I did the same as far as looking for value and not top end a couple years ago. Lowes had the Bostitch combo on sale $109. included 3 gallon air tank, 16 gauge nailer, 18 gauge nailer and a smaller 18 gauge stapler/nailer. That combo now sells for $199 at Lowes. I also got a 18 gauge nailer/stapler Hitachi. The MasterForce Micro Pin nailer 23 gauge, $65 on sale, from Menards. All have been trouble free.

 

I have been very satisfied with the "vintage" pneumatic
15 and 16ga nailers for many years. I got them both at a pawn shop.
the Porter Cable 15ga takes the angled nails which is good for tight spaces.
the Paslode 16ga takes the straight nails which is good for face nailing.
I also have the SENCO 702XP framing nailer which is one heavy sonofagun.
keep them oiled and dust free and they will serve you well.
I am NOT a fan of the cordless battery powered nailers.

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I did the same as far as looking for value and not top end a couple years ago. Lowes had the Bostitch combo on sale $109. included 3 gallon air tank, 16 gauge nailer, 18 gauge nailer and a smaller 18 gauge stapler/nailer. That combo now sells for $199 at Lowes. I also got a 18 gauge nailer/stapler Hitachi. The MasterForce Micro Pin nailer 23 gauge, $65 on sale, from Menards. All have been trouble free.

- WoodenDreams

I can also vouch for Bostitch. I've had their 18g nailer for 20 years. It gets used all the time. Only had one issue where it jammed and i found the pin bent, but I was able to straighten it, been working fine a couple years since. I am more careful to check the nails before throwing them in. I can also vouch for the older Porter Cables, my 16g gets used all the time, i have the rapid fire red trigger for it and love that thing. I have always oiled it as the say. I have no experience with the newer PC stuff. I also worked in a shop that has all Senco, we used those professionally daily and those things are bulletproof, and cost accordingly. If you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore near you, you can check there, i've seen some there for $20

 

I bought a 16g Senco angled finish nailer when I saw one on the discount bench at HD, likely something that someone bought for a project and then returned. I had an 18g PC brad nailer and thought, "I should have a finish nailer too!" Many years later, I'm struggling to think of the projects where I have actually taken that gun out of it's case and shot nails with it. I know it got some use when I finished out my basement, but I'm certain I've never used it for any furniture work because a screw has a better mechanical advantage, and they're easily covered with a plug if in a conspicuous location, and of course there is not a better woodworking joint i.e. M&T with glue. Most of the times when I'm assembling I'll use the brad nailer to put things together with the glue and then come back to install screws. Another consideration would be your potting bench, if assembled with finish nails you'll need to use stainless steel nails, $60-$70 a box vs. stainless steel screws at $0.10 each.

Just my 2 pennies, to suggest you consider how strong the "need" really is. I own PC, Senco,and Hitachi, the PC brad nailer and Hitachi pin nailer are the ones which get the majority of the use with a Senco stapler coming in third. I recently had my roof replaced and that crew all had Hitachi nailers which given the volume of the company I used I think speaks well of the Hitatchi air tools for consideration.

 

I"ve tried quite a few the ridgid brand and the hdx brand are absolutely terrible, if they don't jamb in the feed they jamb at the head, broken pins, ect.

hitachi are the best for us, senco is ok, but you have to buy the good ones, not the bargain bin units, now if you only use them occassionaly well then, so be it.
Big problem is they all need lubricant, and well as we know lubricant has a tendacity to come thru on the air side and possible stain. non are perfect, but eventually one can weed thru the junk and find keeper.

Rj in az

 

Based on the work you describe any nailer will work. It's when you do a lot of nailing that differences come through. Reliability is just one difference. However when doing trim work I like a hook for hanging the gun on me as I move about. Nose styles also vary. My Bosch 16 GA has a nice cushioned nose that stays put, but is rather large at being the diameter of a dime. My Bostich 16 GA nose cushion comes off all the time, but it very narrow at 1/4". My point here is that if you plan to do a lot of nailing, buy a known brand, keep it clean and oiled, and compare all of the features as each maker has its pros and cons based on the type of work you do.

 

I have Porter Cable 16 and 18 gauge nailers and have never had a jam. For years I used their nails too but finally wised up and bought the much cheaper Grip-rite brand. I have a Bostichframing nailer, a Rigid pin nailer and I can't remember who the stapler is from. Just buy a name brand and you'll be fine.

