Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 19, 2000 06:38pm | #1

   *
   I'd recommend Senco. But that's just because we've had great luck with them and we have great local service & support. I wouldn't recommend any brand that didn't have service available locally.
   Good Luck!

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 19, 2000 06:48pm | #2

   * MDG,

   I'll second John's recommendation.

   Joseph Fusco View Image "The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." -- Plato

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 19, 2000 07:16pm | #3

   *What John and Joe ad advised was right on, the only comments I would add is that I prefer the old SFN Senco (the big heavy one, and yes you can still get it), it has plenty of beans for shooting 2 1/2" 15 guage nails into oak. I use a Senco SLP20 pinner for scotia and small stuff.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 19, 2000 08:51pm | #4

   *Yep, Senco.

2. 
   sionoloco | Feb 19, 2000 11:34pm | #5

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   I like the Makita Af631 better than the Senco(s), but it was
   hard to find and the fittings are different then Senco,
   which most people have. Also, you can't find ammo as easily
   unless you know that Bostich will fit. Makita doesn't seem
   to know how good it is--no marketing for it in the NE as far
   as I

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 20, 2000 05:29am | #6

   *
   SENCO!
   L. Siders

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 20, 2000 06:29am | #7

   *I purchased a Paslode cordless trim gun. I really like it. I have used it to put up edge and center bead soffiting, and it works well for penetrating hardwood. It survived a fall from a 35 foot ladder. It took a glancing blow and landed in the sand. It still works well. It is a true heavy duty gun. It took a little learning curve for the first time I dissambled it to clean it, but now it is no problem. I purchased it a year ago for the house we are still working on. I understand there is a newer model since then that has been improved.

4. 
   brent_collins | Feb 20, 2000 08:19am | #8

   *
   What about Porter Cable Finish guns?

1. 
   Kwan_Choi | Feb 20, 2000 10:47pm | #9

   *I have Bostitch and had good results. I wish I had looked into Senco since I hear a lot of good things about it. For your question, I would ask how much finish work do you do, how much do you want to spend, now and in the future, and what quality machine do you want. If you are working on your house only, not want to bother with weight, hose and noise, I would look into Paslode. Research for it, however, because I still hear that Paslode does not always countersink. I hear that PorterCable cordless had a lot of problems and I handled one at HomeDepot and it felt unwieldy. Even if you have a compressor, I would research for Paslode just to save on my back and set up time. However, with a compressor, you can use other air powered tools. By the way, I am not a salesman for Paslode. Lastly, for the trim and some furniture work I did, now I wish that I bought a smaller nailer if I could have compared the shooting power. 15 gauge finish nail for Bostitch leaves rather big hole to fill for many trim work. I am thinking of buying a nailer that uses 18 gauge nails or Senco pinner? Two and half inch nails are rarely necessary, I think.

5. 
   Guest_ | Feb 21, 2000 07:34am | #10

   *
   MDG:

   There are some threads on finish nailers I found in the
   i Tools Subfolder
   that may interest you:

   < Obsolete Link > Senco or Bostitch angled finish nailer. < Obsolete Link > Question about Stanley finish nailer

   Just out of curiosity, why did you not post your question there in the
   i Tools for Homebuilding
   subfolder?

   Also, here are a few threads that I found in the Breaktime archives that have info for you. I found these using the
   i search
   function of Breaktime.

   < Obsolete Link > Paslode Finish Nailer. < Obsolete Link > Norm's Pneumatic Nailer. < Obsolete Link > Whats Better...Senco or Bostich Nailers?. < Obsolete Link > Senco/Accuset - Roller coaster ride

   A question to all:

   I believe that Bostich nail guns require Bostich nails, or other generic Bostich type. Most other guns use "Senco type" nails. Am I correct?

   Generally, I try to avoid any tool that requires proprietary type supplies.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 21, 2000 08:22am | #12

   *Matt, You are correct about Bostitch nails being different than Senco. I believe one difference is the angle on Bostitch is of a different degree. I use a Bostitch nailer for most of my jobs with no problems; however' I did use a Senco SFN1 that belonged to a carpenter I was working with one time and I really liked the way it performed. It appears that the Senco nails have a rosin type coating on them which I think holds better than the bare wire on Bostitch. I also have an old Paslode 16 ga nailer that I also use when I am nailing casing to a door or window jamb. I think using a smaller gauge nail near the edge of trim reduces splitting. The feature I like the most about the Paslode is that the nose is very narrow making it easier to shoot into corners. MDM.

6. 
   MDG | Feb 21, 2000 08:22am | #11

   *
   I need to buy a quality finish nailer that will work for hardwood trim and for stairs and balusters. Any suggestions re: gage size and which brand to go with ?