Wanted to try and get some more opinions from those who may have not read my thread looking for nail gun purchase advice. I ended up picking up a $300 combo from HD with a Porter Cable 6gal pancake compressor, 18g nailer and 16g nailer. I didn’t get much people telling me to go PC, mainly Senco and Bostitch. I’d like to stick with Bostitch or PC I believe. The Senco guns are in another level up price wise then I’d prefer to spend. I’m a home DIYer FYI.
The combo good is a good deal, but I can get 2 Bostitch guns for the same $300. I don’t need the pancake compressor as I have a 29gal compressor. It’s a freebie with the combo however.
Here’s the guns in the PC Combo:
http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2603 – BN200A 18g brad nailer
http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2607 – FN250B 16g nailer
The equivalent Bostitch guns are:
http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=BOS%5FFINISH%5FAND%5FTRIM%5FNAILER&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=BT200K-2&SDesc=Industrial+2%22%2C+18%2DGauge+Oil%2DFree+Brad+Nailer+Kit – BT200K 18g brad nailer
http://www.bostitch.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=BOS%5FFINISH%5FAND%5FTRIM%5FNAILER&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=FN16250K-2&SDesc=Industrial+16+Gauge+Oil%2Dfree+Finish+Nailer+Kit – FN16250K – 16g nailer
The Bostitch guns are the magnesium housing (same as PC) but they are oil free. The PC’s are oil. The oil free sounds attractive.
So how do the guns compare in terms of quality and longevity?
Last little wrench I was realizing is there seems to be more general use for a 15g angle gun, more so than a 16g. There would be use for a 16g of course, but the 15g angle is a gun thrown out a lot when I ask around. For the same $300 I can get the Bostitch 18g brad nailer and the following 15g angle nailer:
Again, oil free, magnesium casing. Of course, for $300 I can return the PC combo kit, and get a 16g and a 15g, but what drew me to PC in the first place was the combo deal, so if I’m going to just buy separate guns, I’m going to get Bostitch since I hear that name recommended more, and it’s oil-free.
Ultimately, I’m more concerned with the quality of the PC guns and their longevity. I have no problem paying a few extra bucks in the long run to have a tool that will last longer.
Thanks all!
Replies
If you are limiting yourself to choosing between Bostitch and PC... go with Bostich. I'll keep it simple and say that it is common to see Bostich nailers on professional sites, but very rarely do you see PC nailers.
esm.... i bought a combo deal for my son-in-law at christmas.. it had a Bostich finish gun... a Bostich Brad/staple gun.. a pancake compressor... hose.. & nails..
i got it at HD... and it was less than $300
one reason i stick with Bostich... it reduces my nail inventory.. i have more nail selections ( SS is very important to me )..
also little bennies.. like twice a year they have bostich day at my lumber yard... free tuneups... free repairs... trade-in for my old boat anchors for new guns...etc.
also... no matter what features the competition comes out with ( like Max or Hitachi).. Bostich will not be far behind... and in some respects they will be the industry leaders.. like the dual -nose framer / positive placement N88RH..
a while ago.. i tried to by a new sidewall coil gun.. convinced i wanted a Max..
well they were out of stock.. so i bought a new CN66 (Bostich).. turns out it was $100 less, could take shorter nails and all of the nails the Max could... had dial-in depth ( no tools )... in short.... was an order-of-magnitude improvement over our CN 63 & CN64...... and i still don't know what the Max could do for me to improve the situation
BTW... to me... oiless guns are a big deal in finish work..
i've never touched a PC gun... so i really don't know much about them..
our tool store... Quaker Lane Tool,carries lots of tools.... lots of PC tools... but no PC guns
they are both junk!
go Hitachi.
or mebbe senco.
stay away from that HO crap
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
t.... so's yur old man..
and
your mother wears combat boots
now.... what was it you were saying about my favorite guns ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
your mother wears combat boots
And you gonna have to have one surgically removed from your hieny if she gets ahold of you!!
Sorry if you're not so picky about nail guns!!
I just thot the poster wanted a QUALITY gun!
:)
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
nah.... why would he want that ?
might as well struggle with the rest of us
'sides... what's wrong with a handfull of finish nails and a good finish hammer ?
ain't that the way you learned ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
go with the Bostich over the PC....
proud member of the FOR/FOS club...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Your last sentence said a lot, your a home do-it yourselfer. It really won't matter for you. The PC should last for awhile with medium to light use. Bostitch has been around forever and has the R & D to back up their products. I've been using Paslode for years without any problems. Senco is great for production work and a deep pocket book.
I returned the PC and got the Bostitch BT200K-2. I was contemplating a Senco SLP20 but it only went to 1 5/8" instead of 2" like the Bostitch. I'm glad I passed on it because when I got home I saw both the Senco FinishPro 18 and the 21XP both go to 2" and I would have ended up returning the Senco!
But I decided to stick with Bostitch. The Senco 21XP can be had from Coastal Tool for $136.50 shipped. The Bostitch BT200K-2 was only $89+tax. All the other guns when compared price wise between Bostitch and Senco average $40-60 more per gun depending on the retailer or online shop. Might as well the save that cash for my DIY purposes.I'm very happy with the gun thus far and am impressed and how simple an air nailer is to use. Never used one before, but I'm hooked! I see the 15g angle nailer joining this gun real soon!
glad you found one that fits the bill.______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
I would also go with the Bostitch products. IMO I thing their quality is better over PC. Also Bostitch is a pneumatic tool company , that's all they do. PC buy their tools from Taiwan, and hopes for the best in quality. Good luck. Also since black & decker took them over , who knows what going to happen to their pneumatic line, may not be able to get parts in the future.