Topic: Brad nailer suggestions?

[EV Dan]

I've got a compound mitre saw and recently a compressor, so thinking of replacing some of the original 2" trim around the house. Never used a pneumatic nailer before so not sure what to look for in them. 18 gauge I suppose? Even though most likely it will be a light duty use, I'd rather pay for one that lasts forever. Anything you guys would recommend from the list below or what do you think of Paslode and Bostich?

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.2-18-in-18-gauge-brad-nailer.1000755375.html

https://www.lowes.ca/pneumatic-nailers-staplers/hitachi-nt50ae2-18-gauge-pneumatic-brad-nailer_g1196439.html

https://www.lowes.ca/pneumatic-nailers-staplers/bostitch-bulldog-18-gauge-2-in-pneumatic-brad-nailer_g2608239.html

[Fobroader]

I would go with the Ridgid one just for the warranty. My buddy has a few power tools by them and they have replaced batteries and the entire tool with no questions.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

My Porter Cable one is about 20 years old now. It's seen a fair bit of use, but still works fine.

[rrocket]

My Porter Cable one is about 20 years old now. It's seen a fair bit of use, but still works fine.

I built a sauna. So I needed a brad. I bought a Porter Cable. Was cheap to buy. Since then, it has been borrowed and abused by everyone I knew who didn't have a brad nailer. And it still works perfectly. Like SirO nailer, it's about 20 years old.

My vote is Porter Cable

[84im]

One thing I don't like about the Rigid nailer is the plastic sliding plate.  It's handy that you can see how many nails you have left, but I'd worry about the plastic cracking over time.  I'd look for a nailer with a sliding aluminum cover.

The main thing to look for in a nailer is depth consistency at a specific psi.  I have two 18 gauge nailers.  One is from Canadian Tire (multi air gun package) and the other is from Porter Cable.  The Porter Cable's depth consistency is much better than the one from Canadian Tire.

Unfortunately, it's meaningless comparing a 20 year old Porter Cable nailer to a new one, which is most likely made in China.  There's a big difference in how these tools are built today, and it's not in a good way.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Unfortunately, it's meaningless comparing a 20 year old Porter Cable nailer to a new one, which is most likely made in China.  There's a big difference in how these tools are built today, and it's not in a good way.

This is true. No idea if a new one would stand up as well.

[johngenx]

Well, my Porter Cable nailer is one of those 20+ year old ones, and it's frickin' amazing.

[tenpenny]

I have a cheapie Canadian tire 18ga unit, works like a charm. 


Sent from my Vic20 using Java Moose

[HeliDriver]

Interesting that all you guys own nail guns. I have a fair selection of power tools, and a nail gun is something I’ve never even considered purchasing. Just doesn’t seem like something that would get much use around the house, but I guess it depends how much you like to build stuff.

I did a bunch of window trim and baseboards in our last place, and just used a hammer & nail punch. Worked fine, was cheap, and meant I didn’t have another power tool taking up space in the garage only to be used once a decade, if that.

[rrocket]

Interesting that all you guys own nail guns. I have a fair selection of power tools, and a nail gun is something I’ve never even considered purchasing. Just doesn’t seem like something that would get much use around the house, but I guess it depends how much you like to build stuff.

I did a bunch of window trim and baseboards in our last place, and just used a hammer & nail punch. Worked fine, was cheap, and meant I didn’t have another power tool taking up space in the garage only to be used once a decade, if that.

It certainly depends on what you're using it for.  It would have taken forever to do my sauna (cedar tongue and groove) with a hammer and nail set.  Ditto if you have a large house and you are re-doing baseboards.

I recently built a shoe rack.  Use the air nailer. Incredibly fast and easy.  It doesn't get used all the time...but then again...neither do my other tools.  And it packs extremely compact in its case.

[tenpenny]

I built a couple of steps for the dog to more easily get up on the beds; the brad nailer made it easy peasy, as they say.

[ArticSteve]

Anything you guys would recommend from the list below or what do you think of Paslode and Bostich?

Bostich, traditionally, has been the brad nailer gold standard.  For your purpose I don't think it really matters if your nailing into soft material like pine, MDF, etc.   What matters, as mentioned, is the supply of constant PSI especially nailing hard woods like oak .

[EV Dan]

Thanks guys for all your suggestions. I remember hearing back in the day Porter and Cable was bought over and since that day it's just a name that doesn't stand for quality necessarily. I liked that Hitachi (mostly for its name) but in the reviews ppl point out it has a plastic magazine. Bottom line I will need to do some leg work and have a look at what's in store. I also heard good things about Bostitch. Does Consumer Reports publish tool ratings?

[johngenx]

I looked on CR, didn't see anything except cordless drills, which DeWalt and Milwaukee killed the rest.

[rrocket]

Thanks guys for all your suggestions. I remember hearing back in the day Porter and Cable was bought over and since that day it's just a name that doesn't stand for quality necessarily. I liked that Hitachi (mostly for its name) but in the reviews ppl point out it has a plastic magazine. Bottom line I will need to do some leg work and have a look at what's in store. I also heard good things about Bostitch. Does Consumer Reports publish tool ratings?

Porter Cable is owned by Black and Decker now.

[johngenx]

Porter Cable is owned by Black and Decker now.

Since 2004.  I should go and look at the newest nail gun and compare it to my 1995-ish model.  Mine is not an industrial grade unit, but it sure has held up well and does a great job.

[carcrazed]

I like the cordless stuff now. I can't be bothered with cords/hoses.

[Fobroader]

I like the cordless stuff now. I can't be bothered with cords/hoses.

Do those actually work?? I've been thinking of getting one as we are slowly replacing all the trim in the house with newer, more modern stuff.

[dash]

Yes, have a nearly 20yrs old DeWalt Cordless, good enough for trim and making (tacking in place) furniture. Convenient, big time saver, counter sink much cleaner than a nail punch and some occasional jamming  , but batteries have been useless for a number of years now, replacement batteries don't make sense cost wise. Next big project will get a new nailer (at least that's my excuse).

[ArticSteve]

I like the cordless stuff now. I can't be bothered with cords/hoses.

Do those actually work?? I've been thinking of getting one as we are slowly replacing all the trim in the house with newer, more modern stuff.

They work, but are quite inferior due to the bulky size as they are very large in comparison so application is limited.  Plus they are very heavy.  As the battery voltage drops so does the depth of the nail.  Good for nailing door stop inside a closet where a hose unit will not fit.  Overall, a supplement to an air unit, but certainly not a replacement.