What Gauge Nails For Trim

When it comes to installing trim effectually windows, doors, baseboards, crown molding, assembling cabinet parts or installing stair treads and risers, every bit y'all can see, i nail gun does non fit all. Each of these nailers covers a range of applications. In some cases there'south overlap, only mostly—you're not going to get the results you want by using ane when the other is the better choice.

The difference between them is the guess nail that they shoot. The nearly mutual and readily available types are fifteen gauge, 16 gauge, 18 gauge, and 23 gauge. The higher the number, the thinner the nail and the smaller the hole.

So, practise you need them all, and which one should you choose if you tin can but buy one?

What Are xv-Estimate Nailers Used For?

fifteen-gauge nailers shoot a thick nail betwixt ane-1/4" to 2-ane/2" long. They have substantial belongings power thanks to the heavier head.

These nailers are a great option for large interior and outside casing when nailing into studs (not the jamb), installing pre-hung doors, stair treads or risers, baseboard, and crown—things that require good holding power in the fabric that can be filled and painted or stained.

The hole is substantial compared to the other options. These nailers are available in pneumatic and cordless configurations.

How Much Do fifteen-Approximate Nailers Cost?

Expect to pay $270-$450 for a cordless tool-simply or kit, depending upon the make. Cheque out this fifteen-guess nailer by Metabo, available for $319 on Amazon. Pneumatics (such as this model by Senco) cost around $170-$200 depending upon the brand.

The sixteen-Gauge Nailer is Versatile

sixteen-gauge nailers shoot nails that are a petty thinner than the 15 approximate and take a smaller caput. Depending on the make, these shoot nails from iii/4" to 2-one/ii" inches long. They have good holding power and are a good general use gun.

Carpenters utilize them for a wide variety of tasks including interior trim, baseboard, and crown. You can do stair risers with them, and they're a good option to nail downwards tongue and groove flooring like nigh a wall or in a cupboard where a flooring nailer won't work. Nigh carpenters don't install pre-hung doors with this gun. If you're doing a lot of trim work and don't want to ain multiple guns, the sixteen-gauge is probably the almost versatile. These nailers are available in pneumatic and cordless configurations.

How Much Practise 16-Gauge Nailers Cost?

Expect to pay $200-$400 for a cordless tool-only or kit, depending upon the brand. Porter Cable sells one for $199 on Amazon. Pneumatics price around $100-$200 depending upon the brand.

What Practice You Use a Brad Nailer For?

18-gauge brad nailers shoot a thin blast between 3/eight" to two" depending on the model. They exit a smaller hole thanks to their small caput and so are less likely to split thinner wood.

They're the ideal nailer for attaching casing to window and door jambs because they're less likely to blow out the connections. Stop moldings, Base shoe, cove moldings—smaller profiles are a adept use hither, also equally some chair rail, and a diversity of woodworking projects. If you do some trim piece of work and a fair amount of woodworking, the 18-gauge brad nailer is the one to have. These nailers are available in pneumatic and cordless configurations.

How Much Do Brad Nailers Toll?

Wait to pay $100-$440 for a cordless tool-only or kit, depending upon the make. My Milwaukee model costs $279 on Amazon. Pneumatics toll effectually $threescore-$390 depending upon the brand.

What Is a 23-Gauge Pivot Nailer?

Last but not least, is the 23-approximate pinner. These too are available in cordless and pneumatic options. This gun should be relegated to tasks like mitered returns or attaching thin moldings or other details to woods.

Because most of them burn down headless pins or very small-headed pins, they're ofttimes used in conjunction with glue and therefore finish up typically interim as a temporary clamp. They're as well a expert option for installing beads and thin stops. They don't separate wood and leave a barely noticeable pigsty that requires minimal to no filling. These nailers are bachelor in pneumatic and cordless configurations.

How Much Do Pin Nailers Toll?

Wait to pay $130-$400 for a cordless tool-only or kit, depending upon the brand. Metabo features a model for $152 on Amazon. Pneumatics cost around $110-$240 depending upon the make.

Pneumatic vs. Cordless

As I mentioned, all of these nailers are available in pneumatic or cordless configurations. The tried-and-true pneumatic uses compressed air to button a commuter pivot that sets the nail. Cordless nailers run on either a battery and gas cartridge or on just a battery.

How Practice Pneumatic Nailers Work?

Pneumatic nail guns are the lightest, fastest, and, until recently, the most reliable.

They're powered by compressed air that is delivered to the nailer through a hose from a compressor. Finish carpenters similar them considering of their weight and maneuverability – they're not as bulky every bit cordless nailers and are typically well-balanced. They require some maintenance and can be refurbished without sending in for service.

How Exercise Cordless Nailers Work?

Cordless gas nailers evolved from pneumatics as carpenters looked for more convenience. They've been around for a long time, so the technology has get more than reliable over the years. These nailers run on a rechargeable battery and fuel cartridge that creates a small-scale explosion inside a combustion chamber which pushes the driver pin and sets the nail. These nailers are lightweight and reliable, though they can't exist fired chop-chop similar pneumatics.

They require more maintenance and upkeep cost. Some carpenters are put-off by the propane-similar smell that is emitted with each shot. Runtime on these nailers is excellent and because there's no air hose or compressor to haul effectually (and potentially trip over) they are convenient.

The latest cordless nailer technology relies solely on a bombardment, and so there'south no gas cartridge to change out. With these nailers the driver mechanism is different than the other two styles – in that location's compressed air or gas housed in the caput and a piston that drives the pin downward.

Depending upon the judge nailer, they can exist heavier than the gas and pneumatic options – but they are very fast and plenty powerful. They require no maintenance though when they are down, they need to be sent in for service. Though runtime is good with these nailers, the trade-off is the weight and sometimes balance of the tool depending upon the brand. These nailers are reliable and convenient.

Cost

Y'all tin buy pneumatic philharmonic kits that include a compressor and one, 2, or three nailers for $200-$400 depending upon the brand and configuration. These are a dandy selection if yous're starting from scratch.

If you're already invested in a battery platform, yous volition observe each of these nailers available every bit tool-but or in kits that include a battery and charger. Prices vary widely depending upon the make.