Over time, I have developed a strong reliance on the same 15g nailer, which, based on my experience, has consistently proven to be the optimal choice. When I embarked on my career in finishing carpentry in the late 80s, achieving the desired results with nail guns was a challenge due to the absence of a depth stop. To overcome this hurdle, we had to either fine-tune the air pressure or modify the tip through grinding. In the past, I used to completely remove the drive pin from the gun for grinding, unaware that holding down the trigger after firing would prevent the pin from retracting while releasing the air. I appreciate the valuable tip and the reminder that there are always new and improved methods to discover when it comes to accomplishing tasks. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Ron😎🤙
I love these trade secrets/tips videos. As someone who came from framing but still does a fair bit of finish carpentry, these hard-won bits of helpful advice are super valuable
- Hand power tool technology continues to improve, improve is a understatement. Amazing technology improving yearly. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.
I’ve been using my Hitachi 15g for 25 years. Best gun ever. Except for the big holes. Now it’s perfect, after 5 minutes of grinding. Interestingly, I checked my 16g Hitachi(used once a year) It’s basically the same gun. Except, they correctly ground the tip so it gives plenty of depth. Cheers
You absolutely nailed it. Never knew you could do this. I've frustrated myself many times trying to adjust for the smallest hole. Especially when you go from hard woods to soft woods with the same gun.
Great tip Spencer. I’ve added those hooks on all of my nailers as well. I put an extra bend in the end to make it easier to catch on my belt. Only about 1-1.5” long at 20-30 degrees.
I did that to my old hitachi, probably 7-8 years ago now. Shoots super clean still, it's set hundreds of doors. This truck is huge for all finish guns if they need it. Also I keep an old drive from a framing gun, for jammed nails and many other things. Cheers
We did that this mod to our guns as well. I have had a regular tip without the mod break once but never a modded tip. Go figure. One other thing I do on my gun is put a little wood shim in to keep the plunger tip held back so I never have to push on the wood to fire my gun, never dent the wood. But you have to be careful as the gun can fire at anytime by just pulling the trigger. Good vid.
Thanks a million, Spencer, for making the video! a super easy and super sure way to make the nail driver modification for those with a battery-operated angle-grinder with a diablo brand with a used 36 grit 4.5 inch sanding disc on the holder for the sanding discs is to simply sand away while holding the gun in one hand in front of you while standing, with the guard clamped back, and the operating/'on' angle-grinder with the other. The metal is removed so smoothly at just the right speed to not be ever worried about going too far. i bought the Senco hook; i am right handed and fixed the hook on left side of gun so it doesn't move and by cutting out some of the inner plastic wall of storage box, the altered gun fits perfectly. To fix the hook so it doesn't move, i inserted a spring-type washer onto the air-hose adapter first then the hook. There's still plenty enough thread on the adapter to well-connect it to the gun (which i did after applying some Teflon tape.) It wouldn't hurt to substitute an air hose adapter instead if they make them with a longer thread stem. i used a "M12" washer but had to pry the opening apart it to spread the washer to have a larger inside opening and still had to tap the washer down over the threads. to do over, i'd buy M13.
I've been a Senco guy for 40 years, the early guns (70's) were bulletproof, the guns produced in the late 80's and 90's have constant jamming and anvil/drive pin issues, I will be switching to the Metabo next. Do you also have good use of their 18 gauge brad nailer? Thanks for making these videos, you are always very informative.
Another great video, Spencer. I own two of these great guns and tomorrow those tips are getting filed down. I much appreciate the energy you put into your trade education videos. It can't be easy at times I'm sure, but, yet you do it. Thanks. Michael
Great tip. I've used this gun for years and love it. I can usually get the depth adjusted so as not to overdrive, but variations in the trim type/material and consistencies in the underlying studs (especially when working in old houses) can really mess things up. I'm gonna Dremmel the drive pin tomorrow.
