What is your favorite pneumatic nailer for crown molding installation?

[RDMuller]

I did some searches in this forum on the topic.    General conclusion --- pin nailers are not good at all, most do no like 18 gauge nailers (however a few seemed to)

I have a bunch of crown to put up and want to do it right.  I had terrible results with the 18 gauge.  Should I buy a 15 gauge or 16 gauge?  Some said the 15 gauge left too big of a dent in the wood.  Also --- what are  your thoughts on angled vs flat nailers for this use.  I could see where the angled nailer would be more maneuverable in tight spots.

The local woodworking store has some rebuild Porter Cable 16 gauge flat nailers for $69.  Good price, but that doesn't matter if it isn't the best for getting the job done right.

Thank you for you help

Roger

[ edited to remove the name of the store since Roger is an employee of that store - Shane ]

 

[peter halle]

I use 16 gauge for interior trim.  I have a Porter Cable straight 16 gauge for when I am doing multiple rooms and will be there for longer than one day and compressor noise is not an issue.  I mainly use a Dewalt battery operated 16 gauge angle.

18 gauge for door stops and molding returns.  15 gauge for door jambs.  pins for re-enforcement / temp clamping for glued joints.

For $69 go for it.

 

[Jay123]

I'll echo the same.  I used PC straight 16 ga nailers for years, and also have used the dewalt cordless straight nailer extensively doing production trim.  I never had an issue by not having an angle nailer on site (although I do own an angled 15 ga. senco).

 

[jmbfestool]

The only benefits of straight nail guns I think are you can you use smaller nails 16mm for some nail gun brands  but with the same brand of nail gun if you was to get it in a angled version the smallest nails you could get for it are 32mm nails. 

So unless you are ever thinking of using nails smaller than 32mm I would go with the angled gun as they are far far better guns to get into certain places like corners.

I would say a 16G would be fine as its a good all round size I think and should be fine for crown mouldings.

JMB

 

[awdriven]

I like Milwaukee's 15 gauge angle nailer. Is this paint grade or stain grade? The angle nailer is much nicer to work with near the ceiling and the holes aren't so big. The holding power is great.

 

[harry_]

I use a 16 for wall/ceiling crown and an 18 for cabinet crown, both are straight nail Porter Cable.

 

[BobKovacs]

Depends on the crown, but for smaller, paint-grade stuff, I use a 16-gauge Bostitch for the main nailing, and a 23-gauge Husky pinner for outside corners.  Not sure why you say the 23-gauge pinners are no good- I love mine- especially since it was part of a $59 compressor/pinner/brad nailer kit, and has worked flawlessly for the past two years.

 

[mastercabman]

I just replaced a 15g PC with an Hitachi.    Love it!
I'm not really big on Hitachi power tools,but their nailers are(i think)the best.
One thing to consider is that,the 16g nails are much cheaper than 15g .

I just wanted to add that i use 18g on cabinet crown and 15g on ceilling crown.

 

[RDMuller]

Depends on the crown, but for smaller, paint-grade stuff, I use a 16-gauge Bostitch for the main nailing, and a 23-gauge Husky pinner for outside corners.  Not sure why you say the 23-gauge pinners are no good- I love mine- especially since it was part of a $59 compressor/pinner/brad nailer kit, and has worked flawlessly for the past two years.

I love my 23 gauge pin nailer for many things.  My statement was that most readers seemed to comment that it wasn't so good for crown molding in a room.  Several did mention how great it was for outside corners on the crown.

  I recommend that a pin nailer to customers at the store I work in as their first pneumatic nailer and use it "As an Aid in Holding Things Together While the Glue Dries".  It is fantastic for that purpose.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Depends on the crown, but for smaller, paint-grade stuff, I use a 16-gauge Bostitch for the main nailing, and a 23-gauge Husky pinner for outside corners.  Not sure why you say the 23-gauge pinners are no good- I love mine- especially since it was part of a $59 compressor/pinner/brad nailer kit, and has worked flawlessly for the past two years.

I love my 23 gauge pin nailer for many things.  My statement was that most readers seemed to comment that it wasn't so good for crown molding in a room.  Several did mention how great it was for outside corners on the crown.

 I recommend that a pin nailer to customers at the store I work in as their first pneumatic nailer and use it "As an Aid in Holding Things Together While the Glue Dries".  It is fantastic for that purpose.

How could you possibly expect to hold up crown molding with 23 ga. pins?  Roger, am I reading that correctly?

I prefer 15 ga. for crown molding, even though 16 ga. is usually good enough, I like the extra holding power of the larger nail.  Not much difference to fill.  Some bigger crown needs the 15 anyway.  Same when I'm installing base and shoe molding I use 15 ga. and casing I use the 15 ga. on the thicker outer edge plus 18 ga. on the thinner edge into the jambs.

I use 23 ga. for installation of small moldings that are ultimately held on by an adhesive.  That includes returns on molding (those little pieces that wrap around terminating the molding in a visually pleasing way).

