Things to Consider When Buying a Nail Gun
If you have multiple projects on your to-do list that involves nails, investing in a nail gun saves you valuable time and makes the result look neater and professional. Here are a few things to consider before purchasing a nail gun.
Nail Gun Loading Configurations
Nail guns are available in two loading configurations: coil and strip.
Coil nailers use flexible strings of nails joined by wires forming a round magazine. They’re compact and fit into more places than models requiring nail strips. Coil nailers also hold more nails, so you can reload less often.
Strip nailers use nails arranged on a long, slender strip or cartridge that slides into the nail gun. Strips of paper, plastic or wire hold the nails together. This evenly distributes the weight of the nails, making them easier to handle compared to coil nail guns. Electric nail guns requiring strips also handle better than coil varieties.
Nail Gun Features
Important features to look for are adjustable depth of drive, dry-fire lockout, directional exhaust, a jam-clearing feature, trigger size and a warranty.
Nail Gun Power
Pneumatic nail guns, also known as air compressor nail guns, require an air compressor for power, along with an air hose to connect to the nail gun. Cordless nail guns offer freedom of movement, but power-intensive jobs, like framing, will increase battery use.
Nail Gun Weight
Weight is an important consideration, since a nail gun is a handheld tool. Weight varies greatly between pneumatic, battery nail guns and fuel-powered units. If you’re planning on extended use, a lighter model may be a good choice.
Nail Gun Price
Prices run from inexpensive craft and palm nailers to more costly professional-quality tools designed for the jobsite. Features and power options also factor into the price.
Nail Gauge
Nail gauge refers to the size of the nail or brad that the nailer will use. The lower the nail gauge, the bigger the nail and the bigger the nail hole. The bigger the nail, the more holding power. 16-gauge nails are the most versatile size and a great choice for a variety of projects. 18-gauge nails or higher are best used for fine-detail work, furniture repair and thin-trim work. On Lowes.com, you can conveniently shop nailers by nail gauge. Some of the most common options include 15 gauge, 16 gauge, 18 gauge and 23 gauge.
Each nail gun has specific requirements for the fasteners, or nails, it can use safely. Use the fasteners the manufacturer specifies. Make sure they comply with all regulations and building codes for the work you're doing.
Types of Nail Guns
Nailers are effective and versatile. Some nail gun types are useful for heavy-duty, high-volume jobs, while others work best for small finishing work.
Framing Nailers
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Framing nailers are the best nailers for framing and construction work.
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Heavy-duty design for framing work, decks, fencing, subflooring and crate building.
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Can use 2-inch to 3-1/2-inch coil or strip nails.
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Available in pneumatic or cordless models.
Finishing Nailers
- Finishing nail guns are the best choice for many household tasks.
- Ideal for moulding, baseboards, cabinets and furniture assembly.
- Uses small head, 1/2-inch to 2-1/2-inch strip finishing nails.
- Available in pneumatic or cordless models.
- Lighter in weight than framing nail guns.
Roofing Nailers
- Roofing nailers are specifically designed for installing roofing shingles.
- Roofing nail guns use round head, 1-inch to 2-inch coil roofing nails.
- Available in pneumatic or cordless models.
- Look for a lightweight model to avoid user fatigue.
Flooring Nailers
- Flooring nailers are the best choice for installing hardwood floors or engineered flooring.
- Faster and less damaging than using a hammer and nails to install flooring.
- Uses L-shaped flooring cleat nails.
- Most pneumatic models use a mallet to activate the driving action.
Brad Nailers
- Brad nailers are the best nail gun for working with thinner materials.
- Ideal for trim work, moulding and cabinetry.
- Brad nail gun holes are very small and won’t need filling.
- Uses thin 18-gauge wire nails.
- Available in pneumatic or cordless models.
Pin Nailers
- Pin nailers are the best nail gun for precise nailing.
- Great for furniture and upholstery, trim work and cabinetry.
- Uses thin 23-gauge headless pins, about the same thickness as a sewing needle.
- Nail hole is almost invisible.
- Available in pneumatic or cordless models.
Palm Nailers
- Palm nailers are the best choice for nailing in spaces where a regular nail gun won’t fit.
- Drives nails in lumber, plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and plastic sheets.
- Compatible with a variety of nail sizes.
- Designed to drive nails one at a time.
- Available in pneumatic or cordless models.
Staple Guns
- Staple guns are the best choice for nailing in spaces where a regular nail gun won’t fit.
- Drives staples into flooring, furniture, upholstery and screens.
- Compatible with a variety of staple sizes.
- Uses strip staples.
- Available in pneumatic or cordless models.
Nail Gun Power Sources
The power source of a nailer, either pneumatic or cordless, determines the tool’s mobility and the type of work it can handle.
Pneumatic Nail Guns
A pneumatic nail gun drives nails using pressurized air from a compressor. The compressor's ratings for pressure (measured in pounds per square inch or PSI) and volume (measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM) should be equal to or greater than the requirements of the nailer.
If you plan to run other air tools in addition to a nail gun, make sure the compressor can handle the combined load. While a pneumatic nailer can be powerful and capable of handling heavy-duty tasks, the compressor’s air hose limits your mobility. Check out our Air Compressor Buying Guide to learn more about these useful machines.
Cordless and Gas-Powered Nail Guns
A cordless nail gun offers greater mobility than corded or pneumatic nail guns. There’s no cords or hoses, giving this type of nailer excellent mobility. It also has a quick startup time but doesn't have as much driving power as a pneumatic nail gun.
