How Do I Get Gas Cartridge For The Porter Cable Bammer Nail Gun

Finishing nailers are one of the almost important tools in whatsoever contractor or DIYers toolbox. Finish nailers, also known as finishing nailers or trim nailers, are a blazon of power tool that drives nails directly into forest without a hammer, using air pressure to fire the nails.

Contents [ show ]

What'southward a End Nailer?
Features to Consider in a Finish Nailer
- Type of Finish Nailer
- Weight
- Smash Gauge/Fastener Style
- Angle
Top ten All-time Cease Nailers 2022
- 1. Best Overall Pick: Paslode Cordless Finish Nailer
- 2. Best Premium Pick: Dewalt 20V MAX Angled Finish Nailer
- 3. Best Upkeep Pick: NuMax SFN64 Pneumatic sixteen-Judge Straight Finish Nailer
- 4. Most Convenient: Porter-Cablevision 20V Max Cease Nailer
- v. Best Smash Gun with Included Compressor: Craftsman eighteen Gauge Terminate Nailer with Air Compressor
- 6. Best 15 Gauge: Makita AF635 15-Judge Angled Finish Nailer
- seven. Best for DIYers: Ryobi Ane+ Cordless 16 Judge Finish Nailer
- viii. Makita XNB02Z 18V LXT Direct Finish 16-Judge Nailer
- 9. Bostitch Air Compressor Philharmonic Kit
- x. Metabo HPT Finish Nailer, xvi-Guess
Guide to Buying the Best Cease Nailers for 2021
- Categories of Nailers
- Angled vs. Straight End Nailers: What Practice I Need?
- Purchasing Nails for Your Terminate Nailer
- Safety Advice for Smash Guns
- Tips and Tricks for Cease Nailers
- Nail Gun Accessories
- Frequently Asked Questions About Finish Nailers
Wrapping Up

What's a Finish Nailer?

From framing nailers to staplers, carpenters and DIYers use many unlike types of nailers to fasten lumber together. The most common types of nailers are end nailers, brad nailers, and framing nailers. Framing nailers accomplish heavy-duty framing tasks using large, three-inch nails. Brad nailers utilise small-scale-estimate nails to nail delicate trim. Terminate nailers are a centre basis, adept at tasks like fastening baseboards, sturdy trim, and molding.

Features to Consider in a Finish Nailer

While nailers are all designed to send a nail through a piece of a construction material, the product category is both broad and specialized, with different products meant for different use circumstances. Before evaluating the features of a specific nailer, sympathize exactly what you need your finish nailer for. Knowing exactly what type of product y'all demand tin can save you time and coin in the long term.

Type of Finish Nailer

The whole beauty of a ability nailer is the fact that information technology doesn't require physical input from the user to drive a nail, instead using some kind of machine ability to push the nail into the nailing surface. Most commonly this comes via compressed air; about all commercial nailers are powered via some type of gas pushing the boom frontwards. More DIY-oriented nailers are handheld, relying on batteries, or operate via direct electrical power.

Pneumatic Nailers

Pneumatic nailers are the virtually reliable, powerful, and mutual nailers on the market place. They require an auxiliary air compressor, typically electric-powered, that connects via an air hose and provides highly compressed air that drives the nail. When purchasing a nailer, consider the price, noise level, and energy requirements of an air compressor. While pneumatic nail guns are the gold standard in nailing, power that comes via an air compressor is louder and less portable.

Cordless Electric Nailers

Although cordless finishing nailers are a relatively recent addition to ability tool lineups, they have their purpose for quick applications where it'due south not worth pulling out a whole air compressor/stop nailer setup.

While we definitely wouldn't recommend a cordless nail gun every bit a framing nailer, you can often become away with a wireless nail gun when taking upon less intense products that are more than aesthetic in nature, most of the projects y'all might approach with a end nailer.

Fuel Nailers

Fuel nailers are a cordless option that uses an electrical, battery-powered spark to ignite a fuel/air mixture within a combustion sleeping accommodation to drive a blast from the barrel into the work surface. While they're powerful for beingness cordless, they have the disadvantage of requiring both a battery and an expensive tool-specific fuel cartridge that needs to be frequently replaced.

Corded Electrical Nailers

Some nailers skip the air compressor completely, plugging directly into 120v wall power. While these nailers are much less powerful and you're even so somewhat move-restricted thanks to a power cord, they're a bit of a center ground choice and don't crave the purchase of an air compressor

Weight

Weight typically increases with the power of a boom gun merely makes utilize and portability more difficult, particularly for DIYers and amateur carpenters. When shopping, compare the ability of the nail gun to the weight, recognizing that information technology tin exist both difficult and physically straining to use a 10-pound nailer to put upwardly crown molding all day.

