Electric Nailers

What can y'all tell me about them? What's your experience with them? We're looking at getting an inexpensive one - no brand in particular. Are they easy to use? Will the nail be recessed as advertised or would I need to follow up with finishing it with a hammer and finishing tool? What are the pros and cons on them? I'm more of a "weekend warrior", basic handyman when it comes home improvement. Where are some articles on these? (not product comparisons) I haven't been successful googling. I know safety is a must.

Thanks for anything you can pass on.

 

What is the nailer for...

Trim work

Framing

Roofing

Etc., Etc.

What kind of budget are we working on here, and do we want ultra portability (Co2 cartridges), or do care to be tied up to the compressor??

A nail gun typically has an adjustment for making it sink the nail more, or not at all.

Roger

 

Not roof work, my wife won't allow that . Around the home, storage shelves in garage Price wise, under $100 if possible, but no more than $150. Prefer electric, maybe cordless but not compressor (because of budget constraint).

 

You are going to have a hell of a time finding a Co2 or electric nailer for that price!! Just a quick look at the Home Depot website...there are some semi decent brad nailer models in the $75.00 - $150.00 range, but they all require the compressor!!

As far as work around the house...if it isn't hanging pictures...then SCREW IT!! (No pun intended!! )

Seriously...I grew up in a contractors family, and I can tell you...EVERYTHING get's screwed...as far as building shelves in the garage, or even inside projects!! Hell, my dad (who is a full blown carpenter) had ALL the resources (nail guns, compressors, you name it!!) he needed to build a deck for the neighbor, and he just wipped out the cordless screwgun, and went to town...not one nail was used...much better than way!!

Roger

 

I've been working in an art gallery for five years, and even I use a screw gun to hang our framed work.......wobbles

 

We recently acquired a nail gun as we were re-roofing the house. Worked great for it, and having one with settings is a good plan. No additional hammering required.

 

you will be wasting your money and time. the electric corded nailers sold at the home improvement stores and other places are garbage. using a drill to pre-drill a starting hole and a hammer and nail set is going to be cheaper, not to mention they won't break after a couple of weeks use. I see that harbor freight tools has a few stores in VA. for the weekend warrior their stuff (mostly chinese) is fine. You can find a compressor for under a 100 bucks and a nailer/stapler for less than 30. I think they have a compressor for nailguns around 70 or 80. I've got one of their cheapo pancake compressors and a couple of small nailer-staplers that I've been using for about 6 years and never had a problem. go to their website www.harborfrieghttools.com and see if they have something that might fit your bill.

 

Think you might have a typo in your link oldandconfusedagain, however this link will take you directly to Harbor Freight Tools http://www.harborfreight.com/.............I have also ordered from them and they do have great prices and a good selection as well as reliable shipping

 

Well I don't think you should look for tools through the web. The onlyones advertised on-line offer very high prices. My father sells this kind of ware and I can tell you one thing for sure: it doesn't matter if it is a no-name Chineese piece or a Black'n'Decker. It is not a car or a PSU, it's just a nailgun. Don't be fooled by dying companies preaching about "quality".
Also, there are nailguns that work with compresed air but without a whole compressor machine. Together with the nails you buy a bottle of compressed air. There are still traditional "guns" working with percussion caps.

 

Actually, forget about the nailguns with the air bottles - they cost 900$ each!! !!
I don't have time to post everything right now but I can tell you more tomorrow.

 

probably right BC. not at home, out in calif now and forced to use this laptop without any of my info on it (I hate laptops) just my better halfs girly stuff. harbor freight is okay for what I do and I've not encountered any problems when I have had to return something. also doesn't hurt to get on their mailing list for monthly specials. they'll send you periodical ads in the mail and I'll say every once in awhile you can really find a good buy just when you're looking for something special. never bought anything from them thru the internet tool wise and would never buy a tool that way unless it was the only way I could get it. just me.
sailor cost prohibitive to get involved with high pressure compressed gas cylinders for any kind of pneumatic tool, not to mention could be extremely dangerous with the wrong kind of gas.

 

forgot to say that when I have to come out to L A there is a harbor freight pretty close and also at home there is one close by in town that I can stop by when I make my monthly trek into the big city. don't know if Ken3 is close to a store or not. fun place to go in and look around and browse, but somehow I always manage to walk out with another wood clamp if nothing else. bad habit, that browsing is

 

Yea the three places I am not ALLOWED to go unescorted Book Stores....Tool Stores.....Electronic Stores, and since I started doing restoration work on old trucks my better half is threatening to place Junk Yards on the list...........Gets pretty bad when you have to take your 11 year old with you to watch DAD (knew we shouldn't have adopted at our age I was just about FREE)

 

Where I live, there's a Lowe's 5 minutes away. No internet shopping - want to get a handle on this stuff from what y'all are saying before I jump in and get one. Thanks for all the tips though. Keep 'em coming. Pass on any links on articles on them too.

 

hey Ken3.......................you might want to brave the crowds on friday and head over to that lowes and plunk your 50 bucks down for this. can't beat the price and will give you the ability to staple also. not bad for a starter unit. gives you everything you need to get started. way better than spending 30 or so on one of the cheapo electric ones that will only last a few weeks and not do what you want it to in the first place. good luck........and a happy thanksgiving to you and all the people that make this site such a great place!!!!!!!!

 

O&CA - we did see that and considering .... thanks