A little not so secret trick of the trade: If you are painting trim, fill your nail holes w. automotive Bondo. It's less expensive than other wood fillers and easy to work with.
I can always tell when a trim carpenter or painter cheaps out. He uses caulk and it shrinks into the hole leaving a small but noticeable dimple.
Brad or finishing nail driver options
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rightisright
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Netpackrat
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
I've got a bunch of older Porter Cable stuff that I bought years ago, including a framing nailer that works pretty good. One word of caution: Porter Cable appears to have been bought out, and tools under their brand are now discount import crap. I have seen them at Lowes, and they are not the same tools anymore. I have no idea if this includes their nailers, but it's something to be aware of.
Cognosce teipsum et disce pati
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
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HTRN
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
Porter Cable es no bueno?!
What about their routers? They used to be one of the best at the retail level.
What about their routers? They used to be one of the best at the retail level.
HTRN, I would tell you that you are an evil fucker, but you probably get that a lot ~ Netpackrat
Describing what HTRN does as "antics" is like describing the wreck of the Titanic as "a minor boating incident" ~ First Shirt
Describing what HTRN does as "antics" is like describing the wreck of the Titanic as "a minor boating incident" ~ First Shirt
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Netpackrat
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
I just looked at their website, and some of their specialty tools appear to still be the old models. But the stuff I saw at the box store was definitely not, and was priced accordingly.HTRN wrote:Porter Cable es no bueno?!
What about their routers? They used to be one of the best at the retail level.
I did observe that the "Dewalt" porta-band saw that I bought earlier in the year is the exact same thing as an older Porter Cable, with the plastic parts being yellow instead of gray and the name being the only differences. So some of their other older model tools may have rebadged under different brands, as well.
Cognosce teipsum et disce pati
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
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HTRN
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
Well, that sucks.
I just did some searching, and like you said, some of the tools appear to be the same, for now. Alot of is now Ryobi quality, with Porter Cable prices...
I just did some searching, and like you said, some of the tools appear to be the same, for now. Alot of is now Ryobi quality, with Porter Cable prices...
HTRN, I would tell you that you are an evil fucker, but you probably get that a lot ~ Netpackrat
Describing what HTRN does as "antics" is like describing the wreck of the Titanic as "a minor boating incident" ~ First Shirt
Describing what HTRN does as "antics" is like describing the wreck of the Titanic as "a minor boating incident" ~ First Shirt
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rightisright
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
Porter Cable was bought by DeWalt which was then bought by Stanley.
Yes, some of Porter Cable's stuff has gone downhill in quality. Stanley is marketing DeWalt as their top of the line and Porter Cable as a step down. I don't see much difference in their older trim nailers and the newer ones. However, my newest Porter Cable nailer is probably 5-6 years old.
One product where there is a HUGE difference is their circular saws. The older 743s and 347s are excellent saws. Their newer MAG line is garbage. I've had two break from being dropped 3'. Yeah, I know tools aren't supposed to be dropped. But in the real world..... The tables and depth adjustment grooves are complete garbage. I'm constantly scouring eBay for used 743s and 347s.
Yes, some of Porter Cable's stuff has gone downhill in quality. Stanley is marketing DeWalt as their top of the line and Porter Cable as a step down. I don't see much difference in their older trim nailers and the newer ones. However, my newest Porter Cable nailer is probably 5-6 years old.
One product where there is a HUGE difference is their circular saws. The older 743s and 347s are excellent saws. Their newer MAG line is garbage. I've had two break from being dropped 3'. Yeah, I know tools aren't supposed to be dropped. But in the real world..... The tables and depth adjustment grooves are complete garbage. I'm constantly scouring eBay for used 743s and 347s.
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HTRN
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
Hurm..
What about Skil? Their wormdrive saws used to be the hot shit in handheld saws, enough so that my brother bought one, and it mostly lived up to the hype - have they too fallen to the scourge of outsourcing and corner cutting? Because I'm going to have to get a new saw eventually(currently only have a beatup ancient craftsman), and I really, really don't want to spend 600 bucks on a Festool.
What about Skil? Their wormdrive saws used to be the hot shit in handheld saws, enough so that my brother bought one, and it mostly lived up to the hype - have they too fallen to the scourge of outsourcing and corner cutting? Because I'm going to have to get a new saw eventually(currently only have a beatup ancient craftsman), and I really, really don't want to spend 600 bucks on a Festool.
HTRN, I would tell you that you are an evil fucker, but you probably get that a lot ~ Netpackrat
Describing what HTRN does as "antics" is like describing the wreck of the Titanic as "a minor boating incident" ~ First Shirt
Describing what HTRN does as "antics" is like describing the wreck of the Titanic as "a minor boating incident" ~ First Shirt
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Netpackrat
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
Is it possible that the old Porter Cable circular saws have been rebranded as a Dewalt model, like my bandsaw was?
Cognosce teipsum et disce pati
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
"People come and go in our lives, especially the online ones. Some leave a fond memory, and some a bad taste." -Aesop
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rightisright
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Re: Brad or finishing nail driver options
No, they are different.Is it possible that the old Porter Cable circular saws have been rebranded as a Dewalt model, like my bandsaw was?
HTRN, this is what we use: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40
Aside from the occasional switch and brush change (very occasional), these things are bullet proof.... which is why used ones often sell for more than their original cost. With a good blade, you will have no problem ripping wet pressure treated pine.
If you are looking specifically for a worm drive type (I don't care for them because of the extra weight), the Makita Hypoid (not technically a worm-drive) gets great reviews.