15 ga nailer vs 16 ga nailer

1989gta · **Joined:** Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:35 pm **Posts:** 47

I'm getting ready to install 5 in braz cherry and need something to face nail the starting row. Will the 16 ga nailer give me the penetrating and holding power for this or do i need the 15 ga one. I'm looking at porter cable nailer combo kit.

thank you for your response
nick

Gary · **Posted:** Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:40 am

I prefer 15 gauge. I have seen some use 16 gauge but IMO, those thinner nails do not work as well.

1989gta · **Joined:** Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:35 pm **Posts:** 47

thanks for your response gary i'll get the 15 ga

ghouse · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:42 am

I know this reply is a little late, but I thought I'd add my 2c.

I have that same Porter-Cable combo kit before I started installing my floor (3/4" oak) and I used the 16g nailer that I already had for the first couple of small bedrooms. I found that the P-C nailer wouldn't consistently sink the heads of the 2" brads in the oak I was using. It was taking forever to have to set them with a hammer and nailset. Plus, it seemed like I had to put in several nails to get the boards feeling solid.

I bought a 15g nailer (from Harbor Freight, item 94440 on sale for $79) to finish up the installation and was much happier. It worked great for a large master bedroom and a great room, probably 700sqft.

My project is taking quite a long time and I'm getting back to the little bedrooms for sanding and finishing now and I'm finding that the boards I did with the 16g nailer aren't as tight as I'd have liked. Wish I'd had the 15g for the whole job!

BTW, that Harbor Freight nailer shoots Senco brand nails. I've used it for over 2 months now and have yet to have a single misfire. Very pleased with it.

Greg

Floorguy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:27 pm

Your using a stick nailer to completely fasten your floor? Not a flooring nailer??

ghouse · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:31 am

Floorguy wrote:

Your using a stick nailer to completely fasten your floor? Not a flooring nailer??

No, I just use it at the edges where the flooring nailer won't fit. Flooring nailer until it won't fit, then blind nail with the 15g until it won't fit, then face nail with the 15g to the wall.

In my last project (mentioned above), I installed the flooring to sleepers over radiant heat tubing, so there are some additional places I need to face nail to avoid hitting the tubes.

Greg

1989gta · **Joined:** Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:35 pm **Posts:** 47

thanks for all the input guys, i think i'll make the purchase on the 15g

thanks again

15 ga nailer vs 16 ga nailer

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