What finishing nailer to use for carpentry

Finishing nailer vs. A brad nailer

A finishing nailer and a brad nailer is so much alike that many woodworkers tend to confuse them and use them for the same purposes. But although the two types of tools serve many of the same functions, each is really best suited for different jobs. 

Finishing nailers generally provide a stronger hold than brad nailers due to the higher gauge nails used. The nails used in bradders or brad nailers are extremely thin and are better suited for light trim and molding. 

There are reasons to go with a brad nailer instead of a finishing nailer. The much smaller nails leave very tiny holes that less noticeable, you might still cover them up with wood putty afterward. But if you need a stronger hold for house trim, then a finishing nailer is the better option, and they still do leave relatively small holes.

Follow this for more information on a brad nailer vs finishing nailer.

What’s better an angled or straight mag

Finishing nailers, unlike bradders, are available in 2 major design types. A straight magazine or an angled-shaped nail holder.

Both designs are great but, I prefer the angled tool as it has more flexibility with working in tight corners and shooting at slight angles. A straight shooter is good for easy access jobs with a more comfortable balance but has more limited use in tight spots.

Gas finishing nailers vs. Cordless finishing guns

Gas-powered nailers are pretty popular among professional woodworkers due to their increased power and longer runtimes. They are also a lot more convenient than pneumatic nailers because you don’t need to drag an air compressor or lengths of hose with you. 

But cordless or battery-powered might be even better options than gas-driven models. They are just as portable and easy to move around as gas-powered nailers because they aren’t reliant on air compressors and air hoses either. 

Furthermore, cordless finishing guns don’t emit unpleasant gas fumes and you never have to worry about running out of gas or your gas canisters expiring. Battery-operated nailers are also generally quieter than gas-driven models, which could be beneficial when working at home. 

Air finisher vs. Cordless finisher

As I mentioned previously, I believe cordless finishers are better options than air finishers for many reasons, not the least of which are their portability and convenience. However, there are situations wherein an air finisher might be the better choice. They are better suited for big jobs where you need fast repetitive consistent shooting power, such as when working on cedar panel ceilings.

But for general finishing work such as architraves and trims, I would always opt for a good cordless model instead. When the job requires me to move around a lot, I just don’t want to have to bother lugging around a big, bulky compressor.

15 gauge vs. 16 gauge finisher

When choosing a finishing nailer for specific jobs, the choice often comes down between a 15-gauge and a 16-gauge model. Both have some overlap in terms of uses, but 15-gauge nailers are usually better suited for working on larger ¾” baseboards and trims. They are especially useful for demanding applications such as nailing doorjambs and stair treads. Their large pistons and bulky form also make them better suited for heavy-duty jobs.

16-gauge nailers, on the other hand, are better suited for working with thick trim. They are also generally smaller and lighter than 15-gauge nailers. Most 16-gauge nailers are designed to drive nails up to 2 ½” in length which is still plenty for most trim finishing jobs.

There are quite a few quality finishing nailers out there, but these models stand out for their performance, reliability, and excellent results.

Choosing a finishing nailer

#1 15-gauge finishing nailer

The DeWalt DCN650B is a battery-powered unit that offers power, convenience, and versatility in a compact package. It has a useful micro-nose design that helps improve your line of sight and ensures total accuracy when driving panel pin nails.

There is also an onboard LED light that illuminates your workpiece and provides diagnostic information on the status of your tool. Two modes are provided–sequential and contact actuation–and there is a tool-free trigger that lets you switch quickly between the two. 

In use, the DeWalt DCN650B fires quickly with no lags or hiccups. The tool even stands securely on the battery pack which helps keep your work table better organized.

#1 Straight shooting finishing nailer

The Makita XNB02Z packs more than enough power to handle even the most heavy-duty jobs. It accommodates 16-gauge nails with lengths ranging from 1” To 2 ½”, so you can do almost any type of finishing the job with a single tool. The Makita XNB02Z has a compact center height design that gives you an unobstructed view of the nose tip, so you can drive nails accurately even in tight spots.

And to prevent damage to delicate trim and molding, there is an anti-dry fire mechanism onboard that prevents the nailer from shooting blanks. Other features include an LED light, a depth adjustment control, and a two-mode selector switch.

#1 Air-driven finishing nailer

The DeWalt D51257K is an air-driven nailer that is ideally suited for big jobs that require a no-nonsense straight nailer. This particular model boasts of a sealed-lube dual tech motor that works as an oil-free design or as an oil-lubricated unit. This results in a versatile tool that conforms to your way of working and delivers consistently reliable results every time.