 

I've been using a kit from Freeman and it has held up fine without issues. HD seems to always run specials on few of their kits with very good pricing. I think if I was to look at some now, I'd serious consider some cordless units.

 

well ive had bostich nailers in use for about 25 years now and love the quality and the prices are reasonable.i currently have the 18ga.and 15ga. and a narrow crown stapler and have never had an issue with any of my nailers.

 

in the cabinet shop we used senco in my personal shop i use PC only had normal wear :<)))

 

I also have the Bostitch with the 3 nailers. It's worked quite well for my DIY projects. The compressor stays on continuously. I use it for stapling, 16/18 gauge nailing and inflating tires. I've also purchased a Hitachi pin nailer. You do have to reduce the pressure for that. Good luck. Forrest

 

The 16,18 and 23gauge nailers and staplers I have are pneumatic. Just a mater of changing the air couplers to the style you use. With battery powered tools I only have with drills. As time goes by, the battery powered tools change in battery models, and battery voltage, In time the battery needed may no longer available. but pneumatic tools only need a air compressor or air tank.

 

I'm a fan of the PC nailers. The 18 gauge is by far the one I use most. The 23 gauge pin nailer hardly ever gets used. My 16 gauge nailer NEVER gets used. It might be better for hanging doors but that's about it.

I liked the features of the newer Bostitch 18 gauge nailer, but mine failed prematurely. For now I'm sticking with Porter Cable.

 

I've used Senco nailers for years. They are semi local in Cincinnati so I always thought I was supporting the local. Now a days they are in 2 types. If it has an embossed Senco brand into the metal casting it's made in Cinci, if it's a sticker, it's Chinese, and I don't like those models.

What I can say about the ones from Cinci is they work, don't fail, and stay consistent. When I quit doing trades work I sold them off, wish I never did that, they still had miles of work left in them. Of course like any tool they require regular feeding, and they only eat a fine grade of machine oil. So no matter what you end up buying, feed it this I came across this several years ago when they didn't have the following they are getting, awesome stuff. Never use that schlocky stuff they sell at HF for 10 cents a gallon, or whatever it costs.

 

I have Porter Cable in 18, 16 & 15 and narrow crown stapler. The 15 doesn't get used much because the larger nail sometimes splits the wood and the 16 is adequate for most things. I also have the Bostich in 18 and 16 (bought at a time when the PC was awaiting repair parts and I needed a nailer). No complaints with any of them. I do wonder whether Porter Cable has cheapened theirs like so many of their other tools as Stanley tries to promote the DeWalt brand.

 

I appreciate the feedback and the very insightful replies, each of which broadened my knowledge base and was quite helpful. As often happens, the more I research and learn, the more my initial thoughts broaden then focus and begin to narrow.

In looking more comprehensively at my present and future needs, as well as the budget situation and the time frame I would like to work in, I am finding myself focusing more toward acquiring several more affordable pneumatic tools with the ability to perform a wide range of activities now, over a single limited and more expensive (albeit higher quality) nailer.

My focus is somewhat centering on the Freeman Nailer Combo Kit (16ga finish nailer, 18ga brad nailer, 18ga narrow crown stapler, and 23ga pin nailer with bag, fastener assortment, etc.) for $199 - basically $50 per tool.

https://www.amazon.com/Freeman-Pneumatics-P4FNCB-Ergonomic-Lightweight/dp/B00NCNRDKM/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1549729468&sr=8-1&keywords=p4fncb

The overall reviews I have found (of the kit and of the individual tools) at a multitude of sites seems to be favorable enough that it should fit my needs, particularly with the price point taken into consideration, and should it become necessary at some time down the road, the budget will hopefully allow for a higher quality and higher $$$ replacement. With my other woodworking wants & needs, this should be a better and more realistic overall fit with my personal needs.

I still have some research to do, as well as figuring out the various fasteners and such I need to get, but hopefully I can bring the final decision together sometime this evening.

Thank you for each of the replies.

 

That looks like a good deal, and the 7 year warranty would be my final trigger to buy them. Notice the industrial fittings though and be sure your hoses will accept, other wise order some hose ends too.

 

...hitachi are the best for us…

I bought a Hitachi 16g last spring and used it heavily all year. No jams, no problems at all, so I'm well pleased with it.

 

The Freeman nailer kit came today and my first impression is that I like it, though the truth will come once I have had an opportunity to use put them to use. I ordered it through Home Depot, delivered by FedEx and arrived in good shape with no damage and with all of the parts. I'm doing a read-through of the manuals and am looking forward to doing some tinkering around with them in the shop.