Great tip never thought of it thanks, I set the out flow air regulator pressure 5-10PSI below the compressor start pressure so that my air nailer is always getting the same pressure at the gun even though the pressure in tank varies allowing me to set gun more accurately and all nails are set the same depth. Ray
I really enjoy your videos. I too am a woodworker, and I’m always looking for better ways to do things. I personally think the home shop or garage shop is a home run, especially if you don’t have full-time employees to occupy a rented space. Many years ago I was faced with that same consideration of renting a shop or even buying a building, but without expanding the business a great deal, along with the associated risks, it could just turn out to be an added expense every month. Fortunately, for me, I had enough space on my property to build a decent size garage shop which for me was sufficient. Good luck.
Great suggestions. Those big holes have always bothered me. I’ve thought about reshaping the driver but thought it would weaken it. Good to know that it doesn’t affect its performance. I use a thick o-ring on the hook. With a lot of force I can rotate it if I want but for the most part it stays where I put it.
Great video I don't think a lot of people getting into this realize how particular you have to be to have a long and productive career at finish carpentry
Framing/finish nail gun, skil saw, recip. etc. I don't waste my time with any tool that doesnt have a sky hook from factory or one that I put on. Nice tip on filing down the driver.
It's wild how different of a market you work in then I do! If I left a single 15g nail hole on a jobsite I'd be getting complaints from the painter. I've never even met a finisher who carries a 15g. I hang all my doors with a 16 but those holes are covered by the door stop. Casing and baseboard is nailed on with a 21g almost all the time, with especially thick casing nailed with a 18g. Not bashing your method but boy is it different!
You mean 23 guage? Those are pin nails. They're just for nailing trim to trim. They hold in place while glue dries. They have almost no bite. They're not for nailing large trim to walls.
Ive was filing my pins down years ago. My gums lasted many years coz you could seal and gasket kits amd i camt find them anymore so i moved the dewalt battery. I only have 1 hitachi gun left i used to blow the dirt if floor before putting my skirting down. Brilliant gun.
We build trex decks, and or 15ga guns murder the trim so bad I quit using them and replaced them with straight 16ga. This is going to work great, thanks man!
Tried to do the modification, however the drive pin is retracting half an inch even when I disconnect the air while keeping the trigger depressed. When it retracts like that it sits on the “bed” and I can’t grind. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the tip😂 I have the same hitachi gun and have loved it but of course not the big nail hole. I'll be making this mod, thanks, and I've got the same rafter hooks also
When you had the gun in the vice, I was expecting a micro bearing on the Dremel bit and a template made under a microscope to get it close. My expectations need a little adjustment.
Your video makes me feel better about ordering the Metabo, which arrives tomorrow. Have you used the modified tip on a turn of century home with hard framing, how does it hold up?
I was anxious to adjust my Metabo gun but I have a straight nail gun not angled, model #NT 65M2. The drive pin is already made like Spencer shaped his pin. lucky me. Great tip anyway.
@@InsiderCarpentryDo you still run your cordless Milwaukee guns, and if so, what gauge? I remember you did review video on the whole set a while back and we're pretty confident that you could run a whole house off of them. I haven't seen you use them much as of late so I'm wondering if your opinion changed. I've been on the fence about investing in the cordless 15 gauge nailer.
I love my Hitachi 15g nailer For future guns I've been trying to decide between cordless vs pneumatic. I love the idea of no hose but the guns seem clunky and heavy How do you decide between cordless vs pneumatic
QUESTION - are you having to adjust the settings much on this gun/setup depending on species of the millwork you're working with? Your videos are awesome, thank you for sharing your Pro Tips and Tricks. Cheers from Wisconsin.
Just bought this through Amazon ( $50.00 cheaper than Lowes ) , Maybe I missed it somewhere but what is the best nails to use in this specific gun? I did purchase the Metabo 1 and a half inch to try but I've always used the Porter or Dewalt. Big fan BTW !
My lumber yard sells senco nails and that is all I have ever used. I've had good results, just stay away from the galvanized nails, they gum up the head. You just want regular bright basic.
So why dont the engineers have this figured out beforehand? Such a simple modification. Btw I've been a finish carpenter since 1999 and i use this gun ALL the time. I've installed 10s of thousands of doors. I've learned that having that plastic tip is the game changer to keep the holes very small.
I only wish my material was consistent enough to adjust the depth once. My material changes one piece to the next. Finished the video. Now it makes perfect sense. Thanks Spencer.
