Senco Reviews

I am a novice "weekend" carpenter. I recently purchased an older home that has needed a bunch of work which I like to do myself to the extent possible. My wife was getting frustrated with how long it took me to get projects done and was threatening to call in some expensive help.

I bought the palm nailer because I could not foresee enough projects to justify the cost (and storage hassle) of buying a framing gun. The palm nailer seemed like an interesting solution. I bought the Senco A9 because of Senco's reputation and the reviews that I read here. (I considered the A20 with all of the gadgets, but read a couple of things about it that scared me, so I decided to stick with what seemed to be the best.)

I can't compare this to other palm nailers, but so far this has worked great. It's pretty fun to use, and it has fulfilled my stated purpose of speeding up my work. When I need to bang something together (especially in awkward or high places, such as building storage spaces above the garage rafters), I can finish the job in a fraction of the time.

Also, our home is plaster, and driving a nail with a palm nailer creates a lot less vibration (and potential damage to plaster) than a hammer in my novice hands (and probably, for that matter, in anyone's hands).

This has definitely satisfied my desire to have a tool to allow me to quickly drive big nails without having to buy a framing gun. Assuming it holds up, I would recommend this to anyone.

Let me add a few items for those potential buyers who are novices. I had done some internet research on palm nailers before buying this (i.e., google searches, etc.) but had not spoken to anyone who had actually used one. Most of this is probably obvious to experienced tradespeople, but these are the things I wish I had known before buying this product.

1. Unlike a traditional nail gun, this device seems to work by percussion (striking the nail) rather than by shooting the nail. It's like a mini-jack hammer. You place the nail inside the guide (the little tube you see sticking out in the picture), press the nail against the surface, and when there is enough pressure in the guide, the little "hammer" inside the guide rapidly hits the nail until the nail has been driven in. Even though it works by percussion, the nailer does not vibrate the nailing surface the way a hammer would.

2. Because it operates by striking the nails, it's pretty loud.

3. Before buying, I had actually thought (don't ask me why, ignorance combined with wishful thinking) that I might be able to drive both round head and 6d finish nails (i.e., nails without heads) with this and have an all in one poor man's finish and framing gun. This is not a tool for driving finish nails, although I actually succeeded in driving a couple with it. First, because the heads of finish nails are small, it's hard to make them sit straight in the guide. Second, this nailer is activated by the guide pressing (with some force) against the nailing surface. In my experience, you will definitely leave marks on the surface being nailed. In other words, don't think this can be used as a finish nailer!

4. I have had a little trouble getting the nails to sit straight in the magnetic guide. Because the tool is meant to accomodate nails of different size, the nail does not sit tight/flush in the guide. As you are pressing the nail against the nailing surface, I sometimes end up pointing the nail in an unintended direction. I'm sure that this will improve over time, but in the meantime, when I am worried about alignment, I go ahead and start the nail with a blow from the hammer and then press the nailer against it and it works fine.

5. My guess is that this is probably a little safer than a framing gun. I don't think it would be possible to shoot a nail across the room with this tool. Also, it's much lighter.

6. Senco's instructions really stink. That doesn't matter if you are an experience tradesperson, but it creates interesting challenges for novices.

All in all, I think this is a great choice for a home handyman/woman who wants a quick way of driving roundhead nails without buying a framing gun.

My brother-in-law is a carpenter by trade, and when his sister informed him that I had "taken up" home improvement, he immediately presented me with a gift-wrapped Palm Nailer - delighted, no doubt, that I had acquired a pass-time more manly than walking our Bichon Frise. The sad truth is that I only improved my home for a few hours one afternoon, until a misadventure with a wiring kit caused a major local blackout. However to make Raul feel better I now repair to the cellar whenever he pulls into our driveway, and set to audibly firing nails into a variety of boards that I assembled for that purpose. I have found that the Palm Nailer requires little in the way of set-up, and can be readily deployed by novice and expert alike. It truly packs a wallop, and can drive nails through walls, board, planks, and (no doubt) careless human hands with extraordinary power & precision. Speaking of which, the people at Senco must be commended for their admirable candor about the gory dangers associated with this efficient but lethal appliance. Phillip Morris didn't name its flagship product the Marlboro Cancer Stick. Microsoft doesn't call its operating system the Monopolist's Bludgeon. But Senco has named this mighty new tool after the worst-case scenario facing the novice user (although I noticed that they don't yet have a "Digit Severer" or a "Carotid Puncturer" on offer).

