9 Different Types of Nail Guns And How to Use Them

What is Nail Gun?

Nail guns, or nailers, are popular power tools used to drive nails into wood or other materials. Nail guns are powered by compressed air (pneumatic), electromagnetism, highly flammable gases like butane or propane, or the explosive charge in powder actuated guns.

The first nail gun used air pressure as its driving force and was sold in 1950 to aid in productively speeding up the assembly of wood floor sheathing and sub-floors in home construction. Nail guns have pushed hammers out of the way as the most desired tool for builders in many situations.

Nail guns come in three types; pneumatic nail guns, electric nail guns, and battery nail guns. Users need to be mindful of the fact that nail guns work best with the muzzle touching the target, and the author recommends safety measures similar to a firearm.

Nail Gun Power Sources

The type of power source for a nailer dictates the mobility of the tool and the type of work that can be expected from it.

A pneumatic nailer uses pressurized air from a compressor to drive nails. Make sure that the pressure rating (measured in pounds per square inch or PSI) and air volume rating (measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM) are equal to or exceed the required ratings of the nailer.

If you intend to run other air tools along with a nailer, make sure that the compressor can handle the total of those loads. A pneumatic nailer can offer strong power and heavy-duty work effectiveness, but a compressor’s air hose restricts mobility.

A battery-operated nail gun offers much more mobility than standard corded or pneumatic nail guns. Although a battery-operated nail gun has a faster startup time compared to pneumatic nail guns, it’s driving power will be significantly below a pneumatic nail gun.

Cordless, fuel-driven nailers drive nails using gas combustion. A disposable gas cartridge is fuel-injected into a chamber where combustion occurs to create the driving force. An incorporated battery provides an electric charge to the fuel ignition.

One of the advantages of a cordless, fuel-driven nail gun is the mobility due to requiring no cords or hoses. A fuel-driven nail gun has sufficient power that can be used for heavy duty job applications; it is capable of driving large fasteners into very hard materials.

How to Choose the Right Size and Gauge of Nails?

Nails used in power nailers are generally joined together by either paper, plastic, or wire. Many, particularly those used in coil nailers, have clipped heads allowing the nails to be closely confined in a solid line.

Others are attached using flexible wire in which the nails are aligned in long strands. Most nails have some kind of lubricant or adhesive.

The compound absorbs some heat as the nail contacts the nailing surface and lubricates the nail. The compound bonds the nail to the nailing surface when it cools, enhancing the holding strength.

Tip: In many instances, the use of regular round-head or clipped (sometimes referred to D-shape) nails is determined by local building codes. Some nailers can accommodate either, while some can only accommodate one or the other.

Nailer Features

Once you have determined the style of nailer that you will use for your projects, consider the following nailer options and air compressor tools and accessory features that can help keep you operating optimally.

• Directional exhaust systems on nail guns give you the option to redirect the tool’s exhaust away from your face or into a specific direction which can be helpful when you’re working in a dusty area. Some directional exhaust systems require special tooling to modify, while others are modification-free, only having to be adjusted by the tool user’s market.
• Jam-clearance systems make for easier tool maintenance by reducing the amount of experience when a nail jams inside the tool mechanism.
• Depth adjustment is an essential feature, giving a nail gun user the option to determine how far the tool drives a nail down into the work surface to when nails are too high or nails are sunk too deep into the workpiece. Some of the depth adjustment options use a tool to change the depth adjustment, while other tools simply require the user’s hand to be altered.
• A large trigger allows the tool to be manipulated in various orientations with a glove on your finger.
• Portable tool case allow for some protection of your nailer tool when it is transported.
• Pneumatic nailers that have swiveling air connectors help alleviate air hose tangles and allow a tool user to simply move the air hose out of the way when reloading fastener nails.
• Fly guards are helpful to the user in protecting the user from damage caused by debris. Typically, fly guards run out after a certain amount of wear but some are simple enough to replace by the tool user.
• Nail size adjustments are easier since you change nail sizes when you change tasks.
• Work lights attached to a nailer help illuminate the work surface, otherwise you would use an independent work light instead.