@1:10 LOL how many of you cringed? I know it's not connected. It's just a visceral reaction. Kinda like when you see a guy get racked. But I hope some product managers watch this video. It's probably stamped metal anyway. Thanks for the tip! /* see what I did there? 😁 */
Great information Spencer. I use the same Hitachi 15g nailer and I’ll be filing it down tomorrow. Already have the rafter hook on. Are the guns not worth rebuilding after 4 years? Ron
Hi, Spencer. I'm Bluecom manufactured 'BCS-700'. I'll release a next-level product, so I would like to express my gratitude for all that you have done. How can I reach you?
So the hidden tip that seems obvious to me is, if you want to know who's the best fishish carpenter in your area, ask the painters........ The paint contractors who follow Spencer should pay him a commission for labor savings. haha!
All 3 of my Hitachi nailers have to be adjusted all the way down to the depth limit, otherwise the nail heads won't set. It's not a problem with my air pressure. Maybe they're just getting old. Like me!
@@InsiderCarpentry really? What is happening? I just bought 15ga from milwaukee. I got info from seller that they do not like to be thrown &kicked because internal gas storage is beeing out of hermetic state and problems begins…
Over time, I have developed a strong reliance on the same 15g nailer, which, based on my experience, has consistently proven to be the optimal choice. When I embarked on my career in finishing carpentry in the late 80s, achieving the desired results with nail guns was a challenge due to the absence of a depth stop. To overcome this hurdle, we had to either fine-tune the air pressure or modify the tip through grinding. In the past, I used to completely remove the drive pin from the gun for grinding, unaware that holding down the trigger after firing would prevent the pin from retracting while releasing the air. I appreciate the valuable tip and the reminder that there are always new and improved methods to discover when it comes to accomplishing tasks. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Ron😎🤙
You bet Ron! I've been a follower of yours for a long time.
Nice tip , I've been doing finish for 30 plus years and never thought about filing the drive pin. Always good stuff man . Continued success and profit
I love these trade secrets/tips videos. As someone who came from framing but still does a fair bit of finish carpentry, these hard-won bits of helpful advice are super valuable
Wow, now this is a real pro tip.
- Hand power tool technology continues to improve, improve is a understatement. Amazing technology improving yearly. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.
I’ve been using my Hitachi 15g for 25 years. Best gun ever. Except for the big holes. Now it’s perfect, after 5 minutes of grinding. Interestingly, I checked my 16g Hitachi(used once a year) It’s basically the same gun. Except, they correctly ground the tip so it gives plenty of depth. Cheers
You absolutely nailed it. Never knew you could do this. I've frustrated myself many times trying to adjust for the smallest hole. Especially when you go from hard woods to soft woods with the same gun.
Thanks! Just bought this gun on ebay for a great price and will modify the pin.
Great tip Spencer. I’ve added those hooks on all of my nailers as well. I put an extra bend in the end to make it easier to catch on my belt. Only about 1-1.5” long at 20-30 degrees.
I did that to my old hitachi, probably 7-8 years ago now. Shoots super clean still, it's set hundreds of doors. This truck is huge for all finish guns if they need it. Also I keep an old drive from a framing gun, for jammed nails and many other things. Cheers
We did that this mod to our guns as well. I have had a regular tip without the mod break once but never a modded tip. Go figure. One other thing I do on my gun is put a little wood shim in to keep the plunger tip held back so I never have to push on the wood to fire my gun, never dent the wood. But you have to be careful as the gun can fire at anytime by just pulling the trigger. Good vid.
Thanks a million, Spencer, for making the video! a super easy and super sure way to make the nail driver modification for those with a battery-operated angle-grinder with a diablo brand with a used 36 grit 4.5 inch sanding disc on the holder for the sanding discs is to
simply sand away while holding the gun in one hand in front of you while standing, with the guard clamped back, and the operating/'on' angle-grinder with the other. The metal is removed so smoothly at just the right speed to not be ever worried about going too far.
i bought the Senco hook; i am right handed and fixed the hook on left side of gun so it doesn't move and by cutting out some of the inner plastic wall of storage box, the altered gun fits perfectly.
