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Top Rated Nail Guns - [Top 7 for 2024]
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Nail guns are one of the most common air tools, and can be found in almost any garage or contractor’s tool kit. Before you run out and grab a top rated nail gun, you should probably know what you are looking for.
Table of contents
There are different types of nail guns, and they are intended for different uses. To understand what type of nail gun you need you first need to understand the differences.
Different Types of Nail Guns
These are some of the most common nail guns home owners and professional contractors use:
Framing Nail Gun
These nail guns are designed for almost any type of wood framing work, along with laying sub flooring, fencing, or building a deck. This pneumatic tool can also be used safely on plaster without causing cracking.
Finish Nail Gun
This type of nail gun is used for installing baseboards, crown molding, and other decorative woodwork. It uses either 15 or 16 gauge nails, and can be used to finish larger projects like chairs, railings, or dressers, and the nails are smooth enough to be used on finish projects.
Brad Nail Gun
This small nail gun uses 18 gauge nails and is ideal for use on wood that might crack under a hammer. This nail gun works best in small, cramped spaces such as small corners on trim and edge work.
One important thing to take into consideration before purchasing any type of pneumatic nail gun is to make sure that it compatible with your air compressor.
Top Rated Nail Guns
Key features:
- Compatible Nails: 21 degree plastic collated full round head framing nails from 2" – 3-1/2" L and 0.113" – 0.131" diameter.
- Built to Last: One piece hardened steel drive blade.
- Anti-Dry-Fire Mechanism: Prevents empty fires and reduces damage to internal components.
- Dual Mode Trigger: Fast and easy to switch between single sequential firing for precision or bump firing for speed.
- Tool-Free Depth Adjust: Simply turn the depth adjustment wheel by hand to change the driving depth of nail.
- No Mar Safety Tip: Prevents damage to work surface.
Key features:
- 360 deg adjustable exhaust
- Durable constructions
- Sequential fire
- Depth adjust
- Quick jam release
- Ergonomic grip
- 1/4" NPT fittings
- Anti-dust cap
- High capacity magazine
- No-mar safety contact
Key features:
- It can fire 18-gauge brads ranging from 3/8 to 2 inches in length.
- The spring-loaded 106 nails magazine.
- Lightweight body with a rubber-lined handle.
- Operating pressure ranges from 60 to 115 PSI.
- The 1/4-inch NPT fittings.
- Adjustable firing depth with a simple turn of the depth adjustment wheel.
- The number of remaining nails can be checked through the gauge window on the side of the magazine.
- Jams can be cleared quickly and easily by unlatching the front nose.
- The adjustable air exhaust.
Key features:
- Full round head framing nail gun
- 34 degree angle finish nail gun
- Finish stapler
- Brad nail gun
Key features:
- 18 gauge brad nailer.
- Tool-free depth-of-drive adjustment with detents for proper setting of nail heads.
- Tool-free jam release mechanism for easy nail removal.
- Rear exhaust to keep contaminates away from work.
- 18 gauge nails from 5/8-inch to 2-inch length.
- Adjustable belt hook allows the tool to be kept near the user.
- Kit includes: carrying case, and owners manual.
Key features:
- Tool-free depth of drive adjustment.
- Fully adjustable exhaust.
- Selective actuation.
- Air Duster.
- 5 Year Warranty.
- Kit Includes: A convenient carrying case (884340), safety glasses (875769) and a no-mar tip (881751)
Key features:
- NT50AE2 Brad Nailer
- NT65MA4 Finish Nailer
- N3804AB3 Finish Stapler
- Air Duster.
- 5 Year Warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better 16 or 18 gauge nail gun?
16-gauge finish nails have a thickness of 0.0625 inches allowing them to excel in holding power when compared to 18-gauge brads. Available in lengths ranging from 1 to 3.5 inches, these nails are particularly well-suited for securing dense pieces of wood.
Which type of nail gun is the most popular?
A pneumatic nail gun, also known as an air nail gun, utilizes compressed air as its power source and is renowned as the preferred choice among professionals.
Pneumatic nail guns deliver exceptional power and are available in a wide range of makes and models, ensuring reliability and versatility.
What is better a brad nailer or finish nailer?
When deciding between brad nails and finish nails, the choice depends on your specific project requirements and the type of wood involved.
Generally speaking, opt for finish nails when working with thicker wood and brad nails for thinner wood. In terms of strength, finish nails are more robust than brads, making them the ideal choice for projects that require enhanced durability.
Can you use 18 gauge nails for framing?
Box nails are typically employed in house framing applications that require significant strength. They feature thinner shanks, measuring approximately 1/16", which make them ideal for securing nonstructural elements such as trim, shingles, and siding. The reduced gauge of these nails also minimizes the risk of wood splitting.
What is the best nailer for tongue and groove?
When it comes to installing your new ship lap or tongue and groove, nothing beats the convenience and efficiency of a finish nailer or brad nailer.
These tools are incredibly user-friendly, making them the ideal choice for the task at hand which is why you can easily find them for purchase or rental at affordable prices in your local hardware store.
Not only are they lightweight, but they are also designed to be simple enough that even the most novice of users can operate them with ease!
Final Thoughts
As we have seen picking a nail gun can be a tricky process, there a lots of factors to consider which is why it is hard to pick the perfect nail gun for everyone.
The right nail gun for you will depend on how often you will be using it, if you are a contractor and you will be relying on it everyday then quality will be the most important thing for you.
If you are a DIY enthusiast then cost may be your most desirable factor as you just want a general nail gun for you weekend projects. These type of project would also lend themselves more towards a Brad Nailer and not a Framing Nailer.
So If your are looking for a Brad Nailer then we would recommend the WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer this is a great little nailer and at a great price that has shown through it many reviews to be a great choice for many people.
Check latest price on the WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer
If you are more interested in framing and construction then a Framing Nailer would be a better fit and we would recommend the NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21 Degree 3-1/2" Framing Nailer this is a great nailer which also has many positive reviews and is also at a price that won't break the bank.
Check latest price on the NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21 Degree 3-1/2" Framing Nailer
Finally if you are looking for a great starter kit that will serve all your needs then we have to recommend the Metabo HPT 3-Piece Finish/Trim Nailer Combo Kit, this is a great kit that will suit all levels of user well, comes with great service and is backed by a 5 year warranty.
Check latest price on the Metabo HPT 3-Piece Finish/Trim Nailer Combo Kit
Where Next
We hope you found our article helpful, if you would like to read some more of our articles then we think these below may be interesting for you.
- NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer.
- NuMax SFN64 Pneumatic 16-Gauge 2-1/2" Straight Finish Nailer.
- WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer.
- Freeman P4FRFNCB Framing/Finishing Combo Kit with Canvas Bag.
- PORTER-CABLE BN200C 2-Inch 18GA Brad Nailer Kit.
- Hitachi NT65MA4 15 Gauge Angle Finish Nail Gun.
- Metabo HPT 3-Piece Finish/Trim Nailer Combo Kit.
You may also like to check out our article Best Cheap Brad Nailer - [Top 5 under $50].