Nailer Set for my husband- PC/Dewalt/Bostitch? HELP

[motherandchild]

Ok guys....
It has taken me a little while to come to terms with your last suggestion... going pneumatic over cordless.... I really had my heart set on the cordless Dewalt Nailers... primarily because I was looking for my hubby to be quite portable... We spend the summer in an Adirondack Lake home in Upstate NY... and he usually likes to pack all his tools for that... always working on a project... BUT... I've talked to quite a few people who have discouraged me from the Cordless sets...

We noticed the Dewalt cordless to be HUGE and Heavy... and my hubby is worried about precision and marring his wood... etc.... on his more fine woodworking projects. SOOOOOOO.... you were right all along and now Valentines Day is around the corner... and I need a treat from my sweet!

I don't want my husband involved at all from here... I want it to be a total surprise... We haven't talked about it for awhile... and I don't want him to know that I'm getting him a tool for the big V-day... so I really need your help.

Ok... I am interested in the Porter Cable pancake compressor nail set like Leo suggested.... it's cute and compact...

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-C...0?ie=UTF8&s=hi

But... I also like the Dewalt set (then my husband can keep all his "yellow tools")!

http://www.amazon.com/D55141FNBN-Hea...0?ie=UTF8&s=hi

My question is about the COMPRESSOR though...I noticed that the DeWalt compressor is only a 2 gallon tank with .6 horsepower.... BUT the Porter Cable is a 6 gallon tank with over 2 horsepower... My question is WHY? and does it matter?

Also when I called a family friend who is a contractor... he recommended...Bostitch and Paslode? The only one who has a cute little kit is Bostitch... and it's yellow... so if I'm going yellow I would like to stick with Dewalt. But let me know what you all think.

http://www.amazon.com/Bostitch-CPACK...0?ie=UTF8&s=hi


Ok... Thanks for your help and advice... I sincerely appreciate it so much... and I know my hubby is thankful too! He's the one who benefits in the end... (well actually I guess I am... I get all the great things he makes)...
Best wishes,
Jennifer :)

[Danford C Jennings]

Jennifer,

Horsepower relates to capacity and, inturn, capacity relates to how often the motor cycles. FWIW, in my neck o' the woods I'd say that over 90% of the cabinet makers and finish carps go with the PC pancake....

Out here PC brad nailers seem to be the most widely used, Senco is the top dog for finish nailers, and Bostitch for crown staples...

Why the "mix"? Some manufacturers "do better" in one area than others. Personally and professionally, I prefer PC brad and finish nailers (I like the "fit") and run Senco brads/nails. Bostitch is our choice for crown staplers...

IMNSHO, you can't go wrong with the PC combo......FWIW.

Dano

[ww_wanna_be]

tool :)

just my .02,

[arcticfox46]

Jennifer,

Porter Cable is a really nice product.

Color is a consideration but it is not functional.

Capacity is a consideration and it IS functional.

If your husband ever wants to put air in the tires on the car - and he will - the PC 6 gallon is a small capacity, but it "can" do the job.

Your husband may also want an air gun. I use mine all the time. Again 6 gallon is a small tank, but it "can" do the job.

Senco - for the most part gets the best reviews.

Bostich is also a great manufacturer of nail guns.

For home and hobby use - heck, even for commercial use Porter Cable is a great bang for the buck.

NOISY compressor. Yes they are noisy. The compressor in this category of compressors are called "oilless" compressors. ALL oilless compressors are noisy. The other categogy of compressors are much larger, have larger capacity and cost a LOT more money and are not quite so portable.

One last point - if your husband has any aspirations to do "spray painting" - the PC 6 gallon is too small - and you will be in another category all together.

To "ME" - that Porter Cable package with THREE guns, compressor and FREE shipping for $299 is the one I would jump on in a heartbeat.

If color really is a big consideration - get a can of yellow spray paint.

[rrich]

Jennifer,
The first question is:
What is you husband going to be doing with the nail guns. If he is going to be building a room addition, framing interior walls or other major construction projects, the first PC package with the three nail guns would probably be the best.

However, if major construction is NOT part of the planned agenda, then the three nail gun package is sort of a waste. If you're not going to do major framing projects, then the framing nail gun will sit gathering dust. (I purchased a framing nail gun to do a single project and then sold the nail gun. It was cheaper than renting one.)

