Toolbox: Single-Nail Pneumatic Driver

As a carpenter who has driven more than a few 20- or 30-penny spikes, I’ve often wondered when someone would invent a pneumatic tool to do the job. Well, someone has, and it works great. The Makita AG125 ($339 from Makita USA, 14930 Northam St., LaMirada, CA 90638; 800-462-5482; www.makitatools. com) handles bulk nails from 3 to 5 inches long, and will drive anything from 10-penny nails up to 40-penny spikes. Like a palm nailer, this tool accepts bulk nails and drives them with successive impacts, but you hold this driver like a regular nail gun. A built-in magnet ensures proper loading and alignment of the nail. At under three pounds, the tool is easy to control