The which nail gun question leads to the... "Which ecosystem to buy into" question

My current Li-on tools are some 7ish year old craftsman C3 Drill/Driver combo and impact driver.  They are great and work well for my needs, but  there isn't anything left to expand the set.  You can find some stuff on facebook market place but it's all obsolete at this point and just not easy to get to.  I need(really want) a finish nail gun.  About 12 years ago, I had a compressor and a couple nail guns.  It was great for DIY projects around the house. but I think we've reached the point where a compressor isn't needed unless you're doing lots of body work.  I don't see myself doing this in the near term.   I do see myself wanting/needing impacts and wrenches for some weekend work here and there.  

So... the choice is this.. 

1)buy compressor and nail gun setup..  (why?)

2) Buy dewalt or ryobi or milwaukee...  

All three of those are available from the local box hardware store and online..  Am I missing something?  What should I do?

I'm just not a heavy user of tools anymore, but want something that will last...

Mods.. please move to Off topic.. put this in the wrong forum.  

Thanks!

I have all Milwaukee m12 and m18 stuff because I started with one and liked it and just stuck with it. I don't have their finish nailer. 

I borrowed my neighbor's Ryobi brad nailer recently for a project and it worked very well. For something like that I would be fine with a different brand than my main tools since it would be used less but if the cost was close I would probably just go for the milwaukee. 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-AirStrike-16-Gauge-Cordless-Straight-Finish-Nailer-Tool-Only-with-Sample-Nails-P325/204667878

Started my business out with Ryobi years ago to save money.  Migrated through DeWalt and up to Milwaukee M18 Fuel, and never looked back.

The Ryobi would be great for home use, but all day long banging away I use Milwaukee. Some days i drive two thousand 3.5" screws.   I have active batteries that are 4 years old.

Most homeowners don't use the tools enough and the batteries degrade. They are actually better off with corded tools.

Some tools are still better air-powered.  My big Paslode nail gun will still shoot 2,000 nails a day 15 years later.  Working a air brad gun into tight spaces i find easier than having a big battery on the back, but i use lightweight thin air lines.  YMMV

For impact drilling concrete i still go back to corded impact drills.

In reply to Purple Frog :

good points.  I have some corded stuff, but I don't use my tools even weekly(especially in the minnesota winter).

I think my local HD rents air nailers. Or you can check local pawn shops. Another option. 

Good suggestion on pawn shops, although the ones around here price everything the same as new.

Fueled by Caffeine said:

So... the choice is this.. 

1)buy compressor and nail gun setup..  (why?)

2) Buy dewalt or ryobi or milwaukee...  

All three of those are available from the local box hardware store and online..  Am I missing something?  What should I do?

I'm just not a heavy user of tools anymore, but want something that will last...

I would suggest Rigid. Great platform, good availability, prosumer quality. Affordable and they're constantly updating/backdating the platform.

In reply to Gingerbeardman :

I have rigid tools. They are good quality. 

Fueled by Caffeine said:

In reply to Gingerbeardman :

I have rigid tools. They are good quality. 

For a home-gamer who wants a decent set of power tools, I really feel like it's a better buy than Ryobi, and not the painful buy-in associated with Red or Yellow.

All my old cordless aged out in the past few years and I was in the same boat. Went with Milwaukee Fuel stuff and it is sweet. Will continue down that path. Overkill is underrated. Jcamper

I have and swear by makita cordless- I feel like once you have a couple cordless tools you are locked in for life (I am OCD about not having two different battery types to use- the MF'er who designs and mandates an industry standard battery connect will have a thank you note ( I was going to say BJ, but I think I'll just pay more for makitas and keep my dignity) sent from me, and will force tool manufacturers to get their game on).  I actually bough a cxt (12v) makita kit for the wife and am pretty happy with them too- fit into much smaller spaces.  I almost use them as much as the LXT (18v).

But they are pricey. I have beat on them for over a decade and have had to replace two batteries. I'd do it again.

Nailers: I'd go air for anything above brad. I have porter cable and am happy. 

Hammer Drill: Get a MF'ing SDS- do not believe that your cordless drill has any sort of "hammer" function. It is a bald-faced lie. Once you have used a real SDS hammer drill your life is forever changed for the better. I actually have a harbor freight SDS and it has served well for a decade. I imagine that name brands are way better in ways that you would expect but for the rare, and extreme use, it gets, I find it just fine. I have used it as a hammer, and that worked also.

I used to be a "cheapest tool that will get the job done" guy, but as I get a little older, in my 40's and have a little more income, the choice becomes much more- what tool will give me the least bullE36 M3 to deal with.

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine :

If you move into wood working tools that's a whole new area to explore and develop. There are hand tools you can stumble on for a few bucks that are worth a fortune.  
Then there are power tools. Nail guns?  I have 12 different ones. Different brands, but they were recommended by master craftsmen and worth every penny I paid for them. Bostich makes some great ones, ones that are OK and ones to stay away from Same with Hitachi etc etc etc 

The safety green, orange and red tools are made in the same factory and all use roughly the same battery technology.  That's about all I can say about cordless tools without any serious bias.  I have nothing nice to say about the Yellow and Black tools.

If you are talking about a cordless finish nailer, the Paslode runs rings around any battery powered gun on the market. 
 

SVreX said:

If you are talking about a cordless finish nailer, the Paslode runs rings around any battery powered gun on the market. 
 

 

don't need that kind of production...  

you guys are all missing the point... 

What cordless system do I buy into... that's about it.  I've had air nailers before.. I don't need or want those.  I will use these probably once a month...  at most I wanta 16 or 18 gauge finish nailer.. just some trim and minor projects..

I like rigid.. have those for my miter saw, grinder and sawzall.  All have been flawless for nearly 15 years of home owner use.