To fix the hook so it doesn't move, i inserted a spring-type washer onto the air-hose adapter first then the hook. There's still plenty enough thread on the adapter to well-connect it to the gun (which i did after applying some Teflon tape.) It wouldn't hurt to substitute an air hose adapter instead if they make them with a longer thread stem.
i used a "M12" washer but had to pry the opening apart it to spread the washer to have a larger inside opening and still had to tap the washer down over the threads. to do over, i'd buy M13.
I've been a Senco guy for 40 years, the early guns (70's) were bulletproof, the guns produced in the late 80's and 90's have constant jamming and anvil/drive pin issues, I will be switching to the Metabo next.
Do you also have good use of their 18 gauge brad nailer?
Thanks for making these videos, you are always very informative.
Another great video, Spencer. I own two of these great guns and tomorrow those tips are getting filed down. I much appreciate the energy you put into your trade education videos. It can't be easy at times I'm sure, but, yet you do it. Thanks.
Michael
Great tip. I've used this gun for years and love it. I can usually get the depth adjusted so as not to overdrive, but variations in the trim type/material and consistencies in the underlying studs (especially when working in old houses) can really mess things up. I'm gonna Dremmel the drive pin tomorrow.
Have had mine for 12 years , I’m sold , the senco sf40 is my other go to
Thanks for the vid. Just ordered the 16 ga metabo for fine wood nailing but plan on getting the 15ga down the road.
Great tip never thought of it thanks, I set the out flow air regulator pressure 5-10PSI below the compressor start pressure so that my air nailer is always getting the same pressure at the gun even though the pressure in tank varies allowing me to set gun more accurately and all nails are set the same depth. Ray
I always thought the regulating of Air pressure was the trick but this guy always has great things up his sleeves lol. Thanks for sharing brother.
I really enjoy your videos. I too am a woodworker, and I’m always looking for better ways to do things. I personally think the home shop or garage shop is a home run, especially if you don’t have full-time employees to occupy a rented space. Many years ago I was faced with that same consideration of renting a shop or even buying a building, but without expanding the business a great deal, along with the associated risks, it could just turn out to be an added expense every month. Fortunately, for me, I had enough space on my property to build a decent size garage shop which for me was sufficient. Good luck.
Great suggestions. Those big holes have always bothered me. I’ve thought about reshaping the driver but thought it would weaken it. Good to know that it doesn’t affect its performance. I use a thick o-ring on the hook. With a lot of force I can rotate it if I want but for the most part it stays where I put it.
Good idea on the o rings!
I’m so doing this to all my brad nailers
Thank you so much
Another top notch production from Insider Carpentry! 👍🏼
Keep up the great work…
Great video I don't think a lot of people getting into this realize how particular you have to be to have a long and productive career at finish carpentry
Yes, as always the video was very helpful. I will be doing this as soon as I have the time to all my guns. Thanks!
I have USA make ‘90s Porter Cable bought new, pin, 15gauge, and framer, still running today. Tune your input air.
Framing/finish nail gun, skil saw, recip. etc. I don't waste my time with any tool that doesnt have a sky hook from factory or one that I put on.
Nice tip on filing down the driver.
It's wild how different of a market you work in then I do! If I left a single 15g nail hole on a jobsite I'd be getting complaints from the painter. I've never even met a finisher who carries a 15g. I hang all my doors with a 16 but those holes are covered by the door stop. Casing and baseboard is nailed on with a 21g almost all the time, with especially thick casing nailed with a 18g. Not bashing your method but boy is it different!
You mean 23 guage? Those are pin nails. They're just for nailing trim to trim. They hold in place while glue dries. They have almost no bite. They're not for nailing large trim to walls.
We don’t hang hollow core doors. 2 1/2” 16g nails are not strong
Ive was filing my pins down years ago. My gums lasted many years coz you could seal and gasket kits amd i camt find them anymore so i moved the dewalt battery. I only have 1 hitachi gun left i used to blow the dirt if floor before putting my skirting down. Brilliant gun.
Great tip! Thx! The OEM should take notice and make this change!
