Second fix nailer for DIY use

[phatboy]

I am going to be fitting skirtings, architrave and doorframe stops around the house in the coming weeks.

Previously a pro helped me out with these things but no longer can. He always used a nailer, and it certainly made things a lot quicker and easier.

So I am looking for a second fix nailer that isn't too expensive as it will get quite light use.

Reading around, the Hitachi NT65GB seems to get decent reviews:- http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...-3.6V-2X1.5Ah-Li-Ion-Cordless-Angled-Nail-Gun

I think I will need 35 / 40mm nails for these applications.

Can anyone suggest alternatives, or experience with this nailer?

Thanks
Tim

 

[catlad]

I have that gun and I can't fault it.
pssss a bit cheaper at power tool world

 

[big-all]

what other tools with batteries do you have ??
1.5ah is quite a small fuel tank

 

[Himaginn]

As a DIYer I have 2 finish nail guns, an air operated gun that will do staples and nails up to 50mm, but I already had the compressor.
And a corded gun that'll do nails/staples up to 15mm.
At about a tenth of the price or less of the pro jobs, they do me fine.

It's only for a first fix nailer that I'd consider really laying out some decent money. But then first fixing you could be clambering around a roof, etc.
For second fixing, trailing hoses or cables is not much of a problem, from a DIYers perspective.

 

[phatboy]

My other battery tools are Bosch 18v, and Makita 10.8v. I looked at finding bare units to match these, but there doesn't seem to anything much. The Bosch 18v batteries are quite heavy so I'm not sure that would be a good plan anyway?

I don't fancy buying a compressor to be honest, especially as I cannot think of another tool I would ever use on it.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 174758]

what other tools with batteries do you have ??
1.5ah is quite a small fuel tank

B-A gas nailers commonly used very low capacity batteries - they don't need big batteries only they only need batteries big enough to create a spark because the gas does the rest.

In terms of gas nailers - these are generally made with incompatible batteries to just about everything else..... if the OP went for a full cordless (i.e gasless) 2nd fix nailer there would be a chance of battery compatibility because those tools use standard batteries, however there are very few options there with only Senco Fusion, deWalt DCN660 and Milaukee generally available - all far more expensive than a gas gun. There are models by Ryobi on the US market but I don't think they are available here.

To the OP - if you get a low cost compressor for under £100 and add a 16 gauge pneumatic nailer you'll probably still come in under the price of that Hitachi by some way. I've used the little Rockwell unit from B&Q in the past to drive a first fix DW pneumatic nailer on a fencing job where full head nails were specified with no problems

 

[Himaginn]

Once you have a compressor you're free to build up a variety of other tools. All of which come in at considerably lower price than cordless.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Aldi had compressors on sale last week

 

[big-all]

ahh missed the gas bit
thought it was battery only

 

[catlad]

Bosch did bring out an 18v battery nail gun but it mustn't
has gone down well because its not on sale now GSK 18 vli

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Bosch did bring out an 18v battery nail gun but it mustn't
has gone down well because its not on sale now GSK 18 vli

It was actually larger than my first generation DW gun not to mention more expensive and TBH it didn't work very well at all. The few that were sold didn't seem to last long.

A couple of other options have come to mind since my previous post - the Makita DBN500J is available (if you like elephantine tools thgat only do 18 ga) and the Tacwise Ranger II cordless nailers. These look awfully like the 1st generation DW cordless guns with the exception of having Li-Ion batteries (wonder if Tacwie bought the tooling from DW?), but at least they are almost affordable at circa £300. Plus point of battery only tools of course is that they never need gas!

 

[phatboy]

Thanks for the input guys. I am getting a pro in to help out in a couple of weeks as I am under time pressure. I will then seriously think about getting a small compressor, as I could possibly use it for a couple of other tools like a sander or chisel.

But if I do go for the above nailer, it seems like it would be fine for my needs, or look at the gasless ones as suggested

 

[Tigercubrider]

just a warning about compressors - size is important!

I have a small seally for use in my garage. tyre inflation, windy gun etc.
It is fine for short use.

But I also bought a lidl/aldi chisel and used it to drill out 8 feet x 4 x4 inch of concrete floor and the reservoir needs time to recharge.
Ok for occasional use but not for longer jobs.

 

[Dave54]

just a warning about compressors - size is important!

I have a small seally for use in my garage. tyre inflation, windy gun etc.
It is fine for short use.

But I also bought a lidl/aldi chisel and used it to drill out 8 feet x 4 x4 inch of concrete floor and the reservoir needs time to recharge.
Ok for occasional use but not for longer jobs.

I've got roughly the same sort of set up by the sound of it. Problem is that a comp big enough to run tools like an air chisel "properly" (that is for long periods of time) isn't really going to be portable in the way you want one for a nailer.
A nailer really doesn't really use that much air.
As you say, useful being able to inflate tyres, have a source of compressed air for cleaning things like carburetors out, etc. etc. as well.

 

[catlad]

I really like my hitachi its light weight
and its easy to clear a jam, a friend of mine has the pasload
and its almost identical.