When it comes to lightweight constructs like framing a home, building a fence, installing a deck, it may require lots of nailing and hammering. And during this process, it can take a lot of time, and the chances of your finger getting hammered increases. So to minimize the risk and to speed up the work, Nail Gun plays an essential role. But choosing the Best Nail Guns is difficult because there are many types of nail guns, and each works with different apparatus.
On this page, I will guide you and explain the different types of nail guns and their uses.
What is a Nail Gun?
A nail gun, also called a nailer, is a power tool that shoots nails at high speed. The nails in the nail gun are arranged in a coil or strips and fired either by compressed air generated by an air compressor (pneumatic nailers) or by a battery (they are generally cordless nailers); some use compressed gas of butane or propane for firing.
Difference between Coil nail gun and Strip Nail gun
According to the nails housing, nail guns are differentiated into two types:
- Coil Nail Gun: In this type of nail gun, the nails are held together with a wire. Nails holding capacity (roughly 300-350 nails on average)is much higher than the normal strip nail gun. A Coil Nail gun can be easily be identified by its drum magazine, which holds the nails.
- Strip Nail Gun: This type of nail gun uses a long magazine to hold the nails. It can hold upto 20 to 40 nails in the long magazine.
Advantages of using a Nail Gun
A nail gun is a handy and time-saving tool that relieves a lot of user’s physical work from nailing. Here are some advantages of having a nail gun.
- Improves productivity: With nailgun, nailing becomes faster and easier with just a push of a trigger.
- Precise: Nailer shoots nails accurately without bending the nails.
- Safety: Saves the finger from getting hammered.
- Convenient: It is easy to carry, makes less noise, unlike hammering.
Types of Nail Guns
Framing Nail Guns: These nail guns are generally used for heavy-duty work like wood framing in heavy construction jobs and building. These framing nail guns work with nails up to 3½ nails to join 2x4s. Frame nail guns are also of two types:
- Round-headed Nail Gun: It holds a lesser number of nails.
- Clipped-head Nail gun: It holds more nails and is used for a high volume of work.
Palm Nail Guns: These are mini palm-sized nail guns generally used for small projects. Because of its lightweight and small size, nailing tight corners can be done with ease, and the user can work for a longer period.
Palm nail gun uses nails varying between 1.5″ and 3.5″ long. Palm nail gun comes in pneumatic, electric, and cordless variations.
Flooring Nail Guns: They are specially designed nail gun typical nail guns and are used for tongue-and-groove floorboards.
Brad Nail Guns: These nail guns are used for smaller projects and finishing work. Brad nail guns require 15-16 gauge nails.
Roofing Nail Guns: These nail guns are used by professional for roofing materials
Siding Nail Guns: They are capable of doing almost the same thing as a framing nail gun, but in a siding nail gun, you can achieve a uniform shot and can obtain a great finish in softer wood without leaving any impression.
Pin Nail Guns: A pin nail Gun, also called Pin nailer, is used for finishing work in carpentry. They are generally used for holding materials after gluing.
Finishing Nail Guns: This nail gun is used for precision work and finishing work. It usually uses 14 to 16 gauge, 1″ to 2½” nails.
How are Nail Guns powered?
There are three different ways to power nail guns for firing nails.
Pneumatic Nail Guns: Pneumatic Nail Guns are the most common and widely used. They are the most inexpensive nailer, and the drawback is that it requires an air compressor to get powered. Pneumatic nailer is difficult to work because the hose gets tangled and kinked, and even the air compressor makes a loud noise causing inconvenience.
Cordless Nail Guns: Cordless nail guns are more expensive than Pneumatic Nail Guns. They are battery charged and does not require any air compressor.
Gas Powered Nail Guns: These are gas-powered nail guns. They are expensive and powerful.
How to choose a Nail Gun
Choose a nail gun depending on your work and budget. Not all nail guns offer the same output; some are meant for trim work, and some are for heavy-duty work. Even different variety nail guns are powered by different apparatus. So look for a nailer that best fits you and your preference. For your convenience, I will list some of the Best Nail Guns available in the market.
Best Nail Guns
After long research, I have selected some of the Best Nails Guns that may suit you according to your need.
Metabo HPT Pneumatic Framing Nailer
Hitachi Power Tools has renamed as Metabo HPT
- Type: Framing
- Firing Method: Sequential or contact nailing
- Nail type: Strip-style
Metabo HPT is a pneumatic framing nailer, which means you will need an air compressor to power it. Metabo HPT is used for the construction of subflooring, framing, and other heavy-duty work. It comes with a Tool-less depth adjustment dial for better control and flexibility when working into various types of wood. It is build up with an open nose design for easy extraction of a jammed nail. It Operates at a Pressure: 70-120psi.
Cordless Brad Nailer: DEWALT
If you are looking for a 100% battery powered cordless nailer, then I would suggest Dewalt. Dewalt is known for its electrical and tool equipment. A battery-powered cordless nailer is best for DIY work because it eliminates the hassle of using gas, compressor, and hose. Its unique micro nose design improves line of sight and accuracy of nail placement. Maximum nailer faces nailer jamming, but in Dewalt, tool-free jam releases to quickly and making it easier to clear nail jams.