For woodworking projects, crown molding, base boards and molding around door jambs, a finishing (16 Gauge) nailer is a good choice. An 18 gauge (a.k.a. brad) nail gun will suffice for most other woodworking projects.

I've seen the compressor and either a 2 or 3 nail gun package at Home Depot from Porter Cable.

A note about compressors. I have a DeVil Bliss (another yellow) compressor. It is IDENTICAL to the PC model except for the color of the paint. The horsepower rating of the electric motor, generally indicates the relative speed at which the tank can be filled to maximum pressure. The gallon rating of the tank indicates the relative frequency that the compressor will need to cycle to keep the pressure in the tank. When running a single brad or finishing nail gun, it is doubtful that either the gallon or horspower ratings will affect the operation of the nail gun.

I have the Porter Cable nail guns. I have no complaints regarding these nail guns. They work and don't jam.

[motherandchild]

Just wanted to let all you guys know... that I took the plunge!!!

I order the Porter Cable system... I think it will be great! I ordered it from Amazon and will be here tomorrow... EARLY!

My hubby is putting in two sets of french doors and I thought he could use it before Valentine's Day...

I know he'll be so excited... Thank you for all your help and advice... I'll be contacting you soon with my next tool purchase!

Best wishes,
Jennifer

[arcticfox46]

Jennifer,

Congratulations - for you and your husband.

Sure would like to meet him someday here on the forum. Sounds like a real handy guy.

But then - your secret source of information would be gone.

[WoodMangler]

Wow... you do make it tough to choose!

All look like great kits... and I did find it refreshing to have the color as one of the considerations... men choose color too but just never admit it http://www.woodhelp.com/Cheesy%20Smiley.gif

I lean toward PC... have had no bad experiences with any of the PC products....

Here's all the info from Amazon site... this might make it easier for the gang to compare these... good luck!

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Porter Cable [/font]

We are firm believers in getting more than what you pay for out of a tool, and Porter Cable’s Three Nailer/Stapler and Compressor Combo Kit delivers a lot more bang for the buck. The 120-volt, 10-amp pump not only provides a continuous air supply for the nail and staple guns, but the portable 6-gallon air tank can supply up to 150 psi of air for other tools in your shop or garage. Not only do you get an oil-free, maintenance-free pump with 40 feet of quality 1/4–inch air hose and 2 couplers, but the three nailer stapler guns are like having an extra set of hands in the shop. No longer do you have to clamp two pieces of wood together so that you can hold a nail or brad in one hand and a hammer in the other. In the workshop you can use the brad nailer for fastening smaller wood projects or the ¼-inch stapler for installing items such as screen wire, low voltage wiring, upholstery, furniture coverings, or any project where a staple can be used in place of a screw. Switch to the 16-gauge finish nail gun and use ¾-inch nails for casing and moldings, or 2-1/2-inch nails for securing baseboard, moldings, door frames, jambs, etc. The portable lightweight compressor allows you the free range of movement from one job site to the next. All you need is an outlet and an idea but you don’t need a second set of hands. -- C. Dwight Barnett
What's in the Box
FN250B nailer, BN125A nailer, NS100A stapler, sturdy canvas carry bag, 6-gallon compressor, 40-foot air hose with coupler and plug, 3,000 fasteners, oil, operating manuals

From the Manufacturer
Everything you need to start your finish woodworking, from the air compressor to the nailers, fasteners, air hose, and fittings. The brad nailer uses 18-gauge, 5/8 to 1-1/4- brad nails. The finish nailer uses 16-gauge, 3/4 to 2-1/2-inch finish nails. The stapler uses 18-gauge, 1/4-inch staples from 1/2 to 1 inch long. Features include adjustable depth-of-drive, jam release mechanism, non-marring nose tip, hardened driver blade and muffled, adjustable exhaust port. The .8 horsepower 6-gallon pancake compressor features a 10-amp, 120-VAC motor, 150 psi pressure for longer tool run times, oil-free pump for no maintenance, ability to run on standard household current, and 2 couplers. It's also easy to carry at just 34 punds.