Nailer Firing Methods

Understanding the various nail gun firing methods will help you select the best tool for your projects, and help to prevent accidental firing. Different nail gun manufacturers may have variations in the nomenclature for the firing methods.

In most nailers, the firing method is dependent on the operation of two controls, the trigger and the safety tip, which you deppress against the work surface.

• Contact, or bump-firing, is a method that allows you to quickly drive nails one after another. As long as you are maintaining pressure on the trigger when driving a nail, bump-firing means for every bump of the safety tip against the work surface that fires a nail, you are
• drawing a nail. This method allows for rapid fire in production work but is hard to control. Additionally, bump-firing has a greater chance of unintended fire than the other methods of firing.
• Single-sequential will allow for spur firing, the gun cannot fire inadvertently in a bump-fire mode,i.e. you have to implement the safety tip and then the trigger in order to drive the first nail, then you can keep the safety tip against your work surface and reactivate the trigger for each subsequent nail you’re driving.
• Single-actuation acts as single-sequential, but to fire the first nail you can operate the two in any order. Accordingly, you can bump-fire the first nail as long as the tip was pressed against the work surface.
• Full-sequential can make that claim for being the safest because it has a one movement and can only work in sequential mode; you have to operate the safety tip and the triggers in the correct order – therefore you cannot bump-fire. When driving multiple nails, you will have to release the tip and trigger after driving your first nail, and then reactivate both the tip and trigger in the correct order. While this method does not allow the fast work you have while contact-firing, it is a very safe method to operate a nail gun.
• A smaller, trigger-operated nailer will not have a safety tips. The smaller nailer doesn’t have a safety tip and only will either use a single trigger or dual triggers to activate the nail or staple. The single-trigger operates like this, once the trigger is pulled you will drive a nail. The dual-trigger requires you to pull the triggers in the correct sequence. Some nail guns will allow you to select which firing mechanism is appropriate for your work.

Common Safety Tips for Using Nail Guns

All equipment requires an appropriate level of care, and nailers are no different. Some general safety information includes the following (although it is critical to follow the nailer’s manufacturer’s instructions for use, maintenance and safety):

• Make sure to inspect the nailer and repair or replace any damaged part(s) before using it.
• Never alter a nailer.
• Make sure to wear safety glasses and any other safety equipment noted in the nailer manual.
• Keep hands, feet, and all other body parts away from the firing area. Use clamps when necessary to secure workpieces.
• Always disconnect the tool from an air compressor or power source before performing maintenance, adjustments or attempting to clear a jam.
• Never point the tool at another person or animal.
• Always keep others away when using a nailer.
• Never use a nailer when flammable gases or liquids are nearby.

Types Of Nail Guns

Different types of nail guns to use for each project:

• Framing Nailer  
• Flooring Nailer
• Palm Nailer
• Roofing Nailer
• Siding Nailer
• Pin Nailer
• Brad Nailer
• Finish Nailer

1. Framing Nailer

Framing nailers are the most heavy duty nailers out there and their name accurately describes them. These nailers are great for use in heavy construction jobs and buildings, and are geared toward wood framing.

A framing nailer can take nails up to 3-1/2,” used to nail together 2×4’s. They are often used to build:

• Wood decks.
• Rooms.
• Houses.
• Wood sheathing.
• Fences.
• Wood siding.

Many models can switch between sequential and contact trips, tool-less depth-drive adjustment.

There are two types of framing nailer on the market, round head and clipped head. Clipped head nailers are more suited for high volume projects because they can hold more nails.

Round head framing nailers are not inhibited by specific building codes, but they care limited in terms of how many nails they hold..

2. Flooring Nailer

Flooring nailers are much different than a typical nail gun that most people know. Flooring nailers are specifically designed for laying tongue-and-groove floor boards and they make that job fast and easy.

In most floor nailers, the tool is held at the edge of the board, and the user uses a nylon mallet to strike the plunger. This method allows the user to drive the nails (or cleats) at the proper angle and depth, every time.

