Senco FinishPro 23XLP 23 Ga Pinner Nailer | Review
Senco Finish Pro 23XLP
Put away the hammer...
The headless nailer is the cabinetmaker's tool of choice.
I consider myself a handy guy, and feel like I can fix most problem that arise around the house, but a professional cabinet maker I am not. So when I was asked to review some Senco tools, I called upon my friend and neighbor who actually has been, as he refers to himself, a "semi-professional cabinet worker" for about 15 years. He's been a woodworker for 30 years. And even though he says he's only semi-pro, the 20 full kitchen remodels he's done and the many pieces of furniture he's built makes him a full-blown pro in my book. I asked him about the tools he has used and this is what he said, "The tools I have used have evolved over the years and have greatly improved the professionalism and quality of the work. I have moved from driving finishing nails with a hammer to using quality headless nails guns like this Senco FinishPro 23XLP. The smaller the hole, the less finishing and the cleaner the job. Not to mention easier to use". You can also read his thoughts on the Senco PC1010N Compressor which he used in conjunction with this nailer for testing.
Senco FinishPro 23LXP Nailer
What's so great about this headless pin nailer?
The Senco headless pin nailer would be a nice addition to any cabinet maker's tool chest. The necessity to fill holes is virtually gone as are the unsightly marks left by the foot of larger brad nailers. I found the Senco Finish Pro to be very compact allowing me to achieve better control of the tool particularly during delicate operations on crown and scribe molding.
Swivel Hose Connector
Senco FinishPro 23LXP Nailer
Senco FinishPro 23LXP Nailer
Likewise the swivel air hose connector prevents awkward tension on the hose when trying to maneuver in tight corners. In many cases particularly with a small gun for small trim work you need to get into tight places, under counters, etc. Being able to maneuver without fighting your tool to do so is very helpful.
Both features add to the aspect of safety when on a ladder. The nail tray adjusts for different length fasteners from 1/2" up to 2" . The nose protector acts as a padded shoe and helps to prevent marring your work.
Senco FinishPro 23LXP Nailer
The handle is comfortable and employs a thin but effective rubber grip.
Another nice feature that also adds to safety is the rear facing silencer / exhaust. On larger and other model guns there is usually a rotating vent on the top of the cylinder. If one forgets to rotate this vent out of the way when nailing, a large blast of air can throw debris in the operator’s face even under safety glasses. So having this tool vent to the rear and be silenced at the same time is very nice.
Senco FinishPro 23LXP Nailer
The only thing not so obvious, without the manual, is where to apply the oil. In this case it its applied directly into the air supply while in larger models there is a hole next the head to ensure a good amount of oil remains in the driver track.
The Safety Trigger can be a mixed blessing as the main Trigger is sensitive once the Safety Trigger is released with the middle finger. On a couple occasions it was fired prematurely. It takes a little getting used to this sensitivity but once mastered it is nice to have that in place.
Senco FinishPro 23LXP Nailer
Senco FinishPro 23LXP Nailer
More about the Senco FinishPro 23LXP nailer from Senco:
It has a reversible belt hook
Last nail lockout prevents dry-firing
Onboard storage for extra no-mar pad and jam clearing wrench
All in all, this is a great nailer and a welcome addition to any professional set.
To purchase Senco FinishPro Nailers on Amazon.com: CLICK HERE
For more information from Senco: CLICK HERE