Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37001 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Porter-Cable
• Model: DA250B
• Dimensions: 10.99 pounds

Amazon.com
Porter Cable’s redesigned angle nailer fires standard 15-gauge angled finish nails and brings along a list of improved features and benefits. For starters, Porter-Cable upped the nail capacity, taking nails from 1 inch to 2-1/2 inches. The streamlined body balances the ample magazine in the center of the handle rather than off to one side, offering better balance than most of its competitors. Another nice redo: the angled coupler minimizes interference with the air hose during reloading. The tool’s weight is down, too, from 6 pounds down to 4.2 pounds, thanks in part to a new Teflon cylinder and a high-impact plastic magazine. The magazine loads from the rear with a by-pass pusher you can reach from either side of the tool. A non-marring rubber nose tip (with on-tool storage) will protect your workpiece. This nailer comes with a restrictive trigger, but a bottom-actuated trigger kit is available from Porter Cable.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer
Porter-Cable DA250B 1-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch 15 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer

From the Manufacturer
This new DA250B is a complete redesign from the ground up. This is evident with the slimmed down, smooth body, which shaved almost 5 ounces off the weight of the tool. We didn't stop there however; we also incorporated a Teflon cylinder to reduce drag and increase O-ring life, and we reengineered the piston bumper to house a piston "catch" to ensure the full stroke of the driver blade will always be utilized. The in-line angled magazine no longer "sticks out" on the side; it has been designed to fit directly below the curved handle. Utilizing a rear load design with access to the bypass pusher on either the left or right side, this unit is perfect for right or left handed users. The angled magazine makes it perfect for installing crown moldings or nailing in tight spaces. The range of nails has been improved as well, now accepting all 15 gauge DA-type nails ranging from 1 to 2-1/2 inches in length. The D-shaped head on the nails provide a result more closely resembling hand-nailed work. A built-in depth-of-drive adjustment with 8 detents allows consistent countersinking of each nail regardless of wood type. The exhaust port is muffled to keep noise to a minimum and is adjustable to direct air away from the operator without the need of tools. A non-marring tip protects delicate projects but can be removed when more visibility or tip clearance is needed. The quick-release nosepiece allows quick clearing of jammed nails when hidden obstructions like drywall nails or nail plates are hit. The standard restrictive-fire trigger provides more safety and the carrying case ensures nails, safety glasses and oil are always on hand. Includes nailer, carrying case, pack of 1,000 finish nails, 1/4-inch coupler plug with dust cap, oil, Allen wrenches, and operator's manual.

FEATURES

• Uses 15 GA. angle finish nails from 1" to 2-1/2"
• Compact body design for easier positioning and placement
• Reload magazine with by-pass pusher that can be pulled from either side
• Internal piston catch mechanism keeps piston at initial position - for consistent power
• Tool-free nail depth control with detents
• Tool-free jam release mechanism
• Tool-free adjustable exhaust
• Non-marring nose tip with on tool storage
• Standard Equipment: Nailer, case, box of 1000 finish nails of 2", 1/4" plug with cap, oil, wrenches, and operating manual

SPECIFICATIONS

• Fastener Type (Inches): 15 Ga. Angle Finish Nails
• Shipping Weight (Lbs.): 10-1/2
• Fastener Range (In): 1 to 2-1/2
• Magazine Capacity: 100 Nails
• Jam Clearance: Side Lever Type Quick release Nose
• Operating Pressure: 70-120 psi
• Firing Modes: Sequential Fire
• Height (Inches): 12
• Length (Inches): 13-1/2
• Weight (Lbs.): 4-1/4

WARRANTY
Backed by Porter-Cable's one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

Could be better
12/9/04 My company owns 3 of these and they really do have a strong shot. We had no problems with getting the nails to set in the toughest materials. Our problems came after 8 mos of use. One of the units began having frequent jams and then started misfiring on a consistent basis. I'm a little concerned because another one of our DA250B nailers has also become somewhat unpredictable and sometimes jams. I definitely recommend the DA250B over the Senco SFN 35 or any Bostich nailers. The Senco SFN 30 and 40 are OK units. My top pick however is the Dewalt Angled Finish Nailer D51275K. All of our crews like this nailer over any of the finish nailers we've used. (Bostich, Porter Cable DA250B, Senco SFN 35, 40, 30). I will say that for the infrequent user either The Porter Cable DA250B or Dewalt D51275K will perform nicely.
Note: We use these finish nailers primarily in oak but sometimes in wood species such as Brazilian Cherry, Mahogany, Rosewood, Maple and other exotic wood types.

Update 07/07/05: I have had each of the 3 Porter Cable DA250B in the shop for repair 1-3 times each within the 1st year. I think it's time to switch entirely to Dewalt. Porter Cable shouldn't mind now since it's owned by the same company now. Also I should add that the Dewalt finish nailer we have is still working flawlessly with the original driver and it gets more use than the Porter Cables.

This tool is more powerful, than the 16 gauge finish nailer
I have been using Porter Cables 16 gauge finish nailer, and their 18 gauge finish brad nailer, for over a year now. It has performed great. I was doing some tongue and groove cedar on a wall, and wasn't able to get a the nail on the 16 to sit down flush in the upper corner of the tongue. I picked up one of these 15 gauge, the new DA250B, and this thing kicks butt. It is substantially more powerful, than the 16 gauge. POW, their is no mistake about it. What that amounted to, was the 16 gauge would not drive the nail all the way into the inaccessable corner of the tongue. When I tried it with the 15 gauge, it drove the nail in further, all the way to clean with the surface, down in the corner. The 16 gauge took it to the extent the tip would go, but the 15 gauge went beyond the restriction, all the way to a flush finish. So you could say, the tongue extends out farther on the 15, like beyond flush. It is not the air pressure, I'm running it on a 6HP 60 gallon tank, or the setting of the head depth, I played with all of those. It simply is a more powerful machine, and the tongue appears to extend more, to drive the nail deeper in situations where you can't get the head all the way in a corner. It drives it in anyway.
I would like to make a comparison. It is like comparing the 18 gauge to the 16, but moreso. Maybe it is the new technology, but this thing kicks. The second you fire the first nail, you know it, before you even look at the result. It does leave a larger hole of course, and it has a slight D-shape to it. Reminds you of the old hand forged nail look, but on a finish nail size, and it is a little hole, rather than an exposed nail.
You will notice that Porter Cable states that it is improved to accept other manufacturers nails. I think that may be the nature of the problem some others were experiencing with the older model. They put strange nails in the gun, but now it can accept them.
I highly recommend it, and I expect it will give me the same reliability the 16 and the 18 have given me over the year.

light and right
I just bought this finish nailer this weekend and love it. I was putting kithchen cabinets and trim together and needed to use the whole range of nail lengths (1 - 2.5"). I used the depth-of-setting gauge several times and that was easy. It's got a soft air blow out which you can adjust the direction on w/o an allen wrench. It's light weight, really light, compared to most that I use on the job but feels solid at the same time. The 15ga nails are remarkably strong and that will be helpful when casings help to set jambs. Besides the overall ease of use (e.g. loading and changing nails) I appreciate the single-firing trigger... It is quite a safety feature which does not allow you to fire if you're depressing the trigger just a bit before you engage the plunger: less chance of double firing, less chance of accidents.