Nail Gauge/Fastener Way

Each nail gun is uniform with a specific type of nail or style of fastener. Nails are delivered in a plastic belt of nails. Fasteners are physically continued to each other, similar to staples. Consider what kind of blast will work all-time with your project, also consider the price of the nails or fasteners you choose.

Angle

While many amateur carpenters are inclined to think that the angle of a cease nailer has to practise with the angle at which the nail or fastener enters the woods, it actually has to do with the orientation of the nail magazine confronting the barrel. Directly nailers are popular for their resistance to jamming, simplicity, and lower average price. Nail guns with steeper angles are easier to maneuver, typically designed to be lightweight, and fit into small spaces. The more frail work you do, the better off you are with an angled nail gun.

Read on to acquire about some of our favorite finish nailers for pros, DIYers, and hobbyists akin.

Top 10 Best Finish Nailers 2022

1. All-time Overall Pick: Paslode Cordless Stop Nailer

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Why nosotros like it: This nailer gets the job washed using fuel cartridges, making information technology a lightweight yet powerful option for those who need something more portable.

Editor's Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Fuel Nailer
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Fastener Size/Way: 16 Gauge

Review

Paslode is one of the biggest names in nailers, always producing the most powerful and cutting-border nailing technologies. While this nailer uses a fuel format that creates some difficulties related to periodic cartridge replacement, it'southward a happy compromise for near between the portability of a cordless nailer and the power of a pneumatic nail gun. And unlike conglomerate manufacturers like Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Dewalt, Paslode just produces nailers and staplers, yielding a similarly priced merely ultimately higher quality product.

This premium nailer is no exception, and there'south a reason information technology'southward especially popular with the contracting crowd, which might help inform serious DIYers as well. Fantastic with this end nailer is nail accurateness, and an angled magazine delivers nails consistently and powerfully, while still being able to clasp into tight spots and corners.

The downsides: price and fuel, equally this $300-plus nailer isn't only expensive, it's got an expensive fuel system. Are a couple of bucks worth of gas enough for you to purchase this over a pneumatic nailer and an air compressor? With this updated version:
You'll have to exist the gauge of that, merely for us, the 12,000 nail-per-charge batteries and up to 1,200 shots per refill of Paslode fuel cartridges seem reasonable at a picayune under $10 a popular. These also come in packs of 2, meaning even nearly professionals should detect that they last several jobs before they need to be repurchased. There's too an included bombardment and battery charger, something that isn't included on cheaper nailers similar the Ryobi 1+ Cordless 16 Gauge Finish Nailer.

Pros

Pneumatic ability without an expensive, beefy air compressor
12,000 nail-per-charge bombardment
Angled mag can squeeze into tight spots and corners
Fantastic smash accuracy

Cons

Expensive, especially considering echo fuel cartridge purchases

2. Best Premium Pick: Dewalt 20V MAX Angled Stop Nailer

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Why we like it: This expensive nailer from industry giant Dewalt is electrical and cordless, providing rechargeability and portability.

Editor'southward Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Cordless Electric Nailer
Weight: 6 lbs.
Fastener Size/Mode: sixteen Guess
Angle: 20 degrees

Review

Dewalt, like Paslode, is a make incredibly popular with contractors for producing high-quality, bombproof products that volition run without complaint 24-hour interval subsequently twenty-four hour period at even the most demanding job sites. This vi-pound (lightweight for cordless) stop nailer relies on portable batteries for power, delivering nails to fifty-fifty tight corners thanks to a 20-degree magazine.

Equally an angled terminate nailer, though, think to use the proper nails for the gun, in this instance, 16-gauge 20-degree nails (Dewalt makes their own, but generic nails will work fine equally well). While some nailers volition just not burn down if you use the wrong boom, with this gun you run the risk of blowing the magazine, one of the more expensive parts on the gun. Double-check the label on the nail box before banging in your adjacent baseboard or you lot could screw upwardly a whole project timeline.

A 110-blast magazine is well in a higher place average for end nailers, meaning y'all'll be able to go longer betwixt reloads. Also convenient is the fact that the battery used with this gun is function of Dewalt's larger 20V lineup, making it compatible with over 180 dissimilar tools. While that's non necessarily an globe-shattering benefit considering y'all demand to buy your own battery with this tool, if yous've already got some Dewalt 20V tools, it'southward nice to buy into a system that yous can employ beyond all of your projects.

Pros

Bombproof portable nailer
Magazine holds 110 fasteners
6-pound weight is low-cal for a cordless finish nailer
System 20V battery ways you can use the aforementioned bombardment across Dewalt's lineup

Cons

No included bombardment with purchase
Requires angled nails

three. All-time Budget Pick: NuMax SFN64 Pneumatic 16-Approximate Straight Finish Nailer

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Why we similar it: This mind-blowingly inexpensive nailer is a relatively solid product for DIYers and apprentice carpenters who prioritize price over contractor quality.

