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Discussion Forum

Which Cordless Nailer to Buy

dolphintattoo | Posted in Tools for Home Building on October 29, 2005 01:25am

Looking to buy my hubby a cordless nailer for Christmas.  He borrowed a Paslode 16 guage angled nailer for some trim work in our bathroom and loved it.  We don’t have a compressor and really this is going to be used for putting together bookcases, putting up molding etc…. I don’t really think we need a nail gun, but it’s an insult to his manhood when I say that! 

 

Any reviews on other manufacturers?

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Matt | Oct 29, 2005 01:38am | #1

    If you (he) want a finish nailer go for the Paslode.  I have the Senco, but don't "love it".  The new Dewalt is of similar design to the Senco.  Basically the difference is that with the Paslode, you pull the trigger and it shoots a nail.  With the Senco and Dewalt, you bull the trigger, it charges for a second, then shoots a nail.  The down side of the Paslode is that it uses fuel cells in addition to batteries. 

    1. Stilts | Oct 29, 2005 09:12am | #14

      I used a buddy's dewalt, and there was no waiting.  I was firing it plenty fast and it did just fine.  I've never used a senco so I don't know how well it compares.

       

      Another vote here for the compressor gun combo kits.  It's a much better deal, and you can use the compressor for other guns if you buy them in the future, or to put air in your car tires if you don't.

      1. User avater
        Matt | Oct 29, 2005 02:36pm | #16

        >> I used a buddy's dewalt, and there was no waiting.  I was firing it plenty fast and it did just fine.  I've never used a senco so I don't know how well it compares. <<

        I guess I'm just the impatient type... after using pneumatic guns for years, when I got the Senco it was so odd the way it fires and I guess I never got used to it.  I've had it for about 5 years and use it maybe once a month.  I leave it at home and put it in the truck only when I know I'll need it.  I guess it comes down to seconds per nail verses nails per second.  When you have a house to trim with multi thousand feed of molding to be and 20 doors to be installed, air is the only way to go.   Obviously, speed may not be a primary concern of a hobbyist.

        1. Stilts | Oct 29, 2005 06:27pm | #20

          By firing pretty fast I meant I was bump firing it and it kept up just fine.  It was heavy as heck, but for punch and small job type situations it would be great.  What really surprised me was that not only did it keep up bump firing it, it even sunk the 2 1/2" nails consistently, first in cab ply then in some scrap oak and poplar that I was using to cleat walls for countertops.

          1. User avater
            Matt | Oct 29, 2005 06:43pm | #21

            We must be talking about a different tools.  Are you talking about a Dewalt battery (only) operated finish nailer?  Or, maybe I'm having a senior moment... I only used it for a few minutes on the job site but my specific impression was that it worked exactly like my Senco; a pause before it shoots the nail and definitely no bump firing.

          2. Stilts | Oct 29, 2005 08:47pm | #23

            I think we're talking about the same tools.  The one I used was an 16 gauge straight nails, not the angled ones.  18 volt cordless, maybe you used the 14.4 and it took longer?

             

            I just checked the web site they do have 2 models that are sequential only, maybe that's one that you tried?

          3. ibkruzin | Oct 29, 2005 09:19pm | #24

            We have the Dewalt 18v finish nailer and love it. We also have the small Senco compressor and love it too. It depends on what we are doing. For punch work the Dewalt works great for us. I too have been able to bump fire it with no problem

  2. DougU | Oct 29, 2005 01:52am | #2

    Get the Paslode!

    Actually you can get a package deal from Porter Cable or even Senco where you get a small compressor and a nail gun or two for about the same money as the Paslode will run you.

    I have the Paslode guns but no way am I going with out a compressor.

    There is a lot of other things that you can do with the compressor besides the nail gun.

    Doug



    Edited 10/28/2005 6:55 pm ET by DougU

    1. dustinf | Oct 29, 2005 02:02am | #4

      You stole my answer while I was collecting links, getting pictures, and pretending to care about my GF's halloween costume.