Gas-powered nail guns use gas combustion to drive nails. Fuel injected from a disposable gas cartridge combusts in a chamber to create driving force. A battery provides the electric charge to ignite the fuel. A gas-powered nailer can be powerful enough for heavy-duty jobs, capable of driving large fasteners into hard materials.
Brushless Versus Brushed Motors
Wondering what the difference is between brushless vs brushed motors? Power tools, like nailers, are designed with either a brushed motor or brushless motor. Of the two, tools with brushless motors are typically more expensive. That’s because brushless motors offer a few advantages including better energy efficiency, less maintenance, and more durability.
Nail Gun Angles
There are both straight nailers and angled nailers. Angled nailers are ideal for using in corners as they can easily reach into angled areas. This type of nailer is designed with a magazine that stores and dispenses nails at an angle. The angle of nail guns ranges from 15 to 30 degrees. 30-degree nail guns offer the most convenient access to tight corners. Essentially, the higher the angle, the more access the nail gun provides.
Nail Gun Firing Methods
Understanding the different nail-gun firing methods will help you choose the best nailer for your projects and avoid accidental firing. Manufacturers may have different terminology for firing methods. The firing method depends on the operation of two controls: a trigger and a safety tip that you press against the work surface.
- Contact-firing or bump-firing - Rapidly drives nails in succession. As long as you’re holding down the trigger, each bump of the safety tip against the work surface fires a nail. This type of firing speeds up production work but can be difficult to control. There’s a higher risk of unintentional firing than with other methods.
- Single-sequential firing - Prevents you from accidentally bump-firing nails. You must operate the safety tip and trigger in sequence to fire the first nail. Then you can keep the safety tip pressed against your work surface and reactivate the trigger for each additional nail.
- Single-actuation firing - Functions like single-sequential firing but you operate the safety tip and trigger in any order. This means you can bump-fire the first nail.
- Full-sequential firing - Ensures your safety by requiring sequential activation of the safety tip and trigger to fire each nail. You can’t bump-fire. To fire multiple nails, release the tip and trigger after the first nail and then reactivate them in the correct sequence to continue. This method doesn’t let you work as quickly as contact-firing, but it’s a very safe way to operate a nail gun.
- Smaller trigger-operated - No safety tips. They use a single trigger or dual triggers to fire a nail or a staple. With single-trigger tools, pulling the trigger drives a nail. Dual-trigger tools require you to pull the triggers in the proper sequence. Some nailers allow you to choose the firing method most appropriate for your project.
Minimum Operating Pressure
The minimum operating pressure, also called PSI, refers to the amount of pressure necessary to operate a nail gun correctly. Larger nails require more pressure to secure them compared to smaller nails. Typically, nail guns operate at a PSI range between 70 and 120.
Nail Gun Features
Once you've selected the best nail gun for your projects, consider these features and air compressor tools and accessories that keep you working effectively.
- Directional Exhaust Systems: Allow you to channel the tool's exhaust. This feature is valuable when working in a dusty area. Some exhaust systems require special tools for adjustment, while others are tool-free.
- Jam-Clearing Systems: Simplifies maintenance and prevents nails from jamming in the mechanism.
- Depth Adjustment: Allows you to control how far the tool drives a nail into the work surface. This prevents nails from overly protruding and sinking too deep. Some nailers require tools for depth adjustment, while you can adjust others by hand.
- Large Triggers: Makes it easier to operate the tool with gloved fingers.
- Swiveling Air Connectors: Reduces air hose tangles on pneumatic nail guns. Allows you to easily move the air hose out of the way when you reload.
- Protective Guards: Prevents damage to the tool and protects you from flying debris. Guards can wear out with use, so look for ones that you can easily replace.
- Nail Size Adjustment: Allows you to change nail sizes as you switch tasks.
Nail Gun Safety Tips
All tools require attention to safety and nail guns are no exception. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, maintenance and safety.
- Inspect the nail gun and repair or replace damaged parts before use.
- Never alter a nail gun.
- Wear safety glasses and other safety equipment as specified in the manual.
- Keep your hands, feet and other body parts clear of the firing area.
- Use clamps when you need to secure pieces together.
- Disconnect the nail gun from the air compressor or power supply before performing maintenance, making adjustments or attempting to clear a jam.
- Never point the nail gun at a person or an animal.
- Keep others away when operating a nailer.
- Don't use a nailer near flammable gases or liquids.
Nail Gun Frequently Asked Questions
Which is Better? A 16-Gauge vs. 18-Gauge Nail Gun?
It depends on the job. The lower the gauge number the thicker the nail is. 16-gauge nail guns are good for general use and are good for trim and baseboards. 18-gauge nail guns will leave a smaller hole but may not be strong enough for some projects.
Which Nail Gun is Best For Beginner DIY Projects?
Think about the kinds of projects you intend to tackle. For simple upholstery projects a staple gun is best. If you’re doing heavy duty projects like installing a backyard fence or desk, a framing nailer is strong enough to get the job done. If you want small holes that don’t need filling for things like trim work, go with a brad nailer.
What’s the Difference Between a Brad vs. Finish Nail Gun?
A brad nail gun is a light duty tool that uses 18-gauge nails, which are best for delicate projects like thin decorative moulding and trim work. A finish nail gun can use either 14, 15 or 16-gauge nails which have enough holding power for heavy-duty projects like door casings, working with plywood or installing baseboards.