Replies

1. 
   ian | Dec 07, 2002 02:13pm | #1

   Talk about deju vu

   I've also been looking looking for an electric brad nailer.  The tool dealer I prefer to use (Peter hasn't led me astray yet with a power tool purchase) recommends a Maestri ME30, an Italian made unit, which takes 18g Paslode brads 15 to 30 mm long - I think that's 5/8 to 1 1/4 in the old money.   Weight is about 3 lbs.   Cost will be about 3/4 that of an air unit and about 1/3 that of cordless Paslode.  Metabo and Bosch both make electric nailers that take 28mm or 30 mm nails, but Peter says they're not a patch on the Maestri.  According to the box Maestri also make a unit that also drives staples as well as nails, but the max nail size is then 25mm. 

   To forestall the air tool brigade,
   I don't own a compresser, have nowhere to store a compressor if I did own one.  Most of my work is the stop-start variety so travelling to and from the hire store and paying days rate soon becomes very expensive.  I find that once the hiring charges get to about 1/3 the cost of the tool it is better to own the tool outright.   So all up electric looks attractive. 

   Ian

1. 
   BG | Dec 07, 2002 02:33pm | #3

   ian,

   Any suggestions on finding Maestri on the web?  Did a google search and found only information in italian. Thanks

1. 
   ian | Dec 07, 2002 03:40pm | #4

   you can try  http://www.maestri.co.uk   In England, but at least the info is in English!

1. 
   EdCousins | Dec 08, 2002 05:08am | #5

   thanks for the info.        Ed Cousins

2. 
   booch | Dec 09, 2002 10:27pm | #6

   Think about getting an air tank then. They are cheap and you can recharge it at the gas station. I bought one of the bostich 16 ga airnailers for 90 clams and it is the cats patootie. You can't even see where the nail goes in in oak. for indoor clean work that might be an option.

   I do have a paslode Framing nailer IMT. Wow is that cool. Now it is not for finish work as the head is a bit large but I went to that because I started with an air framer. The (building a cottage) problem was that I started running on a 10 ga 150 foot extension cord to the compressor, the voltage drop got me to rent a generator, the motor crapped out on the compressor and I had to rent one of those. 80 bucks a week and I was tethered like a dog. I turned in the pneumatic after 1/2 a box of nails and bought a Paslode framing nailer. Rechargable battery with butane fuel cartridges. I feel like Thor using it. I've put down 30 to 40 K nails with it. 3 1/2 inch coated spikes to 2" ring shank.

   They do make a finish version that might be better for your use. Contractor supply houses will probably have one to show you how it works. I was strapped for $ so i went back to the Pneu's for the finish nailer but if you are spending the money for an electric I'd bet the Paslode isn't far away in price and it is proven to be a winner in the market. Plus it is made in the US.

1. 
   ian | Dec 10, 2002 11:03am | #7

   Thanks for your comments.  I looked seriously at a Paslode unit, other threads give them a good, if not fearsome, reputation.  One of the points I also picked up is that one nailer is never enough -- you always end up with more!   One poster has about twelve and the average would seem to be about six!  The process of getting to an electric unit was:  my current and likely future use for a nailer is mostly for finish nail / brad size a Paslode T250-F16 C Bradder would cost me about $460 Australianthe equivalent impulse Paslode model would cost about $880 Aussie bucksan electric bradder will cost less than $400FWW carried an article on using an air storage tank some time ago but I've never seen them for sale here (Australia) so wonder if local OH&S rules prohibit themso if I also need to buy or hire a compressor to use the nailer it sort of becomes a no brainer

1. 
   booch | Dec 10, 2002 05:11pm | #8

   Wow what is the exchange rate? The 16 gauge Trimpulse is 370 U$ on http://www.amazon.com/toolcrib

   I thought the Lb. was nearly par with the buck. Whatever the case this is a tether free product so that you don't need an extension cord and the outlet in order to make it work.

   I'd try the electric before I bought it, as you seem inclined to do. The Paslode framer is massive enough and has enough power to set the nail below surface without much kickback. I had / have but no longer use an electric staple gun used for vapor barrier installation. The thing requires all of your body force to get the staple to sink flush in a std 2x4. I went back to the whacker tacker type staplers as it was too much work.

   I guess I'm pointing at the Dv/Dt or acceleration provided by the electric can't match the acceleration of the gas? Only a test will tell. Hopefully I've made sense?

   goodonya

1. 
   ian | Dec 11, 2002 10:25am | #9

   I'm in Australia and the exchange rate is about 2 of ours for 1 of yours, then add 10% tax.  So $370US becomes $815 AUS before you add shipping. 

   I'll be sure to try before I buy.

2. 
   EdCousins | Dec 11, 2002 07:35pm | #10

   I just ordered an Arrow ET125 14amp brad nailer. It shoots 5/8 - 1-1/4 brads. I will pot results  here after I recieve & use it.    Ed C

3. 
   ian | Dec 18, 2002 03:49pm | #11

   Bought the Maestri ME30 and a box of 1in 18g brads last Saturday.  DW has already wrapped it up for Santa, but I did get to try it first.  Easily drove the brads though a scrap of 3/4 pine into a piece of 4x2 pine.  Nails finished below surface as well.  So far I'm happy, will try to post again after I finish the job I bought it for.  

