My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I have
looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people here
know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I want
them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng with
compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range. I
would appreciate any help given to me.
Thank you ahead of time,
Scott
Thanks for all the feedback. Went ahead and got the Bostitch 2/6 with the
16g nailer. I have never used one before, but as soon as I sent that first
nail in I was in love. I am going to get the HF 18g nailer real soon.
Seems much better suited to my needs than the 16g, but having two ain't so
bad for the price. Hell, at around 20 bucks I shold get two, right? Any
feedback on how long one would last ? Maybe 100 brads a
week................
Thanks,
Scott
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I have
> looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people here
> know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I want
> them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng with
> compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
> sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
I
> would appreciate any help given to me.
>
> Thank you ahead of time,
>
> Scott
>
>
I'm on my second PC 2 hp compressor, They are oilless compressors and have a
somewhat limited life but they are Cheap and Lite. Also can be used on roofs
etc where the pitch can cause trouble with an oil lube compressor. For
hobbist use they will last awhile. I have a PC 15ga angle finish nailer
that does all i need it to do 1 1/2 - 2 1/2" I think. The angle nose is nice
for getting into tight places and the 15 ga nails really hold well.
Just my 2 cents
Rob
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I have
> looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people here
> know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I want
> them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng with
> compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
> sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
I
> would appreciate any help given to me.
>
> Thank you ahead of time,
>
> Scott
>
>
>compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
>> Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
>> 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
>> birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
>> sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
i bought the pc combo with the 16 ga brad nailer.... the price was right and
for the amount on nailing i do...it should last a long time.....
i got an 18 ga brad nailer for my b-day after i had gone out and picked up a HF
18 ga brad nailer on sale (for $14). truthfully i like the HF nailer better,
as i can actual see where i am putting the brad.... the only downside i have
with the HF nailer is that everytime i oil the thing... mind you only 1
drop.... i can't use the gun for about 2 days..... it doesn't catch to *fire*
the brad... go figure.... but if it breaks...i am not out much of any
outlay... in fact, i would get another one in a flash....
my next acquisition might be the 23 ga pin nailer..... now that is something i
could use on a regular basis for SWMBO's sewing projects.....
also i have found that if you can put the compressor in a closet and charge the
thing up...it is easier on the ears.... but i am sure there will be those who
will tell you to make a shroud out of insulated foam board....the closet works
for me....
For birdhouses, etc there is no doubt you should buy the Harbor Freight 18ga
nailer. You should be able to get it for $20-30 depending on the sale the
hour you place your order. Most HF stuff is low quality, but the brad
nailer gets good marks by almost everyone that has one (including me). 18ga
is plenty for that work too.
--
Larry C in Auburn, WA
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I have
> looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people here
> know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I want
> them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng with
> compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
> sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
I
> would appreciate any help given to me.
>
> Thank you ahead of time,
>
> Scott
>
>
Just got my two "daily" HF ads/catalogs last night. They have the 18ga brad
nailer for $15 now.
--
Larry C in Auburn, WA
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I have
> looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people here
> know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I want
> them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng with
> compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
> sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
I
> would appreciate any help given to me.
>
> Thank you ahead of time,
>
> Scott
>
>
I bought the Porter Cable compressor (2hp 6 gal), and am satisfied with it.
I have nailed oak trim with no problems. Not to mention inflating the tires
on my cars. The PSI rating of the compressor matches that of most nailers.
I have a 15 gauge finish nailer and an 18 gauge brad nailer. They are Senco
brand. They work very well. The brad nailer only shoots nails up 1.25".
That's a little small. I'd like to upgrade to an 18 ga. that'll shoot 2".
The 15 ga. sure made putting down baseboards in my house faster and easier.
They do have many to choose from and honestly I don't know if there is one
that's better than the others. The $15 one is from catalog 8024-B and the
item number is 42528-3BJA.
--
Larry C in Auburn, WA
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:k3R_b.393475$xy6.2205120@attbi_s02...
> Larry, after much thought I am going with the Bostitch(sp) 2hp 6 gal
> compressor and 16 ga nailer combo. This will allow me to get the 18 ga HF
> nailer and still be under $300. I looked up the 18's on HF's site, but
> there were so many of them. Could you post the make and model of the one
> that is all the rage now? Might just buy 2 at that price. Any thoughts
on
> the Bostitch? Really want the Porter, but I am thinking "bang for the
> buck".
>
> Thanks
>
> Scott
> "Larry C in Auburn, WA" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:AZI_b.395238$na.764385@attbi_s04...
