Here’s the big question when us fellow DIYers shopping online:A cheap nail gun is always what we want,but can it get the job done?In another word,What type of nail gun can get my project done and cost less?The answer shall be crystal clear at the end of this article.
With different perspectives,nail guns can have so many types,but luckily,not all perspectives could alter the price of the nail gun.
First of all,even for us fellow bargain haunters,we should always make sure the nailer we bought can get the job done!Otherwise no matter how cheap it is,you’ll have to get a new one,which may cost even more!For project wise,there are 7 common types for different projects:
1.Framing Nail Gun:A framing nail gun is an essential tool for carpenters working on projects such as framing,fence installation,or deck building.This heavy-duty tool provides the necessary power and precision to securely connect large pieces of lumber together,ensuring the structural integrity of the frames for years to come.
2.Finish Nail Gun:A finish nail gun is ideal for securing trim and molding as it is slightly larger than brad nailers,enabling it to use 15 and 16 gauge nails for larger finishing pieces such as door trim,window trim,baseboards,chair rails,and moldings.Additionally,it can tackle more challenging projects like fastening a standard floorboard to the drywall behind it.
Using a finish nail gun offers improved holding power and resistance to withdrawal compared to brad nails,thanks to the use of 15 and 16 gauge nails.However,it is important to be aware that these nails may create more visible holes in the trim,requiring extra attention to effectively hide them.
3.Brad Nail Guns:Brad nail guns are ideal for delicate trim,cabinet construction/repair,and custom woodworking projects where using larger nails could potentially damage the wood.
Similar to finish nailers,brad nail guns are commonly used for installing lightweight interior trim and molding.Additionally,they can be used to secure thin wood panels to the back of cabinetry.However,it's important to note that the fine 18-gauge nails used in brad nail guns may not be suitable for larger pieces of molding.
These lightweight nail guns are particularly useful for home projects,especially during painting,as they allow for easy reinstallation of trim and baseboards without the need for hammering in 18-gauge nails.Furthermore,the small size of the nails minimizes the visibility of holes,making them easier to cover compared to the holes left behind by finish nailers.
4.Flooring Nail Guns:Flooring nail guns,also known as cleat nailers or hardwood nail guns,are the ideal tools for installing hardwood flooring.These nail guns are designed to expedite the installation process and ensure that each nail is inserted at the correct angle.
Hardwood nail guns utilize a specific type of nail called cleats,which can be easily identified by their L-shaped or T-shaped heads.These cleats are specifically designed to penetrate and secure hardwood flooring.Hardwood nail guns can be either manual or pneumatic,with the pneumatic ones relying on air pressure to assist in driving the cleats through the tough hardwood.
Unlike other types of nail guns,hardwood nailers require the user to strike the driver head when inserting a cleat.The amount of force needed depends on the density of the hardwood being installed and the length of the cleat.It is important to note that greater force is required when working with denser wood or when driving longer cleats.
Overall,hardwood nail guns are essential tools for efficient and precise hardwood flooring installation.
5.Roofing Nail Guns:Roofing nail guns are versatile tools designed specifically for driving nails into various roofing materials,including roofing shingles,vinyl material,tar paper,asphalt,insulation boards,and fiber cement.They are equipped with cylindrical cases that hold coils of nails,allowing for efficient and continuous work without frequent reloading.
Roofing nail guns are primarily used to secure roofing shingles to the roof by driving nails ranging from 0.75 inches to 1.75 inches in length.However,they can also be utilized for other applications such as installing vinyl material,insulation boards,fiber cement,waterproof tar paper,and certain types of thin siding.
Unlike many nail guns that use a straight-line magazine for nail storage,roofing nailers are equipped with a coil or canister magazine.This unique feature enables them to hold a larger quantity of nails,reducing the need for frequent reloading and allowing for uninterrupted work on the roof..
6.Palm Nail Guns:Palm nail guns,also known as palm nailers,are compact nailers designed to be held in the palm of the hand.They are specifically designed for woodworking projects that require nails to be driven into tight corners and tricky angles where traditional hammers or other nail guns cannot reach.While they may not be suitable for larger-scale projects or framing,they are extremely useful in confined spaces.
Unlike traditional nail guns with straight handles,palm nailers have a rounded shape that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.This compact design allows them to access tight areas with ease.However,one drawback is that palm nailers do not have a magazine to hold multiple nails,so the user needs to insert one nail at a time.And it's not practical for framing or large-scale projects,they only come in handy in close quarters.
7.Pin Nail Guns:Pin nail guns,also known as pinners,are similar to brad nailers but are specifically designed to shoot smaller brads.These tools are particularly well-suited for detailed trim work,making them ideal for furniture and cabinet making.