I actually own the newer A20 model, which is only ... At this price, this tool is a reasonable purchase for the do-it-yourselfer and from Senco's website, I could not find any substantial differences from the pricier A9 model. This tool is great for remodeling work since it can nail in tight locations where swinging a hammer or fitting a drill or conventional nailgun is impossible. For new construction, it works well for attaching metal brackets such as joist hangers. It takes a little practice to start and drive 16d nails straight, but they go in almost effortlessly with little recoil. If you already own a compressor, then I recommend you get one of these-you will avoid a lot of aching arms and blisters!

I was installing hardwood flooring and rented the hardwood nailer. I was going to buy a cheaper model finish nailer, but the local tool store had four of these "special" promotion package deals for $279.99. I needed it right away, so I grabbed one and am very happy I did. Shot about 200 2" nails into 3/4" maple flooring with no problems. Have not tried the brad nailer yet, but based on the 41XP I will love it!

These are the first nailers I have ever owned or used, but I am amazed at how easy they operate. Another comment that may interest someone is that the hardwood floor nailer I rented was also made by Senco. Shot over 3,000 nails with no jams. I will definetely look for another Senco next time I install hardwood!!!

The 1Z0013N product number is for FP41-XP bundled with 18ga brad nailer. There are many reviews of the FP41-XP under another product number. (You guessed it - FP41-XP.) Of the 17 reviews there (as of 09/19/03) all were four or five stars. Sounds like an excellent gun.

I've been installing lots of crown molding with an 18 gauge brad nailer and have been putting off the purchase of a 15 gauge finish nailer, until recently. I decided to go with the best and bought the Senco FP 41XP. I am very impressed with the engineering of the gun. It is well balanced, lightweight, silky smooth and fires reliably without leaving a mark. I highly recommend the Senco FP 41XP (too bad I bought my gun before Amazon decided to throw the FP15 gun in with the deal).

I bought these nails for use in the DeWalt D51275K nailer. It works well so far. I just wished they made these nails in a galvanized version so I can use them in bathroom trimwork.

These nails work perfectly with my DeWalt D51275K 15 gauge angled finish nailer, and the size/shape of the reuseable plastic case they come in is handy for holding extra nails in the tool belt or even your back pocket.

Not mentioned in the Amazon description is the following included with the nails: "Fits SENCO SFN1, SFN30, SFN40; AccuSet A250FN; Craftsman 18432, 18442; DeWalt D51275K; Porter-Cable DA250A." There are 700 nails in the pack. The DeWalt can be finickey about nails, and it definitely likes these.

I purchased my nailer from Amazon, and at the time they were offering $25 off purchases over $199. To hit that number, the only thing I could think of was to get a variety of nails, so I added these AccuSet 1-1/2" nails, along with a pack of 2" nails and a pack of 2-1/2" nails to the shopping cart. So I got variety of nail sizes that work good with my nailer practically for free. Can't beat that.

I have been shooting these nails in my Porter Cable Bammer for a few years now and I haven't had any problems. Though I don't use my tools for a living, I am an avid woodworker and home renovator. As such I would say that in the past 5 years I have shot a thousand or so of these nails through my P-C Bammer gun and I can count the times it misfired on one hand. As long as the gun is set properly you should have no problems with jamming or with setting these nails below the surface of the wood.

With the good experience I have had, I can easily recommend these as a good buy!

