18 gauge brad nailer recommendation?

[Jim McFarland]

Can anyone recommend a good 18 ga brad nailer?  I've done some research and early favorites are Grex 1850, Senco FP25 and Bostitch BT200 -- the more research I do the more confused I get so I'm asking for help!  Thoughts so far:
  Grex 1850 -- I REALLY like the Grex P635 so this bigger brother gets my attention.  However, I haven't seen any reviews of this gun.  I did
                    note that the Grex 15ga gun actually got a poor review in another FOG thread.
  Senco FP25 -- this one seems to get 5 stars or 1!  Unfortunately, the single stars seem to come from pros who use the gun a lot.  I don't
                    fit in that category but I want to get the best I can.
  Bostitch B200 -- I have a Bostitch 16ga gun which I really like so another contender just because of bigger brother.

I've also considered the Senco PC1010/FP18 combo.  Anyone have good experience with the PC1010 compressor?  I have a Dewault 55155
but at ~60 pounds this is less and less portable as the years go by.  I would only be using the PC1010 for very small trim jobs so portability more important than frequent cycling.

I'm also open to other suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Les]

Jim,

I have the Grex 23ga. pin nailer and love it except[/color]for one thing. The double trigger. I'm a not a pro using it everyday. Sometimes I will have the safety pulled and touch the trigger before I wanted and, you get the idea. Not sure where they all went. Some stung me some went in the piece where I didn't want. Have a Bostitch 18ga. nailer and it does everything I could ask for and where I want.

You can't beat the Grex for quality and reliability. Just make sure you're comfortable with the double trigger if it has it.

 

[Jim McFarland]

Les, thanks for your response.  Sorry I wasn't clear in my post but I have the Grex P635 pinner and like it so much I am leaning to the Grex 1850 brad nailer.  Only ~$100 so unless I get a negative report in the next couple of days I'll probably buy the Grex.  Not quite the same as the $460 I spent on the C12 w/chucks -- I needed to read a lot of mostly positive posts before purchasing that!

 

[Dan Clark]

I have the Porter Cable BN200A 18g nailer.  I'm not a big fan of Porter Cable, but I've been very happy with my PC nailer and staplers.  I got this because it's done very well in comparative reviews.

Regarding the Grex nailers, I need to buy a 23g Pin Nailer within the next month or so.  I had been leaning to Cadex, but I'll probably buy the 645L.  Overall it ranks at the top of most reviews (the Cadex and Grex are at the top). 

A couple of other points...

First, I would not buy the Grex 18g nailer.  Although they are well built, I understand that they are nowhere near as good as the 23g pinners and have not scored well in reviews against other 18g nailers.

Second, regarding the Grex pinner.  When I handled the Grex 23g 635 pinner, I found that my fingers caught both triggers consistently and it fired when I didn't want it to.  HOWEVER, when I tried the Grex 645 pinner, my fingers did NOT catch the triggers.  It turns out that the Grex 645 has a wider space between the pin holder and the triggers than does that 635.  Even though the 645 is overkill for my needs, I'll buy that one or the Cadex version (the CBP50). 

Regards,

Dan.

p.s., These guys have the BN200A for $89.95 now:http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/nailers_and_staplers/brad_nailers/bn200a.html.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      I have the PC 18ga both BN125 and BN200. I like them both. No problems. 

Seth

 

[Eli]

I have the PC 18 and 16 gauge. No worries. I've been looking at pinners. Thanks all, I didn't know about the double trigger (don't want it) and will probably buy online sight unseen.

*edit*
since everyone seems to have included every gun they have, I will as well, I have the Hitachi framer and love it.

 

[Jim McFarland]

Thanks for the reponses -- I'll check out the Porter Cable.

 

[cdconey]

I have the Dewalt, Senco and PC.  All work well, just choose which one suits your needs best.  Dewalt goes to 2" 18 ga brads, very seldom use the full length, since I have a 16ga and 15ga nailer. 

 

[vanderpooch]

Jim,

Do you need to shoot 2" brads? I wouldn't think so unless you are a professional trimmer.

If not, I would highly recommend the Senco SLP20, which will shoot up to 1 5/8". It is a gun that has remained unchanged for many years because of its excellent performance. It was really the standard on the west coast with finish guys for years and years. It is oiless and has a nice feel.

Honestly, I haven't used a 2" gun I really like yet. I have the newer Hitachi, it's okay. I've used the Bostitch (yuck) and the newer Sencos (cheesy). Some guys like Porter Cables but a lot of what I've read about longevity is pretty negative. I'd like to try the Max but haven't found a stocking dealer yet. The Makita also looks worth checking out.

-Kit

 

[Lou Miller]

I've used just about every brand at one time or another over the years on jobsites. To tell you the truth, there ain't a whole lot that is different about them. Brad nailers are pretty simple tools, its pretty hard for a company to screw one up. You could pretty much close your eyes, pick any one, and be very happy with it.

I've got 2 Porter Cables, a Bostitch, and a Senco. They all get the job done quite well, IMO.

