Full Review

If you are looking for a compact finish nailer packed with a lot of great features and consider a 16-gauge pneumatic straight finish is ideal for trim work, baseboard and crown molding installation, flooring and other woodworking application and on top of that its not the most expensive then you’ll love this model from Makita. AF601 from Makita is not only one of the better straight finish nailers, but it’s our pick for best overall in 16 ga pneumatic finish category.

What makes this tool (and other Makita products) so priceworthy is its compact design, reliable functions and ability to deliver craftsmanship. It’s high-efficiency motor not only give leading power performance but also doesn’t require a lot of maintenance or upkeep. In short, it will last longer than the competition while still maintaining the same level of power and performance. 

Makita AF601 is precisely designed to drive standard 16-gauge straight finish nails from 1 in. to 2-1/2 in. length. It’s rear-loading magazine has the same capacity of 100 finish nails like most other finish nailers but the nail lock-out mechanism that protects the tool and work surface from blank fires is where it stands out from the competition. One element of this nailer we liked most is the ability to work in confined areas, the narrow nose design allows easy access to tight spots and placement of nail is clearly visible. Another simple but useful feature we found interesting is built-in air duster that provides convenient air flow to clear work surface.

Among other standard finish nailer features that we appreciate about this model, 2-mode selector switch for controlling nailing operation is one of them. By turning the switch back and forth you can simply change between bump and sequential firing. Tool-free depth-adjustment is there for more precise flush and countersink nailing and you cannot miss the “Tool-less” easy to clear nose installed for fast and easy nail extraction. Additionally the reversible belt hook make the job of keeping the nailer within reach when not in use. It is hard to believe that Makita managed to squeeze all these features inside lightweight but durable magnesium housing that also has bumpers for tool and work surface protection, and integrated rubber soft grip for operator comfort.

There’s very few things where this nailer do not excel are rear-loading magazine may cause dissatisfaction to some user and the tool must be oiled before and after use to keep it operational. Apart from these downsides, Makita AF601 outstanding feature and performance is enough to call it our choice for best overall 16 ga pneumatic finish nailer.