Hey there. I am in the market for a 18 gauge brad nailer and suitable compressor, would be nice if the compressor could handle occasional framing and roofing work as well as the regular finish work. Not sure what to look for here. I want to avoid being too cheap and unhappy with purchase but am on a bit of a budget as well.
What are your thoughts on the pc 6 gal pancake/brad nailer kit, stictly homeowner quality or can it handle more? Also has anyone used the Bostitch oiless 18g brad nailers or King air compressors? Any feedback would be most appreciated, thanks. Jas.
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I bought the PC combo about 3 years ago, and it has worked well. I wish I had the brad nailer that shoots the 2" brads rather than the 1-1/4", but other than that it's good. I have used the pancacke for lots of stuff, some probably beyond it's design capacity: a framing nailer (no problems, I'm not fast), a coil nailer for siding (it catches up when I go for the next board), a sheetrock texture sprayer (worked ok), a paint sprayer (that's a stretch), and an impact wrench to change tires on the car (that was a real stretch, it barely had enough pressure and cfm). Bottom line, it's not a bad choice. Reasonably light and portable, a bit noisy. You might do better to get the compressor that does 135 psi and something around 4 cfm, but it probably costs more than in the combo.
Do it right, or do it twice.
jas: How much of a budget are you on ? As ELCID talked about, how much and how fast will you be working?
I know PC and Bostitch offer the compressor/nailer packages. I think one man/one gun (of the kinds you mentioned) you'll be fine with the PC pancake. We all have our favorite tool companies so you get lots of thoughts on which is better. (Please, please, please don't tell anybody but for trim work I have a Craftsman that I just can't kill.) I've been looking at the DeWalt/Emglo (D55155 Tool Crib#) as a new purchase. It's the single tank 4 gallon one.
I have the Bostitch BT50, (still made in the USA model) and the BT35. I havn't used the newer oil free Bostitch brad nailer. Is it the BT125? I've looked at them thats all. I use my BT50 for most brad work...the 2" capacity is nice.
My oil free experience is limited a Senco narrow crown stapler, which I love. Check out Senco tools. I think Tool Crib has a Senco framer/brad nailer package for about $250.
PC has also put out a framing nailer/ compressor combo http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2599 .
At 5.3 cfm @ 90 lbs the compressor will handle just about anything you may wish to do. There has been alot of discussion here about the PC framer being one of the most dangerous nail guns because of its double firing tendancy, but if you are using it for occasional and not production bump firing you may be okay with it.
IMO it would be cheaper in the long run to buy an 18 ga pinner to accessorize the framer combo than the other way around
Turtleneck
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