5 Best Siding Nailers in 2024 | Coil Siding Nailer Reviews

siding nailer reviews

Siding nailer is used for nailing siding to a wall. This type of nailer is the newest member of the nailer family. In the past, the framing nailer was used to do the job of the siding nailer. Woodworkers had to use rubber domes with their framing nails to hide the larger nail heads and prevent them from piercing right through the material - mostly because of the overwhelming power of the framing nailer. The result was a crude and an unprofessional finish that left a lot to be desired.

When the siding nailer appeared on the market, it quickly solved every siding job problem. It has a soft-tip for not damaging the siding materials and contains the appropriate power for siding jobs on both soft siding material made of cedar and hard siding ones like Oak.

5 Best Siding Nailers - Reviews

Image

Product Name

Capacity (nail)

Weight lbs

Rating

Current Price

Bostitch N66C-1 Coil Siding Nailer

1. Bostitch N66C-1 Coil Siding Nailer

300

4.7

4.5

Makita AN611 Coil Siding Nailer

2. Makita AN611 Coil Siding Nailer

300 - 400

5.0

4.5

Hitachi NV65AH2 Coil Siding Nailer

3. Hitachi NV65AH2 Coil Siding Nailer

200 - 300

4.8

4.5

Freeman PCN65 Coil Siding Fencing Nailer

4. Freeman PCN65 Coil Siding Fencing Nailer

200 - 400

5.5

4.0

Bostitch N66BC-1 Siding Nailer

5. Bostitch N66BC-1 Siding Nailer

300

5.8

4.4

#1. Bostitch N66C-1 Coil Siding Nailer

Editor's Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Bostitch N66C-1 Coil Siding Nailer

The Bostitch N66C-1 is the high-quality pneumatic siding nailer built from lightweight aluminum and has features suited for general siding jobs. It accepts both wire-collated and plastic-collated nails in a coil or straight pack. Our first impressions are that it is very easy to use and delivers a professional finish.

This model accepts most wire and plastic-collated nails of 1-1/4-inch to 2-1/2 inches, but it works best with Bostitch 15-degree nails that can be purchased as a combo pack kit.

The depth adjustment guide for adjusting the nail drive depth is very straightforward and easy to use. Its soft rubber-tipped nose will not damage sensitive material along with sporting a durable and lightweight aluminum housing. It should last you quite a while.

Lastly, the fume exhaust drives the air away from the user and the nailing area. It can conveniently be adjusted without the use of tools by a simple twist-and-lock mechanism. You can purchase an additional 3,600 Bostitch Nails or a swivel plug with this model.

Pros

  • Powerful: This pneumatic siding nailer offers plenty of power.
  • Durable: Lightweight and durable die-cast aluminum used in the construction.
  • Soft-nose: Protects your sensitive material.
  • Easy to use depth adjustment guide.
  • Rear exhaust drives fumes away from the user.

Cons

  • N/A

Who should buy?

The Bostitch N66C-1 offers the best of both worlds in terms of affordability and ease of use. It is a good beginners siding nailer.

#2. Makita AN611 Coil Siding Nailer

Editor's Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Makita AN611 Coil Siding Nailer

The Makita AN611 has more “premium” features than the Bostitch model above but it also comes at a more premium price. It is the lightest and most compact siding nailer in this review, but it packs a punch and competes head-on with other bigger models here.

It accommodates 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches of 0.080 - 0.099 shank diameter nails with a generous 300-400 nails magazine capacity.

The big attraction in this model is the 3-mode firing selection. It allows the user to select either bounce fire mode, sequential or lock mode for added versatility. It really lets you work the way you want without getting in the way by limiting your firing options.

The depth adjustment is simple and easy to use, allowing up to 9 preset depth adjustment settings for more ease of use and convenience. Loading and unloading the nail canister also does not require any tools. When in use, the inside of this nailer is covered with a filter than prevents dust and debris from entering - helping prolong the lifespan.

Finally, the rubber bumpers fitted at the side helps protect this nailer - and it’s also very comfortable to the hand performing an anti-slip function at the same time.

Pros

  • Durable and solid aluminum construction
  • Uses 1-1/4 - 2-1/2 inches nails
  • Large magazine capacity of 400 nails
  • 3 work mode - bounce, sequential and lock
  • Easy to adjust depth of drive
  • Rubber bumpers
  • Ergonomic shape feels great in the hand.
  • Soft nose protect material surface

Cons

  • N/A

Who should buy?

If you are looking for a reliable and dependable siding nailer that is both versatile and powerful then the Makita AN611 fits the bill. It has a large magazine capacity and the 3 firing modes make it easy to work with based on your work preference.

#3. Hitachi NV65AH2 Coil Siding Nailer

Editor's Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Hitachi NV65AH2 Coil Siding Nailer

The Hitachi NV65AH2 is a siding nailer with the performance and build quality you would expect from a company like Hitachi. It is a very capable nailer with security in mind.

