Thread: Ryobi air powered nail guns

Off topic but related - I've got the 18V Ryobi Airstrike 18 gauge brad nailer and I'm quite in love with it. Reliable head sinking, enough power for full depth (50mm) in softwoods and it means I don't have wait for the compressor to pressurise when I just want to shoot a half dozen brads to hold something.

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Off topic but related - I've got the 18V Ryobi Airstrike 18 gauge brad nailer and I'm quite in love with it. Reliable head sinking, enough power for full depth (50mm) in softwoods and it means I don't have wait for the compressor to pressurise when I just want to shoot a half dozen brads to hold something.

thanks for that but i am looking at the airpowered ones........its 199 for a kit of three guns......framing , brads and stapler seems a bit too good to be honest so i am a little wary if they are actually any good

I bought a GMC set like that a few years ago for $149.00, have used them all although not the framing gun so much and had no problems with them at all. At that price they are throw away items if they fail, but for DIY use they could last for years. I have a Ryobi DA nail gun that I got about a year ago and have used it quite a bit and it performs very well.
If you intend to give them a lot of use I think I would go for better quality.

Originally Posted by BRADFORD

I bought a GMC set like that a few years ago for $149.00, have used them all although not the framing gun so much and had no problems with them at all. At that price they are throw away items if they fail, but for DIY use they could last for years. I have a Ryobi DA nail gun that I got about a year ago and have used it quite a bit and it performs very well.
If you intend to give them a lot of use I think I would go for better quality.

thanks.....these would definatley only be for occasional use so i dont think thats an issue (and they have a 2 year replacement warranty is if pretty reasonable - if you can maintain the location of the receipt lol)

i had a closer look - the framing gun can take anything from 50mm to 90 mm clipped nails which seems pretty good (although i could only actually see 75mm nails at Bunnings maybe the trade desk had other sizes)

the bradder though could only do 15mm to 32mm brads - i think this would have been more ideal to use 15mm to 50mm, im thinking perhaps 32mm might be a little on the small side - thoughts anyone?

and then the stapler which i didnt look to closely at but staplers do have their uses on the odd occasion.

Originally Posted by milesy

thanks.....these would definatley only be for occasional use so i dont think thats an issue (and they have a 2 year replacement warranty is if pretty reasonable - if you can maintain the location of the receipt lol)

i had a closer look - the framing gun can take anything from 50mm to 90 mm clipped nails which seems pretty good (although i could only actually see 75mm nails at Bunnings maybe the trade desk had other sizes)

the bradder though could only do 15mm to 32mm brads - i think this would have been more ideal to use 15mm to 50mm, im thinking perhaps 32mm might be a little on the small side - thoughts anyone?

and then the stapler which i didnt look to closely at but staplers do have their uses on the odd occasion.

With the receipt - I usually make a few copies. One stays with the tools, one goes in my tool purchases for tax, and the third copy just filed away.

With framing nails, I have only found 75mm at Bunnings also.

Staples are good for any fabrics or insect mesh.

75mm is the most common size used in framing. You can get 90mm but they cost about $20-$30 more per box, and remember to get galvanised nails for treated pine/outdoor use.

With all the cheapie guns (I have a GMC framer) I'd be suspicious of their ability to reliably shoot 90mm nails (even some of the good guns won't reliably do 90mm).

Make sure you check the collation angle of the nails when you buy them! The Senco/Pasload defacto standard is 34 degrees.

Hey Milesy.

Did you end up buying the Ryobi. I’d be really interested in your feedback after a few years as I’m looking at the same kit. Cheers

The thread is from 2015 so I’m not sure if Milesy will be back. I have the ryobi framing gun and it’s ok, no problems. Only an occasional user. Steer clear of the 3 in 1 ryobi gun (it’s not in the 3 pack but still) it’s a POS.

I reckon the Chicago brand from Sydney tools are the same guns under a different brand.

Originally Posted by Sam

The thread is from 2015 so I’m not sure if Milesy will be back. I have the ryobi framing gun and it’s ok, no problems. Only an occasional user. Steer clear of the 3 in 1 ryobi gun (it’s not in the 3 pack but still) it’s a POS.

I reckon the Chicago brand from Sydney tools are the same guns under a different brand.

Thanks Sam. Thought Milesy might have been a long shot. Good advice re the 3 in 1. I was looking at a Bostich but it’s only for handyman use.

Yes Milesy hasn't been around since Nov 2018 so may not get any notification of your query.
I have the Ryobi Bradder that takes the 15 - 32mm nails. It's only used for hobby use but hasn't missed a beat since I got it. The depth the head is driven in can be adjusted and has been reliable in use.
I also have a stapler of another brand but have never used it. It came as part of a set with another Bradder when I brought my compressor from Supercheap. That Bradder will actually take 50mm nails and also hasn't let me down, but the Ryobi feels nicer to use.

I've got the framing nailer and it's been fine. I shot about 700 nails with it for a project and it didn't miss a beat. I knew I'd only use it once or a couple of times, so rather take a chance on a cheapo, knowing that it will sit in a cupboard most of the time.

Perhaps harsh but then. . . . . .

I have never been enamored with anything Ryobi. Bad experience but not on topic here.

Trying to address your question.
Do you need a framing nailer? How often are you going to be framing walls etc.? If that is a frequent activity, yeah go for it.
As for a brad nailer and a finishing nailer, there are some questions.
How often are you going to be assembling a particle board melamine cabinet? How often are you going to be installing molding around windows or doors, molding around cabinets?
In general wood working how often do you need to use a Brad or Pin nailer? Probably more than you realize.
What about staples? Are you ever going to use staples for upholstery? Think about it.

OK. Start with a Brad nailer. It will suffice for 99% of your needs. Then consider adding a pin nailer and eventually a finishing nailer.

As for staples. . . . Here we have Harbor Freight, the purveyor of the finest Chinese junk in the world. They do offer pneumatic staple guns for less than $20 or so. I have bought two such guns. Two just because I'm too lazy to change the ½ depth staples to ¼ depth staples. (Yes I do use both.) But then again less than $20, who cares?

When looking back, . . .
I like you, would buy only the best that was available. I bought a PC framing nailer for $160. I sold it to a contractor for $ 200 credit on a job at the house. I have since bought a finish nailer and a pin nailer. In addition to these and the staple guns my needs are met.

I've got the nail gun, the stapler and the pin nailer, bought them separately though. I only give them occasional use, however I've given the stapler a caning putting up bird betting around my mini-orchard.

the first stapler was faulty and they replaced it no questions. This one hasn't missed a beat.

The nail gun is great for my occasional uses, including our informal men's shed work days where it gets most of it's workouts. Pretty precise settings too.