A brad nailer is a very useful tool that is commonly used in woodworking. The main use for a brad nailer is to fasten thin materials together. You can use them for minor repairs, picture frames, or any other project that requires a small nail.
Brad nailers can be a bit confusing because there are many different types of them. Some brad nailers are designed to use specific types of nails, while others can use different sizes.
In this article, I will explain what is a brad nailer and what it is used for. I will also discuss the different types of brad nailers and what they are good for. Let’s start!
What is a Nailer?
Contents
A brad nailer is a tool for installing small nails (2-4″) into the wood. This tool is designed for tasks like attaching trim or casings to furniture. The nails have a nail head, but they are flat on the other side.
A brad nailer is a great tool for those who want to do some DIY projects around the house, but don’t want to deal with a big, bulky nail gun. Brad nailers are more compact and more maneuverable than nail guns. It is important to know what to look for when buying a brad nailer.
Brad nailers are available in both air-powered and electric models. The air-powered nailers are more powerful but also require you to have an air compressor. Electric power brad nailer doesn’t require an air compressor.
Brad or Finish Nailer – Which One to Choose?
The first thing you should consider when buying a brad nailer is the type. There are two main types of brad nailers: finish nailers and brad nailers. Nails are classified into two categories, according to their length. Brad and finish nails are used for different purposes, and the length of the nails can be used to differentiate between the two.
Finish nailers shoot 2-4” brads, which are great for installing trim, molding, and casings. They are more powerful than brad nailers and are capable of shooting nails faster.
The nailers with the smaller brads are called brad nailers. Brad nail lengths vary from ⅝’’ up to 1-½’’. They are great for attaching casings to furniture. Brad nailers are used when the nails are needed to drive into your workpiece at an angle of 90 degrees. Brad nailers are also referred to as pin nailers.
The brad nails do not provide as tight of a hold as finishing nails do. Because of that, they are more likely to pull through the wood as the wood expands or contracts. Because brad nails do not have a large head, they cannot be countersunk.
How to Use Brad Nailer?
A brad nailer is an effective tool that can be used for several purposes. Some of the most common uses for the brad nailer are as follows:
- To attach two pieces of wood together;
- To affix moulding to walls;
- To secure a baseboard;
- To fasten picture frames to walls;
- To secure molding to the edges of doors and windows.
Brad nailers are very easy to use. They are designed to work at high speed with less vibration and noise. The brad nailer is designed in such a way that it can easily be held in hand. If you are using a pneumatic brad nailer, you need to keep in mind that the compressor must be filled with air. Also, you need to make sure that the nailer accepts the pneumatic nails.
- Step 1: First, you need to select the nailer that you need to use. You need to keep in mind that the brad nailers can have different styles and sizes. If you are a beginner, you should start with the smaller brad nailer.
- Step 2: There is a hole in the nailer through which you can insert the nails. When you are using the brad nailer, you need to make sure that the nails are inserted into the nailer correctly. Double-check the nails to make sure that they have been inserted properly.
- Step 3: Once you have checked the nails, you should check the nailer for any jams. Even though you might not face any issues in the beginning stages, you need to keep an eye on the nailer. The brad nailer might jam at the time when you are using it. If the nailer jams, you will need to clear the jam.
- Step 4: Once you have checked the nailer, you can now start using it. The brad nailer is very easy to use. You just need to pull the trigger, and the brad nailer will start working. Hold the brad nailer in a comfortable position and place a nail in the nose of the tool. Adjust the depth of the nailer to the wood surface and pull the trigger. Guide the brad nailer tip to the wood surface. Depress the trigger and push the brad nailer onto the wood surface. Then release the trigger, and the brad nailer tool will complete the job.
Brad Nails Sizes
The size of the brad nail is one of the most important factors to take into account when buying brads. It’s important to know what size brad nail you need to be able to fasten your project properly without any problems.
The size of a brad nail is usually denoted by the letter “P”. The letter “P” stands for the designation of the nail’s diameter in 32nds of an inch. The “P” is followed by another number which indicates the length of the nail in 16ths of an inch.
Brad nail sizes are expressed in gauge numbers. The gauge numbers are expressed in decimals. For example, the gauge number of 14 gauges is 0.072 inches. The most common brad nails have gauge numbers from 18 to 60. The bigger the gauge number is, the smaller the nail is. Typically, brad nails are used for making small pieces of wood pieces attached together.
Conclusion
Among brad nail gun uses are fastening the wood to the wood, shoe moulding, framing. They are used for assembling the materials like plywood, MDF, and OSB. The nails of the brad nailer are slotted, and that’s why they are easy to drive. Now you know what are brad nailers used for and how to use this tool. I hope this article was helpful and will make the job easier for you. Wish you luck with your brad nailer projects!