Editor's Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Pneumatic Nailer
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Fastener Size/Style: 16 Gauge
Angle: Straight

Review

An incredibly inexpensive pneumatic nailer, this versatile finishing blast gun comes in multiple angles with multiple nail standards, perfect for filling out your ideal tool lineup. While there's a framing option available for firing off three-inch monsters, those looking for a finishing nailer are probably looking for the 16-gauge option that's a flake more than delicate, suited for jobs somewhere in between the loftier-powered nailers meant for framing and the brad nailers used for lightweight trim.

Still, shooting a one-inch nail at the bottom finish and 2.5 inches at the top ways that this nailer will take you from the top terminate of brad nailers to the bottom end of finish nailers: so although this pneumatic nailer is ane of the cheapest on our list past almost $100, it's equally versatile equally the more than expensive nailers. It's got some other features that are most normally seen on the highest end of nailers as well: a no-mar contact tip is soft to preclude scratches and a special release at the top of the mag makes clearing jams a breeze.

As with nearly bargain products, there are some issues, but none are peculiarly severe. The biggest issue is that some nails aren't driven in all the way, meaning you'll have to come back and check your work over by driving in the 'standout' nails with a hammer (check out a list of our favorite claw hammers here). Another event? Frequent jams, although with a barrel-clearing feature, it can be resolved, although it slows down workflow. So even though this nailer has a few issues, most volition be tolerable by a DIYer but not necessarily past a professional person.

Pros

Incredibly economic nailer is effective for DIYers
Barrel clearing characteristic
16-estimate nail is suitable for brad nailer and framing nailer projects
Soft contact tip to preclude damage

Cons

Frequent jamming
Some nails don't get driven in all the way

4. Most User-friendly: Porter-Cable 20V Max Cease Nailer

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Why nosotros like it: This premium finish nailer from manufacture behemothic Porter-Cablevision isn't just a typical cordless. It'due south one of the highest quality cordless electric nailers on the market place, menstruum.

Editor'southward Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Cordless Electric Nailer
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Fastener Size/Style: 16 Approximate
Angle: Straight

Review

If you're looking for the best just-electric bombardment powered cordless nailer on the market, you've found information technology. This power tool from Porter-Cable is incredibly effective, putting serious brawn behind nails for its small size and cordless format. The nails are driven via a straight magazine, an interesting choice given that handheld nailers are usually prized for their portability. This nailer is also a scrap heavier than boilerplate, but both facts are forgivable based on the nailer'south strong operation.

I important affair to notation with this nailer is its high level of power for a cordless nailer. The vast bulk of cordless nailers are brad nailers, smaller nailers better equipped for more delicate work—a fact that becomes problematic when looking for a finish nailer in a cordless format. While at that place are some sacrifices made in terms of ability and repeated utilise (a pneumatic nailer can drive more than nails, more than quickly and more powerfully), it's i of the few constructive cordless finish nailers on the market place, menstruation.

Durability is exceptional and the gun will take no trouble delivering tens of thousands of nails consistently with footling to no jamming. Also near nonexistent? Misfires, in which the nailer improperly fires the blast, twisting the metal and making it a hurting to accept out. While you can probably do the math for yourself, we're happy to spend a couple of extra bucks to avoid frequently wasting time fixing misfires and jams.

Pros

Durable, reliable nail gun fires without jamming
Serious power for a small nailer
Cordless and battery-powered
Exceptional immovability

Cons

Straight mag is hard to fit in tight areas
Nailer is heavy at six.5 pounds

5. Best Nail Gun with Included Compressor: Craftsman eighteen Gauge Finish Nailer with Air Compressor

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Why we like information technology: Legacy brand Craftsman comes out swinging with a sub-$300 nail gun that includes a high-quality compressor, everything you need to powerfully bulldoze nails all day long.

Editor'due south Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Pneumatic Nailer (with included air compressor)
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Fastener Size/Style: eighteen approximate
Angle: Straight

Review

One of the biggest problems with nail guns? The best ones are all pneumatic, powered past enormous, loud, difficult-to-transport air compressors that typically cost somewhere around $300 for relatively small-scale use. Tool giant Craftsman solves this trouble by simply including an air compressor with the purchase of a blast gun, miraculously providing a total setup for the same price as premium nail guns like the Paslode Cordless Terminate Nailer.

Unfortunately, to stay toll competitive, Craftsman sacrifices product quality on both the nailer itself and on its pocket-sized-format air compressor. Instead of a typical large-tank air compressor, this oval-shaped compressor only has a six-gallon chapters, fine for DIY projects just not for the job site. For the compressor itself, build quality is surprisingly good, but the nailer is where things start to fall autonomously a lilliputian flake.

