Tool test: pin nailers

Ridgid #R138HPA
Price: $100
This small, light and well-balanced pinner offers a very quiet, rear-mounted exhaust port that sits close to the industrial-strength metal belt hook. The metal gun tip is also small and manoeuvrable, with on-board storage for a plastic guard used with softwood. A swivelling air inlet, comfortable rubber handle grip and the ability to shoot pins up to 1 3/8" long make this tool a serious contender. Shervill especially liked the large magazine-release button.

“This tool is very manoeuvrable thanks in part to the swivelling air connector. I also really like the small size and lightweight design,” Dalrymple said. “If I couldn't get the Bostitch, I'd choose this one.”

Rating
In your hand: excellent
Depth control: good
Tip shape: excellent
Reliability: excellent
Magazine operation: good
Overall rating (out of five): four
Fastener lengths: 5/8" to 1 3/8"
Weight: 2 lbs. 1oz.
Warranty: 3 year

Senco #FinishPro10
Price: $200
A compact, relatively lightweight tool that is one of two models in the test group that requires the magazine to be adjusted for different lengths of pins. “That's something I don't like at all,” Dalrymple said.
Our test unit also had an air fitting that leaked whenever it was connected to an air hose.

Shervill liked the double-trigger safety and the well-mannered exhaust port, but found the square tip “far wider and more difficult to use accurately than most others.”

Dalrymple said she found the tip too wide, but it didn't leave any marks on the workpiece during her tests. Overall, she said the tool felt stiff and is not very manoeuvrable.

Rating
In your hand: fair
Depth control: good
Tip shape: poor
Reliability: good
Magazine operation: poor
Overall rating (out of five): two
Fastener lengths: 1/2" to 1"
Weight: 2 lbs. 4oz.
Warranty: 1 year