Here is a rundown of the different types of brad nailers in the market today:
- Pneumatic Brad Nailers The primary type of brad nailers you will find in the market today is the pneumatic brad...
- Electric Brad Nailers (Cordless and Corded)
What type of Brad Nailer do I Need?
- BEST OVERALL: BOSTITCH Nail Gun, Brad Nailer, (BTFP12233)
- RUNNER-UP: Metabo HPT Brad Nailer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: WEN 61721 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer
- UPGRADE PICK: Makita XNB01Z 18V LXT Cordless 2″ Brad Nailer
- BEST PNEUMATIC: DEWALT Brad Nailer Kit, DWFP12231
- BEST ELECTRIC: DEWALT 5-in-1 Multi-tacker and Brad Nailer
What size Brad Nailer do I Need?
- BOSTITCH BTFP02012-WPK 6-Gallon 150 PSI Oil-Free Compressor Kit.
- PORTER-CABLE C2002 Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor.
- DEWALT D55140 1-Gallon 135 PSI Max Trim Compressor.
- Excell U256PPE 6 Gallon Pancake Air Compressor.
- Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP Air Compressor.
What sizes do brad nails come in?
Brads are thin, 18-gauge nails made for more delicate woodworking jobs. They’re available in collated strips for nail guns or individual pieces. Brad nail length ranges from 1/2-inch to 2 1/2-inch. Their slim profile reduces wood splitting. They leave small holes that often don’t need to be filled. Common brad nail uses include decorative trim, picture frame and paneling.
What size is a 18 gauge brad nail?
The 18 gauge brad nails are usually between 1/2 inch to 2 inches long and 1.207 Millimeters thick. In terms of nails, the higher the gauge number the thinner the nail. Hence, an 18-gauge nail is a little thinner than a 16-gauge. The 16 gauge finish nail is 1.588 Millimeters thick and is available in lengths ranging from 1 inch to 2-1/2 inches.
Which is thicker 16 or 18 gauge Brad nails?
Gauge is actually the number of nails that are lined up. This indicates that 16-gauge nails are thicker and can hold better when compared to 18-gauge brads. You will have to keep in mind that a low gauge number will have a thicker nail.
Are all brad nails the same?
Brad nails (often just called brads), are 18 gauge, which is 0.0475 of an inch. They vary in length from ½ to 2½ inches. By comparison, a 16-gauge finish nail is 0.0625-inch thick.
What are 5/8 brad nails used for?
Arrow 5/8 In. brad nails are ideal for a variety of indoor and outdoor projects including wood and artificial trim, picture frames and detail work. Brad nails are also good for upholstery, crafts, trellis and screen repair.
What's the difference between a finish nailer and brad nail?
What's the Difference Between a Brad Nailer vs Finish Nailer? The main difference between these two different nail guns is the size of the nail they shoot. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the nail. The brad nailer fires 18 gauge nails, and the finish nailer fires 16 gauge nails.
Can I hammer in Brad Nails?
Luckily, you can definitely use a hammer with brad nails! But there's also a reason many people prefer brad nailers. Hand nailing brad nails comes with a lot of challenges and is rarely the right solution. It's easy to scuff or damage the wood swinging a hammer, and it can be tough to use a hammer on brad nails.
Can you use 18-gauge nails for baseboards?
What gauge nails to use for baseboards? Based on nail size, you should be looking for anything between 15 gauge and 18 gauge. With these gauges it you can easily find nails up to 2.5'' long which is an ideal length for baseboard nails.
Brad Nail
Comparing to regular nails or other types of nails, brad nail is smaller and thinner. It is used to come in steel metal construction and the length varies based on projects. Mostly it comes in 18-gauge steel construction. The length mostly remains in between 5/8-inch to 2 1/4-inch.
When to Use Brad Nails?
Brad nail is the thinnest version of nails. It is lightweight and used to bend easily when applied too much pressure. So, you can’t just randomly use them for all kinds of woodworking projects. Instead, you should apply only when the project matches the dimension of these particular types of nails.
Can You Use Brad Nails for All Woodworks?
Brad nails are indeed great for small wooden objects, but you can’t use this small thing for all. When the project includes heavy wooden parts, a brad nail can’t take the load. Rather, when you are trying to drive in the nail, there is a huge chance of bending it. And as you know, bent nail can’t keep the things in place.
How to Drive a Brad Nail Properly?
To get the maximum benefit from brad nails, it is essential to drive the nail properly in the object. If you consider the conventional hammer, it would be difficult to drive the nail with it. Hammers used to create heavy pressure on the nail’s head.
