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Trim nailers: angled or straight?

mmoogie | Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 10, 2002 05:22am

I haven’t used a lot of nail guns and am wondering if there are disadvantages to an angled trim nailer that I’m not aware of. Seems to me the angled ones would be better, but I’ve only used a straight one. I’m about to buy an angled one, but am wondering what if any drawbacks there might be.

Steve


Edited 12/9/2002 9:24:02 PM ET by STEVENZERBY

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  1. kennedy136 | Dec 10, 2002 06:14am | #1

    Steve,

             Regarding drawbacks, there aren't any that I can see and I have used them for years.

                                                                mark

    1. 84CAMARO | Dec 10, 2002 08:05am | #2

      In my experience, the angled ones are easier to work with in corners, and they just seem to have a better balance.

      1. brownbagg | Dec 10, 2002 04:36pm | #3

        Which one you like better, finish, 16 ga, 18 ga. I have to put base board down, and then maybe never use it again for trim, I was thinking of the 18 ga so I could use it in the shop. Money is really the deciding factor but I like my bostick framer, so I thought of the bostick 200

        1. kennedy136 | Dec 12, 2002 03:03am | #5

          Brownbagg,

                  Get the heavier gauge and get a Senco.  These things all go down sooner or later and I have found that the Senco is the easiest to get parts/service for at least in my area.  You can get parts for ten year old guns from Senco.  A lot of the other brands are much harder and may require a long wait for parts.  Also consider getting a brad nailer as well as one gun just can't do everything ( I've been telling my wife that for years/ What do you need another tool for?)  Good luck.

                                                                 Mark

          1. Chart59 | Jan 01, 2003 06:49am | #6

            Agreed - Senco is a great finish gun. I have used the SNF1 for 10 yrs now troublefree and have just now changed the driver.($48 installed) I have driven 100's of thousands of nails with my gun as I run mega linear ft of trim building large stores. You will need a pin gun as well. I use a little paslode which was cheap and does the job, but  Hitachi makes a nice one as well that i'd rather own. I use the pin gun on outside corners and around door casing to the jamb. Anywhere that a larger trim gun might blast out the work (mdf outside corners particularly) you gotta use pinny.

            I use an old 15ga Senco and love it, but will look into buying a MAX NF550 15ga angle finish gun soon. They used to make the Bostich guns when they were good. I'm told Bostich is full of plastic parts today.

            Anyway, Angle over straight for me, anyday. Easier to do inside corners for sure. I also think it's easier to see the nose of the gun as you work. I like that.

            Good luck.

             Eric

        2. MarkH128 | Jan 01, 2003 10:21pm | #7

          Maybe you would be better to hand nail the trim. It wont be worth the money to buy a nailer for one house. Hand nailing trim is satisfying, much more than hand nailing framing. Of course having another new tool isnt all bad either.

        3. Woodbutcher | Jan 02, 2003 02:58am | #8

          If you only will need it for one job, get an 18 G.  it will prove to be very useful around the shop and will work just fine for base. There are many of them to be had for less than $100.  Hitachi, Porter cable, stanley bostitch.  Are three that I have used in the past and all seem to be decent guns "for the money". ( I know senco is a much better gun, but for a limited use gun not very cost wise)

      2. kennedy136 | Dec 12, 2002 02:57am | #4

        84,

               I agree with you,  which is why I said that there were no drawbacks that I could see with the angled guns.  (That is what he asked in his original post)

                                                                    Mark

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