Senco 18v finish nailer or Dewalt? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

woodworkbykirk · 12-04-2008, 08:09 PM

i just recently switched from working in houses to working in apartments and commercial buildings doing trim, and the thing driving me insane is dragging a 150 ft hose around the building because of how it gets snagged up on every door hand rail in stair wells, along with how subtrades seem to think because the compressor isnt cycling at the moment they dont have power its ok to unplug it and not plug back in.

anyhow enough of the rant. im considering switching to a battery powered finish nailer, either senco or dewalt, ive used both but not in the last few years. ive also used the paslodes and im not a fan i find they need maintenance too often. anyhow what is the preference between the dewalt or senco along with a price comparison. the dewalts are easier to find, senco's are hard to find at a decent price

CrpntrFrk · 12-04-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodworkbykirk

i just recently switched from working in houses to working in apartments and commercial buildings doing trim, and the thing driving me insane is dragging a 150 ft hose around the building because of how it gets snagged up on every door hand rail in stair wells, along with how subtrades seem to think because the compressor isnt cycling at the moment they dont have power its ok to unplug it and not plug back in.

anyhow enough of the rant. im considering switching to a battery powered finish nailer, either senco or dewalt, ive used both but not in the last few years. ive also used the paslodes and im not a fan i find they need maintenance too often. anyhow what is the preference between the dewalt or senco along with a price comparison. the dewalts are easier to find, senco's are hard to find at a decent price

To hell with that! We use co2. Like the paint ball tanks. We got our set up from Lowes. It comes with a pressure gage that clips on to a belt or pocket. I have used a battery powered senco and didn't like it. I don't like waiting for the gun to fire after you pull the trigger. The co2 set up just connects to the guns you already have too.

Houston's · 12-04-2008, 08:29 PM

my friend has the dewalt. he says it works good. i did not play with it yet.

woodworkbykirk · 12-04-2008, 08:48 PM

ive seen the co2 advertised in fine homebuilding, its like $100 for the setup correct?. how many shots per fill and what about refilling . only reason i ask is because i havent seen it available around town as of yet and a few buddies working for production trim companys arent using it yet

woodworkbykirk · 12-04-2008, 09:01 PM

im currently running a paslode lite line, i bounce fire only when running base in icf buildings and steel stud, i glue it to the wall and stitch my nails, everything else i have a specific nailing patttern so i place my nails accordingly so bounce firing doesnt apply

CrpntrFrk · 12-04-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodworkbykirk

ive seen the co2 advertised in fine homebuilding, its like $100 for the setup correct?. how many shots per fill and what about refilling . only reason i ask is because i havent seen it available around town as of yet and a few buddies working for production trim companys arent using it yet

Please excuse me because we don't use it too much. I can't remember how much it was but you can shoot alot more than you would think. Maybe some other guys could give you an exact number. As far as filling up the tanks (ours are 20oz I beleive), usually you can get them re-filled at most air weld supply stores.

CrpntrFrk · 12-04-2008, 09:10 PM

Also air tight fittings would be a must. Any leaks and you could loose out on a rack or two. In my opinion still better than battery powered!

stp57 · 12-04-2008, 09:42 PM

Dewalt nail guns are about as trouble-free as gets. They run a long time on a battery charge. Use the lithium battery & you will lighten it up a bit.
Steve

woodworkbykirk · 12-04-2008, 09:53 PM

ill be looking into the dewalt shortly, or i might have to start dragging my own compressor with a shorter hose

Cole82 · 12-04-2008, 10:07 PM

I have all but forgot about air compressors. These Co2 tanks work very very well.
http://www.powertank.com/

jcs1984 · 01-26-2009, 02:22 PM

I have both the Dewalt 18v angled nailer and the Kobalt CO2 regulator. I prefer the Dewalt because you don't have any extra costs. The only plus with the Kobalt CO2 is the ability to use any gun with it like a stapler or brad nailer or even a framing nailer. They both work just as good as a compressor, I love the Dewalt and use it everyday. No cords, no refill costs, and I never run out of air. If you just use finish nails get the Dewalt.

WarnerConstInc. · 01-26-2009, 02:40 PM

I dont understand all you guys that have problems with the Paslodes. I have never had a problem. You need to keep fresh gas in it.

s. donato · 01-26-2009, 02:51 PM

the thing i don't like about paslode is the consumables.

i have dewalt 18v nailers and they work perfectly fine with batts - no need for gas. plus i just hate the smell of the gas and they are loud.

to each their own - i am not saying they are junk i prefer battery over gas+battery its just me. YMMV

i have had to repair my dewalt 16ga once in the 3 years i have had it and i did notice they are very serviceable.... just like the paslode.

good luck with what ever you choose.

is there an orange Kool-aid that i missed?

sore thumb · 01-26-2009, 07:12 PM

the senco airless is a nice gun,but does drain batteries fast,,,,as for the paslode gas guns ive bought two and body slammed them both on a concrete floor inside of a month for both,and will never buy another,id rather use a compressor

i do like the idea of the Co2 setup,its news to me,but would be ideal for quick hits for a door that was missing or a few pieces of trim

BKFranks · 01-26-2009, 07:21 PM

I've used the Dewalt and I didn't like it. It shoots a nail and then has to recharge for a couple seconds. Too slow.

WarnerConstInc. · 01-26-2009, 07:55 PM

See now I kinda like the smell of butane!!

My angled finish nailer has never missed a beat. I have never cleaned it either, just fresh gas. Framing gun only gets used once and a while, it is just not fast enough for me.

The Senco and the Dewalt sound like the gerbil inside has to spin the wheel a few times before they shoot!!

CrpntrFrk · 01-26-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

See now I kinda like the smell of butane!!

My angled finish nailer has never missed a beat. I have never cleaned it either, just fresh gas. Framing gun only gets used once and a while, it is just not fast enough for me.

The Senco and the Dewalt sound like the gerbil inside has to spin the wheel a few times before they shoot!!

I agree!! When you are used to pow pow pow..... zzzzzzz pow zzzzzz pow
sucks a$$!

xxwckdxx · 01-26-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcs1984

I have both the Dewalt 18v angled nailer and the Kobalt CO2 regulator. I prefer the Dewalt because you don't have any extra costs. The only plus with the Kobalt CO2 is the ability to use any gun with it like a stapler or brad nailer or even a framing nailer. They both work just as good as a compressor, I love the Dewalt and use it everyday. No cords, no refill costs, and I never run out of air. If you just use finish nails get the Dewalt.

Jcs how much did the kobalt one cost? also are u able to find extra tanks?

Mike Finley · 01-26-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKFranks

I've used the Dewalt and I didn't like it. It shoots a nail and then has to recharge for a couple seconds. Too slow.

Say what Whilis?

The thing does sequential firing if you want, there is no delay, maybe a micro second but certainly not a couple of seconds. I've had one for years never a problem. Maybe there was something wrong with the one you tried.

I just wish those sh*t heads would come out with a 18vt brad nailer.

CrpntrFrk · 01-26-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxwckdxx

Jcs how much did the kobalt one cost? also are u able to find extra tanks?

They might have extra tanks around where you get the co2 set at. But you could go to your local Wal-Mart and buy extra tanks.