> > Just got my two "daily" HF ads/catalogs last night. They have the 18ga
> brad
> > nailer for $15 now.
> >
> > --
> > Larry C in Auburn, WA
> >
> > "Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> > > My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I
> have
> > > looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people
> here
> > > know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I
> want
> > > them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng
> with
> > > compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> > > Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga.
1-2
> > > 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff
like
> > > birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they
> seem
> > > sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2
range.
> > I
> > > would appreciate any help given to me.
> > >
> > > Thank you ahead of time,
> > >
> > > Scott
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
Thanks Larry.
"Larry C in Auburn, WA" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:646_b.98853$jk2.465088@attbi_s53...
> For birdhouses, etc there is no doubt you should buy the Harbor Freight
18ga
> nailer. You should be able to get it for $20-30 depending on the sale the
> hour you place your order. Most HF stuff is low quality, but the brad
> nailer gets good marks by almost everyone that has one (including me).
18ga
> is plenty for that work too.
>
> --
> Larry C in Auburn, WA
>
> "Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> > My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I
have
> > looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people
here
> > know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I
want
> > them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng
with
> > compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> > Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> > 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> > birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they
seem
> > sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
> I
> > would appreciate any help given to me.
> >
> > Thank you ahead of time,
> >
> > Scott
> >
> >
>
I concur w/ Larry. HF's 18ga brad nailer that goes 1/2 - 2" is a great buy.
Got mine when on sale for $19 but I've only seen them as low as $25
as of late (still a good buy). I initially bought it until the SWMBO
would allow budgeting for a Porter Cable. Well, that was over a year ago
and I've never gotten the PC and don't see any reason to.
Now as far as air compressors go, sure, buy the PC.
Joey in Chesapeake, VA.
"Larry C in Auburn, WA" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:646_b.98853$jk2.465088@attbi_s53...
> For birdhouses, etc there is no doubt you should buy the Harbor Freight
18ga
> nailer. You should be able to get it for $20-30 depending on the sale the
> hour you place your order. Most HF stuff is low quality, but the brad
> nailer gets good marks by almost everyone that has one (including me).
18ga
> is plenty for that work too.
>
> --
> Larry C in Auburn, WA
>
> "Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> > My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I
have
> > looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people
here
> > know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I
want
> > them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng
with
> > compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> > Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> > 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> > birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they
seem
> > sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
> I
> > would appreciate any help given to me.
> >
> > Thank you ahead of time,
> >
> > Scott
> >
> >
>
All of my friends who spent ~$200 on a pancake compressor wish they'd
have gotten my setup. I have a $60 used Crapsman 15 gal oil-lube "3hp"
compressor that I found in the paper here in Austin. It's 15 years
old, well used, and works perfectly.
I urge you to find a larger, used oil-lube compressor. You will save
money and end up with a better tool. Oil-lube with belt-drive
compressors last much longer and operate quieter than oil-less
pancakes.
The ONLY advantage to those pancake compressors is portability. Mine
still rolls around wheelbarrow style, so it's not like it's bolted to
the floor.
As far as use goes, I brad-nailed a few clips of brads this weekend,
and the compressor didn't even start up. When I re-did our fence with
a (used) framing nailer, it would start up about once per 8-foot
section, which is about 200 shots. It would only take it about 20
seconds to repressurize.
Regarding nailers, I've used Porter Cable, Spot Nails, and Bostitch
framing and finish nailers. All these worked fine, so I think the PC
and Bostitch price tier is great for high-end home use. Spot Nails is
generally a little less expensive, and fewer bells and whistles.
Toolless depth adjustment is a useful feature. Being able to quickly
adjust depth will allow you to run your hose at full pressure since
the depth is mechanically limited. This means a quicker cycle for your
nailer between shots (the chamber refills faster). Without this
feature you'll likely adjust hose pressure rather than use wrenches to
adjust depth because it's easier, but then you have to deal with
longer cycle times. When I was putting up the fence, a short cycle
time was very valuable because of the rate I was shooting nails.
Good luck, and enjoy air tools :)
-Mike
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03>...
> My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I have
> looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people here
> know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I want
> them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng with
> compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
> sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range. I
> would appreciate any help given to me.
>
> Thank you ahead of time,
>
> Scott
If you are going to skimp on a nail gun, don't make it your brad nailer.
Unless you are a finish carpenter, the brad nailer will get far more use.
Joe
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:k3R_b.393475$xy6.2205120@attbi_s02...