There are two types of flooring nailers: pneumatic and manual. Both nailers are used in similar fashion but pneumatic nailers use air pressure to help drive to nail into the floor board. Pneumatic flooring nailers use less human effort.

Flooring nailers aren’t very versatile and can’t be used for any applications outside of laying floor boards.

3. Palm Nailer

Palm nailers are similar to mini nail guns. Palm nailers work the same as larger nail guns, just on a mini size.

As the name implies, these nailers fit in the palm of a hand. There is a strap that goes around the hand to keep the nailer comfortably positioned in the palm.

These nailers are available as pneumatic, electric, and cordless. The cordless variations provide the most freedom and mobility, since they run on battery.

Palm nailers are great for:

• Tight spots.
• Joist hangers.
• Small projects.

There are many benefits to using palm nailers, and changed hand positions and weight reduction may be the two biggest benefits. Since palm nailers are light and small, it is easier to use them longer.

Unlike other nail guns that use coils or strips, palm nailers use regular nails, just like when you use a hammer.

Most palm nailers will drive a nail from 1.5″ to 3.5″ long, but there are even bigger heavy duty models that will drive 2″ to 6- nails. Palm nailers are very accurate due to their small size. Most palm nailers are also relatively cheap, or sometimes even free with larger nail guns.

4. Roofing Nailer

Roofing nailers are similar to framing nailers in that they are also considered heavy-duty tools. They are typically owned by professional contractors, although some serious DIYers might have one as well.

A roofing nailer does just what it sounds like it drives nails into wood and other roofing material at rapid rates of speed.

There are several types of roofing nailers:

• Spring loaded: The more simple roofing nailer which works by using springs to fire a nail out of the chamber.
• Pneumatic: These nailers are powered by an air compressor so are the most popular type of nailer within this category.
• Solenoid: These nailers rely on electromagnetic polarization to function.

Just as with the flooring nailer the roofing nailer is only intended for roofing jobs and generally only used by professional roofers and contractors.

5. Siding Nailer

An application of the siding nailer is for attaching siding. These nail guns drive nails through thinner pieces of wood or synthetic material and into a wooden backing.

Similar to the framing nailer, the siding nailer is an ideal choice for projects that require larger pieces of wood to be fastened.

For siding nailers, the nails being driven are 1-1/4″ – 2-1/2″ and wider heads. Some manufacturers even make a tire with aluminum nail compatibility, making these siding nailers a very good fit for aluminum siding.

6. Pin Nailer

Pin nailers are typically used for finish work in carpentry projects; and they are the smallest, most delicate finish nailers available. Pin nailers are designed for 23-gauge headless nails which look like pins.

Pin nails have almost no holding power and are typically used along with glue or other types of adhesives; in fact, pin nails are sometimes only used to hold materials in place until the glue dries.

A pin nailer is generally used for:

• Finish work in carpentry.
• Crown molding.
• Cabinetry (sometimes).
• Delicate trim pieces.
• Thin veneers.
• Small furniture trim.

Essentially this nailer would be for delicate pieces where larger gauge nails may split the wood.

7. Brad Nailer

Brad nailers are the smallest type of nail gun and often seen for specialty work, such as cabinets, carpet, and light furniture. It is often the preferred nail gun for most contractors as they complete their work, especially, completing and capping with larger 18-gauge nails.

As a result, it is the ideal choice for a variety of applications such as trim work on doors and window casings, baseboards, and crown mouldings. Brad nailers can be used in pretty much any application that would use a 15 or 16-gauge nail such as:

• Baseboards.
• Crown molding.
• Trim work, including door and window casings.

At the end of the project, brad nailers are often the look-to choice for contractors who are completing the project.

8. Finish Nailer

A finish nailer is also a suitable alternative when completing carpentry work, as they are intended to be used with specific sized nails.

The associated uses of a finish nailer include.

• Crown molding.
• Baseboards.

