18 gauge brad nailer recommendation?

[Claimdude]

I have the Grex and love it. Had a couple of different ones including a Stanley but the Grex is much better than those. I have only used Grex nails (got a bunch of Grex nails with the used gun purchase). Can't imagine it wouldn't work just fine with other name brand nails though.

Jack

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

 

[tjbnwi]

Grex--it has to be the Green Buddy. The lower grade gun is not worth buying.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

I got a 650XL last month and love it!  No more dual trigger

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[tjbnwi]

I got a 650XL last month and love it!  No more dual trigger

Cheers. Bryan.

Never seen an 18 with the dual trigger. My 23 and 21 have the duals.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

Never seen an 18 with the dual trigger. My 23 and 21 have the duals.

Tom

You are correct sir. The 650xl is a 23g gun. I never had a pinned that small. I really like it.  I know the original post was from years back but Grex really doesn't advertise the new gun. It is a nice mix of old school and new school.

 

[Flatsawn]

Thanks, guys for all your responses.
I looked through amazon reviews, not very good reviews I'm afraid. Many stated after spending $200 thinking a Grex was a no brainer they're wishing for a $99 one. One even wished for a Bostitch.

Mark

 

[tjbnwi]

Thanks, guys for all your responses.
I looked through amazon reviews, not very good reviews I'm afraid. Many stated after spending $200 thinking a Grex was a no brainer they're wishing for a $99 one. One even wished for a Bostitch.

Mark

I've had my GB 3 years, don't recall a single misfire.

Tom

 

[w802h]

I like the orange guns... I've had good luck with my Ridgid 18g and enjoyed a friend's Paslode cordless.

I didn't like the Hitachi and Bostich models that I used to own.  The Bostich is at least one model removed from the one I bought.  That gun made of mess of workpieces and cost me money.  My local lumber yard says they get more Bostich guns in need of early repair than any other make.  The Hitachi didn't have a dry fire lock out and didn't always sink brads shooting at an angle, but I bought it because I liked other Hitachi guns. 

 

[MGB]

I found that the Grex 1850gb was a nice gun, but it lacks driving power. For reliably sinking 2" brads my bostitch did a better job.

I've since replaced it with an Omer, and am very happy using it almost daily. The only gun I would rather have would be the max nf 255-st18

I haven't had any issues with any gun accepting off-brand nails. Except some, mainly the max are picky about the lengths you use.