What's inside
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A Porter-Cable nail gun set is almost always one of three configurations: the three-nailer pneumatic combo built around the C2002 6-gallon pancake compressor, a two-nailer version of that same kit, or a 20V MAX cordless kit pairing a single nailer with a battery and charger. The pneumatic combos deliver the lowest cost per tool and cover nearly all trim and finish work; the cordless kits trade capacity for grab-and-go convenience. The right pick comes down to two questions: whether you already own a compressor, and which nail gauges your projects actually require.
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What each Porter-Cable nail gun set actually includes
The flagship bundle is the PCFP12234, which packs three nailers — the FN250C 16-gauge finish nailer, BN200C 18-gauge brad nailer, and PIN138 23-gauge pin nailer — alongside the C2002 compressor, a 25-foot hose, starter fasteners, and a carry bag. A two-nailer version (commonly sold as PCFP12656) drops the pin nailer. Everything else in the lineup — the DA250C 15-gauge angled finish nailer, the FR350B round-head framing nailer, the RN175B coil roofing nailer, and the NS150C narrow crown stapler — is sold separately, which matters if your project list includes framing, roofing, or upholstery.
| Configuration | Nailers included | Fastener range covered | Power supply | Typical market price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCFP12234 three-nailer combo | FN250C, BN200C, PIN138 | 16 ga 1–2½ in.; 18 ga ⅝–2 in.; 23 ga ⅝–1⅜ in. | C2002 pancake: 150 PSI max, 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI, oil-free, ~34 lb | Roughly $300–$380 |
| Two-nailer combo (commonly PCFP12656) | FN250C, BN200C | 16 ga and 18 ga ranges as above | Same C2002 compressor | Roughly $200–$280 |
| 20V MAX cordless kits (PCC790LA 18 ga brad; a 16 ga finish nailer also exists in the line) | One nailer + battery + charger | 18 ga ⅝–2 in. or 16 ga finish range | None — battery-powered | Roughly $150–$230 per kit |
| Bare pneumatic tools (BN200C, FN250C, PIN138, DA250C) | Single nailer | Per-tool spec below | Requires an existing compressor in the ~2.6 SCFM class | Roughly $60–$140 each |
One pricing reality worth noting: buying the three kit nailers as bare tools adds up fast, so in the PCFP12234 the compressor, hose, and case are effectively close to free. If you’ll ever need air for anything else — inflating tires, blowing dust, running a stapler — the combo beats assembling the pieces.
Fastener compatibility: match four specs, not the logo
Porter-Cable nailers accept any brand of fastener that matches the spec, so compatibility is a numbers game. Check these in order before buying nails:
- Gauge must match exactly. A 16-gauge finish nail cannot fit an 18-gauge brad nailer, and 23-gauge pins only fit the pin nailer. There is no “close enough” here.
- Length must fall inside the range printed on the magazine. The BN200C tops out at 2 inches — the common 2½-inch brad boxes won’t feed. Too short can also fail to advance correctly.
- Collation style matters. The FN250C takes straight-strip 16-gauge finish nails; the DA250C takes angled “DA-style” 15-gauge nails. These are not interchangeable despite both being “finish nails.” The PIN138 takes headless 23-gauge pins.
- Air pressure must be in the tool’s range. The brad and finish nailers run roughly 70–120 PSI. Set the regulator near 90 PSI, test on scrap, and tune depth from there rather than cranking pressure to compensate for depth settings.
| Tool | Gauge | Accepted length | Magazine capacity | Best jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FN250C finish nailer | 16 ga, straight | 1–2½ in. | ~100 nails | Baseboard, door casing, crown, jambs |
| BN200C brad nailer | 18 ga | ⅝–2 in. | ~100 brads | Thin trim, cabinet backs, craft work |
| PIN138 pin nailer | 23 ga headless | ⅝–1⅜ in. | ~130 pins | Miter returns, veneer, glue assist — holes nearly invisible |
| DA250C finish nailer | 15 ga, angled | 1¼–2½ in. | ~100 nails | Thick casing, stair treads, heavier trim (sold separately) |
| FR350B framing nailer | Framing | 2–3½ in. round head | Strip-fed | Walls, decks, fences (separate tool class) |
| PCC790 cordless brad nailer | 18 ga | ⅝–2 in. | ~100 brads | Same tasks as BN200C, no hose |
Will the bundled 6-gallon compressor keep up?