While Craftsman has a recognizable name for quality, in recent years the brand was acquired and has fallen into a noticeable slump in production caliber. The fact that Craftsman offers a tool-free jam release mechanism over simply designing a nail gun that doesn't jam in the offset place (the Porter-Cablevision 20V Max Finish Nailer is a good example of this) farther advertises the fact that this isn't a particularly high-quality product.

Pros

Included compressor allows you to burn down this pneumatic gun out of the box
Lightweight compressor is easier to send than full-size compressors
6-gallon compressor has strong build quality

Cons

Product quality is slightly below average
Low chapters six-gallon tank

6. Best 15 Gauge: Makita AF635 15-Gauge Angled Stop Nailer

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Why we like it: Driving larger-bore 15-judge nails with more than holding ability, the ultra-uncomplicated and inexpensive Makita AF635 Bending Finish Nailer focuses more on pure practicality over expensive features.

Editor's Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Pneumatic Nailer
Weight: 4 lbs.
Fastener Size/Style: 15 Gauge
Angle: 34 degrees

Review

If yous're looking for a reliable, powerful pneumatic end nailer, this model from Makita is a slap-up pick. At under $200 and with an angled magazine, it's both cheap and like shooting fish in a barrel to fit into modest spaces. Besides included are some clever features like a built-in air squeegee and a depth-adjuster that doesn't require any tools.

The finish nailer itself is low-cal at about four pounds even, only that's not the just consideration to exist made with a pneumatic nailer: when talking about maneuverability, you also accept to consider the pneumatic hose (a generic air hose like this i is probably fine) and an air compressor (hither's a 2.v HP matching Makita compressor) that yous'll accept to lug around the job site. So all in, for a total setup, yous're spending around $500.

Certain, information technology'due south a kit that'due south more capable of the biggest jobs, but so is the Paslode Cordless Finish Nailer, which even at a premium price comes in at a lower total cost.

So in that location'due south the math behind a full pneumatic setup. Firing broader, 15-judge nails with maximum holding power out of a durable magnesium chassis, the nailer is only every bit durable as more premium models and less expensive for simply a nailer, only a total setup is quite the investment.

Every person will have to do their ain evaluation of the pros and cons, but the biggest consideration is probably the volume of nails. Are you putting trim up in only a couple of rooms? A cordless finishing nailer will work perfectly. Are yous firing all of the finishing nails for an entire project? It could be worth it to purchase a full pneumatic nailing system.

Pros

Cheap when compared with cordless nailers
Clever features like an air-duster and tool-less adjustment
Fires broad, 15-gauge nails with lots of holding ability
Durable magnesium body

Cons

Somewhat expensive when combined with a compressor and air hose
Not worth information technology when firing a small quantity of nails
Less maneuverable every bit a pneumatic nailer

seven. Best for DIYers: Ryobi 1+ Cordless 16 Gauge Terminate Nailer

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Why we similar it: Perfect for countless projects around the house, the Ryobi One+ Cordless Finish Nailer is a high-quality tool at an affordable price.

Editor'southward Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Cordless Electric Nailer
Weight: 8 lbs.
Fastener Size/Mode: 16 gauge
Angle: Straight

Review

Some other directly-magazine cordless finish nailer worth taking a look at is Ryobi's ultra-reliable 16-gauge 1+ model, a nailer priced well below $200 oriented towards the serious DIYer. Ryobi, a Japanese manufacturer, is probably the non-American brand with the strongest reputation, selling incredibly reliable and high-quality tools at a surprisingly attainable cost point.

Ryobi'due south nailer fires 16-gauge finish mode nails out of a straight magazine, which is a slight negative for those looking to squeeze into small areas and fire nails at awkward angles (think trim and cabinetry work). Even so, if a direct magazine is the deviation between this nailer's economical cost and more expensive nailers, we're on board.

The nail feeding and piston activeness itself is smooth and reliable and the construction, while not on the same level equally ultra-premium tools like the Dewalt's, information technology's remarkably durable.

Something we're not quite on lath with yet? The lack of an included battery, meaning that the price-competitive sub-$200 nailer turns into an over-$250 purchase when you add in Ryobi's ii-battery pack. When a large function of the entreatment of a cordless nailer in the commencement identify is the fact you don't need to buy additional, expensive equipment (an air compressor, in most cases) it feels like a relatively big oversight that Ryobi doesn't merely include a battery in the first identify.

Pros

Ryobi's sub-$200 finish nailer is great for DIYers
Economical toll
Reliable action with high-quality structure

Cons

No included battery
Straight mag is difficult to fit into corners

viii. Makita XNB02Z 18V LXT Straight Terminate 16-Gauge Nailer

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Why we like it: Compatability with Makita'south universal battery makes this nailer is a great choice for users who already own other Makita tools.