Also,unlike traditional nails,pin nailers use 23 gauge nails that are so small they resemble pins.This feature allows them to leave almost no trace behind and apply minimal pressure on delicate pieces of wood.In addition to furniture and cabinet making,pin nail guns can also be used to install narrow pieces of molding and trim.This is especially useful when using larger gauge nails may risk splitting the wood.However,it's important to note that due to their small size,pin nails have limited holding strength and withdrawal resistance.Therefore,it is recommended to use them only for lightweight materials.
Of course there’s more types to extend,like siding nail gun or heavy-duty staple nail gun,but as they are not commonly seen,we’ll leave it next time.As for the nail guns mentioned above,finish nail gun and brad nail gun are the most commonly used types.If you don’t know which one to choose,and your work does not require a specific nail gun type,those two are always a good option.
Now we’ve picked the types of nail gun that could get the job done,it’s time to talk about the price!There are so many details that can alter the nail gun's price,like nail loading method,adaptable nail type,firing mechanism,nail capacity,nail-depth adjustment,angled nail rail and etc..But the most significant factor of influence,asides from nail gun work type,is the power source.Most kinds of nail gun mentioned above can be driven by different power sources.So let's try and pick the best nail gun with affordable price!
From power source point of view,there are generally 3 types of nail gun,As in corded,cordless,and pneumatic(air),it’s actually 2 major types to think about—electric nail gun and pneumatic nail gun,The chart below illustrates the major differences between the three power nailers,pick the nail gun that cost less and yet still suits your needs.
Pneumatic (Air Powered) |
Cordless (Battery Powered) |
Corded |
|
Power Source |
Compressed Air |
Battery power |
Socket power |
Force |
Most Powerful |
Comparatively Less Power |
Comparatively Less Power (in most case can be powerful than a cordless one) |
Performance |
Faster firing rate |
Relatively Slower |
Relatively Slower |
Portability |
Difficult to move around |
Highly portable |
Relatively portable |
Ease of use |
Need to setup air compressor |
Ready to go & Easy to work. |
Ready to go & Easy to work. |
Size & Weight |
Lighter |
Bulkier with the battery |
Lighter |
Maintenance |
Easy to maintain |
Easy to maintain. |
Easy to maintain |
Noise |
Loud |
Relatively quiet |
Relatively quiet |
Safety |
Need More Attention on Safety Check for the cord and the compressor |
Safest |
Relatively Safer |
Cost |
1. Already own an air compressor, almost 1/3 price of a cordless nailer 2. Don't own an air compressor,the whole nail gun set would worth almost as much as a cordless nailer or even higher. |
expensive |
Inexpensive |
Generally Pneumatic nail guns are powered by air compressors,they require professional settings on the air compressors,and you can easily find lots of problems asked online that may caused by that,like“nail gun driver not retracting”.And even though it is more powerful and could relatively cause less damage on the wood,it’s price,noise and potential safety hazard makes it not family friendly and not the best choice for beginners.
As for corded electric nail gun,it’s approximately half the price of a cordless one.While cordless brad nailers are typically more portable,corded nail guns have their place.For example,a corded brad nailer is almost always more powerful and is the better choice for jobs where driving power and runtime is the key concern.Nevertheless,the inconvenience of dragging wires and the limitation of length could make the cordless nail gun a much more favorable option in the long run.Furthermore,it is worth mentioning that corded nail guns cannot be used outdoors due to socket limitations.
Last but not the least,a cordless nail gun may be the relatively expensive option here,but surely could worth the money you spend if you want to get all the things around home done once and for all,one nail gun for all the application scenarios,indoor or outdoor,high up or down below.JOVANT cordless nail guns are one of the affordable choice on the market,New customer can have 10%off on their first order!
JOVANT 20V 30MM Cordless 2-in-1 Brad Nail Gun with depth adjustment and powerful brushless motor,can drive brad nails and narrow staples,pre-assembled&easy to Operate,it can also be compatible with Makita 18V Battery,all light duty home DIY can be done easily with it.
JOVANT 20V 50MM Cordless 2-in-1 Brad Nail Gun with single firing&contact firing adjustment and Depth Adjustment,powerful brushless motor for much powerful and smooth experience.pre-assembled&easy to operate,equips with dual LED lights&intelligent indicator,user friendly easy nail jam troubleshooting design.Can drive brad nails and narrow staples up to 1-1/2”!
Thoroughly consider your needs and application scenarios to find the cheaper nail gun that can get the job done,ultimately,the decision is yours to make.