However, because it leaves a larger hole in the wood surface, a fully driven finish nail almost always requires followup attention - which includes being puttied over to conceal the "shiner" or exposed insertion point of a nail. A finish nail offers increased support and withdrawal resistance when compared to the brad nail.

Finish nailers will run or gauge finish nails, in both angled and straight varieties depending on the tool. Be sure to confirm whether your tool uses a straight, or angled magazine type. Especially important for gauge finish nailers, determine whether your tool runs " FN " or " DA " type nails, as these fasteners are not interchangeable.

As mentioned earlier, the one risk to using a finish nailer on small trim; an increased probability for wood splitting and formation of imperfections on the wood surface. According to Senco , "The initial tool purchased by most consumers is typically some kind of brad nailer for attaching trim molding.

Most who have used a hammer to drive small brads know the frustration when these nails bend - not to mention the possibility for damage if using too much force. The brad nailer makes these small trim jobs a breeze, with high-quality results. The fact is, most carpenters use a combination of finish and brad tools. If you're just getting started, it's probably best to compare your application against the tools you are considering.

From there, consider the tool that will suit your overall needs best. Want more on these tools and their applications? Be sure to check out our video on brad vs. We have in production line several brands of guns bostich, stanley. The truth is, many contractors find the benefits outweigh the expense beyond all doubt. A cordless nailer will allow you to go anywhere without lugging around a compressor and air hose to complete the project. For instance, a pneumatic nailer will need an air compressor, a decently long hose, and electricity to charge the compressor.

Paslode has been the standard for cordless nailers for a long time. I remember when I was a contractor, the Paslode nail gun was the only cordless nailer I ever saw used on a job site.

Paslode nailers are durable and perform very well. The Paslode 18GA Finish Nailer comes with a depth-of-drive adjustment, a high visibility load magazine, and a long, narrow nose. As you all probably know, the battery is generally, a sizable portion of the cost for most battery-powered tools.

Check out the video below from the Source for tips on how to safely use a nail gun. Are you looking for more? Check out some of the other articles I have written:. I spent years in the construction industry refining my knowledge of various trades and even spent a few years working at a major hardware store. Yes, there ARE many reasons for this which are irrelevant …. Nothing holds to drywall, You always have to hit wood.

For crown fasten a nailing block behind to nail to. Never just to drywall. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Twitter Facebook Pinterest. Paslode 18 Gauge Finish Nailer. Related Posts.

Random Orbital Sander vs. Jawhorse vs. Question: Which type of nail gun is good for getting into small places that I need a nail to hold something together? Answer: Your best bet would be a Brad nailer, since this is the smallest type available. Question: I'm using sawmill rough cut pine and hardwoods to cover the interior walls on 24 on-center studs of my shed. Some boards are a full 1 inch thick and up to 8 feet long.

What size nail gun and nails should I use? Question: I want to use a power tool to set nails in boards for string art. The nails need to be set above the wood, and the nails should have a head on them.

What power tool would be best for placing nails into boards for string art? Answer: You can try using a scrap piece of wood the thickness of nail protrusion you need. Then drill a hole in this scrap piece, twice the diameter of the nail head you intend to use, placing the foot of the roofing nailer over the hole, and fire the nail.

You'll have to reduce the pressure to the nailer quite a bit, so the nail doesn't go any further than the face of the scrap piece.

You'll have to experiment some, of course. Making sure the nails fully penetrate the backing board, but no more than necessary. Answer: Apart from the question being too vague, it depends on the type of materials and density. For thin plywood, 18 gauge would suffice. For heavier plywoods or hardwoods, 16 gauge would do the job.

You need to adjust the nailer air pressure for different densities so that the nail head ends up just below the surface. A nail every 6 inches is usually enough to hold a panel, as long as the nail is long enough to fully penetrate into a solid surface underneath, like a wall stud 2x4. Answer: This depends on the type of studs or sub-surface you're attaching the planks to. Answer: You haven't mentioned what the sheets are being attached to.

I'm assuming floor joists. In this case, you can use the product I mentioned in a previous answer above see the homedepot link. Which nail gun would work best for both types of boards? Answer: A finishing nailer will work for all these types of boards, although the baseboard and trim may need longer nails, depending on the thickness.

By the way, true 'shiplap' boards have a rabbet joint on each edge, so they overlap. Whereas, plain wood planks or tongue and groove are not true shiplap boards. Question: I have 10mm oak flooring board which have lifted. I need to nail these boards firmly down into the solid concrete building slab, which is very tough.

Answer: The issue of laying wood flooring on top of a concrete slab is a complex one. You should check with your local municipality for building codes, or hire a contractor that is knowledgeable in this type of installation. It also depends whether the concrete is above or below grade. In general, however, it involves making sure the concrete is completely dry, then laying a 6-mil vapor barrier on top.

Then laying plywood planks on top of this, using concrete screws to fasten the plywood to the slab. You can then install your flooring in the normal way. A flooring nailer is the best type to use.

They do come as electric nailers. Question: I own a porter cable nailer f Can I use three-inch finishing nails in my porter cable nailer? Answer: I couldn't find a model f The nearest is a fr, which is a framing nailer. As such, the nails have larger, round heads. Without seeing this model, I can't say whether it would accept finishing nails.

I would imagine that the firing mechanism is sized to shoot large head nails, and it may jam if you tried using finishing nails, even if they fit in the magazine feed. You're on your own on this one.. I will not be held responsible or liable for any actions you take. Answer: The trouble with using a nailer with sheet metal is, except for roofing nails, the other types of nailer's nails have very small heads on them.

You need some flat headed nail to hold the metal to the wood beneath. Roofing nails would be too unsightly for siding repairs, and I've not found any nailer nails that are sort of 'in-between.

If you haven't got too many repairs to make, you could go back to the old hammer and nails method. It's best to drill a small hole in the siding for each intended fix, before pounding a nail into it. This will prevent a big dimple in the siding where the nail punctures the metal. Answer: If the red oak is flooring planks, then use a flooring nailer, otherwise, a finishing nailer and 1" nails should work fine.

Answer: Yes, you can use a finishing nailer as long as it's not a brick wall you're nailing into. In that case, you should use concrete screws such as TapCon. Question: I'm planning on doing some fairly light framing for a travel trailer. What type of nailer do you recommend? Answer: Assuming you don't want to see large nail heads, use a finishing nailer, with 3" ga. Answer: Not in my experience. Brick is much too dense to nail into directly. Even concrete nails would not hold very well, or very long.

You need to drill holes with a concrete drill first, and use either plastic or metal anchors and appropriate sized screws.

Or use Tapcon concrete screws. Answer: I wouldn't rely on the plaster being strong enough to hold any large piece of wood or trim, unless you locate the studs behind the plaster, and nail into that.

Question: I am building some cubby shelves from plywood. What type of nail gun should I use? Answer: A finishing nailer should do the job. The only problem you'll have is attaching each vertical piece to the shelf below. I would recommend a nail at a 45 degree angle near the bottom of the front edge and bottom rear edge, since you probably won't be able to get the nailer inside the cubby spaces.

Use a nail length that will almost completely penetrate the shelf below.. Answer: For the structural parts of the deck frame 2x8's , a framing nailer is the best type to use. However, the deck boards may hold to the joists a few years longer, if you use deck screws instead. What kind of nailer and what size nails should be used to install 2x4 shelving that will eventually hold a brick collection?

No, I'm not kidding. The shelves will fill a space of about 3 feet between the studs of an outbuilding. Thanks so much for your help. Not sure what a pin nailer is.

A brad nailer is a lighter duty nailer, intended for upholstery and such.