Which Brands Of Nail Guns Are The Best
In my experience, all modern pneumatic nail guns work just fine. Have a variety of brands, and have used a lot in my time in the trades. Some are definitely nicer than others, I really like the Bostitch ones I recommended above, but if you go to your local hardware store and handle a few youll be 100% ok getting the one you like the feel of the most.
Things To Look Out For When Buying A Nailer
Once you have considered all the points above, you should now consider what power source you want to use, either to power the nailer itself or to drive the nails.
Combustion
A combustion powered nailer typically features an internal reservoir filled with flammable gas, normally in the form of a cartridge. An electronic control mechanism allows a little of this gas to flow into the combustion chamber. These nailers depend on a battery which provides a spark, igniting the gas and driving the piston.
Good points: Typically able to drive larger nails into harder surfaces with ease, without relying on an air supply.
Not-so-good points: The additional cost of buying gas canisters.
What are they like in action? See the NR1890DC18V Cordless Framing Nailer from HiKOKI for yourself:
Mains or Battery-powered?
An electric powered nail gun runs from either a corded or cordless power supply. The electric nailer relies on an electric current passing through the solenoid and a magnetic field to drive the firing pin. Its complicated.
Good points: No messing about with air compressors or gas canisters, and going cordless means you can work anywhere. They have the ability to work at lower temperatures without having to worry about the gas.
Not-so-good points: Running off the mains and dealing with an electric cord. Downtime while recharging batteries.
A great example of a powerful second-fix cordless nailer is Dewalts DCN682N 18V Flooring Stapler. Watch it in action:
Safety First
Can I Use 28 Degree Nails In A 21 Degree Nailer
No. If you are going to be using your pneumatic tools for any length of time, it is recommended that you always keep the same type and size nails in them as this will help prevent jams from occurring.
The most common cause of air tool jamming is due to inappropriate or incompatible fasteners used in different types of equipment.
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Put The Pins In Properly
Pinners shoot fasteners with no crowns or heads, making it difficult to determine which end is the point. Fortunately, pin manufacturers print arrows on fastener sticks to ensure that you load them chisel-point-down.
Loading them backwards can cause the tool’s driver to strike the chiseled point, likely driving it with a glancing blow that leaves the pin proud of the wood. If done repeatedly, this can deform the tool’s driver until it won’t work properly.
That Pretty Much Nails It
While nail guns have been around for about 25 years, many refinements have been made. Newer materials like magnesium and aluminum alloys have made the tools lighter. Plus more attention has been paid to ergonomic design, so that the tool is properly balanced and easier to grip. Adjusting the firing method no longer requires a special tool. Adjusting the depth of the nail no longer requires adjusting the air compressor.
Cordless models which dont require a compressor, and therefore a hose are now widely available. Whether youre a professional contractor or a DIY homeowner, youll find you get the job done in less than half the time it would have taken with a hammer and nails.
Many of these nailers could pay for themselves in no time.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
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When To Use A Brad Nailer
Essentially anyone who does finishing work and needs to affix wood without using screws or pre-drilling can benefit from using a brad nailer. Cabinet makers and joiners in particular oftentimes will fire in a brad nail while theyre waiting for glue to dry as it allows the workpiece to be held in place while leaving only a small, easily-filled hole.
Some Other Extra Features
These are some of the more common features you would want your nail gun to have. They would undoubtedly make your life easier. Lets take a look.
Tool-Free Jam Clearing
Often nails can get clogged in the magazine. This can cause you to lose a lot of time learning the complicated jam. But if your nail gun has a tool-free jam clearing, then you just need to open the magazine & clear the blockage by hand. A handy feature to have as you will face this problem with nail guns
Depth Adjustments
This feature allows you to control how far the nails drive into the surface. Sinking the nails too deep can ruin the floor or wood you are working with. A depth adjustment wheel can make your working experience much better as you can work on many projects with different nail depths.
Exhaust System
Exhaust systems allow you to direct the air of the tool. Many nail guns have a unidirectional flow, while some have 360-degree airflow systems. This can help keep all the debris away from the workspace and keep the dust away from the tool.
Ergonomic Handle & Carry Case
The handle of the nail gun needs to be ergonomic. You will be operating the tool with your hand, so keeping the device steady requires a firm grip. Make sure the handle has a good grip & patterns to keep it in your hands.
Carrying the tool & other accessories with it can become hectic. Most manufacturers give carrying cases to transport everything in one. Make sure yours has one too.