We build trex decks, and or 15ga guns murder the trim so bad I quit using them and replaced them with straight 16ga. This is going to work great, thanks man!
Tried to do the modification, however the drive pin is retracting half an inch even when I disconnect the air while keeping the trigger depressed. When it retracts like that it sits on the “bed” and I can’t grind. Any suggestions?
@str8pmp12 Same thing here. I’m having issues with the drive pin retracting. Did you ever figure out a solution?
Great tips! That's the one issue that bugged me about my 15 gauge Dewalt nail gun. I'll try filing down the tip on it! Thanks!!
Thanks for the tip😂 I have the same hitachi gun and have loved it but of course not the big nail hole. I'll be making this mod, thanks, and I've got the same rafter hooks also
All my nail guns are Hitachi....All the way from my 23 ga pin nail to my framing nailer...and all in between.
He is to humble to say it. But he is a master
cool trick with the reshape the tip 🙊
Thanks for the awesome tip Spencer! Much more professional for sure...
When you had the gun in the vice, I was expecting a micro bearing on the Dremel bit and a template made under a microscope to get it close. My expectations need a little adjustment.
One of your best videos great information 👍
Can’t beat an old Snico
Do you still use the cordless milwaukee gen 2 and if so have you noticed any problems?
Yes and yes. I have sent them in multiple times already under warranty.
Thanks Spencer!!
Your video makes me feel better about ordering the Metabo, which arrives tomorrow. Have you used the modified tip on a turn of century home with hard framing, how does it hold up?
Thank you always great advise - Excellent finish carpenter
Awesome vid. Thanks for posting!
I was anxious to adjust my Metabo gun but I have a straight nail gun not angled, model #NT 65M2. The drive pin is already made like Spencer shaped his pin. lucky me. Great tip anyway.
Great practical info. Thanks!
Love yr videos, man. Tool making is an alpha skill, good job!
What a GREAT pro tip. Thank you!
I wonder if that drive pin mod would work on the Milwaukee Cordless gun, because it leaves a gigantic hole.
I don't mess with mine due to warranty issues.
Spencer Rene Martinez here I’m trim houses in Louisiana thanks for the tip
Hey Spencer. Thanks for the tip. Have you modified your cordless Milwaukee nailers as well?
No, due to the warranty I don't mess with that one. Too many issues as it is.
@@InsiderCarpentryDo you still run your cordless Milwaukee guns, and if so, what gauge? I remember you did review video on the whole set a while back and we're pretty confident that you could run a whole house off of them. I haven't seen you use them much as of late so I'm wondering if your opinion changed. I've been on the fence about investing in the cordless 15 gauge nailer.
Definitely great trade secret. I’m thinking of doing this to my 16ga. Would it be as effective?
I love my Hitachi 15g nailer
For future guns I've been trying to decide between cordless vs pneumatic. I love the idea of no hose but the guns seem clunky and heavy
How do you decide between cordless vs pneumatic
I have the same gun but can’t tell you how many times I forget to turn the exhaust on the back and it gets me in the face!
Big help, Thank you!
QUESTION - are you having to adjust the settings much on this gun/setup depending on species of the millwork you're working with? Your videos are awesome, thank you for sharing your Pro Tips and Tricks. Cheers from Wisconsin.
Not much. Sometimes I may have to adjust deeper for oak.
Just bought this through Amazon ( $50.00 cheaper than Lowes ) , Maybe I missed it somewhere but what is the best nails to use in this specific gun? I did purchase the Metabo 1 and a half inch to try but I've always used the Porter or Dewalt. Big fan BTW !
My lumber yard sells senco nails and that is all I have ever used. I've had good results, just stay away from the galvanized nails, they gum up the head. You just want regular bright basic.
Great idea. Would like some nicer close-ups for my old eyes
Any differences between the older Hitachi vs. the newer Metabo nailers, did they change anything? Thanks.
Just the name on the gun as far as I can tell.
So why dont the engineers have this figured out beforehand? Such a simple modification. Btw I've been a finish carpenter since 1999 and i use this gun ALL the time. I've installed 10s of thousands of doors. I've learned that having that plastic tip is the game changer to keep the holes very small.
Thanks for the great tip!