Editor's Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Cordless Electric Nailer
Weight: 8 lbs.
Fastener Size/Style: 16 Estimate
Angle: Straight

Review

With a congenital-in LED light strapped into a solid battery-based format, the Makita XNB02Z is a cordless, battery-powered option that fires 1,000 finish nails per charge using Makita's universal 5.0 amp-hour xviii-volt system bombardment. While it'south not quite as powerful as fuel nailers like the Paslode Cordless Finish Nailer, nor as long-lasting equally pneumatic nailers like the Makita AF635 Stop Nailer, it'due south a solid option for those who don't want to bargain with dispensable fuel canisters or bulky air compressors.

This finish nailer's bump trigger activates with just a simple moving-picture show of a switch, convenient for those switching from delicate work to driving big volumes of nails. Be aware, though, that if you're not used to a bump trigger, you lot can hands accidentally actuate information technology, increasing the odds of an adventitious misfire. To combat this issue, make certain you get accepted to using the convenient and solid feeling trigger lock that will prevent firing in all cases.

And while the nail clip is made with a straight magazine-style construction, it's a fiddling more maneuverable than other boom guns of the same style thanks to a contact tip that's shorter than boilerplate and a slightly angled bottom of the magazine. If you're looking for a gun to do nailing piece of work in tight spaces, you lot're better off purchasing a lightweight, cordless nail gun like the Paslode Cordless Finish Nailer, but this is still ameliorate than the lusty, straight mag options similar the NuMax SFN64.

Pros

Burly battery-powered boom gun that doesn't rely on fuel or compressed air
Born, easy to apply bump trigger
Contact tip is shorter than average and thus more mobile

Cons

Not as maneuverable as lighter-weight fuel-powered nailers
Not every bit powerful every bit pneumatic nailers

9. Bostitch Air Compressor Combo Kit

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Why we like it: For DIYers looking for a complete set of pneumatic tools, this Bostitch kit with an included air compressor provides a truly impressive value.

Editor's Rating:

At a Glance

Type: Pneumatic Nailer (includes brad nailer, crown stapler, and air compressor)
Weight: 4 lbs.
Fastener Size/Style: 16 Gauge, eighteen Approximate, ⅜ inch Crown Staples
Bending: Straight

Review

While finish nailers like Dewalt'south come in at well over $300, with this tool lineup, Bostitch has managed to provide truly incredible value for well under that price: included in the box aren't merely an air compressor and a finish nailer, but a brad nailer and crown stapler too.

Still, though, at the end of the mean solar day, this feels more similar a compromise than a viable option for serious DIYers or contractors. The included air compressor but isn't powerful or sturdy enough to hold up to the demands of serious construction (it'due south also actually loud), while the blast guns are actually somewhat inadequate compared to real-bargain models similar the Paslode Cordless Terminate Nailer. That being said, the fact that Bostitch includes not but a finish nailer, just 2 other types of air-powered fastener drivers with this package is impressive.

Our final verdict? If you're a DIYer working on a job where you absolutely need a stop nailer, brad nailer, and crown stapler, this is a perfect kit for you lot. But know that, although they're impressively effective for the cost they won't terminal forever, nor volition they perform at the level of more premium models.

Pros

Groovy for DIYers that need a full kit of fasteners and nailers
Iii nailers and a compressor for low toll
Effective quality

Cons

Don't perform besides every bit professional models
Compromise for DIYers and serious contractors

10. Metabo HPT Finish Nailer, sixteen-Judge

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Why nosotros like it: This end nailer from discount tool manufacturer Metabo provides a solid balance of functioning and cost for those taking on a small projection or who need a stop nailer for occasional apply.

Editor's Rating:

At a Glance

Blazon: Pneumatic Nailer
Weight: 3.7 lbs.
Fastener Size/Style: 16-gauge
Angle: Straight

Review

Famed Japanese tool (and consumer product) manufacturer Hitachi has transferred all of their power tools over to their recently acquired German power tool wing, Metabo, in a play to appeal to a college-quality segment of the market. With a so-and so product quality reputation and a budget cost point, it'southward a sensible motility that made u.s.a. look twice at this product, a upkeep still warranty-backed 16-gauge nailer powered past compressed air.

It has some of the aforementioned high-end features every bit premium-priced products, such as a no-mar contact tip to prevent surface impairment while nailing, a crash-land-burn trigger, and an air-duster that can help make clean off piece of work surfaces. It'due south even got some features missing from nicer blast guns, such as tool-less bulldoze depth aligning and a soft, like shooting fish in a barrel-grip handle that keeps nailing accurate and easily comfortable.

And while Hitachi had a beneath-boilerplate reputation for tools, the reformed Metabo has made peachy strides on improving product quality, offering an impressive five-yr warranty alongside this nailer. As well included? Safety spectacles, a backup no-mar contact tip, a plastic carrying example, and a quarter-inch NPT male plug for connecting the finish boom gun to conventionally sized air hoses.