IF THERE IS A PERFECT SIZE NAIL THIS IS IT.THE 2" ACCUSET NAIL IS JUST ABOUT PERFECT FOR ANY JOB YOU HAVE.I'VE USED IT TO NAIL HARDWOOD FLOORING DOWN,BASEMOLDING,DOOR MOULDING AND I CAN CAN GO ON AND ON.GOOD NAIL GOOD PRICE..

These nails work perfectly with my DeWalt D51275K 15 gauge angled finish nailer, and the size/shape of the reuseable plastic case they come in is handy for holding extra nails in the tool belt or even your back pocket.

Not mentioned in the Amazon description is the following included with the nails: "Fits SENCO SFN40; AccuSet A250FN; Craftsman 18432, 18442; DeWalt D51275K; Porter-Cable DA250A." There are 700 nails in the pack. I can't speak for the other brands, but I know the DeWalt can be finickey about nails, and it definitely likes these.

I purchased my DeWalt nailer from Amazon, and at the time they were offering $25 off purchases over $199. To hit that number, the only thing I could think of was to get a variety of nails, so I added these AccuSet 2-1/2" nails, along with a pack of 2" nails and a pack of 1-1/2" nails to the shopping cart. A variety of nail sizes that work good with my nailer practically for free. Can't beat that.

THE ACCUSET 2 1/2" NAIL WAS PERFECT FOR NAILING DOWN MY SUB FLOOR
IN MY NEW DINING ROOM,ALSO I NEEDED TO HANG THICK WIDE CROWN MOLDING AND THIS ACCUSET NAIL WAS THE PERFECT SIZE FOR THESE JOBS..LET ME ALSO SAY THE FLOOR OR MOLDING AINT GOING ANYWHERE WITH THESE NAILS SECURING THEM DOWN

Since I am not a framer and bought this for a home addition, I decided the best source for opinion would be a friend who is. I also talked to my local repair service about how often they see these guns come in. Both were completely convinced that the Senco gun was the best thing going. The repair service said "If you buy it, you'll never have to buy another." In use, this was a great tool. I adjusted the settings once and didn't fool with them for the two month duration of my project. I used the range of fasteners from 3 1/4" galv to 2 3/8" RS and it set them all with no problems. I don't know what "typical" recoil is supposed to be, but it was not significant. My wife and my grandfather both had a hand with the gun and neither had difficulties. The only thing I didn't care for was the little plastic boot that covers the teeth on the nose. Designed to protect the gun from marring surfaces, I didn't see the issue when it came to studs and sheathing. Frankly, I put it in my pouch and left it there. The teeth assured me the gun would bite and put the nail where I intended, especially in toenailing. Quick, comfortable, and balanced. After owning the 600, I'll never buy a gun that isn't a Senco.

I have been a builder for 18 years now and have used my share of Framing Nail Guns, and i think this one has it all. The weight is great at 8 lbs. The nails are fast and easy to load, and it is very powerful. My previous framing gun I bought from a friend because the price was right( Bostitch n80S) It is time consuming to load the nails plus it won't drive 16 penny nails much at all, even into green wood so I have always had to use 12 penny nails. The framepro 600 drives 16 penny nails with ease even below the surface if you wish. The bottom line is, I highly reccommend this gun to anyone who spends time framing.

Although I have not tried these screws in my Senco Autofeed guns, I have tried them in my Makita autofeed systems, and they work better than the Makita brank collated screws. I had tried Senco Duraspin screws in the Makita autofeed gun, and they just didn't work. These do.

This is my first experience with pin nails, and let me tell you, they are everything they're supposed to be - quick, secure, and nearly invisible. Glue and clamp the joint, shoot a couple pins through, and PRESTO! Take the workpiece from the clamp and move on to the next. Technology at its finest. No complaints!

I have used break-away pins prior to the purchase of my Porter Cable pneumatic pinner, and will likely never go back. I do have to say though, that using pins as long as the 1", make sure that you have at least 100lbs psi to work with. If not, the heads will not completely recess, at least into 3/4" red oak. Worth mentioning, they are only good to pin an item until the glue sets...if you need strength, go with at least an 18ga nailer.

exellent value great assortment if your like me and just have the odd jobs to do