A Bostitch satisfied customer
I spent 6 Months reviewing numerous tools for my first woodworking shop. Part of my selection came from learnerd advise from a world class cabinetmaker, who has been in the trade for over 40 Years. I needed a compressor and the combo packs offered the best value for the money. The Bostitch brad nailer combo did not receive very good ratings, but others had good experience with the Bostitch 2 1/2 finish nailer. That combo was my choice, and after using them for several Months now, I am very satisfied with both the nailer and compressor. I did add a Porter cable narrow crown stapler and am now about to purchase a Porter Cable 1 1/4 brad nailer. Between these three tools and compressor, my projects can all be accomplished with ease.

Quality Problems, Quality Problems
I just received my bostich package and have used it one day. Let me say, it is my first air nailer and I love the concept. However, my package arrived without all the parts and absolutely no instructions for the nailer. The compressor was missing hardware for one wheel preventing me from setting it up. The compressor also had a large number of scratches on its side like it had been slid across a floor. Nothing I won't do to it eventually on my own but not nice for a new tool. The instructions for the compressor are very poor. First you have to fumble around with 5 different languages. There is not US English version. This unit is built for the common market. You have to read the Great Britan instructions which seem to have been written by someone for whom english was a second language. After finding a web site (none is listed in the info) and then finding an 800 number I got enough info to get me up and running. The package is a good deal and I'm still deciding whether to keep it but just a little more effort could have avoided a lot a hassle. I give it a reluctant 3, could have been a 2.

Quality for the $
I have been a professional remodeler for 5 years. I wanted to get a compressor and gun for myself. I have used many different brands through the company, and I have always been impressed with the Bostitch nailers (roofing, framing, and finish). This is the first Bostitch compressor I have used, and I find it is quieter and smoother than our Porter-Cable and Devilbis compressors of the same horse power and capacity. This is the only small sized compressor I have seen with wheels. Although, they are small, I find they are very useful since I do not have to carry it. If they were bigger, you would lose the ability to haul it in a car or the extended cab of my truck. Overrall, I am totally satisfied with my purchase. I just put a roof on last week using the compressor.

ready to go!
i received the package and openedit and pluged it in and used it right away. I have used 3 different nail guns with it and all worked easily. It could use a wider axle with wheels to make more stable,but will try longer bolts,an this should work.It would be nice if it had an drail valve on bottob or at least a plug. Overall very satisdied.

A very good package
I borrowed a friend's unit a couple of times before I decided to purchase one of my own. His was different than Bostich's. This nailer has the best range and the compressor is more than adequate for the job, although the plastic housing over the motor was cracked-something my wife thought was to be addressed-but why bother in the scheme of things. Shipping was on time, Amazon.com let me know where my brads were at when they were't shipped at the same time. Truly impressed with the package and service, except the broken housing. Setting the package up was easy- no rocket science involved. Started nailing that day. Excellent buy in my opinion

Exactly what I expected (pretty much)...
I decided on the Bostitch Finish Nailer because of the Stanley Tools reputation, and the recommendation of two friends that use Bostitch air tools on almost a daily basis... made my decision a "no-brainer." The plastic motor housing on the compressor was busted when the package arrived-- looking at some of the other reviews, this seems to be a recurring problem. Maybe the mfg. needs to revisit the packaging design. This is my first air tool, so I was a little disappointed in the instructions/documentation; once I pulled everything out of the box and took a little time to figure things out (which wasn't that difficult), I was shooting nails within ten minutes. (re: the included/excluded instructions, the mfg. may be assuming some level of "air tool knowledge" for anyone purchasing their product.) Overall though, I'm thrilled with the design and functionality of the compressor and the nailer. I've already put the Bostitch SB-1850BN 18-Gauge Brad Nailer on my Christmas list.

Shipping seems to be a problem
I received my nailer/compressor combo today. I read the reviews on this tool before I ordered it, and several people reported shipping damage. Well you can add me to the list. The foot rest on the end of the compressor tank was bent. No big deal. A few good whacks with a hammer straightened it out, but Bostitch needs to address their packing procedures.
The documentation and instructions were pretty skimpy (make that real skimpy), but I was nailing in about 15 minutes, and so far the nailer works fine.

Horrible directions for a novice, but good equipment
I'm new to pneumatic equipment and was really disappointed by the lousy directions in this kit. I'd imagine that many people buying this kit are new to air tools (since they need to buy a compressor too). The directions for the nailer were mediocre, and confusing because they try to describe three very different nailers in one text. The compressor directions were worse, probably because they were roughly translated from italian.

For example, they provide an unlabeled roll of teflon tape, but don't tell you what to do with it. (Luckily I had fixed a sink faucet recently and was familiar with it.)

After reading *everything* that was provided ,and guessing about a few things not covered, I was happily nailing after about an hour. (I can't believe I was actually considering predrilling and hammering finish nails by hand for my project!)

I wasn't really happy with the depth control on the nailer since there's no indicator (at least the compressor has a pressure guage). Finding the right depth is a matter of turning a hand screw and pure guessing how far you've turned it, and what the range of adjustment may be. Unfortunately it appears most/all other brands are similar.

Everything (except the directions) seems to be top quality. I do wish the compressor was quieter, or started up slower (it scared the hell out of me when the pump automatically refilled the tank, even through my earplugs). But the build quality is excellent (the tank welds are top notch). I really liked the fact that the kit included *everything* you need, including nails.

Home User
bought unit for use around the house and haven't had any problems with it. received unit with no cracks,dents, bends, or scratchs. instructions are only complaint but being retired military i read between the lines and got everything working. nailer works great no hitches. compressor does a variety of jobs around the house from driving nails to inflating an air bed. very satisfied and would recomend this unit to others.

bostich 16 gauge finish nailer
I received the combo kit for Christmas. Couldn't wait to use it, however, to my dismay the instructions were terrible. As a novice I could not understand how to use the product. I went to my local home improvement store they showed me how to load the nailer and now I am having to visit with them again on how to use the air compressor. I thought that the compressor instructions were going to be better, I was wrong. So far, that is my complaint but from what I have read this product is really a good piece of equipment for a diy person.