In this article, you’ll learn all the different types of Nail guns, when and how to use explained everything with pictures.
What is a nail gun?
The nail guns are simple power tool that replaces the hammer and nail, and it runs the nail much faster than their manual counterparts. These are made to drive nails into wood (and other materials).
They are normally run by compressed air, flammable gas, or electromagnetism. Those who have no familiarity with nail guns may seem a bit confused while shopping at the store. Furthermore, read about various types of wrenches used in the workshop.
There are plenty of nail guns to pick from, pneumatic, battery, gas, framing, brad, finish, and the list goes on. There are many different types of nail guns, and each has its own individual use.
Types of Nail Guns
The following are the different types of nail guns and their uses:
#1. Framing Nailer.
A framing nail gun is a heavy-duty tool that is primarily used by carpenters to build walls by connecting large pieces of lumber together to build frames. The framing nail gun drives nails up to 3.5 inches in length, and it is typically used with 2x4s or 2x6s for various carpentry projects.
Around the home, framing nail guns are great for building a framework for drywall, hanging fence boards, or installing a deck in the yard. Decide whether a corded, cordless, or pneumatic framing nail gun suits your purposes best. Just make sure you have an air compressor if you prefer working with a pneumatic nail gun.
Best for: Connecting pieces of large lumber for framing, fence installation, or deck building.
#1. Cordless Framing Nail Gun.
These nail guns are driven totally by battery power, these are made possible only by advances in battery technology.
A framing nailer requires a 20-volt lithium-ion battery with a brushless motor to make enough punch. Simply keep multiple backup batteries to swap when needed.
#2. Pneumatic Framing Nail Gun.
This is the most common framing nail gun is powered by an air compressor connected to the gun with a hose. This makes it lighter than other guns, but the range is limited to the length of the air hose.
#3. Gas Framing Nail Gun.
In this type of nail gun, a quick electric shock burns a gas cartridge to push the nails deeper into the wood.
These nail guns were a popular choice over pneumatic guns, and they remained until battery-powered guns became more reliable. Just make sure you have sufficient gas cartridges to complete your work.
#2. Roofing Nailer.
Roofing nail guns are versatile tools that are typically used to drive 0.75-inch to 1.75-inch nails through roofing shingles to secure them to the roof. These nailers can also be used for vinyl material, insulation boards, fiber cement, waterproof tar paper, and some thin types of siding.
While many nail guns use a magazine that orders the nails in a straight line, roofing nailers generally come with a coil or canister magazine that can accommodate more nails, so you spend less time reloading and more time working on the roof.
Best for: Secure roofing shingles, vinyl material, insulation boards, and fiber cement.
#1. Cordless Roofing Nail Gun.
A cordless roofing nail gun provides considerable portability when you are working on the roof. The biggest drawback is that portable power sources such as batteries and gas cartridges will have to be taken with them. This means taking care of yet another thing.
#2. Pneumatic Roofing Nail Gun.
Connecting the nail gun to the air compressor provides secure access to power, but you sacrifice movement. This can be a very big thing, given that you are working on a roof. On the other hand, you do not have to continuously exchange batteries or load gas cartridges.
#3. Flooring Nailers.
Flooring nailers look very different from the common nail guns that most people are accustomed to seeing. These nail guns are made to do the quick work of laying on the tongue and groove floors.
The nailer is kept on the edge of the board, and a nylon mallet is applied to operate the plunger.
This method assures that the nail is operated at the correct angle and depth each time. These are not as versatile as other nails, so they have no use other than laying flooring.
#1. Cordless Flooring Nail Gun.
These cordless guns apply a gas cartridge; the battery produces an electric charge that burns it. These guns are more flexible than pneumatic. They are not yet as powerful or as fast.
#2. Pneumatic Flooring Nail Gun.
Air-powered nail guns are famous because their power is sufficiently consistent if you can work quickly, if set properly on the floor. There is no need to exchange gas cartridges. With all pneumatic instruments, however, you are limited to the air duct range.
#3. Manual Flooring Nail Gun.
These move more slowly than their powered counterparts, but a manual flooring nail gun offers some pleasures in mind.
When you press into a nail give a satisfactory crunch, and they are cheaper. It is also more comfortable to manage depth because the user is in control of it.
