looking for a pin nailer for exotic hardwoods

[patrick in memphis(collierville)]

hello , I do a lot of wood working with exotic woods such as wenge , purpleheart , sapele , ebony , and others. i am interested in purchasing a pin nailer does anyone know if any of the pin nailers on the market are strong enough to penetrate extreme hardwoods. the exotics i use are a lot harder than red oak. I just want to make sure that i am going to get the desired result not just purchase another tool i "might" use. thanks for your time and responses.patrick

[John Schaben]

Hi Fred - I wasn't trying to be a wise guy or anything. You're right of course, the right tool for the job is the key. I use my 18 guage bradder a lot. Woodworking though, it's way to fat for tacking down templates and much more than needed for sticking boxes together for glue to dry (quicker than clamps too). Just a case where less is more.

Fred Abeles said:

Yes, John, I have seen a 23 ga pinner and, for my use, it's just a little too flimsy.  The nailers are good but I usually need a little more strength than the 23 guage.  For very light tacking, they work great.

[Michael R. Gross]

Hello Fred,

I have had success at installing crown molding on cabinetry.  The longer one will hold fine, but they do work best with glue.  I have also used them on Brazillian Koa, so they'll work with exotic hardwoods

good luck,

Michael

Fred Abeles said:

Yes, John, I have seen a 23 ga pinner and, for my use, it's just a little too flimsy.  The nailers are good but I usually need a little more strength than the 23 guage.  For very light tacking, they work great.

[Steve Cofield]

I have used several brands of 23 g. pin nailers and finally purchased the best in my opinion at the last wood show. The Grex works great and I am having very good success with all my hardwood applications. The nailer is exspensive but absolutely well worth it. Most of my woodworking friends also purchased a Grex when they saw mine in action.

[Ken Darga]

 

Keep in mind---

Pin-nailers were designed and intended for ''pinning'', an item in place---

such as small trim, and the like.

The nearly headless feature, of a pin-nail is least visible,

vs a brad nail that has a small diameter head.

The small dia heads, on brads, and countersunk, generally will require a filler material, to cover the head to make in hidden.

 

I generally practice on a piece of scrap material, or,

place the pin-nail, in a least visible location---

then check to see if it needs any further treatment. 

 

If needed, a small dab of colored crayon, or the like, to match the surrounding area, can be added.

There are several different colored filler crayons, available on the market, that produce satisfactory results.

 

Pin nailers are great for holding an object in place, while the glue is drying.

 

"Works for me."