Unfortunately, it falls to the aforementioned flaws of all pneumatic blast guns, namely the classic portability and noise difficulties forth with the added expense of an air compressor. If you're a DIYer or 1-fourth dimension user, and you've already got an air compressor, though, it'southward a smart buy thanks to the price well below average for the category.

Pros

Mid-range nail gun is effective nevertheless inexpensive
Impressive 5-year warranty
Premium features like bump trigger and easy-grip handle
Extra no-mar tip and plastic conveying case

Cons

Suffers from the same issues as other pneumatic nail guns
History of so-and then product quality

Guide to Buying the Best Finish Nailers for 2021

There's a reason a power nailer is in the back of nearly every single piece of work van in the country: the nail sits in third identify behind the brick and the 2×iv on the list of 'near pop construction materials,' and a power nailer is just the virtually effective way to drive nails accurately, apace, and powerfully.

Categories of Nailers

While all types of tools await quite like, there are 3 main categories of handheld nailers on the market today if you don't count specialized tools like covering and flooring nailers. While many serious contractors have a full spectrum of tools, finishing nailers are one of the well-nigh important boom guns to have: they employ a thicker, midrange 15 or xvi-judge nail that tin function for more serious attachment also as more delicate tasks like hanging trim. We'll go through the three most mutual types of general carpentry handheld nailers beneath:

Framing Nailers

Framing nailers are heavy-duty nailers for the biggest carpentry tasks. Typically using 3.5-inch framing nails (also known as 16d or sixteen-penny nails), everything from framing to attaching cabinetry gets done with framing nailers.

One event with framing nailers (that'south sometimes an issue for finish nailers as well) is the power with which a nailer enters the wood. Framing nailers use a huge boom that'south propelled by a large volume of air, punching a pigsty beyond the surface of the wood. If the surface you're nailing volition eventually be covered up past trim, drywall, or other carpentry work, you shouldn't worry about this hole. If non, you'll have to make full in the depression with putty then cover information technology up with a glaze of paint.

Finishing Nailers

Contrary to what you might look based on the name, finishing nailers tin notwithstanding be used for serious attaching and lighter framing work, although the heaviest-duty carpentry should be left to a framing nailer.

The beauty of a finishing nailer is its 'Goldilocks' position in nailing lineups. It'south a jack of all trades, powerful plenty to adhere sturdier trim but frail enough that you don't accept to worry about destroying it or splitting it. Smash holes will still be deep enough that you lot'll have to fill them in, but won't require as much attention as with framing nailers.

Brad Nailers

Brad nailers are the lightest weight nailers, maneuverable and delicate enough for the most intricate carpentry tasks. With a brad nailer, you tin can often get away without filling in holes and only painting over the depressions acquired by nails, although for a seamless look, information technology's worth filling in the pocket-sized holes with putty. Brad nailers are probably the least versatile option as they are really only capable of holding up things like trim: even relatively lightweight molding is better mounted with a finishing nailer.

Angled vs. Directly End Nailers: What Do I Demand?

Confused about the differences betwixt angled and straight nailers? More than comparison the nailers themselves, take a wait at exactly what kind of work y'all're looking to do with your finish nailer. A straight nailer will utilize a smaller, cheaper, and thinner nail, all at a price that's typically lower than that of angled nailers.

If you're looking to practise more structural work, potentially in tighter spaces, and you want to go the chore done with a thicker-gauge nail, an angled nailer is probably what you lot're looking for. If you're non worried nigh the budget, we'd typically recommend an angled finish nailer either way.

Purchasing Nails for Your Finish Nailer

A nail is non just a nail, even less and then when using an expensive nail gun. Purchasing the right smash keeps a projection on rail, while purchasing the wrong blast can jam a nailer, accident out a magazine, or in the worst case, put a whole job behind schedule by totaling an unabridged nail gun. It's of the utmost importance that y'all use the correct nail!

Nail Gauge

While bigger nails for framing nailers are sometimes measured in inches, the nails used in terminate nailers are measured by 'approximate.' Nails that are measured by judge are called trim nails, used in cease nailers, brad nailers, and ultra-minor 23-judge nailers chosen pin nailers.

Stop nailers fire either 15 or 16-gauge nails, and it'southward important that y'all get the correct ane. Your device's owner's manual volition tell you what nails to pick up. The gauge should likewise exist listed on your nailer'due south magazine. xvi-gauge nails accept a slightly smaller diameter, meaning they provide slightly less property power. The tradeoff for this is a typically lighter nail gun.

Angled and Straight Nails

If you've purchased an angled nail gun, it's vital to purchase an angled blast that aligns with the magazine properly. Information technology's easy enough to go along rails of. Got a 30-caste nailer? Buy a strip of 30-degree fasteners (nails). While some DIYers and contractors say you tin can get away with a tolerance of about two degrees, we'd but purchase the proper boom and avert destroying your equipment.