      1. Shep | Oct 29, 2005 02:44am | #5

        wait a minute-

        you can't mention pictures, Halloween costume, and girlfriend in the same sentence without more explanation

        and pictures

        1. dustinf | Oct 29, 2005 04:55am | #11

          She was going to a Halloween cruise on the local riverboat.  Her and her friend were dressing up as cowgirls.  She took my camera, so I'll try to get some pics.

      2. DougU | Oct 29, 2005 03:11am | #8

        Yea thats what you get for caring!

        I didnt even bother to find the link.

        Now what about the holloween pictures.

        Just got done carving a couple pumpkins, how the hell do those guys do  that intricate carving on those things. I can draw the picture but cant find a knife that is fine enough!

        Probably a dremel!!!

        Doug

        1. GregDi | Oct 29, 2005 03:50am | #9

          Use a very fine jigsaw blade by hand. The higher the TPI the better.That's how you carve a pumpkin...seriously.

          1. jrnbj | Oct 29, 2005 07:45am | #13

            Jap keyhole or rock saws work great, but for the really fine stuff that'll blow away your neighbors you need those tools that come with the carvin' kits...

          2. Catskinner | Oct 29, 2005 03:26pm | #18

            Not the Bosch 1587?Cr*p, I've been doing it wrong.

        2. emaxxman | Oct 29, 2005 07:24pm | #22

          Tried the Dremel. With the spiral cut saw bit, it's a huge mess. I recently got the reciprocating saw attachment. I'll try that. I second the Porter Cable kit from Home Depot. It's pretty light, fires up in minutes, and is a great deal now with all 3 guns. I bought it when it was just the 16 gauge nailer. If the intended use is for light carpentry, bookshelves, trim, etc, the 18 gauge nailer and stapler in the PC kit will be very useful too. In my opinion, they'll be more useful than the 16 gauge nailer. 16 and 18 gauge nails are for light trim work. I wouldn't trust them to hold a bookshelf together...that's what glue and clamps are for.

  3. dustinf | Oct 29, 2005 02:00am | #3

    Don't waste your money on a Paslode.  It is a great tool, but it has it's limitations, and upkeep.  I'd buy Senco's new small compressor kit. It costs half as much as the Paslode, and it has multiple uses(admittly limited, but more than Paslode).

    BTW, I own the Paslode, and it is great.  I just think it is an expensive very specialzed tool.

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008PWW9/sr=1-7/qid=1130540262/ref=sr_1_7/104-8969694-5560766?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

     View Image

     

    1. nikkiwood | Oct 29, 2005 02:51am | #6

      I think dustin makes a good point. I've had a Paslode finish gun for years; it works great, but it costs about $350.For $188 you can buy the Senco compressor/finish nailer dustin linked, and if the recipient ever wants to add some other kind of nailer in the future, he can do so. That's a small compressor (and easy to carry around), and it would give him a lot more flexibility than a Paslode.********************************************************
      "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

      John Wooden 1910-

    2. User avater
      Matt | Oct 29, 2005 05:29am | #12

      Any of you guys used that ity-bity senco compressor?  My bud has one and we used it for some work and the danged thing didn't stop running the whole day except when we went to lunch.  Had to wait for it "to catch" up too.  I wouldn't use it for anything more than a pin nailer.  I don't know, maybe some people would be happy with it... granted no one hurt their back getting it out of the truck...

  4. rvieceli | Oct 29, 2005 02:59am | #7

    If you have a Home Depot nearby, mine had a three gun Porter Cable kit with the small pancake compressor they were closing out for $259 today. The compressor kits are usually a good buy and the compressor gives you more options for future expansion. Plus you can air up your tires ;-)

  5. IdahoDon | Oct 29, 2005 04:35am | #10

    A finish carp coworker just picked up a combo kit at Home Depot including a Dewalt 16 gauge 18v nailer and a 18v drill (the good heavy duty hammer drill with the steel chuck) for $350.  He likes it so much that he's going to pick up another combo kit since the price is so low.

    I used his gun today and was impressed with it's usability.  Having never used another cordless finish nailer it's impossible for me to compare it to anything close.

