Comments on: TM’s 2007 Favorites: Ridgid 2-1/8” Brad Nailer

By: Fred

Fred — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:06:14 +0000

Our kit includes a Grex P635 23 gauge Pin Nailer which has performed great.
There is a newer model that accepts longer pins.

We also use a Porter Cable BN200A which does jam once in a while on off-brand 18 gauge brads.

For finnish nails I use either a Hitachi NT65MA2 15 ga angled nailer - which I modified with a sequential trip trigger - or a Paslode IM250A 16ga angle nailer (uses Mapp Gas Cartridges) to free you from the compressor. Except for some people complaining about the smell (especially pronounced when remodeling in tight spaces) the Paslode is great (does need breakdown and piston cleaning). I think that the Hitachi is the best finish nailer I’ve ever used - but I have not done any side-by-side comparisons.

I’d also recommend a Makita AN611 which I use with SS siding/fencing nails

By: PutnamEco

PutnamEco — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:22:16 +0000

I have the near clone Milwaukee. It seems to be holding up pretty well. Not all brads seem to work in it though. Fasteners unlimited brads don’t seem to work well at all. They just don’t go through the gun.

By: Chris Murray

Chris Murray — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:48:53 +0000

I have that very same brad nailer and its a champ. It is also oil-less which makes it ideal for fine work where a small splat of oil can ruin a project.

Its also very light, which is nice when you’ve been holding it all day long, or when you have to hang it off of your tool belt of jeans pocket to position a work piece.

Ridgid’s 16ga finish nailer is very similar, although it does require oil it is my second most used nailer in the shop.