Smash Length

Nail length has more to do with the project you're working on than the finish nailer itself. All nailers are designed to accept varying lengths of nails, and trim nailers are typically designed to bulldoze nails from 1 inch to 2.5 inches. A skilful dominion of thumb for selecting a length? Pick a nail that'southward virtually 2.5 times the depth of the wood you're nailing. Nailing a 1-inch lath? Pick upward a box of 8-penny (ii.five-inch) nails.

Safety Advice for Nail Guns

Nail guns are incredibly dangerous when misused simply quite safe when used correctly. In fact, they're one of the most mutual means for carpenters (both amateurs and professionals) to injure themselves on the job site, with two of 5 carpentry apprentices injured in a iv-twelvemonth apprenticeship by a smash gun. We'll comprehend the near common injuries and how to avoid them below.

Know Your Trigger

Any fourth dimension y'all accept your finger on the trigger, you're at risk of firing your nail gun. But most blast misfires don't happen because the trigger is accidentally pulled, they happen because the trigger is already depressed and so the barrel is pushed downward.

Don't simply be enlightened of if your finger is on or off the trigger, also pay close attending to exactly how the trigger functions. Is it sequential? Do you have a bump trigger? What are your habits when conveying and transporting the gun? Any time your torso is in front of the nail barrel becomes an opportunity for an blow to happen.

Sympathize Your Work Surfaces

Some other common source of injury is contractors and carpenters sending a blast through a piece of wood without realizing that a body office (typically a mitt or a leg) is on the other side. Never brace a piece of wood against your leg when using a power nailer, and e'er go on your non-trigger hand visible to the eye, assuring it'due south not in the path of the nail gun.

Secondary to the gamble of a nail going through lumber and causing a puncture wound is another type of work-surface unawareness: ricochet and deflection. Often, carpenters are nailing on a surface and are unaware of the fact that in that location is metal below. When a nail hits this metallic, information technology tin can ricochet, turning a nail into an impromptu projectile.

If you're a contractor or even if you're just looking to stay up-to-date on the latest rubber data, check out this guide from OSHA

Tips and Tricks for End Nailers

While boom guns are relatively unproblematic to use and accept a quick learning curve, there are a couple of tips and tricks that can aid your carpentry become quicker, more efficient, and better looking. As with everything, y'all'll get better with fourth dimension.

Maintain Your Blast Gun

As with all construction tools, take proficient intendance of a end nailer, and it will accept good intendance of you lot. Utilize the proper smash, care for your tool gently, keep information technology clean, and most importantly, go along it lubed. A properly greased smash gun will last much longer and cause you much less problem than an unkempt one.

You should oil your nailer daily, applying four to 5 drops of compressor oil or 30-weight not-detergent oil to the air plumbing fixtures per twenty-four hour period. Non just will this keep the action of your nail gun smoothen, only it will likewise proceed your O-rings supple, preventing catastrophic failure.

Take Advantage of Crash-land Triggers

Typically, nail guns are fix to office similarly to a normal gun: set your target, pull the trigger, and the nail drives into the wood. Some nail guns have a 'bump trigger' setting that can eliminate the need to pull the trigger, firing when you 'crash-land' the butt confronting the wood. This helps with jobs similar framing and covering, potentially freeing up maneuverability and speeding upwards the process for when you accept to lay down a lot of nails. Be careful, every bit this feature eliminates a step to firing the nail, making it a bit more unsafe.

Adjust Drive Depth

Almost all smash trimmers have a cool characteristic that allows you to arrange the depth which the boom enters the woods. For more delicate applications, you want the blast to be shallower as to non split trim and to lie flush with the forest surface. For framing, the nail can be deeper to lock in more solidly.

Sentinel Out for Empty Firing

Almost every nail gun will still fire fifty-fifty without fasteners loaded in the magazine. This compressed air is still powerful enough to crusade indents in the boards, causing visual problems for yous down the line. Make sure you're keeping an eye on how many fasteners or nails yous've got in the gun, otherwise yous might go over on the putty cover-up budget.

Don't Push Too Difficult

Many apprentice carpenters have the temptation to push the smash gun directly perpendicular to the nailing surface, pressing up hard against the wood. While that does offer some improved accuracy, the recoil and air force per unit area of the nail gun can damage and even burn the wood. The solution to resolving these issues? Back off on the pressure a bit, giving some room for the nail gun to do its matter.

Blast Gun Accessories

While a nail gun just needs a power source and a nail to piece of work, there are some accessories you tin can purchase to make life easier and your workflow more efficient. Consider investing in the following:

Batteries

Cordless nailers get better and better each yr, merely fifty-fifty the best ones have a limited battery life. The skilful news? Large manufacturers have multi-compatible bombardment systems, which isn't ideal if yous want to mix and lucifer power tools only not bad news if you're loyal to a unmarried brand.