 

[Warrior]

I have used the hitachi, dewalt, bostich, and senco. All 2" guns. The hitachi is by far the best. It is also the least expensive and you do have to oil it. I've used it nearly every day (work day) for 3 years. By far the most durable, powerful, and consistant nailer of the bunch. It does not have a no mar tip, so you can not use the gun to press down the stock as you shoot it. Just press down the tip and shoot. A no frills work horse.

 

[kgregc]

I have a PC125a and just got a Senco FP18. I love the Senco. It shoots 2" nails, which I need for my trim project. I got the FP18 with the PC1010 compressor for $179 at our local lumber yard...Manager's monthly special for August. I looked at the FP25 too, and decided the FP18 would serve me just fine. The PC 1010 is pretty quiet and would probably be great for an 18g or 23g nailer, but I have been using my bigger compressor as there's some other 15/16g nailer work I'm also doing now.

 

[brandon.nickel]

I have the Senco 25XP.  I does everything that I've wanted it to.  Watch out with the long (>1.5") brads as they tend to follow the grain and can get curvy.  Definitely not a fault of the gun.  I've never had a misfire with it.  One feature that I really like is that when it's out of nails it quits shooting.  I've used cheap guns and only realized that it was out of nails when I let go of the trim and had it fall off the piece.  Then you've got two sets of divots in the work when you should have only had one.  It's also oil-free, so you don't have to worry about causing finishing problems.  Highly recommended.

 

[iggy07]

I have had the Senco PC1010 on the recommendation of a contractor who did some work for me. It weighs about 20 lbs, and is much quieter than the Porter-Cable pancake commonly sold at Home Depot. I got mine at Western Tool Supply for $149. I did not get the 'kit' with the brad nailer because it was the cheaper Senco model. I wanted 2" brads for possible future jobs; I won't use it a lot, and don't want to buy another one when the first one proves to be inadequate.

On the advice of the same contractor I bought a Ridgid 2-1/8" 18 ga nailer. It is also oil-less (as is the PC1010), which seemed like an advantage to me. Can't say anything about clearing a jam; haven't had one yet! But I've only been using it for a month or so. At this point, I'm more than satisfied with both.

Ed Gallaher

 

[Jim McFarland]

To put a lid on this one...

I bought the Makita AF505 nailer (mytoolstore ~$85) and the Senco PC1010 compressor (coastaltool ~$120).  The nailer replaced a Wal-Mart special 1 1/4" CH nailer which left several tracks on the workpiece.  The small compressor is an "add-on" for small trim jobs where I don't want to lug around a 65 pound DeWalt.

I waffled for some time regarding the other good nailer choices but ultimately took Lou's advice that (paraphrased) any moron can make a decent brad nailer.  I went with Makita because they are my second favorite tool manufacturer.

After using a few weeks, I am satisfied with the AF505 and I am very pleased with the small Senco compressor.

Makita AF505:
  Pros:  excellent fit and finish, no marring of the work, no jams, nice case with extra nail storage, included safety glasses, 5/8" to 2" brads
  Cons:  requires ~105 PSI compressor output to set nails ~1mm (fine for my occasional use but I would worry about running all day at that
          high pressure)
  Neutral: requires lubricating oil (con to some, not to me)

Senco PC1010:
  Pros:  lightweight (~20 pounds), relatively quiet (my cheap sound meter says 65dB -- note same sound meter shows 78dB for CT22 which is
          high based on Festool doc), included quick-connect fitting, easy-to-use tank drain valve
  Cons: none for my use
  Neutral: 43 second cycle time (@100 PSI output, cycles from 95PSI to 130PSI tank pressure)

Some other compressor-related facts for those who like numbers:
  Time to reach 130PSI tank pressure from empty (with 25ft coil hose): 2 minutes 8 seconds
  Fasteners driven before compressor cycle (@100 PSI output):
    30 1" 23 gauge pins
    12 1 1/4" 18 gauge brads
      6 2" 16 gauge nails
    11 1" narrow crown staples

IMO, compressor is great for those times when a friend/neighbor wants you to trim a door or replace a small piece of plywood soffit.

 

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      Yup, I have that very same compressor. Got it for the same reasons as you. Very handy. The handle position makes it easy to carry and well balanced. Tosses right onto the seat of the car if need be.
        Say, wgat brand / type of hose is that on it?

Seth

 

[Jim McFarland]

Seth, hose in the photo is a 50' 1/4" Flexsteel which I also purchased from Coastaltool.  Very nice hose (includes couplers and a swivel fitting) but a bit more than I needed (IMO) for this compressor.  Since this photo, I replaced the 50 footer with a 25' coil hose from Lowe's.

Update:  woops, hose is Flexeel Max, not Flexsteel (Coastaltool site was down so I couldn't confirm name -- that's what I get for winging it).  Others have recommended this on the FOG if you do a search.

 

[ccmviking]

I have the Bostich 200 and like it..

 

[NPayne]

See this Dewalt dc608b bradnailer for starters.

 

[Flatsawn]

I ran across this old thread as I was searching for grex 18 Gauge nails. This thread mentions alot of things about reviews on different nailers but I was wondering if anyone has a grex nailer #GRX-1850GB and uses other brands of 18 gauge nails like Paslode or Stanley brands.
Also if you've had the grex 18 gauge for a while how's it holding up? I'm thinking about getting one as my Stanley jams too much must be getting old.

Thanks Mark