Harbor Freight Banks 23 Gauge Pin Nailer Review: Unboxing, Testing, and First Impressions

When it comes to woodworking, we’re always on the lookout for tools that are affordable, reliable, and beginner‑friendly. In this post, I’m sharing my experience unboxing and testing the Banks 23‑Gauge Pin Nailer from Harbor Freight — a budget‑friendly option that Cecelia picked up as a gift at just $24.99 near the time of filming.

If you’ve been considering adding a pin nailer to your shop without spending a fortune, this little tool might be worth a closer look.

Unboxing the Banks 23‑Gauge Pin Nailer

Right out of the box, I was pleasantly surprised by what Harbor Freight included. The pin nailer comes packaged in a sturdy carrying case, which is always a plus for keeping tools organized and protected in the shop.

Inside the case, I found:

• The Banks 23‑gauge pin nailer

• A pre‑installed male air connector (a nice touch!)

• An instruction booklet

• A spare driver blade, along with the hex wrenches needed to replace it if the original ever gets damaged

For a budget tool, that’s a generous starter setup.

Setting Up the Pin Nailer

Before testing, I added a couple of drops of pneumatic tool oil to keep everything running smoothly. The nailer accepts 23‑gauge pin nails from ½ inch up to 1 inch, and the magazine includes a simple adjustment to match the nail length you’re using.

One thing I appreciated: the nails slide in easily once the size selector is set correctly. If it’s set too short, the nails won’t seat properly — but once adjusted to 1 inch, they fit perfectly.

The tool also includes a trigger lock for safety, which rotates out of the way when you’re ready to fire.

Putting It to the Test

To see how the Banks pin nailer performed, I grabbed a scrap 2×4 and a piece of 3/16‑inch paneling. After loading the magazine with 1‑inch pin nails, I fired a few test shots into the 2×4 to check depth and consistency.

The nails drove in flush and clean, exactly what you want from a pin nailer.

Next, I pinned the paneling to the 2×4. The tool handled the job smoothly, and the pins were nearly invisible — perfect for trim work, small crafts, and delicate assemblies where you don’t want visible nail heads.

Final Thoughts: Is the Banks Pin Nailer Worth It?

For the price point, I think this pin nailer is a solid buy for hobbyists, DIYers, and anyone looking to add a lightweight pin nailer to their shop without breaking the bank.

What I Liked

• Very affordable

• Comes with a carrying case

• Includes a spare driver blade

• Easy to load and operate

• Clean, flush nail driving

One Small Flaw

The unit I unboxed was missing the small end cap that covers the air connector. It’s shown in the product photo, but ours didn’t have it. Hopefully that’s just a one‑off issue.

Overall, though, I’d say the Banks 23‑Gauge Pin Nailer is worth the investment if you’re shopping on a budget and need a reliable pin nailer for light‑duty woodworking projects.

If you enjoyed this Harbor Freight Pin Nailer review, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, Woodsongs by Russell, and follow along for more woodworking tips, tool reviews, and DIY projects. Until next time — happy woodworking!