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Dewalt [/font]

We’re big fans of products that come packaged with everything you need to get started, right out of the box, so of course, we were pleased to see DeWalt combining this great little compressor with two really nice nailers, the fittings and air hose.
The compressor gives your great power with relatively low noise (about 80 decibels as opposed to most oil-free models, which hover around 90 decibels and above), oil-free (thus worry-free) maintenance and the ability to run both nailers at the same time. The gauges are all up-front, where we like them, and the unit itself is really light and comfortable to tote. Finally, we always prefer a ball valve like this one on the tank drain over a petcock, and our knuckles agree.

Light as a feather and mean as a junkyard dog, DeWALT's 18-gauge brad nailer is a heck of a tool. We like the fit and feel of it, and DeWalt wins points from us for putting low-nail indicators on the side and the top of the magazine. The sliding depth adjustment is fantastic: just unlock it with your index finger, slide the adjustment with your other hand, and you're ready to fire. Like DeWalt's other nail guns, this model has a nice plus in the 360-degree swivel exhaust cap that directs the flow away from you. Great pad, too--it didn't mar anything to which we introduced it.

Two things set the finish nailer apart from its classmates: the large nail capacity and the rear-loading magazine. The tool is light, comfortable, and sturdy, features DeWALT's ingenious tool-free jam-clearing mechanism, and offers a fantastic line of sight along with the same sliding depth adjustment, swivel exhaust and non-marring pad on the brad nailer. You can’t beat this combo.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

What’s in the Box
18-gauge Brad nailer, 16-gauge finish nailer, 2-gallon compressor, belt hook

From the Manufacturer
Everything you need to start working, from the air compressor to the nailers, fasteners, air hose and fittings. Ideal for finish carpenters and woodworkers, the D55141FNBN can be used for custom installation of shelves, cabinet/furniture assembly and interior trim and more. Both nailers allow users to quickly adjust nail depth with an innovative vertical slide that has five indexed positions. Air exhaust is channeled away from the user with a tool-free 360-degree adjustable exhaust cap. For jam clearing, DeWALT designed a tool-free front-latch mechanism that is easy to use and stays tight over the life of the tool. The contact trip and nose are designed to provide better nail-placement visibility. A low-profile no-mar pad grips material when toe-nailing, yet alleviates indentations from the contact trip. The no-mar pad is designed to attach firmly to the contact trip but is easy to remove when necessary. For user convenience, both nailers feature a tool-free reversible belt hook for right- and left-handed users, while a rubber handgrip provides comfort and control. The heavy duty 2-gallon 150 psi max trim compressor offers end users a lightweight, compact design and quiet operation, ideal for a 2-man crew.

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Bostich [/font]

SB-1664FN 16-gauge 2-1/2-inch finish nailer
SB-100SX 18-gauge 1-inch finish stapler
SB-125BN 18-gauge 1-1/4-inch brad nailer
CAP60P-OF 2 HP (Peak) oil-free air compressor
1/4-inch x 40’ heavy-duty airline with MPT fittings
1,000 2-inch 16-gauge finish nails
1,000 1-1/4-inch 18-gauge brads
1,000 1-inch staples
Tool lubricant
Contractor’s canvas tool bag
2 HP (Peak) 6 gallon Oil-Free Air Compressor

High efficiency motor 2HP (peak) 1.5 running
6 gallon tank capacity
No maintenance oil-free pump
3.4 CFM @ 40 PSI and 2.1 CFM @ 90 PSI
135 PSI maximum
One year limited warranty
2-1/2-inch 16GA Straight Finish Nailer

Drives 16GA straight finish nails from 1-inch to 2-1/2-inch
Lightweight aluminum design for added durability
Tool-free adjustable exhaust conveniently directs exhaust away from the user
No-mar tip protects work surface
Adjustable depth guide sets nails to desired depths quickly & conveniently
Quick release nose for fast jam clearning
7 year limited warranty
1-1/4-inch 18GA Brad Nailer

Drives 18GA brad nails from 5/8-inch to 1-1/4-inch
Lightweight aluminum design for added durability
Adjustable depth guide sets nails to desired depths quickly and conveniently
Tool-free adjustable exhaust conveniently directs exhaust away from the user
No-mar tip protects work surface
7 year limited warranty
1-inch 18GA Narrow Crown Stapler

Lightweight aluminum design for added durability
Drives 18GA 7/32-inch crown SX staples from 1/2-inch to 1-inch
Tool-free adjustable exhaust conveniently directs exhaust away from the user
No-mar tip protects work surface