Final Verdict
Now you know what a brad nail is and when to use a brad nail for any woodworks. This is the simplest thing that could give smooth finishing in minimal projects. Find the right type of brad nail and apply it in the wood properly with the help of the right tools. Try to get a good brad nail gun operated with pneumatic pressure for your convenience.
What size are Brad nails?
Brad nails are sold according to penny size, i.e. 8d, 12d, 16d etc., where ‘d’ stands for the penny on the British monetary denomination. Penny sizing simply refers to the length of the nail whereby the larger the penny number the larger the nail and vice versa.
Why is it important to consider the features of a brad nail?
Considering the features of a brad nail is vital in helping you make an informed decision when you want to buy them. Nail features play a part in enhancing the characteristics of the nails depending on size and model. Three main features to consider are:
How does an electric brad nailer work?
An electric brad nailer loads an air compression chamber via an electric charge. As the chamber discharge, it releases the power that shoots the brad. The brads are normally 18 gauges but can be as long as 2”. For an electric brad nailer to function properly, it must possess the following key features.
How to nail brads in a magazine?
Identify the image of a brad nail on the tool and slide the brads into that direction only. Hold it upside down. Place brads into the magazine while tilting the brad na iler to ensure the brads lie against the channel’s wall. Afterwards, slide the latch backwards and ensure that the brad strip doesn’t fall.
What is a brad nailer?
Brad nailers are nail guns that are used to piece together small mouldings and woodcuts to woodwork. It is basically an electrically powered tool that fires 18-gauge brads. It is often the preferred choice as it uses very small nail gauges that will not slit the wood surface no matter how light it is.
What is the first consideration when choosing the right brad nail?
The first consideration when choosing the right brad nail is to determine what type of jobs you’ll be doing. Brad nails come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all perform similar function. Below are some factors you should consider:
Can brad nails be exposed?
If the brad nails are to be exposed, then they need to be up to the task. Using interior nails on the outside results to their rusting and shortly thereafter, they bleed through the paint and fail. The following would do as exterior brad nails:
What is a Brad nailer?
Brad nailer is a great power tool that must be own by every woodworker enthusiast. This is a tool that will allow you to execute nailing tasks without leaving traces . This means you will be saved time with it as there wouldn’t be any filling on a hoe. It will also help you to develop your creative skill as the tool can use to join different pieces of wood together without any stress.
What type of air compressor is used for brad nailer?
With air compressor type “Pneumatic brad nailer” will work perfectly. It will derive its power with hose connectivity to an air compressor. It is a common choice for brad nailer because it allows the operators to work efficiently without wasting time. And if it is used against a difficult task, it offers an elegant professional finish. Also, there are certain safety issues when using a pneumatic nailer and you must take note of it. Most accidents with this tool type are usually caused by air compressor’s and it is, therefore, necessary to when carefully handling the instrument.
What is a cordless nailer?
A cordless nailer that operates with a rechargeable battery is electric. A cordless nailer is fast and easy to use for a simple, basic project that doesn’t need too many nails, since it does not require the installation and use of an air compressor.
Electric Brad Nailer
An electric brad nailer is a tool that has been designed for people who are looking to do their own home projects but don’t want the hassle of dragging around an air compressor. It’s also great if you’re working with a smaller project and need precision–the nails will be driven in at exactly the same depth every time.
Pneumatic Brad Nailer
A pneumatic brad nailer is a powerful tool that drives nails into wood with compressed air. They work by placing the tip of the nail against the surface and then clamping it down to drive the nail in, much as a hammer does.
The Parts of a Nail
A nail has three basic parts: a point that drives into the work pieces, a shank or shaft that secures the work pieces together and provides much of the strength and holding power, and a head that allows you to drive the fastener and helps prevent the nail from pulling through the work pieces.
Nail Sizes
Length Nail length may be indicated in inches or by the penny system, abbreviated with a D (16D nails). Originally an indication of how many English pennies it cost to purchase 100 nails of an individual size, now the penny system indicates nail length. Higher numbers mean longer lengths:
Nail Materials and Finishes
The nail material and finish help determine what projects you can use a nail on. Steel is the most common material, but it's vulnerable to corrosion. Steel nails that'll contact moisture or be used in pressure-treated wood need a corrosion-resistant coating or plating.
Types of Nails
All nails serve the purpose of securing work pieces together, but in addition to that basic function, different nails are designed for different purposes, such as supporting structural hardware, standing up to the elements outdoors or allowing easy concealment. Here are some characteristics and uses for some of the most common nails.