Nail Gun Weight
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What Is The Best Way To Nail Baseboards
Unquestionably, the easiest and most effective way to nail in baseboards is with a nail gun. The question is, what type of nail gun do you need, and depending on your budget or other uses for a nail gun, that can get a little bit tricky.
For most of us, a finish nail gun is going to be ideal for installing baseboards. They have a great return on investment, they are relatively inexpensive , they will last for years, and they can also be used for many other home improvement projects. If you arent up for buying one, ask around, you probably know someone who is willing to let you borrow theirs.
Types Of Framing Nailers Based On Nail Collation
Nail collation refers to the degree of nails used in a specific framing nail gun. Depending on your project and the angle you are working with, you need to pick out the perfect nail gun. There are usually four variants when it comes to framing nail gun angles. They are 15 degree, 21 degree, 28 degree, and 30-34 degree.
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What Size Nails For Baseboard
To keep things simple lets remember that the d in the baseboard nail size refers to length , while the gauge refers to the diameter or how stout the nail is. Why does this matter? A long, skinny nail is most likely going to be resistant to denser or thicker forms of material, and especially problematic with any knots.
Right Pressure Of Compressor
CFM and HP are both measures of how powerful a compressor is for a particular operation.
When working with an air tool like a framing nailer, though, you dont need to give it the most power.
Determine the appropriate CFM and pressure for your framing nailer and ensure that the compressor is set accordingly.
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Is It Bad To Cut Your Nails Too Short
Dont bite your nails or pick at the cuticle area around them. Dont cut nails too short. Trim your fingernails and toenails with clippers or manicure scissors, and smooth the sharp corners with an emery board or nail file. Damaging your cuticles gives bacteria a way to get into your skin and cause an infection.
Which Framing Nailer Angle Is Suitable For Trim Work
A framing nailer is used in a variety of construction projects, but when the tool isnt being used for wider applications such as flooring and siding, it typically has an 18 degree angle.
A trim work framer usually needs to have less power so that fitting nails into tight spaces dont cause any issues with jamming or misfires.
Its best to use a 15 degree nail gun- as this will give you more control over your line while still giving you enough power to drive home tough-topping nails without extra effort on your part.
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Types Of Nail Guns According To Application
There are different variations for nail guns according to various tasks. They are best suited for the job they have the functionality to do.
Framing Nail Gun
As you get the impression from the name, this type of nailer is best suited for framing jobs. They are for heavy-duty wood framing operations. They use three and ½ inch nails in length for the job. Whether its a framing task or a sheathing task, you would want this tool by your side.
Flooring Nailers
These nailers are to help you in grooving the floorboard quickly & easily. Hardwood flooring couldnt get more manageable for you. You just need to hold the machine against the edge of the board & whack the nail in with a mallet. This saves you a lot of time & strength.
Brad Nailers
Brad nailers are a popular choice for DIY tasks. They are a lightweight nailer that uses 18 gauge inch to 2-inch nails. Moreover, they offer a tool-free depth adjustment as well as being an excellent option for smaller projects. Any small cabinetwork or woodwork is easy to do through this nail gun.
Finish Nailer
The best option for indoor trim and molding work would be the finish nailers. They use 15 to 16 gauge nailsat the length of 1 to 2½ inches. They are widely used for crown molding or small carpentry work. Plus, they also offer tool-free depth adjustment according to the surface.
The Difference Between Brad Nailers And Finish Nailers
While brad nailers and finish nailers are often confused with one another, there are some significant differences between the two. From a visual perspective, brad nailers are usually smaller than finishing models. Also, in terms of performance, a brad nailer wont have the same binding power as a finishing model. This is because brad nails dont have the heads that finishing nails have.
Brads are perfect for mounting lightweight trim because of their thin gauge. Since they dont feature a head, you wont have to use wood putty to cover the nail hole. This is great for fine-detailed projects since wood putty often appears darker than natural wood once you apply a stain or finish to the workpiece.
Another benefit of using brads for detailed woodworking projects is that you reduce the risk of damaging thin pieces of trim. For example, if you attempt to nail thin trim to a cabinet front or baseboard, theres a chance youll split the piece. This is due to the finishing nails thicker gauge.
But if youre still thinking about using finish nails to attach wood trim to wood because the larger head of the finish nail will have better-holding power, you can relax. Thanks to woods structure, brads are perfectly capable of making very secure trim attachments to larger pieces of wood.
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What Is A Second Fix Nail Gun
Second fix nail guns are also known as finishing nailers. They are used later on in your project to ‘finish’ it off. They use much smaller, more discreet nails than framing nailers so are perfect for completing delicate interior work where a clean finish is required. Typical applications for a 2nd fix nailer include door frames and skirting boards where you don’t want the nails to be visible. Finishing nails cause less splitting in the wood and give a more refined finish. 2nd fix nailers often come as ‘straight’ or ‘angled’. Angled nailers are better for use in tight, hard to reach areas.
