The Brad Nailer Vs Finish Nailer Decision

Whenever you begin a project in woodworking or carpentry it can be difficult to choose the right fastener for the job. When you are considering between a brad nailer or a finish nailer you will find that a lot of projects seem to call for either one.

These are both excellent automatic nail hammers and are frequently used by professionals. Carpenters, craftsmen, and even amateurs all make use of these tools. They are available in various models that are powered by air compressors. While they are quite similar, when you get down to brad nailer vs. finish nailer, you want to figure out which one works the best on which job. If you use the wrong nailer for your wood project it could mean that you will not get the hold you need or that it gets damaged.

Brad Nailer - One of the biggest advantages of the brad nailer vs finish nailer is the smaller head on the brad nailer. It makes precision wordworking much easier. It also is more accurate when attaching baseboards and wood trim. This type of 'less-visible' head makes this a great choice for wood crafts.

Brad nailers are usually available in 18-gauge. This refers to the machine and not to the nails, and they are about two inches long. This is made up of a thinner wire than the finish nails and this can limit the use of it to doing smaller woodworking projects. And because they bend easier they are able to deflect wood knots much better then the finish nailers. They can also follow the wood grain much easier.

Another advantage when comparing the brad nailer vs finish nailer is the cost. Their cost is nearly half of the cost of a finish nailer. This makes them the best choice for projects that do not require having a finishing nail gun for their construction. A basic use for a brad nailer is for holding something together just temporarily while allowing the glue to dry.

Finish Nailer - There will be a few jobs that just aren't right for brad nailer vs finish nailer. One example would be professional framers. They will commonly use the finish nailer for projects like crown molding, trim work, or for windows. They can be an excellent choie for a whole wide variety of carpentry projects you may undertake that will fit between framing and your brad nailer projects.

Finish nailers are available in 2 gauges which are 15-gauge and 16-gauge and can be around 2 1/2 inches long. This is a thicker and sturdier wire so it holds better than the brad nails do. But it's not a good idea to secure wood strips meant for jigsaw guides due to the propensity to split resulting in the destruction of the wood.

The finish nailer's extra length is definitely handy when working on projects like door jambs or heavy molding. They are also available in a larger selection of magazine types. With the 16-gauge nailer you get a horizontal magazine. The 15-gauge nailer has an angled magazine. These things can benefit you when trying to nail in tighter spaces. Many professionals like the 15-gauge nailer due to their sturdiness.

Always remember what the needs are that your project calls for when you make the decision between brad nailer vs finish nailer. Select the proper fasteners up-front ahead of tome. This will help to save you time and some money before you even get started on your project. You don't want to get started only to realize you made the wrong choice.

About the Author Greg does work for Quality Floor Company Inc.—a premium hardwood flooring Oklahoma City installer. They use a wide variety of high quality flooring materials to help their customers’ homes stand out.