Using a Brad Nailer vs. Screws

[SoundInMotionDJ]

I'm using a very in-expensive one that came as part of an air stapler/nailer combo pack. Works without problem so far.

This is what I used until it died somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 brads. Then I bought a Porter Cable brad nailer.

Not to highjack this thread, bit I have yet to figure out how to shoot brads on the joints between panels 2/4 and 5/6 on the T39.

I use 1/4" staples for the panel the panel shots. These are much easier to place accurately.

I've found that putting a couple 2"x4"'s on edge across the final side panel using clamps on each side of the 2"x4", with the other end of the clamp grabbing the underside of my bench (under the tuba/titan) pulls everything together very tight, and can still get by with brads for the final sides...

In addition to clamping with cauls as you describe, I also shoot the brads at angles "\ / \ / \ /" This provides a LOT of resistance to pullout.

--Stan Graves

[doncolga]

I just ordered a used "like new" Porter Cable from Amazon which should be here by Thursday. Woohoo!

[bzb]

All my guns except for my stapler are PC, and I've had all of them (framing, brad, finish, and pin) for 9 years.

The stapler is a Mac. I mean Hitachi. I recently got this to build a couple chicken coops. Don't ask.

You'll love the PC stuff. I don't think I own a Porter Cable tool that I dislike.



One note about those hard angles, as well as the edges that will show:

The way I understand it from an old grizzled woodworker is that almost all nails are clipped in a manner that makes them bend a certain way (also combined with actual nailer itself). On my PC finish nailer, I have to shoot the nails perpendicular to the panel that I'm shooting INTO (as opposed to the one I'm shooting THROUGH). The nails bend to the left or right slightly.

In other words, if I shoot the nail in with the gun "lined up" with the panel I'm shooting into, the nails are more likely to bend right out of the face of the panel.

Probably easier to show with pictures. Maybe I'll add em one day to a tip

[hilo4noff]

Finally I picked up a hitachi 18 gauge brad nailer, and I can't even begin to tell you how much easier building has become. The main reason is that it's a one handed deal. While I've got something in the perfect position I can grab the nailer with one hand and if nothing else just put a couple of nails into it to keep it there while I position or flex the other end into place. Bravo! much easier!

After doing some research I stumbled onto a consensus of praise and worship of this model http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-NT50AE2-1 ... S71CT4NUVA

And so far, I'm in agreement, hasn't jammed once, easy to use, maintenance is a drop of oil in the air intake a day. To top it off, I went to the pawn shop looking for one locally and they had a one generation older model that I got for single crisp 20 dollar bill.

That's a hard deal to beat. From the reviews, they say that this is the last 18 gauge you'll ever buy. Good enough for me!

Any tool that eliminates filling a couple hundred screw head divots has my stamp of approval.

One last note, I had to turn the countersink knob completely down or out which ever way means the softest shoot to keep the heads from going right through the 1/4" arraco plywood.

[Tom Smit]

Just make sure that your fingers are well out of the way. A co-worker of mine was using his and the brad hit a knot, deflected and went into his finger (which was out of the way).

[LiefStevens]

Just make sure that your fingers are well out of the way. A co-worker of mine was using his and the brad hit a knot, deflected and went into his finger (which was out of the way).

No kidding! I was building an entertainment system last week and shot a brad that curved and came out right next to where I shot it in. Almost got my finger but I got lucky.

[el_ingeniero]

Just make sure that your fingers are well out of the way. A co-worker of mine was using his and the brad hit a knot, deflected and went into his finger (which was out of the way).

No kidding! I was building an entertainment system last week and shot a brad that curved and came out right next to where I shot it in. Almost got my finger but I got lucky.

Had one go into my thumb the other day. Went all the way to the bone. Yanked it out eazy enough and my tetanus shots are up to date, so no worries. But I started wearing eye protection after that.

[Rune Bivrin]

Brad nailer is the shit, for sure. It holds remarkably well; what it won't do is pull things together. So if you're concerned about the tightness of joints you should really clamp first with a 2x4. Then apply a healthy number of brads. More is better!

I've noticed the tendency to curve when not perpendicular to the surface. However, the nails are rectangular in cross-section so they are far more likely to bend one way than the other. If you factor that in when nailing you can definitely reduce the risk of crooked nails.

[Dave Non-Zero]

Good timing with this thread. I've just got my hands on my first compressor. Free to a good home and a decent size. Now to get some tools to go with it, and a brad nailer is right up there. The only thing I've been concerned with is the pulling tight thing. I'll have to make sure Incan clamp the panels properly, since I've always used th escrews to pull them together.

[doncolga]

My brad nailer is out on delivery right now, but I'm out of town for training for my work, but I should be able to give it a whirl this Friday hopefully. I'm really hoping it will speed up the build process.

Just to see if I did this right before...fine time to be asking...

When I attached the first panel on the side of the T30, clearly the only way you can fasten is through the side and into the side of the panel...so I got underneath the table to screw it in from that the bottom. Subsequent panels were attached vertically to the other panels of course, but I still screwed the bottoms of the panels from underneath as well...that was that way that should have been done correct?

[Tom Smit]

but I still screwed the bottoms of the panels from underneath as well...that was that way that should have been done correct?

Correct.

[doncolga]

Here's the new nailer! Woohoo!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monoheadphones/6333926013/

[UROK]

Nice!

[David Homer]

My brad nailer comes from Harbor Freight.. Works flawlessly...

[LelandCrooks]

My brad nailer comes from Harbor Freight.. Works flawlessly...

Until it doesn't. Then you buy another. As much as you build when it dies go buy a name brand. Voice of experience. I use Senco and Porter Cable.