Construction work involves a lot of tools and equipment. When it comes to these tools, the nail gun is one that is often overlooked. Nail guns are essential whenever there’s a need to fasten pieces of wood together. Using a nailer has a lot of benefits over using a hammer. A hammer cannot reach tight corners while you require a lot of physical effort to use a hammer for fixing nails.
Nail fastening is a crucial part of the construction, and hence it’s essential to choose the right nail gun for the work. As there are two major types of nail guns, a review of pin nailer vs brad nailer can help you choose the right one. A lot of thought goes into a purchase decision. Therefore here are four things you must consider while buying a nail gun.
1. Nail Gun Type
Before you lay your hands on any random nail gun in the hardware store, you must understand whether it is the right tool for your project. There are different nailers, and two prominent types are pin nailers and brad nailers. You should clearly know your project requirements before you choose.
Pin nailers are used for fastening two pieces of wood together. The nails in the pin nailer do not have any head, so when they are shot, they do not leave any visible marks behind. The nails used in pin nailers are 23-gauge and mainly 1 inch long.
On the other hand, brad nailers are used for many small to medium woodworks. These nailers are used for holding multiple pieces of wood together. This nailer uses 18-gauge nails with 3/8 to 2 inches in length. A brad nailer may not be suitable for dense surfaces like plywood or MDF.
If you are still confused about which nailer to choose, look for a pin nailer vs. brad nailer comparison review that can help you understand the various differences between the two types.
2. Nailer Size
Construction and woodwork often involve working in tight spaces and corners. It can be challenging to carry and operate a bulky nail gun whenever you want to fix something together.
So, you need to consider the size of the nail gun before you purchase it. You should be able to lift the gun comfortably and hold it in one hand for extended periods. Though most nail guns come with shoulder straps, lifting heavy and bulky nail guns for hours can be difficult.
The size of the nail gun also varies according to your project. For example, roofing and framing works require larger nailers, while smaller nailers are suitable for woodworking and carpentry. The size of the nail also determines the size of the nail gun, so keep that in mind.
3. Safety Feature
An average nail gun shoots nails at a 1,400 feet per second speed. You can imagine the severe damage it can do if it is not used correctly. Like all the tools and equipment, nail guns also come with user manuals.
These manuals mention various safety parameters and best practices to use the nail gun without any accident or injury. It’s also best to test the grip and weight of the nailer before using it on a project. You can practice using the nailer on a waste piece of wood to check the accuracy and penetration.
Many nail guns also come with features like sequential trip-trigger safety catches to prevent the user from accidentally shooting the nails in the air or towards someone. Make sure you check and understand these safety features while buying the nail gun.
4. Need for Maintenance
Like every other piece of equipment, a nail gun requires regular maintenance. Regular maintenance ensures its optimal performance while avoiding any accidents caused by a jammed nail gun. A nailer needs proper lubrication to prevent dry rot, and it will prevent the nail gun from jamming and ensure its best performance.
Nail guns are an essential part of woodworking and construction projects. A top-quality nail gun will ensure timely completion of the project and zero accidents. Make sure you consider these factors before you buy a nail gun.