Other useful features include an adjustable belt hook, a nail depth adjustment control, and a jam clearing mechanism that reduces downtime. There is also a 360° exhaust vent that you can set according to your preferences. The DeWalt D51257K even comes with a no-mar pad that protects your work surface. 

#1 Best gas-powered finishing nailer

The Paslode 902400 is a powerful and versatile finishing nailer that lets you drive nails precisely even in the tightest spots. Primarily a fuel-driven model, it also requires a 7-volt Lithium-ion battery to run the electronics.

While running off fuel, you could expect the Paslode 902400 to keep driving nails all day. A single battery charge will assist you and you’re finishing nailer to drive up to 12,000 nails before you need to recharge. 

The Paslode 902400 is an amazingly lightweight device weighing in at only 4.5 pounds. Easy to maneuver and carry around, it is a great choice for finishing jobs that require you to climb ladders and work in tight corners.

Jobs that are best done with a finishing gun

Finishing guns are the best choice when you need to do any kind of precision nailing work. When hammers and nails, and screws just seem to be too heavy-handed, a finishing gun is perfect for the job. They are ideally suited for building trim, attaching crown molding, and attaching baseboards. They are even useful for building fine furniture, especially delicate work when a hammer and nails Straight-out won’t do. 

Finishing nailers have more holding power than brad nailers. Although they are often used for the same purposes, finishing nailers are the better options when you need to combine holding power and more subtle touch.

Should I choose a brad nailer instead?

There are some situations for which a finishing nailer might be the better option and vice versa. Finishing nailers are usually preferable when you need more decent holding power and you don’t mind leaving slightly bigger nail holes in your trim or molding jobs. This is often the case and you will be using wood putty to fill in the holes anyway to hide them from being noticed.

Holes left by brads and finishing guns are much smaller than screws, and panel pins that are driven and nail punched by hand.

On the other hand, brad nailers are better suited for situations where you want to leave the smallest possible hole on a natural wood finish.

Keep in mind that bradders work best when driving nails straight. Finishing guns, on the other hand, can drive holes straight as well as at an angle, so they are better suited for working in tight corners.

Tips for using finishing nailer

Most finishing nailers have safety noses that you will have to push in before the trigger can be engaged. Make sure that this is functioning properly before you use your nailer. It is also a good idea to slip the rubberized anti-marring tip onto the nose of the tool to prevent damage to fragile trim or molding. 

When you are ready to start driving nails in, position the tip of the tool on the spot on the trim where you want the nail to enter. If necessary, adjust the nailer’s position to ensure that the nail punctures the workpiece properly. You will probably want the tool’s cylinder and tip to line up to the face of the board in a perpendicular position. 

In some cases, it may be necessary to position the tool at an angle to penetrate the proper amount of wood behind the trim. After adjusting the nailer’s angle appropriately, push the tool gently toward the surface of the workpiece while depressing the safety nose. Once you have the tool positioned properly, you can pull the trigger and drive the nail in. 

You will generally want finish nails to be sunk into the trim to allow filling with wood putty. If your nails aren’t going in deep enough, check to make sure that your air compressor is providing enough pressure and that your depth adjustment control is set to the right setting.

The history of nail guns

While the principle behind nail guns has been in practice for hundreds of years, the precursors to modern nail guns were developed in the early 1950s During this post-war period of frenzied construction in the United States, there arose a need for a more efficient alternative to the hammers and nails used in constructing houses and buildings. Drawing inspiration from the machine guns used in WWII, inventors developed pneumatic staplers.

Companies such as Paslode, Bostitch, and Senco then adopted the technology and used it to develop the first pneumatic nailers in the 1970s. Since then, the market has seen the development of even more powerful and more efficient models, many of which are still widely used today.

Comparing your options

Conclusion

Among the models covered here, the best options are the DeWalt DCN650B, the Makita XNB02Z, the DeWalt D51257K, and the Paslode 902400. The DeWalt DCN650B packs enough power for all applications in a convenient and portable form.

The Makita XNB02Z is equally powerful and includes features that make it perfectly suited for working in tight spots with a slightly narrower pin, a good balance between the Dewalt DCN650B, and a bradder. 

The DeWalt D51257K is a great choice also for heavy-duty jobs, with a smaller 16g nail where a straight nailer is more effective. It is a consistently reliable unit that delivers flawless performance. Finally, the Paslode 902400 is a precision tool that works especially well in corners, driving up to 12,000 nails per charge.

And if you need to shoot even smaller pins make sure to check out a brad nailers click to see my other review now.