I’m looking for reviews on the Milwaukee 15ga finish nailer. How does it compare to the Hitachi? I’m not a pro, but I still like to buy the most reliable tools I can. Amazon has the Milwaukee for about $25 less than the Hitachi, but if it is not as reliable I’ll buy the green one. Thanks.
MikeJ
Replies
Add the Bostitch 15 ga. into your search. The grip is very comfortable, it's lightweight, and mine has yet to jam once despite suffering a few drops onto concrete. (Then i bought the Prazi belthook...)
They say the Max is supposed to be the best, but I too have the Bostitch and it's a fine tool. Very light and no jams as of 3 or so years now.
sold my bostich and bought a senco 35x I believe not the pro model but the home depot one I trimm for a living and I love it.
Mike,
Tools of the Trade rated them this way:
1. Hitachi
2. Dewalt & Bostitch (tie)
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleID=2209&position=8&type=article&partID=1
The review is worth a read.
Basswood
I am still looking for opinions on the Milwaukee. I see it has a 5 year warranty. What do the other models mentioned above have?
Mike,The Bostitch (7yr) is the only gun with a longer warranty than Milwaukee (5yr.). The Bostitch is also lighter and can be had for the same or less $.The Hitachi is heavier, more expensive and has a 1 yr. warranty.Call me silly, but I like the Dewalt, lighter and for about the same money as Milwaukee, only a 1 yr warranty...but nice features (balance, belt hook, adjust.). I bought a reconditioned Dewalt 15 ga. but it is on backorder.This is from a guy who doesn't usually go for Dewalt stuff (my other guns are Hitachi <roofing and 18 ga finish>, Bostitch <framer, 18 ga. stapler, 23 ga. micropinner>, Paslode <16 ga. finish> and PC <18 ga. finish & the only bad gun I own--23. ga>Edit to add: The Rigid is the same gun as Milwaukee, but with a Lifetime warranty.
Basswood
Edited 2/26/2007 7:43 am ET by basswood
Basswood,
How do you like the depth adjust on the Dewalt? Also, there were a couple reviews on Amazon complaining about its reliability. I know most tools like anything will have the occasional lemon. Do you think these are just isolated incidences? Where did you order the reconditioned one from? Are they still available? Thanks.
Mike
I don't have my Dewalt gun yet (backordered by Amazon)...so I don't have first hand experience with the depth of adjustment, but this is what that review said:"DeWalt's unique depth-of-drive adjustment works great." --Tools of the TradeI still want to give the Dewalt a try.
I have the Dewalt and like it.
I ended up with it by default though, I bought the Bostitch first, it misfired every other nail so I returned that. I bought the Senco next, first time I plugged it in the trigger leaked alot of air. Took that back and they didn't have anymore.
So I bought the Dewalt. I used it on that crown job I posted pictures in your Collins Clamp thread. It didn't misfire or leak air so I now have an angled gun.
Thanks for the first hand report. Sometimes picking a good tool seems like betting on a horse race. Read the reviews, get a look at the merchandise, talk to people...then put the money down and hope for the best.That was a nice kitchen you posted pics of, BTW.
I wish I would have gotten a better Senco, then I could give you a better report.
Returning the review for the miter clamp review.
I've got the bostitch, and I like it, but I probably wouldn't do it again. Reason being that the people I work with tend to use senco guns- basically, bostitch 15 gauge FN nails are not compatible with hitachi/senco/PC nails. Our main lumberyard doesn't carry them, so I have to go to Home Despot for nails.
However, if that's not an issue, it's a great gun- very light, oil free, easy depth adjustment, mine doesn't misfire. I've had good luck with bostitch.zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
I have three Bostitch guns...all pretty good. My framer double fires at times--a hazard for sure.Sounds like the Makita is one of the only guns that uses the same nails (25*) as the Bostitch. I read that those guns hold a couple dozen more nails than the 34* guns.It is nice to use guns compatible with the people you work with...also nice to be able to buy the nails without making a special trip.
How new is the Milwaukee? I am surprised no one has chimed in with a review.
Looks like the guns are the same as Rigid...so they have been on the market for a couple of years in the orange color.They started making them in Red last January:http://www.mil-electric-tool.com/us/en/news.nsf/vwPressReleases/9D05867FECA08F40862570ED005CE5B4?OpenDocument
I got mine at the Heavy Duty Tools Black Friday blowout but won't actually be needing it till the summer (price was too good to pass up - $75 incl. shipping).
Since I'm not a pro and have only used one other 15ga gun (old, heavy, bulky - Senco IIRC) I'm not really qualified to comment but figured I'd jump in to keep the thread alive.
All I can comment on is feel - nice balance and nice weight. Quite a bit lighter than my Paslode pneumatic straight 16ga and only a tough heavier than my PC 18ga. Real nice case too, and a build in belt hook as a bonus. It appears that they really thought out this tool. How it will hold up in heavy daily use remains to be seen.
http://www.ptscoshop.com/haubold_finish_nailer.htm
A very sweet gun, I have had mine for 15+years
dedhed,
I have a 16ga gun. I am looking for an angled 15ga. Plus, I think it is just a little out of my price range. Thanks.
Mike