Air stapler / nailer guidance please

[fred55]

Hi find myself needing a nailer mostly to mend make fence panels, but also to use in my hobby workshop so a nailer/stapler. I think I need one that shots 18g 10 to 50mm. Out of my depth here so any comments or recommendations. I have a good old compressor used mostly to blow tyres up so air seems logical. Looking at a Sealey £58.25 but any thoughts !.

 

[Doug B]

My first nail gun was a combined 18gauge nailer/stapler from Machine Mart many years ago, it still works fine but I only use it as a stapler these days as the firing pin is the width of the staple head so when firing nails it leaves a large dent in the wood.

 

[Lazurus]

If you go for a first fix gun ensure it suits popular collated nails, mine (Axminster) is an odd ball size which limits me where I can get nails (Axminster only)

 

[monster]

Ive just bought a Bostitch BT1855 that fires 18 gauge brads 15mm - 55mm. Seems a nice piece of kit and gets good reviews.

D&M tools had it at the best price: Bostitch Bt1855-e Brad Nailer 15 - 50mm 18 G, BOSBT1855E at D&M Tools

 

[monster]

If you want one that doubles as both a nailer and a stapler, Bostitch do the below model:
https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section//sn/BOSSB2IN1#.YGj-Mi1Q1-U

 

[fred55]

Thanks for comment - thanks Lazurus never considered the staples thought they were all universal ! never too old to learn. looks like watching out for a Bostitch.

 

[gog64]

I have that model Bostitch and it’s very good. I originally bought it when I was making lots of aviary panels, but it’s so light, useful & reliable I’ve found I use it frequently. Let me know if I can answer any questions about that model.

 

[Spectric]

Both Bostitch and Senco are good for 18g brads and use common brads so no issue with single source.

 

[Droogs]

This has come up a few times and each time I recommend the £20 Silverline 18g nailer. It is without doubt one of the best 20 quid you can spend. I've used mine for around 5 years and it has never jammed, even when used constantly for 8 hours at a time and mine has fired around 10K nails. I think Custard usues one of these as well

 

[harryc]

Same as Droogs only I have had mine for just over a year and for such a cheap item it’s been great.

 

[fred55]

Thanks Droogs n harryc recommendations like this are very helpful - just put in a cheeky offer on a nearly new Bostitch (£50 inc case), give it a couple of days before I buy ! but silverline at £20 and recommended from this site my mind is made up (silverline). Thanks all.

 

[Simon89]

Has anyone filed Down the firing pin on their silverline to reduce the dent left on the wood? Good idea or bad?

 

[fred55]

Thanks for suggestion now i'm all set up slightly over kill on the compressor but it works.

 

[Woodchip Wilbur]

This has come up a few times and each time I recommend the £20 Silverline 18g nailer. It is without doubt one of the best 20 quid you can spend. I've used mine for around 5 years and it has never jammed, even when used constantly for 8 hours at a time and mine has fired around 10K nails. I think Custard usues one of these as well

... and where do you find a £20 Silverline 18g nailer? All I have found is twice that price...

 

[RichardG]

... and where do you find a £20 Silverline 18g nailer? All I have found is twice that price...

I think you’re falling foul of the low stock and inflated prices at the moment. Whether prices will ever fall to that level again is anyones guess but it’s a bad time to buy tools at the moment…

 

[Woodchip Wilbur]

Alea jacta est...
I've looked around - and thought hard... I understand fully the advice that an air-driven gun is much more reliable and damages the wood less and may cost £20 in an uninflated world.
The help and advice on here has been really useful. Even if you don't follow all of the advice, it is great to be able to make a decision that is well informed. I have worked in wood for over 65 years - some of that time professionally - but the plethora of toys now available makes me weep with envy(!)
But two factors sway me. First is the fact that I'm going to need this beast on a job down in a Deepest Welsh Valley - so transporting a compressor as well as everything else will be a right pita. Second is that I only have around 10sqm of workshop space and I really can't justify taking up the space of a compressor, even though the ability to blast air around dusty crevices - and spray paint like Repair Shop Dom - as well as driving brads neatly and jam-free.
So I've ordered a Ryobi cordless beast. I have plenty of Makita batteries - so I've also ordered a Badaptor (thank you, whoever suggested that on here!) Hope I don't regret it!!!
(Sadly, the kit will arrive promptly - and then have to sit around, unused, till the Badaptor wends its slow way towards the Man Cave...)