, they don't cost that much more than the cheapos and although you won't ever know you did the right thing by buying the name brand gun, if you buy a cheap one you will always be mad at yourself, trust me, it's only a difference of 15 -20 bucks.
As far as compressors, if you aren't going to be using it for production, get something small that's easy to tote around and store. Bigger isn't always better.
Ok, I can't believe I would ever recommend any sears tool, but....
Craftsman oil-free compressors have no place on a jobsite, however, they are quite suitable for occaisional use around the home. they have the advantage of being able to work on a 15 amp circuit without blowing breakers and they are much cleaner than heavy duty oil lubricated compressors.
Edited 12/24/2004 11:14 am ET by Mark "If I were a carpenter"
Bostich has a great package. The compressor has run 2 framing guns last summer so power is excellent. The finish gun packs a good punch and is easy to handle. Lowes has good deals if you live near one.
Hey Bill, thanks!
I got a 300 dollar gift card for xmas, ran over, plunked it down on the kit you mentioned, cost me 279 for two guns, and compressor, nails, and supplies to power the guns.
Don't forget to use the safety glasses. Last summer while working I took a wire that holds the framing nails togerher in the strip in thec face. Good things I was wearing my glasses. I learned a long time ago that you can't undo the damage once it is done!!
that's the same one we gave our SIL for christmas.. new house, new baby, new nail gunMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Ok, there are alot of package deals out there with some good prices but it may not be the best you can buy quality wise and brand names aren't what they used to be since everything, everything is getting farmed out to China, Mexico etc.
For a compressor, regardless of brand, look for one that takes oil as opposed to an oiless. They are generally quieter, and in some cases, almost silent, which is beyond a blessing if you are using it at home. At minimum, the compressor should pump 2.4 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 90psi. this will fill a small tank (2 gal) very quickly but will take what seems an eternity to fill a 6 gal tank. 2.4cfm @90psi will also run any 16 or 18 ga finish nailer without a problem, but you might have to wait for the thing to catch up if you are using a stapler or a framing gun. A compressor that runs around 4.0 cfm @90psi would be decent in all nailing applications. 6.5 cfm @ 90psi will run multiple framing guns.
If you are looking at a compressor for light duty, as you say, keep your eye on the hot-dog (2gallon or less) style. They fill up quickly (less time to make noise) and are about the lightest to carry around. The one I use most is a cheapy brand 1.5 gal that sits nicely behind the wheel well in my truck.
You are setting a tall order for one nail gun (flooring, craft) 16ga would be ok for perimeter nailing on 3/4" hardwood T&G if you used a little flooring glue.
18ga would be better for craftwork, most brands of 18ga nailers will take pins from 2" to 3/4". I'm a production finish (trim) worker and I've used alot of guns, Makita was about the best, but pricey. Dewalt was okay, the Porter Cable is fine and so is the Bostich. If you are planning to get into some tight corners look for one with a small nose.
For delicate work, a 23ga micro pinner rocks!
Hope this helps
Be Constructive
Gord
St.Margaret's Bay NS
Gord,
When you are at work, what guage do you use for guns? If it is a few can you mention application. Meaning trimming... I do finish and need an all around, and maybe a pinner at some point.
I use 18ga for just about everything except for 3/4" base, trim and hanging door jambs, for that I use 16 ga.
One problem is keeping the nailholes small and down to a minimum so the painters can achieve a smooth finish without losing their shirts. The right glue used in the right places helps alot.
You have to balance between keeping the trim on and thinking about the guys who follow. Keeping the nails away from the rounded portions of the trim helps too.
Be Constructive
Gord
St.Margaret's Bay NS
I'll chime in here on trimming fasteners.
For stain-grade hardwood trim work, an 18-gage nail is nice, because when a gun tip is tuned up well, and air set right, the nail can be pinged with the gun into a small little hole. With hardwood trim, we try to "grain shoot" as many of the nails we can, so the nailhead holes are in dark spots of the wood, and hide well with filler.
18 gage nails won't give you the assurance you need when fastening heavier millwork like window sills, door jambs, plinths, or crown mold stackups. For that, you will want 16 gage, or even 15.
On a painted trim job, I can do the whole thing using my 15 gage gun and 23 gage pinner.
I haven't used a 16 gage fastener, and don't know where it would fall, in usefullness, given what 15, 18, and 23 gage nails will do.
Gord and Gene, thanks for the workout. I currently use a hammer, but the air is close at hand.
-zen