   Ian 

4. 
   EdCousins | Dec 18, 2002 04:01pm | #12

   Is this air operated?

5. 
   ian | Dec 18, 2002 05:13pm | #14

   No.  It's electric. 

6. 
   EdCousins | Dec 18, 2002 09:24pm | #16

   where did you buy your nailer?           thanks

7. 
   ian | Dec 19, 2002 09:56am | #17

   Ed

   I live in Sydney, Australia so suspect my supplier will not be much use to you

   I'll try to post a result after Christmas

   Ian

8. 
   ian | Jan 06, 2003 01:43pm | #18

   Earlier in this thread I undertook to report on my brad nailer once I finished the project I bought the electric bradder to do.  Well the project is at the painting stage...

   Nailer  Maestri ME 30, made in Italy 2400 Watt (10 A at 240 V - equivalent to 22 A at 110 V) Brads  18g (1.0 x 1.25 mm) 15, 20, 25 or 30 mm long (I used 25mm Paslode brads)Cost   AUD$360,   say USD$200Project   lining a verandah ceiling with 5 3/4 x 1/2 pine boards, nailing overhead into hardwood.   With stop / start working (the helper was only available part-time at their convience) the job extended over 9 days.  

   How did the nailer perform ?  I was more than happy.  I used the bradder to pin the boards and trim in place before driving finish nails by hand.  The ME 30 was light enough for easy overhead use, brads were driven full depth without a need to lean into the nailer.  (Was going to try multiple 30mm brads instead of finish nails but couldn't source any at a reasonable price over the Christmas break.)  Noted that the brads were driven below the surface every time.  Also noted that the nailer's handle warm up noticeably during use - presumably heat generated by the current flow. 

   Why didn't I use an airless finish nailer ?  Before buying the bradder I looked at my likely future use for a nailer.  Given most of my walls are brick and the ones that aren't are lath and plaster, I figured that if I were to purchase a nailer, a brad nailer would be most useful into the future for building jigs and pinning glue-ups.  I figure that with the schedule I was forced to work to (the helper's availability) the project would have taken maybe one day less if I had driven finish nails from the get-go - but the hire costs (including enough gas to drive 2,000 nails) would have come to about AUD$300.  Buying a Paslode impulse nailer (with the AUD to USD exchange rate and local taxes) would be almost 3 times this.  So all up, buying the bradder seems to have been a reasonable decision - also I now have a nailer that can pin glazing bead to window frames and trim onto casework.  I also figure that if I had driven finish nails by hand from the get-go the project would have taken three days longer (work schedule was primarily governed by the availability of my helper).  However, if I had forseen an ongoing need to drive a lot of finish nails I would have bought a Paslode impulse nailer.

9. 
   EdCousins | Jan 06, 2003 03:59pm | #21

   Hi Ian  thanks for the report. I bought an Arrow 14 amp. brad nailer. It requires pressure on th handle to recess brad. It will go thru 1/2 cherry but not thru oak. It will shoot 3/4 - 11/4  brads. I am fastening 1/4 strips to 1/2 popular.  Cost 130.00. I believe you got the better gun.   Ed

10. 
    ian | Jan 06, 2003 02:15pm | #19

    I've posted a useage report on my brad nailer

11. 
    bgray | Aug 15, 2006 03:52am | #22

    Well, you've had about four years to test your Arrow ET125 electric brad nailer!  How did it do?  I need to buy one but hate to also have to buy a compressor... If this didn't work well, do you know if there is a better alternative? 

12. 
    ian | Jan 06, 2003 02:27pm | #20

    You may be interested in my useage report on the Maestri Brad Nailer ref: 9261.19

2. 
   BG | Dec 07, 2002 02:24pm | #2

   Ed,

   I bought one a couple of years ago and have used it numerous times....I think its an Arrow (light blue).  It will accomodate up to 1" brads.

   It works better in softwoods...and of course, I use it mostly on hard woods...sigh.  You need get your weight over tool..and be perpendicular to the wood.  Usually, I have to follow-up with the hammer to drive the brads the rest of the way in...trying to set a brad can lead to problems.

   But, with all that said, it is a lot easier than trying to drive brads with a hammer from the get go.  Perhaps they have made some improvements over the past couple years...

3. 
   cutter | Dec 18, 2002 04:49pm | #13

   Costco has a Stanley compressor (6 gallon tank) and brad nailer for $199.  The nailer is similar to that of their Bostitch division.  I got one three months ago and like it.  With Costco, if you don't like it, you can take it back anytime.

1. 
   EdCousins | Dec 18, 2002 09:22pm | #15

   thanks for the info. I have an electric 14 amp. nailer coming if it dosen't do what I need then I will go to an air system..  Will post results  on the arrow nailer.

        thanks