#4. Finish Nailer.
Finish nail guns are slightly bigger than brad nailers, allowing them to use 15 and 16-gauge nails to secure larger finishing pieces, like door trim, window trim, baseboards, and molding. Similar to other nail guns on this list, finish nailers can be corded, cordless, or pneumatic, so there are a variety of options to choose from based on personal preference.
The purpose of using a finish nail gun is that the 15 and 16-gauge nails have more holding power and withdrawal resistance than brad nails. However, these nails also leave more visible holes in the trim, requiring additional attention to properly cover the holes.
Best for: Securing trim and molding.
#1. Cordless Finish Nail Gun.
The cordless finish nail guns are divided into two choices: straight and angled. A straight cordless nail gun will be applied for staple molding.
Angled cordless nail guns are used for hard-to-reach corners. The cordless design improves maneuverability, but doesn’t require replacing the batteries because they don’t expire quickly.
#2. Pneumatic Finish Nail Gun.
The pneumatic finish nail gun applies an air compressor to give continuous power. This allows a highly accurate finish. The hose limits your range; however, many times you need to move the air compressor.
#5. Brad Nailers.
Similar to a finish nailer, brad nail guns are typically used for installing interior trim and molding, but the fine 18-gauge nails are not suitable for larger pieces of molding. Use these tiny nails for lightweight trim, or you can also use a brad nailer to secure thin wood panels to the back of cabinetry.
These light-duty nail guns are great to have around the home, especially during a painting project, because you can reinstall the trim and baseboards with the nailer instead of trying to drive 18-gauge nails with a hammer. The small nails barely even leave a hole behind, making them easier to cover than the holes left behind by a finish nailer.
Best for: Installing trim and cabinet construction or repair.
#1. Cordless Brad Nail Gun.
These types of nail guns are powered by batteries, which can make the device extremely powerful. The small size of the bread extends the life of the battery, but eventually, you have to replace the old battery with the new one.
#2. Pneumatic Brad Nail Gun.
A pneumatic brad nail gun, it uses an air compressor to produce steady and reliable pressure for the brads. Recharge time for pneumatic braided nail guns is very short, and hose length is less of a problem as it is applied for jobs in proximity.
#6. Staple Gun.
More commonly known as a staple gun, these tools are a specialized type of nail gun that drives heavy-duty staples instead of nails. This makes these nailers ideal for upholstery repair or carpet installation because a typical nail gun nail may slip or tear through the material.
These staple guns can also be used for light-duty carpentry projects, like building a birdhouse or installing wood paneling. Additionally, with the right staples, you can use these tools to secure electrical wires to the wall, ceiling, or baseboards without damaging the wire.
Best for: Securing upholstery to furniture, putting in carpets, and installing wood paneling.
The four different types of staple guns are as follows:
#1. Hand-actuated Staple Gun.
Handheld or Hand-actuated staple guns are easy and cheap, making them the most famous staple gun type.
This staple gun is perfect for minimal work or outside work. It is also suitable for many staple sizes, making it more versatile. However, it may be more difficult to use than some other staple gun types.
#2. Electric Staple Gun.
These types of stable guns are highly powerful. They give both power sources and fasteners, and can work throughout the day with minimal power cuts. The main drawback of the electric staple gun is that it is more expensive than a manual staple gun.
#3. Hammer Staple Gun.
A hammer staple gun is a less useful type. It is useful to apply staples at a certain place. Although the hammer staple gun is suitable for some carpet cushioning and installation, it is simply not strong enough for most stable requirements.
#4. Pneumatic Staple Gun.
The staples are rarely required to have an air compressor power source; a pneumatic staple gun will get the job done faster.
#7. Siding Nailer.
A siding nailer is a very specific nail gun that specializes in nailing the siding to a wall or other surface. Back in the day, people used framing nailers for this kind of job. But now the siding nailer has been designed to perform this kind of nail job with ease. This is the newest addition to the nail gun market.
The siding has a special soft tip that is perfect for controlling the power and driving nails through the siding. The nails used in the siding nailer are 1 to 2.5 inches long.
