Brad Nailers

Small brad nailers play a big role when it's time for trim-out.

9 MIN READ
Bostitch's and Max's magazines hold nails in when the slide is open. Bostitch uses a magnet, while the Max has a two-stage door.

Photo: David Sharpe

Bostitch's and Max's magazines hold nails in when the slide is open. Bostitch uses a magnet, while the Max has a two-stage door.

  • Max and DeWalt each have a lock-out lever on the tool that prevents kids or curious folks from picking the tool up and firing it.
    • Craftsman and Ridgid allow you to switch from single-fire to bump-fire sequencing, though I’m not sold on the need to bump-fire a pin nailer on precision work.
    • Makita and Ridgid have an attached, adjustable belt hook. Makita’s requires a tool to switch the hook direction either left or right while Ridgid’s ratchets around on detents to any position you like–very nice. Senco sends its multi-tool hook with the tool.
    • The Craftsman, Max, and Ridgid tools have non-marring rubber pads built into the side that protect the tools and workpieces when you set the tools down.
    • Max and Ridgid put a great swivel hose attachment on their tools to keep hoses tangle-free.
    • Craftsman, Max, Ridgid, and Senco provide space on their tools for storage of extra nose tip attachments and/or Allen wrenches for tool adjustments.
    • Senco has a power switch. Flip this and get 30 percent more power. Nothing I nailed, however, required this feature.


    • Max and DeWalt each have a lock-out lever on the tool that prevents kids or curious folks from picking the tool up and firing it.
      • Craftsman and Ridgid allow you to switch from single-fire to bump-fire sequencing, though I’m not sold on the need to bump-fire a pin nailer on precision work.
      • Makita and Ridgid have an attached, adjustable belt hook. Makita’s requires a tool to switch the hook direction either left or right while Ridgid’s ratchets around on detents to any position you like–very nice. Senco sends its multi-tool hook with the tool.
      • The Craftsman, Max, and Ridgid tools have non-marring rubber pads built into the side that protect the tools and workpieces when you set the tools down.
      • Max and Ridgid put a great swivel hose attachment on their tools to keep hoses tangle-free.
      • Craftsman, Max, Ridgid, and Senco provide space on their tools for storage of extra nose tip attachments and/or Allen wrenches for tool adjustments.
      • Senco has a power switch. Flip this and get 30 percent more power. Nothing I nailed, however, required this feature.


      Cool Features

      Several of the tools in the test come with unique features that may be helpful on site:

      • Max and DeWalt each have a lock-out lever on the tool that prevents kids or curious folks from picking the tool up and firing it.
        • Craftsman and Ridgid allow you to switch from single-fire to bump-fire sequencing, though I’m not sold on the need to bump-fire a pin nailer on precision work.
        • Makita and Ridgid have an attached, adjustable belt hook. Makita’s requires a tool to switch the hook direction either left or right while Ridgid’s ratchets around on detents to any position you like–very nice. Senco sends its multi-tool hook with the tool.
        • The Craftsman, Max, and Ridgid tools have non-marring rubber pads built into the side that protect the tools and workpieces when you set the tools down.
        • Max and Ridgid put a great swivel hose attachment on their tools to keep hoses tangle-free.
        • Craftsman, Max, Ridgid, and Senco provide space on their tools for storage of extra nose tip attachments and/or Allen wrenches for tool adjustments.
        • Senco has a power switch. Flip this and get 30 percent more power. Nothing I nailed, however, required this feature.


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