I have difficulty with regular jams regardless of brad length. Thoughts?

No experience of Mastercraft brad nailers but if fires with out depressing nose tool is dangerous and should be returned to manufacturer. Dewalt make battery powered brad guns and recently produced a battery framing nailer. I would not say that other nail guns are exactly cheap if they are beware they may not be up to the pressures excerted on the whilst firing.

Make sure your using the right gauge brads for your gun, should have sticker on rail with required brad gauge, and max length. Sometimes a brad will get jammed under drive pin where you cant see, might have to remove allen screws over pin to get jammed brad out

HOW TO USE YOUR ELECTRIC STAPLER/NAILER
TO LOAD STAPLES

1. Unplug tool, (fig. 1)...(place on/off switch in "off" position, (fig. 2).)
2. Place on/off switch in "off' position.
3. Select proper staple length.
4. Use only staples identified by stock numbers on next page. Substitute staples may cause jamming.
5. Hold tool upside down. (Squeeze latch and pull, (fig.3).)
6. Drop staples in channel, legs facing upward. Push latch back in to lock in place, (fig. 4).

TO LOAD BRADS

1. Unplug tool, (fig. 1)...(place on/off switch in "off" position, (fig. 2).)
2. Use only brads identified by stock numbers on next page. Substitute brads will cause jamming.
3. Look for the image of a brad nail on the front side of the tool (fig. 5). Load brads into this side only.
4. Hold tool upside down (Squeeze latch and pull, (fig. 3).)
5. Drop brads into the channel, tilt the tool so the brads lay against the channel wall, (fig. 5).
Push the latch back in watching that the brad strip does not fall over.
6. Use High/Low power when driving brads.


TO STAPLE OR NAIL

1. Make sure the on/off switch is in the "off" position, plug stapling tacker in.
2. Turn tool on by switching to position 1 which is the "on" position and hold firmly against work surface to
engage safety mechanism.
3. Apply adequate pressure on the top of the knob (fig. 6.) while the trigger is pulled.

You can find the figures mentioned above at the following link:

http://bdk.force.com/FAQ/servlet/fileField?retURL=%2Fapex%2FPKB_Article%3Fid%3DkA0C0000000CdtPKAS%26brand%3DStanley%26returl%3D%252Fapex%252Fpkb_search%253Fbrand%253DStanley%2526mode%253D0%2526model%253D%2526sortby%253D0%2526terms%253DTRE550&entityId=ka0C0000000CdqqIAC&field=File_1__Body__s

could be jammed nail, bent or broken driver or stuckpiston. unplug air and thoroughly look at the magazine for jammed nails, is the driver fully retracted if not could be bent or have something behind it and lastly, reemove the cap and look for a broken driver. Let me know if you need more help

Brad nailers typically jam for one of two reasons, a misaligned or bent brad on the brad strip or a defect in the brad strip itself. Remove the brad strip in the nailer and replace with a new one. Examine the striker head first for any signs of residue keft from the jammed strip.

Make sure that you don't have a jammed brad in the nailing head. Are you using air-tool-oil fed through the air coupler on a regular basis? Hope this helps!

Open the top where the plunger is...remove the jam and push the plunger back..close up the gun and you should be fine. Make sure you disconnect your air hose first!!!

There are four probable causes when the gear is stuck in one position, and they are precisely explained in this handy diagnostic article that I know will help narrow down the culprit of your difficulty:
http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyman_Zone_How_To_Pages_Vehicle_Car_Zone_Cars_Trucks_Vans_Transmission_System_Stuck_In_One_Gear.htm

Good luck!
Brad

It sound to me that the 1 5/8 brads are not 18 guage but probably 16 guage and they will not work. Double check them first before going any further. You can usually lay them next to the smaller ones that work and see the size difference, if not let me know and I will dig deeper.

Not sure about the seal, but I do know the pressure has to stay up for this nailer to be effective. Try oiling the gun to free up the mechanics and don't use old nails.