Senco FP25XP 18-Gauge 5/8-Inch to 2-1/8-Inch Brad Nailer
- Drives 18-guage brads from 5/8- to 2-1/8 inches
- Lightweight at 2.7 pounds for easy maneuvering and all-day work
- Onboard power adjustment increases the power by 30%
- Neverlube design means less maintenance and no oil stains
- Comes with carrying case; 1-year warranty
Amazon.com Review
All pneumatic brad nailers are not created equal. The Senco FP25XP is among the better ones available. Backed by Senco’s more than 50 years of experience in the business, the FP25XP is engineered and built to provide superior performance. An adjustable exhaust port keeps dust and debris away from the work surface, while the EZ-Clear jam release keeps you working without any long delays. The FP25XP is part of Senco’s elite series of Xtreme Pro tools and features a built-in turbo setting that delivers 30 percent more power without asking more of the air compressor. Onboard tools and an adjustable depth of drive make adjustments a snap.–Carl Thress … More >>
Senco FP25XP 18-Gauge 5/8-Inch to 2-1/8-Inch Brad Nailer
I’ve been waiting years for this nailer to come out. While waiting I have bought and used several other 2″ brad nailers. Not one compared very well against Senco’s brad nailer, The SLP 20. It operates so much more smoothly , it isn’t even funny. The oil-less design was revolutionary. Not only is it more convenient, it saves your work from oil stains. Still, I knew that Senco would one day produce a 2″ brad nailer of their own. I also knew it would be the very best. I have to say ,it was worth the wait. Everything about it says quality. It carries all the best from the SLP 20 and improves on it. From the first brad you drive you will know just how good it is. Sooo smooth. No kick back like the other guns. Sooo powerful. You will never wonder if it’s going to sink the nail. The adjustable depth of drive and exhaust are the icing on the cake. I also like the rubbery grip. It’s very nice to hold. I have had no jams but if you ever do , they are easy to clear. Top it off with a hard to lose no mar tip and the ability to drive 2 1/8″ brads and you have the best brad nailer at any price , bar none. Plus it’s made in the U.S.A. all for just a few more dollars than the “cheapies”. My imports are now for sale.
I bought the Senco 25 brad nailer last week. The decision between the Porter Cable and the Senco was difficult, I finally based the purchased on the wider range of brad lengths for the Senco and the oil less design . I have used them both and operation between the two is very similar. The Senco is [$] more and can’t shoot into tight spots like the Porter Cable can due to the location of the safety nose.I did like the better construction of the Porter Cable, its part steel and part fiber resin, it appeared to be more durable, the no-mar tip is especially nice,and its very easy to see where you are shooting . The Senco is constructed almost totally of fiber resin materials and I wonder how well it will hold up to being dropped.The Senco power boast it awkward to use,the no-mar tip is too flexible and line of sight for shooting takes some getting use to. Either gun is good, the oil less feature is nice if you tend to to over oil your tools like I do.If your on a budget go with the Porter Cable.
I have used other brands that were borrowed or rented. When it came time to buy, I picked the Senco above all the rest (toolpig’s review was very helpful, thanks!).
The main frame (gray part) is heavy aluminum which keeps the weight to a minimum, lowering fatigue. The top head is carbon fiber, like the stuff they built the Beech “Starship” out of, very durable and strong. The adjustable exhaust vent lets you rotate the blast of air 360° to a convenient direction. The nail magazine opens with a large, easy to operate latch, loading the nails from the side. There are grooves for each size nail head to keep them on track and prevent jams.
I found this very easy to operate and adjust. You do need to keep firm, but not heavy, pressure on the foot to prevent recoil and keep your results consistent. The countersink function is clearly labeled and adjusts easily with a few test shots. The no-mar foot is soft but tough plastic that does its job well – I have never left a dimple after thousands of nails. The oiless design means no drips or spray on your projects, and no maintenance other than blowing the dust off once in a while. If it ever needs an overhaul, they make a kit which is about a half-hour job to install.
The only near complaints I have are: it is tough or impossible to use inside tight casework due to its over 8″ height and the 18 gauge nails tend to deflect easily if they hit knots or other dense bodies in wood. I have found that extra diligence pays off when nailing into plywood edges; be sure the gun is absolutely perpendicular to the work, a hard glue layer will deflect these nails!
It comes in a nice plastic case that also has room for one box of nails. You will have to add your own 1/4″ male coupler plug – I use Milton “M-Type” … Overall, this is another fantastic product from an industry leader – your tool and the U.S.A. company that made it should be around for a long, long time.
I am one willing to pay the extra buck, but in this category, I don’t know if it is necessary. I owned the Porter-Cable 2″ brad for a week and I replaced it because I wanted the best so I bought the FP25. The week that I used the PC it did everything i asked it to do- it will do the job. Where the FP25 earned points above and beyond the others is the oil-less design, the turbo setting, the largest nail range available, the handy belt hanger, and priceless USA construction. I have fired the largest 2 1/8″ brad into oak at 95psi WITHOUT the turbo setting. Impressive. It is so smooth you can’t believe it. I would buy this gun over the PC any day because the above features are important enough to me to pay more, although for most applications the PC will satisfy. The PC represents a great value, but really, I would expect to pay a lot more for the FP25 than we’re being charged. It’s that impressive. Buy this over all other brad nailers if you want the finest. If you want to spend as little as possible and still get a good nailer, the PC will satisfy.
This is the brad nailer against which all others are measured. The only “compromise” on this tool is the price, which, as one reviewer stated, “you could probably get two competitors for the price of one of these.”
I shot some 1-1/4″ brads in quartersawn white oak. Now… by anybody’s standards, that’s tough, ’cause the brads are so small, and they’re really not designed to be used in hard, thick wood like that. But… this nailer sunk them in (in the “turbo” setting) with no problem.
In softer wood, there’s never any problem (even with the longest brads), and it’s not hard to set the drive depth to control how much countersink you achieve.
For anyone considering this as a first-time brad nailer, I’d highly recommend it. The light recoil and light-weight frame make it a dream to use… even for the faint of heart who have shyed-away from pneumatic nailers before.
Please read your warning labels and follow the instructions, though… If you’ve never used a pneumatic nailer, there are a lot of “gotchas,” and when they “get ya,” it hurts.
Drive safely!