Hello, all. I posted this originally on Knots and thought this audience may be able to offer some advice as well.
I just received the Woodtek 23 ga. pin nailer and have a comment and question. The tool appears to be well made, although the color is a bit goofy (sparkle green). The “safety” is a spring-loaded guard that you must slip your finger behind to depress the trigger. All my other nailers (four of ’em) require that the nailer be in contact with material before firing, but not the Woodtek. Just point and shoot…the dog, the neighbor, my foot, whatever.
Is this typical for a 23 ga. nailer?
Also, the nailer will not set the nail, regardless of wood (hard maple or soft pine), length of nail (1 3/16″ or 5/8″) and pressure setting on the compressor. Took it up to 115 PSI without effect. If I press the nailer HARD against the material, the pin will lay just below the surface of the material (maybe one or two 1000ths) but then there is a nice mark left on the wood from the nailer’s tip.
Do other 23 ga. pinners set the nail better than this? I saw an earlier post indicating the Senco’s depth of set is less than desired, but I don’t know what this means. How about the PC?
I want to use the pinner to attach 3/4″ square trim to the edges of plywood cases while the glue dries, and find 18 ga. nails require filling. I’d also like to use pins to hold frame and panel doors together (pin the tenon into the mortise from the back of the door) while the glue sets up. Ditto on 18 ga… the holes need filling.
The Woodtek appealed because of its low price ($99) and its ability to shoot 1 3/16″ pins. Senco and PC shoot 1″ max. The other option for longer nails will be the Omer, which runs about $275.
Does the 3/16″ additional length really matter for what I’m doing, especially attaching 3/4″ trim? Or will 1″ do the job?
I appreciate the benefit of your collective wisdom.
Replies
I have the Accuset ... now Senco.
didn't even know it had a depth control?
but it does sink the little guys a hair under the surface ... most of the time.
no safety on this model ... you can shoot your p.i.t.a helper clean outta the room just by squeezing the trigger ....
Years back I used a very different senco ... sls... slp? 10 ... made in Italy.
very solid little gun ... definitely not the version I bought.
keep saying I'll replace my cheapie when it breaks ... haven't had to make the $300 replacement trip yet. The Omer looks good in the pics ... my first choice would be the expensive senco though ... just because I've used it before ...
take the woodtec back and get the cheap senco ...
I've used mine in many prefinished kitchen cab stock thru all the usual hardwoods ...
You're th only one that knows what length ya need?
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Thanks for the response, Jeff. I talked to the people at Woodtek and they actually suggested grinding the tip of the nail exit point (what else would you call it?) so the driver can protrude a bit further. Right now the driver is flush with the point so the only way it's going to set nails is if I leave the gun in place after driving the nail and then whack the top of the nailer with a hammer to drive the nail deeper...
Lofton
I take a grinder to the tips of my little finish guns, to "soften" any of the edges and corners, in an effort to eliminate denting finish work. When I touched up my Senco pinner, I took an extra few thou off the face, and that seemed to do the trick.
why the grinder... I would think that would be to a agressive for a few thou... Ya'd think a file and stone, alibiet slower, to be much better...
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!
Mine is a little 30-inch belt grinder, and I am using a finegrit belt. And by a few thou, I meant maybe 15 or 20. Gives me an extra 64th or so to the pin sink.
Edited 7/18/2004 12:23 pm ET by Bob Dylan
Got it ...
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!
I like to open the truck door at 55, and just drag the tip on the hiway..1/4 mile, no more.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
If that tip is as hard as I suspect it is, a file wouldn't touch it and a stone would take a long, long time.
nah, Chinese steel in those is like butter. I have an Airy..same thing basically..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
That tip is very soft..
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!
Here's where I stand. I took another look at the driver and realized that even if I ground the tip off the nailer, the driver would leave a hole larger than the pin. So I said s#$%! and asked my wife for permission to order the Omer (it's the prudent thing to do, since I don't always ask...). This morning I get on the phone and find out the Omer is backordered for who knows how long.
ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!
OK, get back on track and grind the tip of the driver to size. Only as big as it needs to be.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
screw that grinding ....
you buy a damn tool to work properly.
send it back ... get a refund ... and get one that works outta the box.
I've seen the omer and better senco a coupla places around the net ...
do some searching ... it's gotta be in stock somewhere.
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Get the omar ; a buddy has one and that sucker sinks those needles.
Dont get me started on Airy...Ive still got a finish nailer from them in pcs.Ordered a gasket kit ....cost $2.95 ..S &H 16.95!!!!!!! then found out they didnt send me all i needed so now i supposed to send them another $ 1.95 with $16.95 SH ? I remember the woman at Airy saying....You be happy eh? we all happy here!!!
No wonder!
Found the Omer. I'll report how good (or bad) it is. I don't know how good the steel is on that Woodtek driver and if it shears I'd own $99 worth of nothing. Been there, done that. The 2X+ cost is painful but if I didn't need the tool I shouldn't be paying $0.02 for it. I mean, it's not like I'm buying a dovetail saw or something frivolous like that (me, my router and my Leigh jig get along just fine in that regard)!
Thanks for all the advice and the chuckles. By way of showing my gratitude, please accept this small token:
http://jibjab.com
The Omer 23 ga pinner arrived yesterday and it is awesome. Unfortunately the UPS guy showed up with it about 20 minutes after I finished attaching some trim with my 18 ga brad nailer...
The pins are set a least one half mm as promised...in hard maple. Now I have to re-train myself not to bear down so much that I mar the work surface. The attachment strength is amazing. I pinned two scraps of maple together with 2 pins, and cannot pry them apart with my bare hands. I think this is going to work just fine.
Which is a good thing, since the minimum order for Omer pins is a box of 20,000.
I bought (2) 23 ga, pinners from Harbor Freight @$59.00/ea. They work great.,bury the fastener in maple. I agree with the rest of the "tip-grinders", if you can't return what you have. Porter Cable is nice (in fact the only source for 23ga. pins), but twice the price of Harbor Freight.
I'm looking at buying a 23 ga pin nailer. I read above the Omar (sp?) is good but if it ain't readily available, then I won't go too far out of my way. What about the Bostich? I see it has a power adjustment - seems like it is a good idea. I gather from above don't buy an Airy or a cheap senco. I'd like to keep the purchase under $150. Thoughts?
See these comments:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=68151.1
Billy