I was thinking of purchasing my first nail gun, leaning towards senco. lowes has got a deal on the frame pro 651 with a free brad nailer. Any sugestions? Any good web sites for nail guns?
Edited 3/18/2003 8:20:08 PM ET by brdstretcher
Discussion Forum
Edited 3/18/2003 8:20:08 PM ET by brdstretcher
Discussion Forum
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Kind of depends on your planned use. Tools of the trade test might be helpful. I have an old Bostich coil nailer that seems to be pretty bullet-proof. I bought it used when building my house and am confident that it paid for itself at least two times over. Lots of different ones on E-bay. I know many that like the Paslode inpulse. Especially if it is not for really heavy use.
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleID=1488&position=8&type=article&partID=1
thanks for the info. I'll check the site out.
I'd recommend the Paslode Powermaster Plus (F450S). Sweet gun, lots of power, negligible recoil, easily serviced.
good luck
paslode nailers seem to be very popular with the locals I've spoke to. Most want them but do not have them. thanks for the advice.
The paslode impulse is a great tool regardless of buying canisters. Ease of the tool is great.
If you're leaning toward the impulse for now and plan on maybe a regular air framer later on for production work plan on a paslode so you won't have to mix nails.
I bought my bostich first and like it plenty but if had to do over I would have went with a paslode just to streamline things a little more. A little here a little there and it all adds up.
I'm with rez - the Impulse guns are great, even for extended use. When they do act up, they're easily serviced on site. The video and manual provide concise instruction as to cleaning and maintaining. We refer to them around here as the "lobster."
Regards
lobster.
You sure that ain't 'lobstant'?
Ask the right people the right question you get the right answer.
I've used the Paslode trim nailer (model 250) and found it frustrating waiting for the thing to cycle and actually fire a nail. Am I doing something wrong or is that just the difference between the trim nailer and the framing nailer?
Senco makes great equipment, top quality. That isn't what they sell at Lowes though (HD neither). To get their industrial quality models you need to contact a stocking distributor. The homeowner type tool line that Senco markets at the HD and Lowes type outlets might give good service for the occaisional user but it's not intended for serious professional use. Check their website for distributors (look under "buy/service"): http://www.senco.com/
You will get a lot more for your money if you buy the best.
I checked out the senco site thanks for the info. Ask the right people the right question you get the right answer.
I'm a Senco fan, but are you saying a SFN40 from Home Depot isn't the same as a SFN40 from... where? I got one of mine from a flea market , I don't think it knows I should have paid more<G>
I'd like to hear some about the battery Sencos, I've never cared much for gas paslodes...but they sure are handy sometimes. EliphIno!
Until recently Senco only made one type of product. That was top grade industrial stuff. Since they decided to get into the Home Depot and Lowes type markets they have begun manufacturing lower grade equipment specifically for those markets. They may sell some of their industrial models there too but many of their models stocked at those outlets are similar but less well built. In addition to the probability of getting a lower grade model you will also encounter the problem of having a very limited fastener range to shoot out of them. The money that I have spent with my distributor here was well invested. I have gotten great advice, great tools, the best choices of fastener types, and quick reliable service. I can count on NOT getting any of those things from the big discount stores. In addition I would pay nearly as much for lower grade tools if I shopped there. I like those stores for some things ... but Senco tools are best bought from professional suppliers. That is my carefully considered opinion anyway.
A few years ago Senco came out with the Accuset brand. That was all finish and brad nailers. That was a lower cost line and was sold in the woodworking stores and catalogs.
They have since discontinued that line and call all of them Senco. I think that what they replaced the Accuset line with is called FinishPro.
Not different features or quality on the same model number, but a different series of products.
Don't know about what is available in the framers.
I know guys that have been using the Accuset brad nailers daily for at least three years...I'm just curious about first hand info on their stuff that doesn't work. I'm not talking about their rail guns<G> EliphIno!
Check out Senco's new line of nailers. They are called Airfree!
Fabulous tools
Framing nailers and finish nailers.
No fuel cannisters to buy and they have electronic depth adjustments.
I bought a 18g brad nailer type and its been absolutely fabulous. No more hauling compressors around
I have a Senco FP25XP 18 guage brad nailer. Very nice tool. Oil free and accepts a very wide range of brads. I had a problem with an adjustment and called customer service on a Saturday not expecting an answer. Well I got a real person who couldn't answer my question but did call a tech on their cell to get the answer.
bit
I just read Doug's post, so, I'm wonderin' how long you've had yours, and if you make a living with nail guns? The idea is great. I'd love an airfree senco for punch, like going back and fastening some shoe that one of my guys vitrually nailed <G> EliphIno!
I am a master carpenter doing residential renovations and millwork. I use my nailer everyday for a lil bit of this and lil bit of that. Sure makes it a whole lot easier now that I don't need to haul a compressor.
I use it for treim and crown and whatever else nbeeds nailing quickly.
My tools ALWAYS make me money!!
That's a pretty good recommendation. Not trying to hijack the thread, but, if you don't mind me asking, how'd you get to be a master carpenter? EliphIno!