The C2002 stores about 0.8 cubic feet of tank volume. Between its 150 PSI cut-out and a ~90 PSI working floor, that holds roughly 3.3 cubic feet of usable free air. Translating that into nails:
- An 18-gauge brad nailer consumes roughly 0.02–0.04 cubic feet per drive, so you get on the order of 80–160 shots before the pump even cycles on.
- A 16-gauge finish nailer lands in a similar range, slightly lower per tank charge.
- A framing nailer draws more like 0.06–0.10 cubic feet per shot — around 35–50 nails per tank drawdown, with the pump recovering the band in about 75 seconds.
The practical takeaway: at any realistic trim pace — a nail every few seconds — the compressor is never the bottleneck. Even framing at DIY deck-building speed works, because the tank buffers the bursts. Where it falls short is sustained rapid-fire roofing or production framing, and at roughly vacuum-cleaner loudness, indoor trim work means hearing protection is a good idea.
Also note the kit ships with one hose and one tool connection, so it runs one nailer at a time. If two people will work simultaneously, budget for a small manifold and a second hose.
Which configuration fits which buyer
| Your situation | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New homeowner, year-round trim projects | PCFP12234 three-nailer kit | Lowest cost per tool; covers ~90% of interior finish work |
| Occasional use, no desire for a compressor | 20V MAX cordless kit | No hose, noise, or tank storage; tool is heavier (~6 lb) and costs more per gauge covered |
| Already own a comparable compressor | Bare tools individually | Avoid paying for a second compressor; add gauges as needed |
| Only baseboard and door casing planned | Two-nailer kit | The pin nailer is the least-used of the three for most buyers |
| Fine miters, returns, furniture trim | Prioritize the PIN138 (i.e., the three-nailer kit) | 23-gauge holes disappear without filler — but pins are glue clamps, not fasteners |
| Framing, roofing, or decking on the list | Kit plus FR350B or RN175B separately | No combo-nailer nail covers structural fasteners |
Ownership realities: what wears and what to maintain
These tools last well if you handle the unglamorous maintenance:
- First wear items are the o-rings and the driver bumper. Symptoms are air hissing at the trigger or nose and weak nail sinking. Rebuild kits are cheap and the repair is DIY-friendly.
- The pneumatic nailers are not oil-free designs — a few drops of pneumatic tool oil in the air inlet each work session prevents most seal failures. Cordless tools skip this entirely.
- The compressor pump is oil-free, but the tank is not maintenance-free. Open the drain valve at the bottom after every session. Moisture sitting in a pressurized tank is the number-one killer of pancake compressors.
- Common mistakes: loading DA-style 15-gauge nails into the 16-gauge FN250C (wrong collation, won’t feed); buying 2½-inch brads for the 2-inch-max BN200C; expecting 23-gauge pins to hold trim without glue; chasing deeper drives by pushing past 120 PSI, which accelerates o-ring wear; and blaming the nailer for shallow drives when the compressor simply hasn’t recovered between bursts — pause a few seconds instead.
FAQ
Can I use other brands’ nails in Porter-Cable nailers?
Yes. Fasteners are interchangeable as long as gauge, length, head style, and collation match the tool’s printed spec — the brand on the box is irrelevant.
Is the 23-gauge pin nailer actually worth having?
If you install delicate trim, miter returns, or veneer, it’s the reason to buy the three-tool kit — its holes vanish without filling. If your work is mostly baseboards and casing, it’s the least essential tool in the box.
Will the bundled compressor run a framing nailer?
Yes, at DIY pace. Expect roughly 35–50 framing nails per tank drawdown and about 75 seconds of pump recovery. For occasional deck or shed framing it’s fine; for daily production work, step up to a higher-SCFM compressor.