We’ll get out of the way the only thing we don’t like: depth-of-drive isn’t tool-free. Aside from that relatively small thing, this is one fantastic nailer. It’s the lightest we’ve ever had in hand, and while that may not seem like such an important thing, it will be if you’re working overhead for extended periods.

Probably its most outstanding feature is an unusually streamlined nose architecture that fits neatly into spots the other brands can’t reach and guarantees your fastener drives exactly where you want it to.

Of course, this Paslode has all the things you expect from any nailer: a non-marring tip, directional exhaust to keep debris away from your face and a nice fastener length range, from 5/8 to 2-inch brads.

If you’ve already got a 16-gauge, you may not feel the need for the smaller gun, but we’ll just say that its delicate touch is all we’d want when working with cove, shoe, base and quarter-round moldings, stair spindles, outside crown corners, paneling, and any sort of decorative trim.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

What’s in the Box
Nailer, safety glasses, lube oil, allen wrenches, manual, case