Advice on Cordless Finish Nailers?

[3PedalMINI]

Want to get my dad one for fathers day.

Paslode or dewalt? I hate dewalt but it looks like they get a solid 5 stars in the cordless nailing department  [blink]

thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[GhostFist]

take a look at the senco fusion nailers as well. don't go paslode, the gas stinks and is a PITA

 

[Bryan0994]

I have a few of the paslode's and don't have a complaint about any of them. I've used the dewalt, although it worked fine I think it's to heavy and bulky. I would go with the paslode, just my opinion.

 

[John H]

Does it have to be cordless?

For not much more than the Dewalt 18v kit you could get a small compressor with two nailers

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D55141FNBN-16-Gauge-18-Gauge-Compressor/dp/B000HZGTF8/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1370793345&sr=1-6&keywords=dewalt+cordless+finish+nailer

or better yet - get a Grex 635 and a decent compressor  (you never said what gauge your looking at)

 

[GhostFist]

The cordless finish nailers are heavier than their tethered brethren. Their advantage is that there's no bloody cord and no compressor noise. Personally I prefer the senco over the dewalt as I've had a few break on me but upgraded versions may be sturdier. Paslodes you need to constantly buy new gas cartridges and they smell. As I said senco or dewalt or something similar

 

[Kev]

I've been considering a Senco Fusion - I've heard some good stories about them.

 

[Peter-kenny]

I used both and the paslode is a pain in the ass to get fixed and they have to be cleaned every couple of months. I changed to dewalt and find it much better and 100 times quieter a plus when your working in a house our a shop.. The only thing that went on my dewalt was the firing pin but this can be easily replaced at a cost about €25.00. The dewalt is a little heavy but well worth it.. 

 

[GhostFist]

I've got the fusion 18g. It only comes with one battery which may be a turn off for some but you can fire 600 pins off a charge. And it's a pretty quick charge when the time comes. Fit mine in a sys 2 with the storage lid and I stack my fasteners in there. ( sys purchased separately ). Really fast. Good depth control, bump fire mode, sounds like a stapler when you use it.

 

[peter halle]

I had a Paslode - switched to a Dewalt.  As already said the Dewalt is heavier, but quieter and no gas and exhaust smell.  Paslode lighter, smaller.

My Dewalt is showing its age after ten years, I just bought a JC-10 compressor and dug out my old Porter Cable 16 gauge gun.  If I like using the compressor and hoses enough I will probably get a 16 gauge angled pneumatic.  I have several hundred dollars in angled nails to use up.

Peter

 

[3PedalMINI]

Thanks Guys for all the info!

Ive read that the senco has a really heavy recoil that sometimes damages the surface or doest shoot the nail straight. Can anyone that has it/uses it comment on the recoil?

My dad is getting older and his pancake compressor needs to be replaced and is getting "heavy" for him to move around teh house. He also is getting tired of the hose and i cant say i blame him. he would never look into buying a cordless gun himself so thats why i think its a perfect fathers day gift  [smile]

The only drawback to the dewalt is the time it takes to spin up, Peter; have you found times that its just taken too long for it to spin up while your holding a piece of trim?

Thanks again guys, its much appreciated!

 

[peter halle]

The spin up time has never bothered me.  One thing that it does do is it will cycle off of you have the safety depressed on a piece of trim and then are taking too long to finalize the position.  Then you have to pull the gun back and repeat. 

Peter

 

[GhostFist]

On my 18g senco I don't find big recoil on it at all and no surface damage whatsoever. it gets a bit trickier firing pins at an angle because of its size but it's doable. firing pins at an angle I found occasionally it wont sink the nail. Here the senco is about $50 more expensive than the dewalt and the dewalt comes with two batteries I think. I quite like the gun I use it mostly for a quick fix on set, but I've done one or two all day jobs with it as well so it hasn't been abused but has passed my tests so far.

 

[cgraham]

My company has all paslodes. We have tried dewalt (heavy and doesn't fit in corners as easy) .we have dropped paslode framers off of roofs and dropped finish nailers onto garage floors and they keep on ticking. The 18 gauge can fire into rope molding on maple cabinets. Try that with the dewalt!  The larger gauge nailer shoots a box of 2 1/2 nails on 1-2 bottles of gas.  Not bad. In cold weather just put the gas bottle in your hands and breathe on them for 30  seconds and they work fine

 

[greymann]

Another option, I found it on Paul Marcel's blog, is your regular nail gun driven by a CO2 cartridge.  I went with the Powertank Paul had and use it all the time in my shop with my Grex pin nailer.  The cartridge is light, there is of course no compressor noise and it has a holster for taking it out of the shop as well.

Depending on your use it is worth a look.

Dick

 

[fshanno]

I've got the Senco 18ga.  I was lucky enough to get it when they had a free second battery promo, though I really believe I could due with one battery.  Factor in that I'm usually working alone and I'm not very fast. 

No problem with recoil and surface damage is normal for 18ga. 

Are you sure it's the 18ga Senco that's the problem?  I ask because I did have the 15ga at first.  Bought it in Dec. 2011.  Brought it back three days later and exchanged it for the 18ga because it did make an unacceptable mess.  The made and even swap and the Senco rep told them to let me keep the extra battery even though the offer was only for the 15ga. 

If your dad's a hobbyist, for my money the Senco is the coolest looking unit.

It will shoot a 2" nail through a 3/4" beech board into a 1" beach board and the nail will be set properly with the battery at or above 1/4 charge.  It will shoot through hardwood trim into studs till the machine cuts itself off from low charge.

 

[Bikeboy80]

Love my Dewalt, I don't notice the spin up time. It also have a bump fire mode! It is a bit heavy but I have been using it hard for about 7 years without an issue.

My father has nothing but problems with his Paslode.

 

[Floorman70]

Hitatchi do a 16ga angle nailer,my mate has one,he uses it a lot and has no complaints(unlike my bostitch) and the best part is,it`s cheap.Have not tried the paslode,but i`m quite happy with my paslode first fix nailer

 

[3PedalMINI]

You guys are awesome!! after much research i decided to give this one ago http://www.amazon.com/BOSTITCH-GBT1850K-18-Guage-Cordless-Nailer/dp/B003BVJTZM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1371339539&sr=8-3&keywords=bostich+cordless+nailer

I went to the store and handled the paslode and dewalt one and i dont think he would like the dewalt at all due to how heavy it is. Paslode was really nice but im leery of what you guys have said and other things ive read.

What pushed me over to get the bostich is it uses the standard bostich nails available at lowes which is a huge plus. Hes the type of guy that will go full force into a project only to run out of nails 1/2 through and run to lowes to pick something up  [tongue] He uses the brad nailer more then his finish nailer so i figured this is a good start and if this works out ill get him the finish nailer for his birthday in september  [smile]

He's getting it tomorrow and im sure he'll put it right to work! Im sure ill need it for a few of my projects so ill post up a review after a few months of use

Thanks Again Guys!! 

 

[sanangelo]

I have that same nailer and have had no issues with it. I looked at the Dewalt and could not get over the windup time.  I am sure he will enjoy it.....

 

[NERemodeling]

I've heard really good things about the cordless Bostitch guns.  Think you made a great choice.    He's gonna love it!