It’s worth noting that most tradesmen will require both types of nailer a framing nailer for the tougher start up jobs and a finishing nailer to finish it off.
Galvanized Vs Stainless Steel Screws & Nails
For most non-pressure treated wood, you can use galvanized or zinc plated steel screws or nails. The exception is cedar fence. When the rain water enters inside the zinc on galvanized screws will react to the chemicals released by cedar and pressure treated wood. This will result in dark corrosion streaks abound the nails or screws.
For pressure treated wood and cedar pickets, use stainless steel or hot dipped galvanized nails or screws.
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How Do I Know What Nail Gun To Use
Different types of nail guns can be used with different nail lengths. A typical brad nailer, for example, shoots nails that are 3/8 inch to 1 1/4 inches in length, while a larger framing nailer typically shoots nails from 2 to 3 1/2 inches in length. For woodworking projects, a brad nailer is a good choice.
Brad Nailer Vs Finish Nailer
On the surface, brad nailers and finish nailers are very similar. Both are accurate nailers designed for precision nailing as opposed to bulk nailing. For example, finish nailers, as the name indicates, are meant to be used at the end of projects as opposed to throughout them .
However, both have different roles and uses. Now let us compare the two types of nail guns side by side.
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How To Maintain Brad Nailers
Most people often take it for granted when they are told that machines need to be maintained properly in order to function and last for some given time. The same applies to brad nailers, without proper care and storage, it will spoil.
Here are some tips to keep them as functional as they were when newly bought.
What Nails Should I Use For Baseboards
Nails for baseboards should be a little wider than the width of your nailer to give you more surface area. For example, if you are using an 18 gauge air compressor with 20° framing nails, use 16-gauge nails that will have twice as much contact and coverage on your board.
The best way to make sure your nailing job is done right is by investing in one of these four popular brands: Paslode Guns, Hitachi Nailers, Senco Gun, or Bostitch Air Compressors.
If safety matters most then try out the Paslode guns which are designed without any moving parts so they cant fail under pressure during job sites where accidents happen often most often.
If you are looking for an air compressor that is convenient, then the Hitachi nailers and Senco guns have digital gauges which allow quick adjustments of your tool pressure to match different job sites with varying material thicknesses.
If durability means a lot to you then consider one of these best sellers the Paslode Bostitch or the Senco gun.
These guns can withstand pressures up to 900 pounds per square inch and wont wear out during long job sites where they may be used all day by many people who need them on site.
With their heavy-duty design, these two brands will last longer than any other brand available today on the market.
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What Kind Of Nail Gun Do I Need To Build A Fence
4.2/55 Best Nail Guns for Fencing Reviews 2020
The 4 Best Nail Guns for Fencing Reviews 2020
- Hitachi NR90AES1 2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Plastic Collated Framing Nailer.
- NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer.
- Paslode 501000 F-350S PowerMaster Plus Pneumatic Framing Nailer.
- BOSTITCH F21PL Round Head 1-1/2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer with Positive Placement Tip and Magnesium Housing.
Also, can I use a brad nailer for fencing? Pneumatic nailers can speed up many construction projects, but it’s important to use the right-size nailer for the job you’re doing. Brad nailers are suitable for cabinetry and interior trim, but the fasteners they shoot are too narrow and short to hold exterior fence boards, which have a tendency to move and warp.
Similarly one may ask, can you use a nail gun for fencing?
You don’t have to use a nail gun to attach wooden fence slats — you can complete the work with a traditional hammer, but it’s a long and exhausting process. A nail gun makes the job easier and faster, but only if you get the right gun.
Is it better to nail or screw fence boards?
What Size Nails Are Best For Baseboards
It all starts with the purpose of baseboards. A baseboard is essentially a thin piece of wood that covers the bottom of an interior wall. Baseboards serve two functions. They create a neater appearance for the wall, providing a smooth line that complements its look. And more importantly, they protect the wall from damage that may be caused by shoes, pets, or anything else that may strike the wall from the floor.
A baseboard is a thin layer of protection that is easy to replace if damaged. When you compare the prices and work needed to replace a baseboard compared to repairing an interior wall, the value of baseboards becomes quite apparent.
However, the thin nature of the baseboard means that you should consider 15 to 16 gauges for the nails being applied. There are good reasons why this is the perfect size for nails when attaching baseboards to the wall.
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