Buying guide for Best nail guns
The hammer has served humankind as a valuable tool for centuries. And although we may use hammers for unconventional things on occasion – tenderizing meat, for example – hammers are primarily designed to drive nails.
But engineers have found a way to drive nails in without the assistance of a hammer: the nail gun. The best nail guns drive nails in automatically, eliminating the need for a hammer.
If you’re shopping for a nail gun, you should know that different models provide different features. To make the most of your investment, it’s wise to perform a bit of research on nail guns before spending your money.
And that’s where we come in!
How a nail gun works
There are several types of nail guns to choose from: pneumatic nail guns, electrically powered nail guns, and battery-operated nail guns.
Pneumatic nail guns
The most common type of nail gun, the pneumatic nail gun, connects to an air compressor. Paired with outlet electricity, the nail gun uses air from the compressor to drive nails.
When using a pneumatic nail gun, you’re limited to where you can work by the length of the air compressor hose and the power cord. You must also be certain that your air compressor can create the pressure level required to match what the nail gun needs.
Battery-powered and electric nail guns
Battery-powered and electric nail guns may follow a process similar to that of pneumatic nail guns, using the power of a small air compressor that’s built right into the gun. These nail guns don’t require a separate air compressor as pneumatic nail guns do.
Still, other electric and battery-powered nail guns use a spring system with a rotating motor to drive nails. These nail guns don’t rely on a built-in air compressor for pressure.
An electric nail gun must be plugged into a power outlet, whereas a battery-powered nail gun uses a rechargeable battery. Neither type quite offers the same degree of power and speed that pneumatic nail guns provide.
Nail-loading process
A nail gun loads nails continuously and drives them automatically. This greatly increases the speed at which you can complete a job, and it’s one of the main reasons why a person would choose a nail gun over a classic hammer.
When shopping, you’ll need to choose between a coil-style nail gun and a strip-style nail gun.
Coil-style nail gun loading process
A coil-style nail gun uses nails that are connected to one another with thin wire or paper. The nails look like a coil when you take them out of the box, and they load into a circular area on the nail gun. A coil-style nail gun usually holds larger nails than a strip-style nail gun.
Strip-style nail gun loading process
A strip-style nail gun loads nails that are bound together with plastic, glue, or paper. These “strips” of nails typically look like a small ruler. Battery-powered nail guns often use strip-style nails. Strip-style nails often are brad nails and smaller gauge types of nails.
A coil-style load on a nail gun is often the choice for users who need larger nails than normal. We consider how well this style works for the average user.
Pneumatic nail guns are an excellent choice when you need maximum power, but can be limited due to the air compressor being attached. We weigh the pros and cons of this design when putting together our list.
Many nail guns utilize a strip-style loading process. These are great for users who need to quickly load smaller nails. We investigate this style for how efficient it often is.
Framing nail guns are often picked for their versatility in both power and the type of nail that can be used. We assess how well these options work in a variety of scenarios.
Electric nail guns are lightweight and easier to use thanks to their portability since they don’t need to be connected to an air compressor. We research how powerful these options are during heavy-duty use.
The power of a nail gun can make or break how many situations it can be utilized for. We look for options that provide enough power for both large and small tasks.
The weight of a nail gun is often overlooked, but it can make the difference between how much fatigue you experience during long work sessions, which is something we consider.
Certain nail guns are designed to work for specific jobs such as flooring. While we look for options that provide the most versatility, we keep specialty tools in mind for our list.
One thing to keep in mind when selecting a nail gun is the type of nails that you will be using. We weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each product and how well it can handle both small and large nails.
The handle of a nail gun is an important feature to consider. We look for options that are comfortable to hold during long work days.
Designs of nail guns
Manufacturers make different types of nail guns to handle different jobs. Some nail guns can handle larger nails with big heads; others can only take small nails.
In this section, we will discuss brad nail guns, finishing nail guns, framing nail guns, roofing nail guns, and specialty nail guns.
When choosing a nail gun, consider the different types of jobs you want to complete and select a nail gun design that fits those needs.
Caution
Never inspect or load a nail gun while it is attached to a power source.
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Finishing nail guns
Finishing nail guns are mid-sized nail guns that often take finishing nails (nails designed for baseboards and molding) only.
Finishing nails will work for some small assembly jobs, but they won’t work for framing.
These guns can usually accommodate nails up to 2.5 inches in length with a variety of gauges. Some finishing nailers run on battery power, while others must be plugged into an outlet.
"Some nail guns allow you to adjust the depth at which the nail will sink into the surface. This feature works great when you want to counter-sink some nails so you can cover the heads with putty."
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Framing nail guns
If you need a heavy-duty nail gun for creating framing for a wall or building a deck, a framing nailer has the power you need. Framing nail guns usually run from a power cord in an outlet and use air from a compressor to drive nails.
Framing nailers accept the largest variety of nail lengths and gauges among nail guns. If you’re looking for a general-purpose nail gun for big jobs at home, a framing nail gun is an excellent choice.
Roofing nail guns
A roofing nail gun is designed to do exactly as the name suggests: it works to attach shingles and underlayment materials to the frame of the roof of a home. These nailers work fast. (If you’ve ever watched someone attach shingles with one of these, you’ve seen the impressive speed.)
Roofing nail guns typically can handle nails with large-diameter heads and up to 1.75 inches of length. You could use a roofing nail gun for other types of jobs, but it may not give you the best results.
Did you know?
Pneumatic nail guns weigh more than nail guns that don’t require a separate air compressor.
STAFF
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Brad nail guns
Small nail guns that can handle thin brad nails often run on battery power. You can perform some trim and craft work with brad nailers, as they’re designed for light jobs. Brad nailers dispense nails up to two inches in length and use a small-gauge type of nail.
Specialty nail guns
Other types of specialty nail guns exist, too. A flooring nail gun is designed specifically for assembling flooring. Some nail guns use staples to attach upholstery. These nail guns are not designed for general-purpose use around the home.
FAQ
Q. Will a battery-powered nail gun handle a large job well?
A. If you only need to run the nail gun for several minutes for a light- or medium-duty job, a battery nail gun should work well. Just make sure the nail gun can handle the size and gauge of nails you need to use. But for larger jobs, you may wish to use a nail gun that runs on pneumatic or electrical power. The reason: battery-operated nail guns lose power quickly. If you need a nail gun for a few hours of work, a larger gun with an electrical cord is a much better choice, as you won’t be wasting time waiting for the battery to recharge.
Q. Which nail gun design works best for larger nails?
A. A framing nail gun typically can handle nails of varying lengths up to 3.5 inches; it’s a very versatile tool. A finishing nail gun also can handle larger nails, usually up to 2.5 inches in length. And a brad nailer can handle nails usually up to 2 inches in length, but brad nails have a small gauge.
Q. Does it matter which types of nails I use in my nail gun?
A. Each type of nail gun can handle different types of nails, so don’t expect that you’ll be able to put any kind of nail in your gun. Nail guns require nails of varying lengths, thicknesses (or gauges), and heads.
You must also select either coiled or strip nails depending on the type of gun you have. The instructions included with your nail gun will list the specific types of nails it can use.
Q. Are nail guns safe to use?
A. As with any type of power tool, you should take safety precautions when using a nail gun.
- Always wear eye protection.
- Keep your hands and feet away from the firing area where the nails exit.
- Unplug the nail gun from its power source before loading the machine or attempting to clear a jam.
- Follow any other safety and maintenance instructions included with your nail gun.
As long as you take the proper precautions, you should be able to operate a nail gun safely.
