Receiving Helpdesk

what are brad nails

by Miss Lucy Upton PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

  • 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.

Brad nails, or brads, are made of 18-gauge steel wire. Nail gauge sizes indicate the thickness of the nail. Thinner nails have higher gauge numbers. The small diameter of brad nails makes them easy to mask in wood trim or paneling. In addition to being thinner than standard nails, they also feature a smaller head.

Full Answer

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

More items...

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 are brad nailers used for?

  • 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.

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 is the difference between a nail and a Brad?

Brad nails are formed from a fine, 18-gauge wire, so they are smaller in diameter than finish nails and typically have less holding strength. They're better suited for tasks like light decorative trim and molding, panel installation and crafts.

What's the difference between Brad and finishing nailer?

0:454:52Brad Nailer Vs Finish Nailer | What's The Difference? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProject alright let's jump in we're gonna start with the brad nailer. So what exactly is a brad nailMoreProject alright let's jump in we're gonna start with the brad nailer. So what exactly is a brad nail gun well for simplicity's sake it is a nailer that uses smaller gauge nails. So when you're

Why do they call them Brad nails?

In conclusion, a brad is called a brad because of its nature and its use in both paper and wooden projects. Brads are excellent choices when you want to conceal the nail in your work, unlike finished nails that have a bigger head. Brads have smaller heads and all these qualities are what make a brad a brad.

What is the difference between a brad and a staple?

Staple guns, like crown staplers, can drive fasteners deep into wood to the depth of their two-pronged legs. A brad nailer, by contrast, uses a small, thin nail with almost no head—it's more like a pin. These kinds of nails fasten molding and trim to walls.

What is a brad nailer best used for?

For delicate finishing touches, a brad nailer is best. A brad nailer is a light-duty tool. It might be used for adding narrow decorative moldings to plain panels or under stair treads. These tools are popular with crafters and model makers. They are often used for making birdhouses and bat boxes.

Should I use a brad nailer or finish nailer for baseboards?

In terms of best uses, brad nails are better suited for tasks like light decorative trim and molding, paneling, picture frames, and crafts such as birdhouses. Finish nails are better suited for larger trim, such as baseboards or crown molding.

Can you 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 I use a brad nailer for baseboards?

Q. Can you use a brad nailer for baseboards? Brad nailers are suitable for baseboards. Most fire brads as long as 2 inches, which is enough to penetrate a 3/4-inch thick molding, 1/2-inch thick drywall, and bite into the framing lumber in the baseplate or wall studs.

How strong are Brad nails?

By design, brad nails are naturally weaker than traditional nails. So, they won't hold as well on mid to large-sized projects. Also known as brads, these nails are intentionally made to be thinner than conventional nails; this helps to prevent splitting any of the wood you're working with.

Can I use brad nails in a staple gun?

No, a brad nailer is not the same as a staple gun. You can only use brad nailers with brad nails; staples cannot be fired from these tools.

Can you use brad nails in a pin nailer?

I'm here to help! Brad nailers and pin nailers are both nail guns used for small to medium-sized projects. However, these tools are not interchangeable.

Will a brad nailer do staples?

This 18 ga 2-in-1 brad nailer/finish stapler kit is versatile and convenient with its ability to drive both brads and narrow crown finish staples to your desired depth. Use this kit for interior and exterior finish and trim, furniture, cabinet work, and more.

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 is a brad nail?

The Basic Structure of a Brad. A brad nail is essentially an 18-gauge wire that’s been formed into a sharpened nail. They’re generally much thinner than your average finishing nail and are easily bent while being driven.

When to use brad nails?

Anytime you’re working with delicate materials that risk splitting while nails are being driven , it’s a good time to use brad nails. The thin gauge of a brad nail also makes it easier to hide and provides a damage-free finish ...

What size brad nails should I use?

Most brad nailers can drive a diverse range of brads, from the tiniest 1/4” headless brads to bigger 1-1/2” round head brads. Brad nails are a great choice and are one of the easiest, most affordable fasteners to use when you need a clean look and finish.

What kind of nail gun to use for brads?

If you’ve got a larger number of brads to drive, or if you find yourself using them frequently, an electric or pneumatic nail gun might be a good fit for you. Powered brad nailers can hold hundreds of brads and will drive them gently into your project with tremendous ease.

What are brads used for?

Brads are commonly used to attach shoe moldings and small ornamental parts on furniture . Brads are also useful when gluing delicate wooden parts together. It’s often helpful to apply glue to a joint and then drive a few brad nails into your project to hold everything while the glue dries.

How to hold a brad nail?

