21 VS 23 and Grex vs Cadex

[contendernut]

I have 18 but don’t use it as much As it leaves good size holes. I always said I was growing to get a 23 but I see 21 is now popular. I don’t prefer any brand other than systainer storage is a plus to me. Any advice? 

 

[cperren]

I have a couple of 23 Cadex which work well ... But I prefer and use my 18 Milwaukee cordless the most.  I'm sold on cordless guns... Next next gun will be a 23 cordless.

 

[contendernut]

I was set on the Grex cordless 23 but found several poor reviews

 

[tjbnwi]

I have 21's and 23's, they both have their place.

The 23's are Grex, the 21 is now a Grex. The Cadex failed after a year or so.

Tom

 

[danrush]

I have both the grex 18 and 23 cordless and highly recommend them both.  I use  both on cabinet installs shooting lots of maple trim.  Sets the pins and brads everytime. My only complaint is that the gas cartridge doesn't power nearly as many shots as advertised. 

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

 

[mkasdin]

I own a regular grex 23 pin nailer and a California Air Tools compressor. I really like my Grex. A 23 gauge is small enough you can run a plane over the nail, most times the pin nail is set, without destroying the edge on occasion. It’s barely imperceptible. You will need a decent compressor I run the ac at 100-110psi. Most times at 105psi depending on the wood species. The 18 gauge I use for installing trim base molding and door casing when I don’t need the holding power of the 16 gauge.  The 21 gauge I see used for trim on kitchen installs. It splits the difference of the 18 and 23 gauge, both pros and cons. Also Grex is in Monrovia, California which is only 30 minute drive. The other use for a 23 is to temporarily hold something in position.
If I had the money I would get the 21 gauge nailer like [member=2575]thudchkr[/member] commented.

 

[RJNeal]

I have a 23 Grex for about four years. Never had a problem with it.
I need to look in to a 21 some day ......
Rick

 

[thudchkr]

I have a Cadex 18, Cadex 21 and a Grex 23. I usually use the 21 unless I need the holding power of the 18, or if I’m working on small moldings where the 23 shines. If I could only have one of the three, I’d go with the 21. The 21 can shoot either headless pins or brads if that makes a difference to one. FWIW, the hole size is pretty much the same regardless of which you drive, so I tend to use the brads most of the time though I haven’t noticed they have an appreciable advantage in holding power.

 

[Holzhacker]

I've had a Grex 23 for a few years now. Great little gun, really like the features, hasn't given me any trouble.
When I was looking to get a 23 gauge I was looking at both the Grex and Cadex. I don't remember why but there was a specific reason I chose the Grex over the Cadex.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I had a Grex, the smaller one P635 and it worked fine for me for quite a few years, until it was destroyed in a fire. I did run into a few occasions when I could have used some more holding power, so I replaced it initially with the Cadex 21ga. A few months later, I saw an opportunity to get a Senco 23ga that matched the 18ga brad gun that I already had, so I have both. There are times where each has it's advantages, but it's probably an indulgence for most.

 

[jeh]

I had a 23 and used it occasionally, but found it lacking for even super small trim. I bought a 21 gauge Senco which for me turns out to be the best solution in terms of balancing holding power with hole size.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I had a 23 and used it occasionally, but found it lacking for even super small trim. I bought a 21 gauge Senco which for me turns out to be the best solution in terms of balancing holding power with hole size.

I really prefer the 23ga for things like glass stop, where the trim pieces are pretty thin in both directions. I recently did some that were 3/16" x 1/4", white oak to hold in the glass of an entertainment center's doors.