pneumatic nailers

[dadams]

So, I'm thinking of buying a pneumatic nailer. I see both Dewalt and Ridgid are priced very close to each other for this range of product.

Basically I be using this for doing trim work. Can anyone lend a helping hand in deciding which product to purchase, pneumatics tools are all new to me as I just got a compressor. Also this nailer would not be used on a daily basis just on DIY projects etc...

Ridgid $109 , 18GA brad nailer
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100348528&N=10000003+90401+501602

Ridgid $169.00, 16GA finish nailer
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100348526&N=10000003+90401+501602

DeWalt $99-- 18GA finish nailer
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=179668-70-D51238K&lpage=none

DeWalt $159 ,16GA Finish nailer.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=179669-70-D51256K&lpage=none

[bighammer]

for a DIY'er as yourself, I would think you would be nailing either door or window casing, not heavy crown mold or frieze, right?

Personal preferance is to use a 18 gauge on my casings and stops, it is a nice size hole to fill with putty - unlike the 16 gauge nailer that leaves a rather larger one.

I would buy Dewalt, only in your case, since it is going to be used very little. If you were going to make this your profession, I would look for something else.

Happy nailing, careful with those things!!

keep us posted -

[Don_P]

I'd vote for the yellow black and decker too, but I prefer 16 guage. I think it has a broader range of applications. Ditto on being careful, ain't no fun like nailing your ownself to the wall.:gun_bandana:

[dadams]

Thanks for the suggestions

Looks like I try finding the DeWalt hopefully someone around here has it in stock, none on the Lowes in my area do.

[Don_P]

I will let you in on a trick. If you can find a tool anywhere other than one of the big boxes buy it there. The procurement end of those companies beat up their suppliers to offer the same looking product at a lower price. Something has to give, its the quality of the tool. I don't know that this applies to nailers, it certainly applies to cordless, electric, gasoline tools. It's a shame, I grew up with Lowes, but they should be drug out and hanged... or we should.

[bighammer]

I will let you in on a trick. If you can find a tool anywhere other than one of the big boxes buy it there. The procurement end of those companies beat up their suppliers to offer the same looking product at a lower price. Something has to give, its the quality of the tool. I don't know that this applies to nailers, it certainly applies to cordless, electric, gasoline tools. It's a shame, I grew up with Lowes, but they should be drug out and hanged... or we should.

you hit the nail on the head with that one...I totally agree

I only buy from the local (non-chain) lumberyard....I might pay more for it, but it is so worth it in the long run...

[Don_P]

It really irritates me that manufacturers that have spent a generation or more building a name for themselves are then destroyed by the chains. A Husky saw at Lowes has 2 rings rather than 3, A dewalt cordless battery from Lowes is inferior, A makita saw has a lighter armature, a Milwaukee drill has cheap bearings... Sorry to rant but I hate to reward this type of deceit.

[bighammer]

It really irritates me that manufacturers that have spent a generation or more building a name for themselves are then destroyed by the chains. A Husky saw at Lowes has 2 rings rather than 3, A dewalt cordless battery from Lowes is inferior, A makita saw has a lighter armature, a Milwaukee drill has cheap bearings... Sorry to rant but I hate to reward this type of deceit.

Amen!!...you tell it like it is