> Larry, after much thought I am going with the Bostitch(sp) 2hp 6 gal
> compressor and 16 ga nailer combo. This will allow me to get the 18 ga HF
> nailer and still be under $300. I looked up the 18's on HF's site, but
> there were so many of them. Could you post the make and model of the one
> that is all the rage now? Might just buy 2 at that price. Any thoughts
on
> the Bostitch? Really want the Porter, but I am thinking "bang for the
> buck".
>
> Thanks
>
> Scott
> "Larry C in Auburn, WA" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:AZI_b.395238$na.764385@attbi_s04...
> > Just got my two "daily" HF ads/catalogs last night. They have the 18ga
> brad
> > nailer for $15 now.
> >
> > --
> > Larry C in Auburn, WA
> >
> > "Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> > > My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I
> have
> > > looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people
> here
> > > know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I
> want
> > > them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng
> with
> > > compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> > > Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga.
1-2
> > > 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff
like
> > > birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they
> seem
> > > sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2
range.
> > I
> > > would appreciate any help given to me.
> > >
> > > Thank you ahead of time,
> > >
> > > Scott
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
Larry, after much thought I am going with the Bostitch(sp) 2hp 6 gal
compressor and 16 ga nailer combo. This will allow me to get the 18 ga HF
nailer and still be under $300. I looked up the 18's on HF's site, but
there were so many of them. Could you post the make and model of the one
that is all the rage now? Might just buy 2 at that price. Any thoughts on
the Bostitch? Really want the Porter, but I am thinking "bang for the
buck".
Thanks
Scott
"Larry C in Auburn, WA" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:AZI_b.395238$na.764385@attbi_s04...
> Just got my two "daily" HF ads/catalogs last night. They have the 18ga
brad
> nailer for $15 now.
>
> --
> Larry C in Auburn, WA
>
> "Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> > My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I
have
> > looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people
here
> > know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I
want
> > them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng
with
> > compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> > Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
> > 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
> > birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they
seem
> > sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range.
> I
> > would appreciate any help given to me.
> >
> > Thank you ahead of time,
> >
> > Scott
> >
> >
>
I just ordered the PC combo with 2 guns from amazon.com for $275 & free
shipping.
It's normally $300, but they have another promo, $25 off most tools over
$199.
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:k3R_b.393475$xy6.2205120@attbi_s02...
> Larry, after much thought I am going with the Bostitch(sp) 2hp 6 gal
> compressor and 16 ga nailer combo. This will allow me to get the 18 ga HF
> nailer and still be under $300. I looked up the 18's on HF's site, but
> there were so many of them. Could you post the make and model of the one
> that is all the rage now? Might just buy 2 at that price. Any thoughts
on
> the Bostitch? Really want the Porter, but I am thinking "bang for the
> buck".
>
> Thanks
>
> Scott
> "Larry C in Auburn, WA" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:AZI_b.395238$na.764385@attbi_s04...
> > Just got my two "daily" HF ads/catalogs last night. They have the 18ga
> brad
> > nailer for $15 now.
> >
> > --
> > Larry C in Auburn, WA
> >
> > "Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:w_5_b.243145$U%5.1551694@attbi_s03...
> > > My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I
> have
> > > looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people
> here
> > > know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I
> want
> > > them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng
> with
> > > compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
> > > Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga.
1-2
> > > 1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff
like
> > > birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they
> seem
> > > sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2
range.
> > I
> > > would appreciate any help given to me.
> > >
> > > Thank you ahead of time,
> > >
> > > Scott
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 17:51:24 GMT, "Sherfey's"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>My wife has given me the go ahead to get a compressor and nailer. I have
>looked them over at the stores (Lowes/Menards) and figured the people here
>know a helluva lot more than the sales help there. As far as what I want
>them for: weekend woodworker just making things on a whim. Startng with
>compressors.......will a 2hp 6 gal. Porter Cable give me enough air?
plenty for nail guns. if you think you might want to run other stuff
as well, like spray equipment, air wrenches, drills and the like you
might want to assess your needs a bit more closely.
>Nailers.......looking at a PC 1 1/4 -2" 18 ga. or a Bostitch 16 ga. 1-2
>1/2". Also what size do I need? I use mainly 3/4" pine for stuff like
>birdhouses and squirrel feeders. By looking at the 18 ga. brads they seem
>sort of puny to me. I am leaning towards the 16 ga. in the 1 1/2 range. I
>would appreciate any help given to me.
I have 18 and IIRC 15 guage guns for finish work. works for me...
>
>Thank you ahead of time,
>
>Scott
>