Run out of juice, and y'all can just pop in another bombardment, prepare to burn down off some other thousand nails. Information technology'southward worth it to pick up a backup bombardment from your preferred tool manufacturers. Milwaukee, Ryobi, Paslode, Porter-Cable, and Dewalt all sell proprietary batteries that work in their nailers).

Hoses

Most people who've had experience with a pneumatic nailer tin concord that they're largely a necessary evil: needed for anyone driving a large quantity of nails, but noisy, expensive, hard to maneuver, and reliant on air compressors. One way to solve function of the problem is to add an actress-long hose, enabling you to move effectually without such a tight lease. Make sure the air hose you buy fits your hose fittings, but a 100 foot hose tin make life a lot easier, and with plenty of long options under 50 bucks simply costs a fraction of the toll of your original boom gun.

Holsters

Especially for those with pneumatic nailers that demand to drag around an air compressor, heavy 8-pound nailers get cumbersome to carry around all day. There's a whole cottage manufacture of nail gun holders meant to clip onto chugalug loops.

Our favorite holster is 'the Gunnie,' a clever device that actually locks the nailer in place. It'due south inexpensive, ambidextrous, and also works with drills and reciprocal saws—just brand sure you popular your safety on before holstering your nailer to avoid puncture wounds.

Oftentimes Asked Questions About Terminate Nailers

Finish nailers are tools that crave skill, circumspection, and maintenance: beginners are probably ameliorate suited to piece of work with a simple hammer. Some of the most common questions nigh cease nailers are answered below.

Tin I Use a Finish Nailer for Framing?

With framing nailers, end nailers, brad nailers, pin nailers, and even crown staplers all bachelor and recommended for different purposes, it's tempting to figure out a way to double up, using one nailer for multiple tasks.

And while you can sometimes get away with a framing nailer for baseboards or a brad nailer for lightweight trim, it's not a skillful thought to use a end nailer for framing. Stop nailers use a much smaller and much shorter boom than framing nailers, and a 2.five-inch nail simply isn't long enough for framing tasks that typically use 2x4s. While y'all tin can get away with crossover in some cases, don't exercise information technology while framing.

What's Ameliorate, a 15-Gauge or 16-Estimate Nailer?

Finish nailers come in ii sizes, either firing 15-gauge or 16-gauge nails. So which one is better? Every bit with a lot of tool decisions, there's no better or worse: pick the nailer all-time suited for your purpose. If you lot desire a smash with a bit more property power, choice a fifteen-gauge nailer.

Looking to do smaller jobs with more fragile forest? Trim and cabinetry projects are meliorate tackled with a 16-gauge finish nailer.

That being said, if you're just looking for a nailer for 'dear do' projects, nosotros'd probably recommend a 15-approximate nailer, equally they drive a nail with more holding power. sixteen-estimate nails are typically for more delicate piece of work. In fact, we'd recommend a xv-gauge nailer over a framing nailer, equally framing nailers are actually just good for framing and not many household applications.

Who Makes the Best Stop Nailers?

For the most role, the companies with the best reputations for producing finish nailers are the same companies that produce high-quality tools across the spectrum. While there are plenty of other companies that produce other power tools as well finish nailers, some of our favorite brands with contenders on our listing are Bosch, Porter-Cablevision, Dewalt, and Milwaukee.

These companies all produce neat nailers along with other tools, but there's one make that stands head and shoulders over others when talking about nailers: Paslode. Although they brand a premium-priced product, Paslode nailers are normally thought to be the best in the game.

Why Is There No Corded Electric Finish Nailer on This Listing?

While many think of the construction tool manufacture as relatively static, at that place'southward been ane tremendous comeback that has drastically inverse the way the industry uses tools: battery applied science. While cordless tools inappreciably even existed about 20 years ago, now they're near-ubiquitous even in the professional contracting world.

The answer, and so, is uncomplicated. Corded electrical finish nailers now offering no real advantages over battery-powered nailers. Fuel-powered nailers continue things light but crave a disposable fuel canister. Pneumatic nailers are powerful but need an expensive, noisy, and heavy air compressor. Cordless electrical nailers are less powerful and slightly heavier simply simpler and less expensive.

Corded electric nailers are relatively heavy, non particularly powerful, and less maneuverable thanks to the fact they demand to be continued to an electric outlet. The single reward is the fact that they're slightly less expensive, although the gap betwixt these nailers and other inexpensive nailers comes down every twelvemonth.

Wrapping Upwardly

While the classic hammer isn't going anywhere, even an inexpensive cordless nail gun can be transformational to your carpentry workflow, speeding up jobs and improving the quality of your work simultaneously. Whether y'all are looking for a cordless fuel-powered selection, something that uses an air compressor, or something versatile and electric powered, there'southward a nailer on the market perfect for your adjacent project.