This model accommodates nails of 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches and accepts both plastic-collated and wire-collated nails. Changing the nails can be done in a matter of seconds and the nail protection guard protects the user from misfires.

This model is reputed for its anti-jam mechanism and is one of the best siding nailers out there if you want reliability and speed on the job. It easily shoots 3 nails per second.

We also like the decent construction finish. It should last a long time. Adjustments in this model are easy, and the depth control drive requires only one hand to operate.

This model is delivered with a few extra accessories like wrenches and that makes it a great deal. It will require a PSI of 70 - 120 to operate.

Pros

  • Accepts 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches wire or plastic nails
  • Speed of 3 nails per second in contact mode. Can easily be switched for the slower sequential mode.
  • Coil nail magazine for more efficient shooting
  • Excellent aluminum housing.
  • Elastomer grip for more handling comfort.
  • Tool-less depth adjustment. Controlled with an easy to use dial.
  • Plastic shield for protection
  • Many accessories

Cons

  • Very expensive

Who should buy?

Hitachi is an excellent siding nailer brand. They make quality, versatile and performing siding nailers. This model has all the useful features you would expect in a quality model. You can switch between sequential and contact mode quickly and easily. The protective guard helps protect you and clearing a jam is very easy - although we don’t expect one as this model is one of the most reliable siding nailers on the market right now.

#4. Freeman PCN65 Coil Siding Fencing Nailer

Editor's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Freeman PCN65 Coil Siding Fencing Nailer

The Freeman PCN65 is a more affordable siding nailer that despite its relatively low price still packs a punch. It has a wide variety of usage and can host 15-degree plastic collated nails of 1-1/4 - 2-1/2 inches and 15-degree wire collated nails of 1-3/4 - 2-1/2 inches.

This model performs well for any type of siding, on soft material or hard ones. It has enough power to nail through concrete and the soft-tip will not damage or penetrate your material.

Adjusting depth in this model is equally easy and we like the magnesium body. It is both durable and low weight.

Ergonomics is also big wit the PCN65 and it has a great feeling in the hand. It can be used for hours without hand fatigue. The only caveat is the fairly bigger weight of 8 lbs. Not huge, but it’s there and heavier than most siding nailers in this review.

Pros

  • Magnesium construction. Durable and lightweight.
  • Fairly powerful with an excellent price to performance ratio.
  • Clear nail coil allows you to easily see the status of your nails.
  • No-mar tip does not damage sensitive materials.
  • Ergonomic form factor can be used for hours without fatigue.

Cons

  • Some important parts like the trigger are made from plastic. Reliability over the long run might suffer.

Who should buy?

If you are looking for a performing and yet very affordable siding nailer, this model fits the bill. It has a decent build construction and accepts all 15-degree plastic or wire nails of 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches.

#5. Bostitch N66BC-1 Siding Nailer

Editor's Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Bostitch N66BC-1 Siding Nailer

The Bostitch N66BC-1 looks more like a military gun than a siding nailer. But that is a good thing. It is a heavy-duty siding nailer that is also very versatile on the job.

The nail depth adjustment in this unit is very easy to us. All you need to do is turn the “Dial-A-Depth” dial and it will automatically adjust it for you.

It has a decent magazine capacity of 300 nails and accommodates plastic collated coil nails and wire collated nails of 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches. It is extremely efficient in firing cap nails and jams are almost non-existent with this model. The only caveat is that this model is mostly meant for fast shooting and the accuracy is to be desired.

Pros

  • Excellent build quality with magnesium housing.
  • Large magazine capacity of 300 plastic inserted or wire nails.
  • Quick-load feature to quickly and easily reload nails.
  • Powerful and can shoot nails deep into even tough materials.
  • Nose cap delivers 10X the firing speed of manual nailing.
  • Rear air exhaust can be positioned in any direction.

Cons

  • N/A

Who should buy?

If you require a well-constructed heavy-duty siding nailer, this is the model to get! It delivers solid performance. It is easy and intuitive to use. 

What Is the Best Siding Nailer?

Duo Fast siding nailer

At this point, it may become confusing on what is the best siding nailer in this review. If we had to make a personal recommendation to a friend, we would go with the Makita AN611. It has an excellent build construction, 3 firing mode that allows you to adapt to your work. It also sports an ergonomic form factor that makes it excellent for long siding jobs.

We also think that it has the right balance between accuracy, performance, and price. It is not the best in terms of speed or performance, but its gets the job done very effectively, at a lower price than other models here.

What to Look for When Buying a Siding Nailer

#1. Collation

Most siding nailers today accept plastic-collated and wire-collated nails. Collation is simply the way manufacturers align the nails one next to the other so that they can fit in the magazine. Plastic collated nails are not very expensive to make and also the least reliable as they break easy - even inside the magazine causing jams and lockups.

