Whether you’re a casual DIY-er who wants to put up some posters in their room, or you’re a serious crafter who wants to redo their den, a nail gun is a staple item. With a nail gun, you can pin your nails wherever you want, without worrying about hammering your fingers to the wall instead.
It’s important to know which type of nail gun is best for DIY-ing. My choice is the Hitachi Angled Finished Nailer because of the built-in air duster
Types of Nail Guns/ Nailers
Nail guns may be used by carpenters for professional use or by you if you’re just someone who loves doing things themselves. Since there are so many different types of nail guns out there, let’s look at the ones that are best for DIY usage.
Finish Nailers
Finish nail guns are popular among DIY-ers because they’re pocket-friendly and easy to use. They use 15-16 gauge nails (which are on the higher side) that are generally used for furniture and other home-based projects. They can be comfortably used on wood or other surfaces.
Framing Nailers
For heavy-duty jobs, such as putting in a wooden floor on your deck or building a treehouse, framing nail guns are ideal. They use 2.8mm nails and can be used on any kind of wood. Whether you’re fitting a new fence on your lawn or adding a sliding door on your patio, framing nailers can help you get the job done without damaging the plaster or splitting the wood.
Brad Nailers
Brad nailers use 18-23 gauge nails and are suitable for work on smaller items. Whether it’s a dollhouse, a doghouse or a small wooden horse, brad nailers can help you in constructing them without splitting the wood or leaving large, very visible holes.
What is Powering Your Nail Gun?
Once you know what type of nail gun you need, it’s important to consider whether the model you have is air-powered, wireless or needs to be inserted into an electrical socket.
Combustion-Powered Nailers
Combustion powered nailers rely on a battery that drives a piston to drive the nail into the wall. They are practically noiseless and can be used with large-sized nails too. They’re wireless and can be used easily, even by newbies.
They do require a little extra investment and effort, but they’re still popular among crafters because of how efficient they are.
Electric Nailers
Electric nailers may either be battery-operated or through a cord inserted in a power outlet. It uses electric current to drive a nail into the surface. Electric nailers last a long time, and if you choose the one with a cord, it will also be quite budget-friendly. They are mostly used for brads.
However, the cordless ones are usually much more expensive and need to be charged frequently, which is a downside for some DIY-ers.
Pneumatic Nailers
Pneumatic nailers use air pressure to drive nails into a surface. They’re the most popular option nowadays because of their ease of use and efficiency.
The only downside is that they need to be oiled frequently and that they’re a little noisy, but they last a lifetime and can be used for practically any DIY project.
The Best Nail Guns for Your Next DIY Project
It can be exhausting just looking for the right nail gun, but we’ve made the job easier for you. Here is a list of our top picks to make your next DIY project a success:
PneuTools Framing Nailer
Framing nailers are popular for crafters who like to get involved in a little construction activity and so on. The PneuToolsnailer requires a bit of an investment, but it’s worth it.
Why It’s Great
- It’s durable and has a protective end cap so you can use it for years and years with minimal signs of wear and tear.
- Its power is as impressive as nail guns from well-known brands, such as Hitachi.
- 21 gauge nails work well with this, making it ideal for your next DIY construction process.
What We Didn’t Love About It
- The brand is not too well-known, so it’s difficult to find replacement parts if something goes wrong.
All in all, this framing nail gun is perfect if you’re building shelters for the homeless, a ramp outside your house, or making a ladder on an old tree.
The Brad Nailer- Hitachi
Brad nailers work well if you want to nail small items together. This Hitachi one is a particularly good option.
Why It’s Great
- It’s very lightweight and you can use it all day long without getting tired.
- You can adjust the depth to which you drive the nail, so even if you’re working on a DIY project, it will have a professional finish.
- It is highly unlikely that your nails will get jammed in this nailer.
- If a part needs to be replaced, it is easy to find it because Hitachi is a world-renowned brand.
What We Didn’t Love About It
- There have been complaints of the nailer jamming after it has been used for a while.
- You need a pretty solid budget to fit this nailer into it.
Apart from some minor side effects, the Hitachi Brad nailer is quite popular, and whether you’re building a wooden replica of the Golden Gate Bridge or a cat basket, this tone will get the job done every time.
Hitachi Angled Finish Nailer
Why It’s Great
- It has a built-in air duster, which clears away any dust that builds up during the nailing process.
- It’s somewhat heavier than the Hitachi Brad nailer, but it’s still relatively light compared to many other options in the market.
- It’s perfect for professional use by builders, carpenters, etc., and is also ideal if you’re building a shed in your backyard.
- The price point is excellent and can fit into the budget of any serious DIY-er.
What We Didn’t Love About It
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- There are very slight chances of jamming.
Overall, the product itself is amazing, and the problem mentioned above may just be those 1 in a million unfortunate incidents.
EndNote
There is no such thing as the ultimate nail gun. Different nails guns are suitable for different purposes, so you have to make your decision accordingly. In short:
- Framing nail guns are ideal for use on furniture and other such items.
- Finish nail guns are suitable for large projects, such as building entire decks, fences or even houses.
- Brad nail guns are ideal for small items, such as large wooden toys and so on.
Before getting a nail gun, make sure you do your research so that the product you end up with is tried, tested and likely to work well.