If I'm in the middle of a job and you tell me you're not paying, I finish installing your trim with 16d framing nails.  [big grin]

 

[Eli]

For crown, 15 or 16 Ga.

I have a PC angled 15 and straight 18. Just got a new Maxxus ali tank compressor and I love it. I carry a CO2 setup for one-offs.

Was looking at the nitrogen Senco the other day, anybody rocking this yet?

 

[Electric Trim]

15 ga. Max nailer.  Gotta shoot an angled nailer.  Paslode does make a 16 ga. angled nailer if you want a smaller head.

 

[Brice Burrell]

....I prefer 15 ga. for crown molding, even though 16 ga. is usually good enough, I like the extra holding power of the larger nail.  Not much difference to fill.  Some bigger crown needs the 15 anyway.  Same when I'm installing base and shoe molding I use 15 ga. and casing I use the 15 ga. on the thicker outer edge plus 18 ga. on the thinner edge into the jambs.....

I'm with you except on the shoe, 18 ga. there for me.

If I'm in the middle of a job and you tell me you're not paying, I finish installing your trim with 16d framing nails.

You must have done some jobs in Pittsburgh there because I've seen some of your handy work. [big grin]

 

[mastercabman]

How could you possibly expect to hold up crown molding with 23 ga. pins?  Roger, am I reading that correctly?

I prefer 15 ga. for crown molding, even though 16 ga. is usually good enough, I like the extra holding power of the larger nail.  Not much difference to fill.  Some bigger crown needs the 15 anyway.  Same when I'm installing base and shoe molding I use 15 ga. and casing I use the 15 ga. on the thicker outer edge plus 18 ga. on the thinner edge into the jambs.

I use 23 ga. for installation of small moldings that are ultimately held on by an adhesive.  That includes returns on molding (those little pieces that wrap around terminating the molding in a visually pleasing way).

If I'm in the middle of a job and you tell me you're not paying, I finish installing your trim with 16d framing nails.  [big grin]

I can't tell you how many times i have been back on jobs that someone else installed the crown with 23g pin nailer.
I just don't understand why would anybody would think that a 23g can hold trim that size.
I use mine to nail my corners together on crown,also scribe molding/rope molding/dentil molding.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Brice,

The only reason I don't use 18 ga. nails for shoe molding is because I've noticed (it wasn't me  [embarassed] ) that people hit things into shoe molding, especially vacuum cleaners and I think it'll move around or loosen up too easily.  With the 15's, they're in till a pry bar says otherwise.  [wink]

You must have done some jobs in Pittsburgh there because I've seen some of your handy work. [big grin]

I have loyal followers.  [big grin]  At least we don't use impact drivers and deck screws.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I can't tell you how many times i have been back on jobs that someone else installed the crown with 23g pin nailer.
I just don't understand why would anybody would think that a 23g can hold trim that size.
I use mine to nail my corners together on crown,also scribe molding/rope molding/dentil molding.

I'm glad I've never come across that.  Sort of like the joke told amongst some of my carpenter buddies, it's the caulk holding it on.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

For most crown, 18ga, big stuff 16ga.

Base and casing 18ga.

Kitchen crown gets put up with my 23ga and bead of hot glue on the back side.

Base shoe gets glue and 23ga pins.

My 15ga only comes out when I really got to suck in a spot or I have some really thick wood work.

 

[fdengel]

The only reason I don't use 18 ga. nails for shoe molding is because I've noticed (it wasn't me  [embarassed] ) that people hit things into shoe molding, especially vacuum cleaners and I think it'll move around or loosen up too easily.  With the 15's, they're in till a pry bar says otherwise.  [wink]

At our house the dog chews on it, so I guess I figure at this point it's all temporary anyway.

 

[JLB builders LLC]

I use a Senco fusion 15 ga angled nailer for FJ/ paint grade crown and base and the Senco fusion 18 ga straight  for all others. I haven't had any trim pull loose with an 18 ga 2 inch nail. with paint grade I fill the holes with MH Patch, found in home depot and works well inside or out with basically no shrinkage.

I'd you like the phnuematic over a battery/flywheel then try the Fusion. Nitrogen filled cylinder and shoots faster than you can trim. I bought both Fusions and do not need an air compressor 99% of the time. My paslodes are for sale and have low hours on them.

 

[Electric Trim]

I use a Senco fusion 15 ga angled nailer for FJ/ paint grade crown and base and the Senco fusion 18 ga straight  for all others. I haven't had any trim pull loose with an 18 ga 2 inch nail. with paint grade I fill the holes with MH Patch, found in home depot and works well inside or out with basically no shrinkage.

I'd you like the phnuematic over a battery/flywheel then try the Fusion. Nitrogen filled cylinder and shoots faster than you can trim. I bought both Fusions and do not need an air compressor 99% of the time. My paslodes are for sale and have low hours on them.

Are you happy with those nail guns.  I've waited to see the feedback from everyone.  Sounds like everyone is pretty happy thus far.  Any problems with nails not being set as consistently as pneumatic nailers.?