What is a good but inexpensive nail gun?
Question:could be using one a lot this summer. don't want to have to rent one each day i may need one. what brands and how much can i expect to spend? what about compressors? i'll need this gun to do a porch and possibly a roof. needs to be able to use all sorts of nails.
Answers:
go to amazon.com and read the reviews, I have a couple of bostich, less money and they're ok
Buy tools at your local pawnshop. Good tools (even power tools) are built to withstand extreme abuse from professionals who use them every day, so a used one is usually as good as (but not as pretty as) a new one.
Harbor Freight sell relatively inexpensive tools that are pretty durable. I would think you could probably pick one up for around $50.00 . As far as a gun that uses different size nails, I think you might be looking along time for that animal.
If you're going to use it that much, I'd spend a few extra bucks and get a good gun from Porter Cable or Senco. There are quite a few cordless models out now that would eliminate the need for an air compressor.
you will need different nailers for lumber and for roof shingles. they don't make a nailer that will handle both roofing and framing nails. I have not had good results with bostitch and ridgid, rental yards generally use senco nailers and these seem to be the most durable, albeit a little higher in price. you might try shopping online for reconditioned nailers, just make sure they come with a warranty
your best off buying a roof nailer and useing screws to do the deck work. just go to a store and buy a tool with a service plan.
Looking for a "Cheap" nail gun and compressor would be a mistake. Cheap nail guns are a pain as they miss load and are difficult to load. Cheap compressors are normally undersized and as a result you will spend more time waiting for the compressor to pump up than running the gun.
I own a few brands of many tools. The use is the factor in budget. Certainly you can go high end, but might get the same service from something you personally research. Bosch and Porter Cable are two of my fave choices in air nail guns.
Obviously long term renting would be silly, BUT... You might RENT a few brands to check them out before picking one to buy.
Then decide if you want a sleeve type nailer, or magizine type with the nails coiled like Old Sub machine guns.
The compressor too need not be huge, but should be able to carry off a job without constantly running to maintain 60 PSI or whatever. That too needs to be checked when buying/renting whatever gun you choose.
With no offense to one answer, I'm familiar with Harbor Freight, and I gave up on them years ago. "You get what you pay for" is a valid quote.
Do not buy a "pancake" compressor if it needs to be functional for long periods. Certainly there are portables, oven twin tank type, that can be found at 3 HP or higher, that would offer extended use.
As one other, other answer suggests, consider certain areas best installed with galvanized screws as opposed to nails.
Steven Wolf
What ever you do, get a Pro quality. the cheap ones are junk and more problems than they are worth.
They don't use a large volume of air so a smaller compressor is fine.
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