5 Main Types Of Nail Gun - What Nail Gun Do I Need?

Nail guns are great tools to use. Whether you’re keen on DIY or a professional worker in the construction industry – there are endless uses for this innovative device. To help find the best suited nail gun for your project, read on to discover the five main types available.

1.      Brad Nail Gun

One of the smallest types of nail guns is the Brad nail gun – a popular tool that shoots Brad nails that are ultra-thin with an 18-gauge (though can be used for any 15–16-gauge nails). Because they’re so thin, Brad nails aren’t easily noticeable in surfaces and materials, which is why they’re such a popular choice for using in trim work such as window and door castings.

The Brad nail gun is also often used for securing carpets. It’s also common for us with small furniture woodwork such as jewellery boxes and light cabinets.

2.      Framing Nail Gun

Framing nail guns are heavy-duty tools that can contain nails up to 3½ inches. Framing nail guns are available as either clipped head or round head nailers – the clipped being able to hold a larger quantity of nails, and therefore a popular choice for high-volume projects.

The framing nail gun is ideal for framing wood on large-scale construction developments, such as fences, decking and wood sheathing.

3.      Pin Nail Gun

The pin nail gun consists of 23-gauge pin nailers – the smallest nails in terms of diameter.

Due to their smaller head, pin nail guns aren’t ideal for using on surfaces and materials that need a large amount of holding power. They are more ideal for smaller projects such as upholstery work, wooden toys, birdhouses and small crates. The pin nailer is popular due to the amount of precision it has.

4.      Finish Nail Gun

Finishing nail guns use 15 and 16-gauge nails and can shoot nails up to 2½ inches in length.

A super popular tool in carpentry work, finish nail guns give excellent precision and accuracy. The majority of finishing nail guns have an angular design that enables them to reach into tight and narrow spaces.

5.      Siding Nail Gun

As the name suggests, the siding nail gun is used to install sidings. Using shorter nails of around 1¼ - 2½ inches, this gun’s nails often have wider heads and can be used to join thin pieces of wood onto wooden mounts. Siding nail guns have both a soft tip and a right power level, so it’s possible to install both soft and hard siding with this tool.

How Do Nail Guns Work?

Nail guns, commonly used in the carpentry and roofing industry, work by shooting nails into material from either a coil or strip arrangement within the gun. The tool’s piston can be either battery-operated, gas-operated or operated by compressed air (pneumatic nailers). If you’re wondering which is more beneficial in the corded vs cordless power tool battle, there are multiple benefits for both kinds of tool when it comes to nail guns.

The nail guns work by firing a nail once the trigger is pulled, through the piston being powered down by a blade mechanism. This results in the nail being fired by considerable force and speed, which is what makes the tool so precise and accurate. Once the nail has been released, a new nail is loaded via a spring.

The Advantages Of Using A Nail Gun

Here are some advantages of using a nail gun over a handheld hammer.

Safety - Anybody who’s completed DIY of any form knows the risks and dangers associated with using hammers. Nail guns reduce the chances of an injury or hazard occurring, such as accidently hammering your fingers or hands.

Precision – Nail guns are far more accurate and precise than handheld hammers, as you have more control over the position in which you shoot the nail.

Speed – One of the most desirable features of a nail gun is the speed in which it gets the job done. Hammering nails into solid materials such as wood can take a lot of time and effort, but a nail gun will complete the task in seconds with just a push of a button.

Convenience – Nail guns are super convenient to use – there’s no need to carry nails around with you while completing tasks and projects, whether you’re on a busy construction site or in the comfort of your own home

Quality – A nail gun can drive and shoot nails into material while adhering to the exact depth of the surface, with no bent or crooked nails that need to be pulled out.

Here at ADA Fastfix, we have a huge range of nail guns to choose from. Browse our store today to find the best nail gun for the job.