If you only had a single brad nailer, would it be a 15ga or a 16ga? I already have a couple of 18s , a stapler and a pin.
Fantastic tip. Thank you
I only wish my material was consistent enough to adjust the depth once. My material changes one piece to the next.
Finished the video. Now it makes perfect sense. Thanks Spencer.
What about the rubber strike plate on the nailer?
Great tip. I have that same exact nail gun. where can I find that rubber tip?
Have you done this on a battery power nail gun? Do you know how to get pin to stay extended in a battery powered nail gun?
I don't do it on my cordless guns. I'm not sure how and it would void the warranty I'm sure. I send those in fairly often.
Thank you
Thanks for the tips!!!
Hi, wouldn't the type of wood also be a problem with nail depth?.. ty in advance
@1:10 LOL how many of you cringed? I know it's not connected. It's just a visceral reaction. Kinda like when you see a guy get racked. But I hope some product managers watch this video. It's probably stamped metal anyway. Thanks for the tip! /* see what I did there? 😁 */
Great tip
What compressor are you running on the job site?
Nice advice!!!
Great information Spencer. I use the same Hitachi 15g nailer and I’ll be filing it down tomorrow. Already have the rafter hook on. Are the guns not worth rebuilding after 4 years?
Ron
I broke a piece on this one and felt it was a better decision to replace with new. Plus then I could justify making this video...lol
My nephew prefers automotive air fittings, not the typical oem
Nail length a factor? And lubricant?
Can this be done with other nailers as well? Battery nailers? 18 gauge nailers?
I have never done it to a battery nailer but I do also do it to my 18 gauge air nailers.
@@InsiderCarpentry do you have a recommendation for 18 gauge air nailer?
Great tip!!!
Have you done this with cordless ?
Nope. Harder to access the drive pin and it would void the warranty which I tend to use on cordless guns.
Great info!!!
I use the same gun, had mine for about 20 years now it’s starting to fall apart. Do you think the Metabo is the same quality as the old Hitachi?
They are the exact same gun with a different name on the side as far as I can tell. I get a ton of use out of these guns considering the price.
Great video as usual. Do you put oil drop in before using them? Can you show the clamp ass thats under your tablesaw. I need to build one.
Thanks
Leo
And what psi do you set the compressor
Thanks
I just bought a new senco. Was going to file down the driver but senco already did.
@@chadholcomb5780the Senco is a great gun, still use my SFN 40 I got about 30 years ago 😂
Hi, Spencer. I'm Bluecom manufactured 'BCS-700'. I'll release a next-level product, so I would like to express my gratitude for all that you have done. How can I reach you?
Your welcome! I think I own about 5 pair LOL. You can reach me via email. spencer@insidercarpentry.com
Great!
I got the metabo on a glitch Lowe’s 20 bucks
So the hidden tip that seems obvious to me is, if you want to know who's the best fishish carpenter in your area, ask the painters........ The paint contractors who follow Spencer should pay him a commission for labor savings. haha!
All 3 of my Hitachi nailers have to be adjusted all the way down to the depth limit, otherwise the nail heads won't set. It's not a problem with my air pressure. Maybe they're just getting old. Like me!
Clean them fairly, oil them and change orings
Great tip!!! Milwaukee gen 2 15 Ga as well?
No, Due to warranty issues I don't mess with that one. I have to send them in too often.
@@InsiderCarpentry really? What is happening? I just bought 15ga from milwaukee. I got info from seller that they do not like to be thrown &kicked because internal gas storage is beeing out of hermetic state and problems begins…
Cordless seems cool but these just work
Hmm. Washer on air fitting. Wouldn’t have expected it to be air tight. 👍
It's on the other side of the threads. There is no air flow anywhere near it.
You are still using air tools? what happened to all the great battery guns you use?
those guns feel like they weigh negative 2lbs, thumbs up
That exhaust button can be use to scary the shit out of people blasting people in the face when talking or when ever alot of people jump back
That’s a great tip .. u would think the manufacturer would be smarter than the carpenters that use it…
Nice vid, but bump firing finish nails? Why? lol
Why not?
Fuking awesome
2:27 pause