A wire collated (also know as weld-wire collated) is where manufacturers weld a very thin metal strip to the nails. Similar to a plastic collated strip, they sit in parallel to one another. A wire collated nail strip is more reliable and will “feed” the siding nailer more efficiently without causing jams.

#2. Versatility

The most commonly used nail sizes for siding job is 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches. Your siding nailer should accommodate a wide range (if not all) of nail sizes for greater versatility.

#3. Performance and Speed

An important factor when working with tough siding like Oak wood siding. The more powerful siding nailer is not necessarily the better one for the job. This is why siding nailers are more appropriate than their much more powerful brother - the framing nailer for siding work.

With a siding nailer, speed and integrity of the material are more important. You do not want to damage the material by having too much nailing force but you also require a decent amount of force for strong affixing. Most siding nailers are calibrated to deliver the perfect balance between power and speed out of the box. you can make further adjustments by experimenting with your air compressor.

#4. Control

You require a great deal of maneuverability when working with a siding nailer. Many times you will need to nail in awkward positions. For this reason, siding nailers are not very heavy. Look for a lightweight model rather than a heavier one.

#5. Ergonomics

Siding is not an easy job. Many times you will be holding on to your siding nailer for hours, nailing. It needs to be as ergonomic as possible so as to limit hand fatigue.

#6. Safety Features

Accidents can easily happen with a siding nailer. Good siding nailers have a clear protective guard that protects you from nail or debris ricochet.

#7. Durability

Durability is an important aspect if you want to use your power tool for the long-term. Both an aluminum and magnesium construction are tough enough to provide good durability. It also has the added advantage of being lightweight.

#8. Price

Quality has no price. But that does not mean you should go overboard. Try to stick to your budget and compare the prices to see which one fits your budget the best. Take into account the features that are appealing to you when doing so.

What Is the Best Siding Nailer Brand?

Siding nailer brands

1. Bostitch

N66C-1 is an affordable and quality siding nailer from Bostitich. Bostitch is a worldwide brand reputed for their quality products and competitive pricing. The N66C-1 is versatile and uses a wide range of siding nails. The adjustable depth control is easy to use and has a very decent aluminum construction. In addition, the soft rubber foot prevents material damage when performing siding jobs.

2. DeWalt

DeWalt makes high-quality and reliable power tools. The DeWalt DW66C-1 is an excellent solution for both casual and heavy-duty fencing and siding tasks. It has a decent magazine capacity along with a solid and durable aluminum construction. The soft-foot prevent material damage and the depth adjustment are all tool-less for greater ease of use.

3. Freeman

If you work in the woodworking industry the you probably already know about the Freeman brand. The Freeman PCN65 siding nailer is a versatile and quality nailer that has an excellent price to performance ratio. Adjustments in this unit are very easy and overall it is a reliable siding nailer for both professional and beginner use.

4. Grip-Rite

Grip-Rite is a lesser known siding nailer brand. But they do make excellent power tools that extend beyond siding nailers. The Grip-Rite GRTCS250 coil siding nailer accepts 15-degree plastic collated and wire collated nails. It is a powerful nailer than can easily nail onto cement and other tough material. It is also priced quite competitively with a rich set of features.

5. Makita

Everybody knows who Makita is. This worldwide brand built a solid reputation because of their high-quality and durable power tools. The Makita AN611 is the most lightweight siding nailer in this review (and our recommended model) and yet competes on equal footing with other more expensive models. They are very efficient and equipped with industry-standard features like depth adjustments, easy nail change and accepts a wide range of nail length.

6. Max

MAX or MAX USA Corp is a brand that is not very popular outside of the USA. However, they make very robust and quality power tools. The Max CN445R is a heavy-duty coil nailer that is lightweight and very powerful with a depth adjustment and can accommodate a variety of nail sizes. This model can also be used for siding and roofing jobs.

Can Roofing Nailer Replace Siding Nailer?

A roofing nailer is used to fixate roofing materials to the deck of roofs. On the other hand, a siding nailer is made almost exclusively for wood siding. One great benefit of the siding nailer is that you can adjust the pneumatic setting, either on the unit or the air compressor to deliver a higher or lower shooting power. The roofing nailer lacks this versatility.

So, a siding nailer can perform the job of a roofing nailer but not the other way around. Roofing nailers are too brute for siding jobs, especially on sensitive siding material like cedar wood. It will penetrate too deep and damage the material surface.

To answer the question: A roofing nailer cannot effectively replace a siding nailer, but a siding nailer can easily replace a roofing nailer with the proper adjustments. This makes the siding nailer much more versatile.

Last Updated on August 15, 2020 by

Our Score
Tom Bradly
 

My entrepreneurial journey started in 2006, when I dropped out of university. I wanted to work with my hands, to build things. Now I mix my background with computers with my first-hand experience with woodworking to provide insights into the tools I like best. I love everything about woodworking and have been building stuff for over 20 years of my life. I hope to pass some knowledge and expertise. See more at TomBradly.com

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