This nail is perfect to stick to the wood surface with a very strong grip and hold. Although the jobs done with siding nailers can also be done with framing nailers, it is highly advised to use a siding nailer to achieve better efficiency.
#1. Pneumatic Siding Nail Gun.
The pneumatic siding nailer is perfect for making siding nailing on a wall, which gives consistent and strong pressure. Even though you will be unassisted by the length of the air hose. The air compressor produces pressure that will be perfect for wall siding needs.
#2. Electric Siding Nail Gun.
The electric siding nailer is usable for mobility and transportation purposes. You will not be limited to the length of the air compressor hose, but you will need to change the battery frequently. You can use this siding nailer over a large area.
#8. Pin Nail Gun.
Small pin nailers use 23-gauge nails, which are so small that they resemble pins, rather than nails. These small fasteners are most appropriate for furniture and cabinet making because the tiny nails leave almost no trace behind and limit the amount of pressure put on delicate pieces of wood.
You may also want to use a pin nail gun to install narrow pieces of molding and trim, especially if a larger gauge of nail risks splitting the wood. Just keep in mind that these pins are very small and, due to their size, do not have a lot of holding strength or withdrawal resistance, so it’s recommended to only use them for lightweight materials.
Best for: Furniture and cabinet making.
#1. Pneumatic Pin Nail Gun.
A pneumatic pin nail gun will get small, elaborate tasks done quickly, and being close to the job site will reduce the impact of the air hose. Some people find pneumatic pin nail guns completely useless. Because these jobs are more sensitive and do not need much power.
#2. Electric Pin Nail Gun.
An electric pin nail gun is helpful for transportability. This allows work with small craft, reducing the need for an air compressor. Even though it requires extra batteries, the lighter size of the pins should maximize their lifespan.
#9. Special Types of Nail Guns.
All of the nail guns noted above are manufactured with a specific function, but they can be applied for a kind of purposes. These special nail guns are different from the standard types. They are made for highly specialized purposes.
#1. Palm Nail Gun.
A palm nailer is a special type of nail gun that is specifically made for driving nails in narrow spaces where a hammer or even other types of nail guns cannot fit. Instead of having a straight handle that extends vertically from the tip of the nailer, palm nailers are rounded and fit into the palm of your hand, as indicated by the name.
This short height lets them fit into tight areas, but the drawback is that the user needs to insert one nail at a time into the nail gun because it doesn’t have a magazine to hold multiple nails. Though it’s worth mentioning that this is a specialized tool and may not be necessary for your projects.
#2. Headless Pinners.
Pins are different from nails, so they require a separate tool to press into a surface. Headless pinners are specially manufactured to press pins into small workplaces. They are typically used in such cases as picture frames or in a thin molding.
How Many Nail Guns Should I Have?
With such a large variety of different options, even knowing the differences between them can make it difficult to choose the proper gun for your needs. If you work exclusively on projects such as siding or roof installation, the choice may be obvious.
However, many of these different types of guns can seem interchangeable, but the slight differences make a large impact for anyone who cares about the fine details in their projects. But is it necessary to have them all?
Quality counts when it comes to nail guns, meaning that a thoughtful purchase is necessary. As such, the cost of the guns and nails in conjunction with them can become pricey.
So, which should you choose? The line of work you do is important when making this consideration. If you are in a position in which you frequently use these guns, they will have an impact on your quality of work.
As such, you should arm yourself with a few trusty options. We believe that having a few different varieties to start can suffice, and these are our top three picks for your starter kit:
- A staple gun: The versatility this allows, as well as the varying strengths of staples you can choose, makes a pneumatic staple gun an ideal starter tool.
- A framing gun: We believe that a heavy-duty option is essential, and this is likely your best bet. Any difficult projects need the strength and support of this tool.
- A brad gun: As far as lighter projects go, the brad gun lies somewhere between the pin gun and a finishing gun. As such, we think it’s optimal for when you need a smaller nail with a good hold.
Choosing the right gun for your needs doesn’t have to be difficult, so long as you’re aware of your different options. We hope our guide will help you make the perfect choice for all of your future projects. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Staple Headquarters today.
Conclusion
As you know now, a nail gun is a hand-powered tool made to turn nails into an object or workpiece. They are usually driven by compressed air, flammable gas, or electromagnetism.