    Personally, I think a small compressor/nail gun combo is more usable.

    Cheers,

    Don

  6. DonCanDo | Oct 29, 2005 01:45pm | #15

    I have the Paslode and I love it for it's portability.  For the kind of work I do (which includes occasional trim), portability and setup/breakdown are very high priorities.

    If I were buying a nailer for use at my own house, I would definitely get a compressor.  Much more versatile and cheaper.  Portability isn't all that important if it will mostly be used in the workshop.  And even if it will be used throughout the house, it's still not as big a deal as loading/unloading a vehicle and setting it up/breaking it down at a customer's house.

    -Don

     

  7. User avater
    Matt | Oct 29, 2005 03:24pm | #17

    Not to complicate things too much but here is another thing to think about:

    Nail size:

    Like I said I have all (most?) size guns and do like having different guns (size nails) for different applications.  When I say nail size I'm talking about the diameter of the nail, the size of the nail head, and the nail length.  Here is some general info for finish type nailers nails:

    23 gauge: ~1/2" - 2" length; smallest diameter nails - thinner than a pin - called a pin nailer - very little strength but can nail even the thinnest wood without splitting.  The nails are so thin that for painted work, you don't even have to fill the nail holes.  Often glue is used in conjunction with this size nail.  May be more useful for craft type work.  The strength of fastening can be improved by shooting multiple nails where normally 1 nail might be used.

    18 ga: ~ 1/2" - 2".  a little thicker than a pin with a small head.  Also called a pin nailer.   Pretty similar to above but has more strength and nail holes generally need to be puttied.   you can nail most small and/or thin pieces without splitting the wood.

    16 ga: ~ 1" - 2.5".  Has enough strength and length for most tasks and not so bad at splitting.  I'd call it a medium duty gun that is generally good for attaching 3/4" to 1 1/4" material.  A good "starter gun.

    15 ga: ~ 1.5" to 2.5" nails.  Largest head of the finish nailers and thickest shaft so is the strongest - I like this one for installing doors where I definitely want holding power.  Some splitting of the wood.  Probably doesn't do well for attaching wood that is thinner than 3/4".  I have even used this one for building exterior railings where strength is paramount.

    18 ga narrow crown stapler: ~ 1/2" - 1.5" long staples.  Great for attaching thin plywood.   My favorite for attaching the thin edge of casing to jambs.  Good holding power.

    So, when shopping for finish nail guns you need to think about what it will be used for, what length and diameter of nails it shoots.   Different brands/models of the same type of gun (say 16ga) may accept different length nails.  Also you gotta make sure the brand of nailer you buy has nails readily available to your area - unless you want to do mail order.  For me, a depth of drive adjustment on any gun is essential.  In the end I use my 15ga, 18ga pinner and 18ga NC stapler the most for the type of finish work I do.

    The small pneumatic nailers are relatively cheap - say $100, so you can probably get 2 guns and a pancake style compressor for slightly less than 1 Paslode cordless.  Here is an example:

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DCBKX/qid=1130588034/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_unbuck_2/103-0897825-0516606?v=glance&s=hi&n=1000

    I don't like the bigger PC guns (framers, etc) but the small ones are fine.

    As the other guys said, the flexibility of a compressor set up is hard to beat if portability is less of an issue and if you don't mind the "cord".  Another thing that was not mentioned is that in the end, it costs more to "pull the trigger" on a Paslode cordless than on pneumatic guns - Paslode cordless guns only use Paslode nails (I think) and you have to buy the fuel cells.

    1. DougU | Oct 29, 2005 06:17pm | #19

      Matt

      I have that little senco air compressor, your right, it doesn't shut off much, but it don't weigh much either.

      I build cabinets so I don't need a compressor on site all that much.

      I carry my two Paslode Impulse guns and the only reason that I need a compressor is for my micro pinner, and that doesn't use all that much air.

      I trimmed out a house in Iowa this summer and used my Paslodes to do most of it. The Senco is fine for a one man deal, as long as he isn't doing any framing!

      Doug

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