Brad nailer

[Murray Blain in Toronto]

Hello all. I am considering adding a brad nailer to my tool box for cabinet making. Any suggestions on make and what to look out for (good or bad)

TIA

Murray

[Gerry Wittenberg, Agassiz]

Hi Murray -- I bought a Canwood 1 3/16ths nailer from House of Tools for $29 on one of their promotions and I figure I paid too much for it. It likes to jam and fires brads about 50% of the time you pull the trigger. I'm sure both of these problems can be cured with some tinkering, but I'm saving for a Porter Cable BN200.

FWIW

Gerry

[Russ Phelps St. Albert AB]

I havea Paslode F-18(I Think) It's great, it fires 5/8"- 2" 18 guage brads. I've had it for 2 years and it jamed once(my fault). You should probably look for 1) Adjustable depth of drive 2)a quick release nose and 3) adjustable exhaust. Good luck with new Tool. Russ

[W.Y. in BC]

Murray; Mine is a Campbell-Hausfeld. 1/2"to 2". Very pleased with it. Never a moments problem.
W.Y.

[Jamie in Brantford]

I have the Busy Bee Model. I like it fine, it works as well as the Bostich or Paslode I have used in the past. I bought the Canwood once, and now I have an expensive paperweight.

I thought I saw a promo at HD for a nailer and a stapler. That was for two guns, and I was impressed by the price, but don't remember how much.

[John Allman in T.O.]

I too have a Campbell-Hausfeld brad nailer. It is about seven years old, and while my usage is moderate, it has never caused me any grief. The newer C-H units appear to have a less refined finish than my older unit. This makes me wonder about the insides.

If I were buying today I would look at Porter-Cable at the higher end or Senco at the lower end.

My old unit adjusts for depth of penetration by adjusting the air pressure from the compressor. A depth adjustment on the nailer would be a nice feature.

A word of warning - when nailing into certain hardwoods, (e.g. ring/porous woods like oak) be careful as to the orientation of the brad being fired, as they will sometimes bend, following the softer wood, and exit through the side of the work piece. Be careful as to where your free hand is placed, and of course, wear eye protection.

John

[Mike in Calgary]

Hi Murray

I bought the Porter Cable BN200 about a year and a bit ago and haven't had a moments problem. The only thing I notice is that it keeps running out of nails.

[Wayne]

I have 2 Stanley Bostich Nailer's, both work great.
Check Home Depot as they are clearing out the small model (5/8 - 1 3/8 I believe)for $124.00, if they still have any some left. Also Stanley has a Factory repair depot in Toronto.
Regards,
Wayne

[Victor(PEI)]

Hi Russ,

Is there one that offers the 3 features you mention and if so what brand, where and at what price?

Thanks

Vic

[WAYNE @ THE CROW]

I have an Airy kit. Came as a combo , one brad nailer and a stapler. Both are excellent, have used them a moderate amount, no jams to speak of. Fit and finish moderate to good. Would I rebuy, yes. Nails and staples are available locally,which is a plus. Happy hunting, LoL WAYNE

[Arnold -- Sudbury]

Murray Hi. I have a hitachi ittakes 5/8" - 2" brads has adustable exhaust , no problems. Arnold

[W.Y. in BC]

skin deep....look at me....ROFL
W.Y.

[Lindy in Dryden]

Hi Murray. I have a BN200 Porter Cable, and although I don't use it very often it sure is good to be able to use it and not have to worry about jams.

have a good day

lindy

[Andy in Georgetown]

I have owned the BN250 3/4" to 2-1/2" 16 gauge for 2 years, never had a problem. Some say a little big for fine cabinetry but I've never been accused of making anything fine.

Andy.

[Wayne Dempsey]

Hi Murry! Popular Woodworking Fall issue 2000 #118 has a comprehensive review of many tools including nailers. It may also be available on their website. They rate porter cable, grizzly and accuset as the tops for the serious woodworker. Hope this helps!
Wayne from Amherstburg

[Murray Blain in Toronto]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I ended up buying the PC BN200A. I looked at some of the others like CH, Hitachi, and a couple others. I am sure that these in that price range work very well. I choose the PC because of some of the features on it. It has a directional exhaust that can be adjusted , the presure adjustment is on the unit and it would handle up to a 2" brad where some of the others would not. It was also very clean around the head so I can get it up tight against flat surfaces whereas some of the others had the holding mechanism for the jam clearing cover in the front. For what I have done so far with it (Which isn't much) I like what I see. Thank again, you folks always come through with great advice.

Murray

[Russ Phelps St. Albert AB]

Victor; You can get those features on most brands.
Senco, bostich,Porter Cable (I Think),Paslode(more expensive...app $209 here) and Makita (very highly rated also most expensive I believe)I think it boils down to buying the best you can afford with the features you like. Theres a chart at wood online I tried to post a link,hope it works. Russ

http://http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodmall/charts/brad_nailers/chart.html

[Russ Phelps St. Albert AB]

http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodmall/charts/brad_nailers/chart.html

[W.Y. in BC]

Thanks for the link Russ. It was nice to discover that my Campbell Hausfeld brad nailer has the longest warranty of all of them. They all say from 5/8" up but mine workes excellent on 1/2" as well. I use more half in. than any other size.
W.Y.

[Victor(PEI)]

[Rob in Winnipeg]

I also have a Campbell Hausfeld. It's a very nice unit. No complaints, whatsoever.