Two words

Senco Fusion

Much better performance than battery operated flywheel nailers and no gas cartridges to buy or smell. If you will use it enough to justify the cost, there isn't a better cordless brad nailer out there, IMHO.

 

Ryobi=trainee equip.
Senco has the edge.
Bill

 

I own a small Ryobi drill I paid about 29.99 for and it is really no good. You get what you pay for when things are very cheap. I do have a Ryobi bench model drill press that has been a real workhorse as it is set up to bore 3 holes at one time for Blum hinges on doors. We bore approximately 200 hinge holes per month with that drill press and it just keeps on rocking. If my drill press is training equipment, then it must be paid training, and very good paid training at that Did I mention that my Ryobi drill press was purchased used off of CL, meaning not only have I worked it extremely hard, but in it's previous life in a previous cabinet shop, it has been a great machine.

I would say, based on the good rating it has gotten, that it certainly is worth checking out and using. HD has a very generous return policy as long as you are honest. If it is pure junk then return it, otherwise Ryobi may have just built a nice gun at a very fair price. It certainly scores well in the review column on HD site.

I have 3 Senco guns and no doubt they are great. But much of the time I find myself picking up my 18g Dewalt instead of going to my 18g Senco.

I would say to go for the Ryobi gun at the price point it is offered, if it is junk, then take it back. Of course you would need to add the cost of a battery and charger. That is something that could tip the scales some.

 

I have actually been looking into purchasing a cordless gun myself as I use a small compressor and air hose on my job site for hanging crown, light rail and base molding on our kitchen cabinets. But 95% of the time there is electricity available so I have recently thought about looking for a gun that runs on 110v and just using an extension cord. Not sure if this type of gun is made… Just a thought though.

On second thought, absent any motor I suppose there is no such thing as electric 18g nail gun.

 

I have a two gallon compressor with a flexible coil hose that I use for small in the house projects that I wouldn't pull out my big 20 gallon compressor for.

 

It depends what you will use it for and how much you plan to use it. I have the Ryobi brad gun as well as a Hitachi gas powered brad gun. These are both good choices and have their own advantages and disadvantages. The Senco is nice as well but for occasional use the price tag is more than many of us hobbyists/DIYers can justify.

I believe that the Ryobi would be more than adequate for most hobbyists. It can countersink a 2" brad in most molding applications. The only situation where I have found that it comes up a bit shy is in driving 2" brads into 2+" of solid hard maple and it can't drive it all the way home. But that situation would be an unusual one.

I have not been a big fan of Ryobi tools in the past, but this gun seems to be well made and has performed well in my preliminary tests in which I have shot a couple hundred nails. I also like their broader product line with over 50 tools that use the same battery technology. I never thought I would, but within a week of getting the nail gun I ordered a string trimmer with no battery.

 

JayT, the Senco is a nice tool, but I'd favor staying with a battery system that I could use with other tools. In case I'm some remote location helping family n friends.

I like the Ridgid, and already have the battery system:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203636612?productId=203636612&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC%2d%5f%2dNavPLPHorizontal1%2d1%2d%5f%2dNA%2d%5f%2d203636612%2d%5f%2dN#.UbSGeXy9KSM

But for the money, I could buy a Ryobi drill set for $99, n get the nailer. Doesn't have high capacity battery's, but will do, n the drills could be back-up.

Ryobi tools have their good & bad products…..

 

BentheViking,
I'm also thinking of opting to buy a second small compressor, to use remotely. Sales make it very tempting.

Any suggestions on a small compressor, anyone?

Pro's & Con's for a small compressor:
+Use one nail gun
+save from having to starting up the big compressor.
-corded--or air hosed
-noise

Any additional suggestions, or thoughts for pro's n con's?

Thanks for the post, just trying to get input/suggestions from the many on here that have a great amount of experience.
Thanks!

 

Pmayer, thank you for the post..good to know the Ryobi gets a +1 first hand from a LJock….

 

I also bought a small compressor to use on projects outside of the shop and at friends' houses. I got the PC pancake compressor and it has been great. It's light, not terribly loud (although I don't know that I would say it was quiet), and it fills the tank from empty in about 2.5 mins. I don't use it often so I can't really speak to durability/longevity. They have good deals on various bundles that include different nail guns from their product line. I got mine a few years ago with a pin nailer for about $170.

 

If you want a hose free gun, there is a company that has a co2 bottle that clips to your belt with a short hose that connects to the gun. The bottle is the same as used with paintball guns. I think HD or Lowes had them.

 

Anyone used the Ridgid 18ga? I just don't see how the difference in $ is worth it..

 

Have used two different ones with great success. I echo the recommendations for the senco. It is tough and a workhorse. Was a little concerned with it at first, but now that it has been in circulation at my shop we are loving it… got thumbs up from my repair guy as well, now that it has been on the market. I also am pleased with the de walt 18volt. I put it a rung down from the senco, but with so many things running the 18v battery in the shop and field it is still quite a pleaser, an for the sake of battery consistency, gets reached for quite often. IMO I would stay away from the rigid.