Trains.com

Brad nailers

1315 views
14 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Brad nailers
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 7, 2004 7:37 PM
Hi : I'm a begining garden railroader with a couple of wooden tunnel portal kits that I'd like to build this winter. The kits come with both 5/8" nails and 1/2" finishing nails. I'm wondering if I could use an electric brad nailer. If it's possible, are there any nailers on the market that use at least 1/2" to 1" nails?


Thanks in advance for your help
Speederman01
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Nebraska City, NE
  • 1,223 posts
Posted by Marty Cozad on Sunday, November 7, 2004 7:50 PM
Welcome ,,man
you may want to check out different hardware stores. I use air brad nailers cause you'll find all kinds of uses with them around the house. Plus air for spray painting your trains. framing guns to build a shop to play with your trains.
it just goes on and on.

Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?

Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, November 8, 2004 8:48 AM
It would help if you fill out your profile so we know where you are, and can give better advice about what stores may be in your area. You can get brad nailers wtih a capacity of up to 3 inches, I believe.. If you live in the U.S., check your local Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, Wal-Mart, K-mart, Harbor Freight Tools, or whatever general construction supplies store you have in your area. I have seen both electric and air nail guns.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Notheast Oho
  • 825 posts
Posted by grandpopswalt on Monday, November 8, 2004 1:52 PM
I have an electric nail gun that uses 1/2" to 1 1/4" brads. Bought it at Home Depot.

Walt
"You get too soon old and too late smart" - Amish origin
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 8, 2004 1:54 PM
I even have an Easy Shot (TM) hand stapler that shoots flat head brads as well. THey even look like spikes, kinda.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 2:49 PM
I notice you're in Canada. FWIW, pneumatic brad nailers typically shoot 18 ga brads from 5/8 up to 2". I'm not aware of any that go down to 1/2" as pneumatic staple guns are generally used in that grip length and below. These nailers are pretty handy and probably a smart investment (especially if you already have a compressor) as they can be used for trestle construction, cribbing, and other chores. Grizzly markets a pretty good line for the occasional user and I think they'll ship out of the U.S.. HTH.

I forgot to add that I'm a beginner as well. ;-)

Bob Zajicek
----------------
Marietta, GA
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 5:38 PM
Couldn't live without one! I have pneumatic(air compressor powered) just watch those fingers on the small parts!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 11:17 PM
I love toys [^]
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: S.Easton , Mass.
  • 593 posts
Posted by smcgill on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 8:37 AM
He who dies with the most tools win!!

Mischief

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Notheast Oho
  • 825 posts
Posted by grandpopswalt on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 5:11 PM
Speederman,

I was mistaken about the range of brad sizes my nailer uses, the actual range is 5/8" to 1 1/4" brads.

It's a Arrow Electro-matic M/N ET 200. I think I paid about $58 for it from Home Depot. Note that it shoots nails only, no staples. So far I'm very happy with it. Easily penatrates oak, Treks, and PT wood.

Walt
"You get too soon old and too late smart" - Amish origin
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 18, 2004 7:21 PM
Here in Oz there are lots of cheap Chinese type electric brad guns, i bought mine for a ridiculously low price and it fires 14 mm brads at the most, plus staples. It has two problems that i can ;live with though

1/ It is not clearly marked where the brads actually come out.

2/ You need to hold the gun really hard against the wood for the brad to penetrate properly.

But for the money its worth it to me.


Regards


ian
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 19, 2004 7:42 PM
Senco makes a 23 gauge nailer and its great for modeling. It takes 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" and 1" these pins ar so fine they are hard to see once they are shot in. The pins come only galvinized. They work great with the softer woods such as cedar and redwood. If you have a good tool store close by they can order it for you. Home Depot carries the Senco line but they don't stock this nailer. Good Luck.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 19, 2004 9:06 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Rocky47

Senco makes a 23 gauge nailer and its great for modeling. It takes 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" and 1" these pins ar so fine they are hard to see once they are shot in. The pins come only galvinized. They work great with the softer woods such as cedar and redwood. If you have a good tool store close by they can order it for you. Home Depot carries the Senco line but they don't stock this nailer. Good Luck.


Are you refering to the new "head less" pinner? That's next on my list, I own the rest of their display, and named my dog after them[:D]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 20, 2004 11:31 PM
Is Brad Nailer any relation to Brad Pitt?

Ian
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 21, 2004 7:32 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Is Brad Nailer any relation to Brad Pitt?

Ian


Ian No, Brad nailer = Jennifer Anison[;)][:D]

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy