Quick verdict
These two Paslode guns aren’t really rivals — they’re built for different stages of the same job. The IM350+ is a first-fix framing nailer for stud walls, joists and timber frame; the IM65 F16 is a second-fix finishing nailer for architrave, skirting and cabinetry. Most carpenters who do both first and second fix end up owning both rather than picking one, because neither can do the other’s job properly.
Specs at a glance
The IM350+ fires 50-90mm nails at up to 4kg impact force, built for structural framing work, and runs on Paslode’s standard gas fuel cell and battery system. The IM65 F16 fires much shorter 16-gauge brad nails from 16-64mm, sized for trim, architrave and cabinet work rather than structural timber. Both share Paslode’s cordless gas-and-battery platform, so the fuel cells are the same chemistry across the range even though the nail collations themselves are not interchangeable. Expect a IM350+ kit to run north of £500 and the IM65 F16 to sit a little below that, with both typically getting 1,000+ shots from a single fuel cell and 200+ shots per battery charge.
What the IM350+ is really like
The IM350+ is the gun most UK carpenters mean when they say “the Paslode” — a first-fix framing nailer that’s become the trade standard for stud walls, roof timbers, joists and general first-fix carpentry. It hits hard enough to drive a 90mm nail flush in one shot without pre-drilling, and being cordless and hoseless means you’re not dragging a compressor and airline around a site. The trade-off is weight and recoil — it’s a genuinely heavy tool to use overhead all day, which is exactly what you’d expect from something built to drive structural fixings.
What the IM65 is really like
The IM65 F16 is built for the opposite end of the job — second-fix trim work where finish quality matters more than raw power. It drives 16-gauge brad nails cleanly into architrave, skirting, door casings and cabinetry without splitting the timber, and it’s noticeably lighter and easier to control one-handed than the IM350+, which matters when you’re working at awkward angles fitting trim. It won’t touch structural timber — it’s simply not built for that kind of force — but for the job it’s designed for, it’s hard to fault.
Nails and fuel — they are not shared
This catches people out: the IM350+ and IM65 F16 take completely different nail collations, so stocking one doesn’t cover the other. First-fix framing nails for the IM350+ are thicker gauge, longer, and sold in strips built for structural loads; the IM65’s 16-gauge brads are a different diameter and length range entirely, built for finish work. Gas fuel cells are the same Paslode chemistry across both tools, so that part of your consumables list is shared even though the nails themselves are not.
Running cost — the bit nobody mentions in the showroom
Both guns run on Paslode’s gas-and-battery system, which means an ongoing cost beyond the nails: fuel cells need replacing every few hundred shots and batteries eventually need swapping too. Genuine Paslode fuel cells and batteries cost more than generic compressed-air alternatives, but the trade-off is a cordless, hoseless tool you can use anywhere on site without dragging a compressor around — for most trades doing first or second fix daily, that convenience is worth the running cost.
Which should you buy?
Buy the IM350+ if…
you’re doing first-fix framing, stud walls, joists or any structural timber work where you need a nail gun that hits hard enough to drive long nails flush in one shot.
Buy the IM65 if…
you’re doing second-fix trim — architrave, skirting, door casings, cabinetry — where finish quality and control matter more than raw driving force.
Buy both if…
you’re a carpenter or joiner covering a job from first fix through to second fix — most trades in this position end up owning both rather than trying to make one gun cover jobs it wasn’t built for.
Where to buy in the UK
Both guns are widely stocked across UK trade suppliers — Screwfix, Toolstation, Selco and Travis Perkins all carry the Paslode range, and both are genuine, currently-listed products on Amazon UK too. Prices move around between retailers more than most tools, so it’s worth comparing a couple of sources before you order, particularly on kit bundles that include spare batteries or extra fuel cells.
Final verdict
The IM350+ and IM65 F16 aren’t competing products — they’re two tools built for two different stages of a carpentry job, and the “which is better” question only really makes sense once you know which fix you’re doing. Buy the IM350+ for first fix, the IM65 for second fix, and don’t be surprised if you end up owning both within your first year on the tools.
FAQs
Can the IM350+ fire the same nails as the IM65?
No — the two guns take completely different nail collations sized for their different jobs, and the nails aren’t interchangeable between them.
Do the IM350+ and IM65 use the same fuel cells?
Yes — both run on Paslode’s standard gas fuel cell chemistry, so that consumable is shared even though the nails aren’t.
Is the IM350+ too powerful for second-fix trim work?
Yes — it’s built to drive long structural nails and will split or damage fine trim timber; use the IM65 for second fix instead.
How many shots do you get from one battery charge?
Typically 200 or more shots per charge on both tools, though this varies with battery age and the density of timber you’re firing into.