A finish nailer is different than a brad or pin nailer in that it can be used with larger and bulkier pieces of wood. A finish nailer is compatible with 15- to 16-gauge finish nails, which are a bit thicker than a brad nail. Since finish nails are a little thicker, they will provide more holding power than the brad nail.

9. Staple Gun

Although staple guns are totally unlike any of the other nailers listed above, we can now explore the types of staples (a type of fastener) which can be driven into a range of materials.

Staple guns are adaptable tools, and can be used for a variety of uses, such as:

• Upholstery: Many staple guns are employed as “fabric tackers” to fasten a piece of fabric to a sofa or chair framework.
• Carpet: Staples are often used to secure carpet to floors, and very often walls, for sound proofing a space.
• Home Improvement: Repairs made of wood or fabric sometimes can be fastened using a staple gun, like fastening boards or panels.
• Construction: Staple guns have been employed for many simple home construction projects such as a bird house, or a dog house or during framing.

While a staple gun can typically not be used as a substitute for a power nailer on the majority of projects, it does have it’s function and it’s very useful to have around the house.

Nail gun Motor Types/Power Sources

As you begin shopping for a nail gun for your home project, you will find that there are two primary types of motor to choose from.

• Pneumatic: Pneumatic nailers are powered by an air compressor that fires the nail into the work surface. Pneumatic nailers are most often found in heavy construction and remodelers. Pneumatic nail guns, the most popular of nail guns, are preferred by all professionals and are a good option. They provide a tremendous amount of power and come in different styles and types.
• Electric: Depending upon which tool you choose, electric nail guns are powered by electricity and can be either electric cord or battery. It is quite easy to move cordless electric nailers around a job site without concern of a cord or air hose. The advantage is that they are typically more portable then a pneumatic nailer but the disadvantage is power.
• Brushed or brushless: Also, there are brushed or brushless motors. Brushless motors provide more power and durability than brushed motors too but are most times more expensive. An air gun with brushless motor will most likely be the most power nails gun you can buy.

Nail Gauge Options

Once you have found the nail gun you will be adding to your arsenal, you will want to check the nail gun for which nail gauges it can use. Nail gauge sizes refers to the measurement of thickness of the nail. A higher gauge number will mean a thinner nail, while a lower gauge number will mean a thicker nail.

The most common nail gauges for nail guns are:

• 15-Gauge
• 16-Gauge
• 18-Gauge
• 23-Gauge

The 16-gauge nails are the most flexible size, so if you want a nail gun to use for a number of projects, a 16-gauge nail gun is a good option. The 15-gauge nails are typically used for installing thick trim.The 18-gauge and higher gauge nail guns are typically best used for detailed work, furniture repair and thinner trim work.

Nail Gun Angles

The nail gun angle refers to the angle of the nail collation or the angle that the nails are collated and stored in the magazine of the nail gun. The nail gun angle is not the angle by which the nail gun drives the nail – nails are always driven straight into a surface.

Nail guns can have angles anywhere from 15-degrees to 34-degrees. The angle will also determine the type of nail heads and the number of nails it can hold.

• A nail gun with a 15-degree angle can hold a great deal of full-round-head nails that are best suited for floor joists, wall studs and other framing tasks. Full-round-head nails are often mandated by building codes for framing. A 15-degree angle nail gun is heavier and not very suitable for overhead work.
• A nail gun with a 21-degree angle can also support full-round-head nails but will hold less than a 15-degree nail gun. The larger angle allows for easier access into tight corners when framing. 21-degree angle nail guns are usually lighter than 15-degree angle nail guns, once again because they hold less.
• A nail gun with a 28-degree angle supports offset-head or clipped-head nails to enable more nails to be collated in the magazine. Compared to the angled nail guns, tools with a 28-degree angle are a much more compact tool as they use less space in the magazine and overall. However, not all building codes allow for offset-head or clipped-head nails to be used when framing.
• A nail gun with a 30-degree angle will allow the best access into tight corners. Like the 28-degree angle nail gun, this nail gun will also use offset-head or clipped-head nails. 30-degree nail guns will typically have magazines that hold two strips of nails that mean less frequent loading.

FAQs