Grex pin nailer

[vwdave]

All that talk about the Grex brad nailer makes me want one, but my pin nailer I own stinks.  I own a bostich pin gun and it doesn't always set the nails right and I'm finished with it.  I was looking at the grex pin guns and there are a few to chose from and could use some help.  I don't think i've ever shot a longer pin than a 1" one.  Whats the differences in the guns besides length of nail?

Thanks Dave

 

[nclemmons]

I have a Grex P645 pinner.  They have a 'locking' version but I didn't see the need for spending the extra money.  Basically prevents dry firing of the gun.

The one I got shoots up to 1 3/4 which felt like plenty of length for what I do.  I bought pins ranging from 3/8 to 1 3/4.  I find I use mostly 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch pins.  Great for gluing, clamping, pinning, and then releasing the clamps.

I find that I use it a lot - mostly for furniture and home repairs.  I have a CO2 tank that I use with it from Lowes that makes it extremely portable and quiet for assembly work.

neil

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have the p650.

Yes, I do use 2" pins, not all the time but, they can come in handy.

My Grex will sink a pin in anything, every time.

 

[tiralie]

I also have a Grex P645 and a Senco finish Pro 11.
If I was to buy again I would just get two Grex guns and never buy the Senco.
The Senco won't fire 1/2" pins (wasn't designed for 1/2") but I have used it quite a bit with 3/4" to 1 1/2" pins and it sinks them as well as the Grex.
Tim

 

[stvrowe]

I have the Grex P635.  Great gun and never a problem.  It will shoot everything from 3/8" to 1-3/8".  I think the only other one I would consider is the Cadex which will also shoot a slightly headed pin.  I don't hear much about them but the Grex always gets good reports and I have no real reason to change.
Steve

 

[RONWEN]

I also have the Grex P635 -- I use pins mostly

 

[Bill Chang]

I use the Cadex CPB23.50 (2" capacity model) quite a bit and love the build quality.  It was a toss up b/t Grex and Cadex when I was looking for 23ga nailers.  [tongue]

 

[bonesbr549]

I bought my grex a while back and thats one handy little sucker to have around.  I use it to hold things in place mostly a quick couple shots on the back of a raised panel door so it does not rattle or slide around.  Unless you look real real hard you won't even see it.  Great on trim molding and jigs to tac in place while glue holds. 

 

[mastercabman]

I have the original P630. (P635 is the replacement)
Love it.Shoots up to 13/8" but only use 3/4".I just replaced the driver for the second time.I have had this nailer for about 5-6 years.

 

[Grasshopper]

I thought I'd bump this old thread.  I am thinking I want a pin nailer for crown returns and helping with glue-ups.

The Grex P635 seems pretty slick and is $188 on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FP8NH2/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p469_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=001JFXJNFP93SN7KVHAY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1970559082&pf_rd_i=desktop

Before I had considered the Grex, I was considering the Hitachi 23 gauge pin nailer.  At $84, and more positive reviews it seems like a bargain: http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-NP35A-23-Gauge-Micro-Nailer/dp/B003SHDM84/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1426368882&sr=1-1&keywords=hitachi+23+gauge+pin+nailer

I'm not as focused on features like lockouts to prevent dry firing as I'm a hobbyist and the tool will get fairly light use.

Thoughts?  Any compelling reason to go one way or the other.

 

[rst]

I use the Grex 635 and it works great even on oak and maple.  I also use their 3/16" and 1/2" crown staplers.  My other nailers and staplers are 30+ year old industrial Sencos...much different than the contractor series they sell now.

 

[peter halle]

Go Grex.  A word of caution for any pin nailer.  Keep your fingers out of the pin placement area especially if you are using longer pins.  The pins can easily be sent thru the work by the grain orientation and into a nearby finger.  It hurts.  Easier to get out of a finger or thumb than a an 18 or 16 gauge finish nail (yes I know from experience) but still.

Peter

 

[bigjonh]

Had both, the hitachi stopped sinking nails after awhile, got it rebuilt. Still wouldn't sink them consistently. Never had a problem with the grex. Thought I read the new cadex guns will be sold in systainers.

 

[deepcreek]

No direct experience with a Grex but they and Cadex are the big "names" when it comes to pinners.  Bostitch, Senco, HItachi, and others make them too.  They are ALL made in Asia as far as I know.

I started with a Bostitch and solved the OP's problem by slightly sanding the nose.  This is a common workaround with this gun and has been discussed in other forums.

I added a Cadex for situations where I need more holding power (slight heads) or longer lengths.  I've used up to 1-9/16 but would not try 2-inch pins except for soft woods.

I love them both even though their prices vary considerably (currently $125 vs $275).

Peter is right about safety.  They are more dangerous than other nail guns because they don't feature a sequential trip safety at the nose.  It is easy to shoot one across the room or through the meaty part of a finger on your off hand if you inadvertently pull the trigger.  Don't ask me how I know that.

 

[peter halle]

I totally forgot about what Joe mention regarding safety triggers.  Thank you Joe!  Be careful will double trigger guns.  It is a tendency to keep the safety depressed and then accidentally activate the firing trigger.  My old-now-trashed 18 gauge brad nailer had that function and I can attest that under perfect or less than perfect situations a brad shot from 2 feet away can pass thru thumbnail, thumb and then stick in a wall 8 feet away. 

Peter

 

[rizzoa13]

I can attest that under perfect or less than perfect situations a brad shot from 2 feet away can pass thru thumbnail, thumb and then stick in a wall 8 feet away. 

Peter

Thats gruesome Peter! I'd be pretty upset if I could look through a hole in my finger like a keyhole.

 

[jacko9]

I bought the Nikle Tools - NS2340 23-Gauge Nailer that shoots 1 9/16" long pins in hard oak very well.  I'm not sure that they even make this product any longer but, it is a great tool.

Jack

 

[peter halle]

I can attest that under perfect or less than perfect situations a brad shot from 2 feet away can pass thru thumbnail, thumb and then stick in a wall 8 feet away. 

Peter

Thats gruesome Peter! I'd be pretty upset if I could look through a hole in my finger like a keyhole.

But it didn't bleed.  The heat caused by the friction of the pin passing thru cauterizes the wound.  Didn't even know it it happened until I noticed my thumb ached a minute later.  Certainly heard the sound and wondered where the brad went.

The things I do to stress safety here.  [eek]

Peter

 

[justinh]

I thought I'd bump this old thread.  I am thinking I want a pin nailer for crown returns and helping with glue-ups.

The Grex P635 seems pretty slick and is $188 on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FP8NH2/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p469_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=001JFXJNFP93SN7KVHAY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1970559082&pf_rd_i=desktop

Before I had considered the Grex, I was considering the Hitachi 23 gauge pin nailer.  At $84, and more positive reviews it seems like a bargain: http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-NP35A-23-Gauge-Micro-Nailer/dp/B003SHDM84/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1426368882&sr=1-1&keywords=hitachi+23+gauge+pin+nailer

I'm not as focused on features like lockouts to prevent dry firing as I'm a hobbyist and the tool will get fairly light use.

Thoughts?  Any compelling reason to go one way or the other.

The Hitachi is not a bad gun but can be hit or miss.

 

[Grasshopper]

Awesome feedback everybody. Thanks!