| If you're in the market for a nail gun then you've | | | | Most importantly, read the manual of the nailer you're |
| either been watching too many B horror flicks or | | | | considering for purchase as there are wide variations |
| you've decided that an upcoming project is going to | | | | even within specific types - in other words some |
| have too many nails for you to hammer in by hand. | | | | finish nailers could work as light framing nailers in a |
| Choosing the right nail gun for you needs is your next | | | | pinch... and some couldn't. |
| task now that you've decided to buy one, and going | | | | Nail Gun Power: Pneumatic and Cordless (Gas) |
| to the hardware store or shopping online will be a | | | | There are two principle types of nail gun power - |
| much better experience for you if you go prepared | | | | pneumatic, or air driven, and cordless, which are |
| with a little bit of knowledge. | | | | powered by little gas explosions (sort of like your |
| Today we'll look at the basic types of nail guns, the | | | | car). The pneumatic nail gun requires an air |
| different applications available, the different power | | | | compressor (the purchase of which requires its own |
| types, the different triggers available and finally some | | | | dedicated research) and all the hoses and other |
| of the basic features that will make your projects | | | | responsibilities that come with using air. Second to the |
| easier. Education is the fastest way to get the true | | | | pneumatic nailer is the cordless or gas-powered nail |
| handyman's satisfaction of having the right tool for | | | | gun in which a spark ignites a small amount of gas |
| the job. | | | | from a disposable cartridge. This little explosion drives |
| Why Are You Buying a Nail Gun? | | | | the nail forward and through your materials. They're |
| Your first task as you set out to make your first nail | | | | ideal for situations where mobility is essential. |
| gun purchase is to know the type of project you're | | | | Nail GunTrigger Mechanisms: Bump-Fire, One-for-One |
| buying it for. There are nail guns for almost every | | | | Trigger, Squeeze and Release |
| nailing project imaginable. It's up to you to imagine | | | | There are three standard types of nail trigger |
| the breadth of your use. Birdhouse production for | | | | mechanisms - bump-fire, in which you press the |
| your wife's craft-fair booth? Putting up a garage? | | | | trigger and bump the nail gun where you'd like to |
| Putting up 100 garages a year? To make sure you're | | | | drive the nail, a one-for-one trigger in which one pull |
| spending your money wisely know your application | | | | of the trigger equals one nail - common on brad |
| before you read the rest of this article. | | | | staple nailers, and squeeze and release mechanisms |
| Nail Magazine Types: Coil vs. Stick | | | | common on professional models that are very |
| The first key distinction between nail guns is coil and | | | | sensitive and have a tendency to drive multiple nails |
| stick. The coil style magazine holds nails in long, | | | | when used by the inexperienced. Your triggers are |
| flexible strips wound up in a coil of between 150-350 | | | | likely to have multiple settings. Be sure to find a nail |
| nails. Stick-style magazines hold longs strips of nails in | | | | gun with a trigger that's large and easy to press |
| 20-40 nail increments. There are many schools of | | | | while wearing gloves. |
| thought regarding which to get, and some reasons | | | | Key Nail Gun Features to Look For: |
| for the coil nailer is that they hold more nails and are | | | | 1) The Swivel Tube: if you're running a pneumatic |
| a bit more maneuverable because they don't have a | | | | nailer you want a swivel tube connector so that your |
| "stick" magazine poking out of them. Further the coils | | | | tube doesn't get tangled up - they also make |
| tend to have nails that are more standardized. Coil | | | | reloading a bit easier. |
| guns typically cost far more than stick nailers so | | | | 2) Easy jam clearing: your nail gun will jam. Make sure |
| again, it's important to know your uses before | | | | that it's got easy access to the nail feed so that |
| making your purchase decision. | | | | when a jam happens it doesn't slow you down. |
| Nail Gun Applications: Roofing, Framing, Flooring, Finish, | | | | 3) Nail Depth Adjustment: the ability to control how |
| Staples/Brads | | | | deeply you're driving your nails. This matters more on |
| There are four major applications for nail guns in | | | | the finish nailers. And depth adjustment is easier on |
| production today, including roofing nailers, designed | | | | some nail guns than others. |
| for nailing down roof shingles, framing nailers, a | | | | 4) Adjustment for Nail Size: there are many different |
| powerful nailer made for driving lots of large nails into | | | | types of nail sizes, and if you think you'll be using |
| thick material, flooring nailers, specially designed for | | | | multiple nail sizes in your project then be sure to |
| nailing down modern wood flooring, finish nailers, | | | | shop for a nailer that accepts a range of sizes. |
| which are lighter and made for nailing more delicate | | | | There you have it folks, the ultimate nail gun guide |
| furniture, cabinets and molding, and staple/brad nailers | | | | for newbies. Be sure to always read the manual for |
| typically used when extreme precision and delicacy | | | | the tools you buy and follow the safety instructions |
| are required. | | | | to the letter. Be safe, have fun - in that order! |