You can solve this problem with a thin strip of cardboard. Just poke the nail through the cardboard and use that to position your nail. Now you can freely hit your nail with your hands out of the way.

Can Brad nails be bent?

They’re typically easy to remove and can be easily bent. They’re definitely not designed for applications that might see any kind of physical load or need to bear any kind of weight. Brad nails are usually not galvanized, so they’re not good for exterior applications as they’re prone to rusting.

What is a brad nailer?

A brad nailer is a very common and powerful tool used for home improvement or DIY assignments. You can also use it for your carpentry projects, attaching trims, or pieces of furniture. You’ll find that a brad nailer is the perfect tool to help in a variety of projects, and we go through the details about which type and features you’ll need.

What is an electric brad nailer?

Electric Brad Nailer. This type of brad nailer comes with an electric motor that can drive gauge nails through the wooden materials. By default, it tends to be heavier than its counterpart because of the bulky motor. However, despite being heavy, it’s quite effective and efficient in getting the job done faster.

What is the difference between pneumatic and electric brad nailers?

Whether you opt for a pneumatic nailer or an electric nailer, both of the tools have powerful capabilities that’ll help in making your task much easier. Electric brad nailers are preferred mostly for their portability and ease of use while pneumatic nailers are preferred when heavy tasks are involved.

How does a cordless nailer work?

A corded nailer is powered by connecting it to an electric outlet through an extension cord. However, they’re rarely available nowadays. Contrary to the electric version, the cordless nailer comes with a Li-ion rechargeable battery that has an acceptable run time before recharging again.

Why are pneumatic brad nailers so popular?

It has a lightweight hose that operates the compressor. Pneumatic nailers are quite popular as they help workers in producing a clean and professional finish. Just like the electric nailer, it’s important to handle pneumatic brad nailers with care to prevent injuries.

Why do you need to lubricate brad nailers?

The metallic moving parts in your brad nailer needs to be lubricated regularly to prevent the parts from getting jammed or clogged. The air hose must also be lubricated to ensure proper nail firing. Also, remember to use lubricants for pneumatic nailers as other oils can spoil the rubber parts.

What is pneumatic nailer?

Pneumatic nailers are very powerful and are capable of driving thick, long nails through heavy materials. This makes them a perfect option for heavy tasks like roofing your sheds, flooring, and framing.

What are Brad nails used for?

Brad nails have small shank diameter and small heads that make them useful for a light finish when woodworking. This small size nails are less likely to split picture rail moldings, crown moldings and similar construction materials. Brad nails can be installed with the use of a hammer or through a pneumatic nail gun.

What is copper brad nail?

Copper Brad Nails. Copper brand nails are designed for wood surfaces, sidings and moldings. Although this type of nail is not as strong and as durable as the other types of nails, it is affordable and easy to find. Tools.

What is the most durable nail?

These different types of materials vary in terms of durability and strength. Brad nails that are made of galvanized materials are some of the most durable types of nails and they are less likely to corrode even when exposed to adverse conditions.

What is the best nail for piercing metal?

Aluminum Brad Nails. When it comes to fastening thin metal and siding, your best choice is the aluminum brad nail. Aluminum brad nails are good at piercing surfaces and they are less likely to bend in place.

How to tell the size of brad nails?

When choosing brad nails, see to it that the length of the nails is at least three times the thickness of the materials that you want to nail through.

Do brad nails cost more?

Yes, nails that are made of galvanized materials tend to be more expensive than other types of brad nails but if you want your woodwork to stay in tack on in good condition longer, you might as well invest in galvanized nails.

Can you drive nails through tile?

Most types of tiles can split apart when subjected to stress so as much as possible, do not use a hammer to drive the nails through. If you must use a hammer instead of a nail gun, use a tack hammer and make sure that you do not bend the nails in place as you drive it through the tiles.

What is a Brad Nail?

Brad nails, or brads, are made of 18-gauge steel wire. Nail gauge sizes indicate the thickness of the nail. Thinner nails have higher gauge numbers. The small diameter of brad nails makes them easy to mask in wood trim or paneling. In addition to being thinner than standard nails, they also feature a smaller head.

What are Finish Nails?

Finish nails, or finishing nails, are generally made of 15- or 16-gauge steel wire, making them slightly thicker in diameter than brad nails. The added thickness means that finishing nails create a stronger hold than brads. This makes them useful for heftier applications with thicker material, such as cabinets or baseboards.

Brad Nails Vs. Finish Nails

When it comes to choosing brad nails vs. finish nails, it depends on your project and the type of wood you’re using. In general, go with finish nails for thick wood and brads for thin wood. Finish nails are stronger than brads, so choose them if your project needs to be durable.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9