That'll teach me to reread a post before I respond. I didn't realize you were looking for info about finish guns. Sorry about my post.
We do have the new Dewalt 18guage finish gun. It's a great gun and there have been so great reviews. Look into the Max too.
Again, sorry about my previous post :-)
Thanks for the info. I have gone with the senco nailers, actually my wife must have heard me talking about my plans to purchase a nail gun so for my birthday she bought a senco 651 framer and a finish pro 18. After all the great info I have received these tools would not be my first choice, but I'm still just a weekend worrior so I should know my place. Like another thead written today its impossible to tell your wife thanks but I want a "better" tool.
I bought a battery type 18ga nailer at home depot when they first came out. It was the handiest tool I had bought in a long time. It seemed a little weak as far as really being able to shoot a 2" brad into solid wood with plywood backing but otherwise it worked great.
That gun only lasted for about 1 box of nails before it broke down and wouldn't fire. A small plunger looking part fell out of the nosepiece ( sorry I'm a carpenter not a mechanic ). I took this one to my local senco dealer and they replaced it with a new one under warranty - new batteries etc.
The new one literally only lasted for 3 to 4 clips of nails before it quit working. I was so disgudted that I have yet to return it, it's just sitting in my garage.
I own probably 5 SFN40 air trim nailers and never have any problems. Maybe 1 gun needed servicing last year.
Now the plot thickens.
All of the new Senco finish guns are labled "Finish Pro" only several of these are remakes of the original Accuset guns. If I'm not mistaken most of the Accuset guns had rear exhaust with a distictive curved handle and straight plastic tip cover, as in the 23 gauge micro pinner. The "FinishPro 41XP" for example, is their brand new top finish nailer replacing the SFN40.
Senco now made in the Far East.
I have the FramePro 650. I already had to replace the top seals once. Although it was very easy to do, they shouldn't have gone out. I did my research because I wanted a good all around framer and it also shoots hardened nails to green concrete(it does do this). But if I had it to do over I would have gone with a Paslode. Not the airless type because I don't like the fact that so many things can go wrong with them. I buy my tools to last and an air nailer will last for a long long time.
Thanks for the Info. my wallet says senco 651 but most everyone says paslode.
Ask the right person the right question you get the right answer.
We have 2 old Hitachi NR83As (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000225JJ/qid=1048637441/br=1-4/ref=br_lf_hi_4//104-2192552-6886356?v=glance&s=hi&n=554112) and they are extremely dependable. We have one Bostich N88RH (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/hi/B0000649EM/ref=hi_br_slwth_4/104-2192552-6886356) and that is a great gun. It is light, dependable, and has an easy depth of drive adjustment. We also have one of the new DeWalt guns (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/hi/B0000649EM/ref=hi_br_slwth_4/104-2192552-6886356). That is my gun. I like it because it is small enough to fit in tight spots, has enough driving force to penetrate engineered wood, has an easy depth of drive adjustment and an easy release magazine so you can clear jams. It also has a belt hook built it. That feature is great. It's lightweight and right now I think DeWalt is offering a $50 rebate. All these nailers are stick nailers and are full round head.
We have a Max (http://wis.max-ltd.co.jp/int/na/pshow.php3?productcode=CN98810) coil nailer that you can shoot 3 1/2" nails. This is best coil nailer in the market hands down (we've tried Hitachi and Bostich) and has a loyal following. You can read it's features at that link. The Max stick nailer (it's also at that link) is supposedly a great gun. I've read some magazine reviews and heard from some framers that that is a great gun.
We also have a Paslode Impulse and that is good for pick up work, but I wouldn't use it for most framing.
As far as a good place to buy tools online. Amazon is great in my opinion. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/552692/ref=hi_hp_ct_3_5/104-2192552-6886356
Hope this helps.
At present I own and use daily (depending on what I'm doing, finish or trim) a Senco full round head nailer, finish nailer, brad nailer, and palm nailer. All are bombproof and never let me down. They all work better when using Senco brand fasteners, although the framing stick nailer will eat any damn thing. You may want to consider buying a full round head nailer, though. Anymore the building codes are leaning that way for shear nailing on sheathing. I have an old Bostich clip-head nailer that I love, that has never once even failed to function, truly a tank, but fasteners for it are outdated and hard to find. I also own a much newer Bostich RHN95 stick nailer that's a clangy-#### piece of crap. Go with Senco. (this has not been a paid endorsement)
How is the 652 different from the Senco 602? I saw that on Amazon with the brad nailer. Looked like a good deal to me, too.
At senco .com it says that the 651/652 have 15% more power than the 601/602 nailers. I'll let you know how my 651 works if it ever stops snowing! I've used the brad nailer on some light finnish work around the house and it has performed well. (no hardwood). I suggest you read my thread and use the advice of the pros who gave their opinions. They make their living using these tools so they have an idea what they are talking about. (so it seems) I never like to cheap out on tools but for the amount of work these guns will see, I should know my place (weekend worrior).
Ask the right person the right question you get the right answer.
In response to the comment " Senco is now made in the Far East"... my 2 month old Senco FP25XP 18 gauge was made in the good old USA. Great tool. Senco has great customer service too.
bit