Replies

1. 
   AlanTurner | Jan 10, 2003 01:18am | #1

   I'm no pro on air nailers, but do have a 16 ga. Pasalode, which was a sort of a gift, sort of.  I thinbk they go for abut $400 or so.  If this is correct, then a compressor and gun might in fact be cheaper.  Those I have asked say that the Pasalode, for a purely portable gun, is better than the PC, but I haven't test driven one.  You might want to be a bit careful here.

2. 
   LeeEschen | Jan 10, 2003 01:28am | #2

   I got a SENCO FinishPro 25XP for Christmas and I love it. It will handle 18ga brads, both medium and slight head, from 5/8" to 2-1/8", the greatest range you'll find in anybody's product, I believe. Brad nailers are useful for drawer assembly, frame assembly, trim attachment, and much more. They are the single most useful air nailer made.

   I'm hoping to get for my birthday, Feb 22, SENCO's FinishPro 41XP finish nailer, which handles 15ga finish nails from 1-1/4" to 2-1/2". The slightly larger and longer nails make finish nailers useful for trim and finish work where the additional thickness of a drywall layer is involved. Door casing, base molding and cap, chair rail, and crown molding are typical uses. There is a fair amount of overlap between brad nailers and finish nailers.

   SENCO also makes the only line of battery powered tools that don't require fuel cells to provide the actual impulse. I haven't tried them myself, but based on the SENCO reputation, I would say you have to check them out if you are serious about a battery powered nailer.

   You're talking serious cost for any battery unit, however. Have you considered a standard air tool and a portable air tank you can refill at any service station? I use a portable air tank for powering my nailer on jobsites so that I don't have to lug a heavy compressor. Nailers don't use a lot of air so one tankful can do a lot of nailing.

   --

   Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon

   On the Redwood Highway

1. 
   Brinkma1 | Jan 10, 2003 05:25am | #3

   Gee Lee, were almost neighbors, Port Angeles, WA is only a few mouse clicks away. Thanks for your info. I will look on the net for Sencos nailers. Sure would like to see how the battery operated nailers test out though.

1. 
   Splintie | Jan 10, 2003 06:02am | #4

   I've got the Bostitch 62FNK and i'm in love. 15 ga., 3.8 pounds, soft grip.

   Edited 1/9/2003 10:45:17 PM ET by SPLINTIE

1. 
   Adrian | Jan 10, 2003 06:20am | #5

   For kitchen cabinets? First, buy a compressor. Way more choice in good guns, plus you have a compressor for other stuff. Ideally, a good 18 ga. brad gun for very small stuff, a 16 for bigger stuff, and an 18 ga. stapler that will take up to 1 1/2 staple for cabinet box assembly (backed up with screws or biscuits or whatever). You might be able to get all three for the price of one Paslode trim gun; close, anyway. Eventually, you could add 23 ga. and 15 ga. guns. The Senco battery seems to be getting mixed reviews, but in any event, if you're in a shop situation, air is the long term solution. Airless is great for jobsite stuff.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing