Everything You Wanted to Know About Nail Guns

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Although not everyone knows the definition of a nail gun, it has quickly become a must-have for many households. Forget about the old-fashioned hammer that requires lots of physical strength and can be dangerous for your fingers. Even if you don’t know the difference between a pin nailer vs brad nailer, you can learn everything you need in no time. This article guides you through the major types of nailers and helps you pick the one that is beneficial for you.

8 Types of Nail Guns

There are 8 main types of nailers which you should learn to choose the right tool. Not all of them are equally suitable for the particular job you have to do. Moreover, they serve different purposes. You can even buy several devices based on your working requirements.

1. Staple nailers

A staple gun for nails is widely used for projects with thin wood. They are great for cases when you can’t use the real nail as it can damage the sheet of wood. If you want to prevent splitting, you can pick the proper size of the gun and staples. The most popular projects that require only staple nail guns are:

  • Installation of carpets;
  • Wood paneling;
  • Building the bird houses;
  • Upholstery on chairs or couches;
  • Creation of photo and picture frames.

2. Palm nail guns

It is not the classic type of nail gun, but you can’t miss it. The tool comes in the size of a small ball and fits in the palm, which is convenient for numerous projects. If you are working on the chair or table and can’t reach the tight spot where you have to place the nail, use this tool. It is more precise than big models. Apart from that, the tool is not heavy and comfortable to hold for a long time. It does not cost much, and you can buy a palm nailer to supply your collection of tools.

3. Roofing nailers

These guns are made for heavy-duty materials. Since they are used during the roof installation, you can find that they can easily deal with fiberglass and even asphalt. You can easily install shingles using this instrument. Every professional who offers roofing services usually has this nail gun in their arsenal. If you are not a pro, you might not need it, except for the case when you want to build a house from the very beginning.

4. Pin nailers

This gun is not big and can work with tiny nails. Yet, it provides great help during its performance. You can use it for headless nails that are 1 inch long. If you have delicate materials, you can use these nails. They perfectly match the soft wood. Many professional woodworkers use the nailer to tighten the wood with more nails apart from the glue. If you don’t want to let other people see the holes in the construction, you can use this tool and specific nails. The gun rarely splits the wood. Yet, you have to practice a lot to make invisible holes and not damage the wood too much.

5. Brad nailers

These guns have lots of similarities with the pin models. You can even use them in common projects. Yet, unlike pin nailers, brad guns provide stronger holding. They grant a high level of security which equals to the bigger models on the list. Unlike pin guns, these tools make larger holes for nails. They are widely used for baseboards. You have to practice using them on versatile surfaces to master your skills.

6. Flooring nailers

The name speaks for itself. You can buy a specific gun to install the floors. Some professionals say that a staple gun copes with the task just fine. However, if you are new to this type of work, and you have some specific type of flooring, it is better to order a flooring nailer. While a staple gun does not require as much force as a flooring one, it has a long-lasting effect. Apart from the flooring, you can use this nailer for other projects. Unlike a staple gun, a flooring nailer is effective on hardwood and thick materials. However, before you will manage to improve your skills, you have to get used to its weight.

7. Siding nailers

A siding gun for nails is similar to the roofing nailer. Some people prefer to use roofing nails when it comes to such work. Yet, roofing nails can be easily removed once you install them with the roofing nailer. You often have to replace shingles, while siding has to stay in place for a long time. Moreover, siding nail guns suit a wide range of materials, while roofing nailers are designed for vinyl and wood only. This tool is lightweight and simple to hold, but it offers strong holding to the nails.

8. Framing nailers

Framing guns are made from a variety of materials. Sometimes, they are used for metals. These guns are heavier than roofing or siding, for example. You can buy this tool to handle hard-to-penetrate materials, including thick wood and metal. You can try the device for both industrial and carpentry projects. Here are the most popular ideas related to its application:

  • Framing the house;
  • Patio and decks;
  • Chair rails;
  • Wood sheathing;
  • Fence;
  • Flooring made of hardwood;
  • Finishing nailers.

If you want to make your nails hold reliably in the materials, you can try finishing with a nail gun. It works slightly similar to the brad gun, and some woodworkers prefer to use the latter. Yet, if you need a stronger hold, this one is better. It is perfect for furniture and cabinetry. You can also appreciate its features while working with molding and baseboards. However, you have to keep in mind that a finishing gun can easily split thin wood.

Right Nail Gun for You

If you are wondering whether one nailer is enough for you, the answer depends on the projects you work on. If you don’t often repair anything or create something from wood, you might not need several nailers. Yet, if you have several projects with different types of materials, you might appreciate having a variety of tools at home. This article will help you to find out which nailer you need the most.