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A very common power tool used for DIY and home improvement projects is a brad nailer. It is used to fasten 18 gauge brad nails in various repairing projects. Attaching pieces of furniture, small carpentry tasks or attaching trims, it does it all.
Brad nailers are nail guns that are used to piece together small mouldings and woodcuts to woodwork.It is basically an electrically powered tool that fires 18-gauge brads. It is often the preferred choice as it uses very small nail gauges that will not slit the wood surface no matter how light it is.
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Moreover, brad nailers are very versatile when it comes to nail accommodation. Most often support 18-gauge brad nails with a range of 5/8 to 2 1/8 inch in length. These are the smallest kind of nail and are almost invisible over a wood surface. You will not even have to refill the nail holes when using these brad nails. Nevertheless, if you do, it will not be burdensome.
Besides to ensure that it will work as expected, always buy the right one, in terms of nail length accommodation as well as ease of use and maintenance. This allows for better results and prolongs its usefulness. In this guide, you will learn how to efficiently use brad nailers and make the most out of your operations.
A visit to any hardware store during home improvement can be quite mind-boggling if you don’t have an idea of the exact brad nails that you’re looking for and what your project requires. The truth is that there is a baffling array of brad nails at our disposal. Therefore, you ought to do your homework first to avoid the daunting task of getting the right nail to secure your project.
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Importantly, nothing is as important as having your project kick off without a hitch. See, when doing any construction project, there are a variety of brad nails needed for different purposes. Evidently, many models resemble but what many don’t know is that there are certain peculiar features that set each brad nail apart from the other.
To tackle this, you just need to be sure of the right brad nails for what project. This will undoubtedly help in making an informed decision before procuring the brad nails. The following text will decipher which brad nails to choose for your project thus making it easy to purchase the right brad nails without struggle.
The first consideration when choosing the right brad nail is to determine what type of jobs you’ll be doing. Brad nails come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all perform similar function. Below are some factors you should consider:
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What length brad nail do I need? This is the most common question in brad nail selection since different building codes require different nail lengths. Considering that, there are two prevailing rules of thumb to help get the right brad nail size.
To err is human, considering this, if you’re to err on brad nail length selection, better use one that is longer than too short.
Brad nails are sold according to penny size, i.e. 8d, 12d, 16d etc., where ‘d’ stands for the penny on the British monetary denomination. Penny sizing simply refers to the length of the nail whereby the larger the penny number the larger the nail and vice versa.
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Gauge refers to the thickness of the brad nail and not the length. You can have different lengths in each different size gauge. If you’re looking for a good all-around brad nails, I’d suggest the 18-gauge. for its versatility.
If the brad nails are to be exposed, then they need to be up to the task. Using interior nails on the outside results to their rusting and shortly thereafter, they bleed through the paint and fail. The following would do as exterior brad nails:
Just like there is a brad nail for every project, there is also a different shank pattern for varied tasks as well. Below are some popular patterns and how to use them.
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As discussed above, there are peculiar brad nail’s lengths, sizing and gauge for varied projects. It’s imperative to consider the relation between nail lengths and nail gauge using the below charts. Using the wrong brad nail may result to damage on the work surface.
From the chart above, size ‘60d’ i.e. nail A represents the largest nail since the larger the penny number the larger the nail, reverse is true.
The gauge numbers above show the thickness of the brad nails. As you can see, there can be different lengths for different gauge sizes.
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Importantly, safety is a concern when using any type of brad nails, safety goggles should be worn. Obviously, you should keep your fingers clear of the firing path.
Considering the features of a brad nail is vital in helping you make an informed decision when you want to buy them. Nail features play a part in enhancing the characteristics of the nails depending on size and model. Three main features to consider are:
If you now have all the information you need on brad nails, you’re now good to go ahead and buy the right nails that will best suit your project. Depending on your requirements, you can now choose the sizes, heads, shanks and points that suits your project. This will not only help you with your budget but also ensure you spend wisely.
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In case you’re running many projects that need varied types of brad nails, buy an assortment of nails to help you finish your project in time.
An assortment is a great asset since you don’t know when you need to do a few repairs in the house. Brad nails are available in virtually all stores, hardware and discount stores. Since they don’t expire, however long you have them, they will serve their purpose.
While there are many applications for a brad nailer, the brads may be difficult to drive through some hardwood and manufactured wood products such as plywood.
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This reminds us of why it’s wise to ensure we’ve loaded the brad nailer with appropriate number of the brads and closed the magazine correctly.
Essentially, brad nailers are used for trimming around interior windows and doors, crown molding, cabinet and furniture work. When working on a project that requires the use of brads, it will be necessary to use an electric or pneumatic nail gun.
You always must read all the warning labels that come with your tool before you use it. As you’ll find out, some models require the air hose to be connected whereas others require it to be disconnected. Ensure you adhere to the varied instructions and requirements on the tool’s warning labels for the type of brad nailer being used.
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This can be effected by wrapping the fitting them with a Teflon tape. The airhole is tightened to ensure it does not allow air to leak during operation.
You do this by depressing the cartage. Pull it back all the way to have access to the magazine. That’s where you basically put different types of brad nails.
Place the brads into the magazine. Ensure the head of the brad correctly fits into each of the provided slots. You’ll notice that there are several different grooves to allow for different size brads. It may slide a little bit in the groove but won’t be able to pull out. Insert several brads but ensure they comfortably fit in the magazine.
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However, you should shun overloading the magazine. Depending on the specifications, you can put 110 nails at a time, it’s not necessary to count them. Just make sure there is a comfortable amount.
This is exclusively dependent on the type of brad nailer being used. Some brad nailers load brads from the side while others load from the top, just like a standard office staple gun. Irrespective of the loading mechanism, just ensure that there is a proper fit of the brads to the loading device for safety’s sake.
Once you’ve loaded your brad nailer and are confident of its readiness for usage, it’s wise to note that different types of wood have varied splitting properties, however, a little experience with each type of wood you choose will give you an idea of how closely you can work to the end grain of the stock without necessarily splitting it.
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Additionally, because brads are so thin, you may encounter some nails that do not sink all the way into the stock. This is specifically problematic with brads since it’s much harder to pound the brad all the way into the stock with a hammer.
As you’ll quickly discover, brads bend quite easily under the head of a hammer. Instead of trying to nail in the protruding brad, it is probably wiser to remove it. With a brad to remove, instead of using a hammer to pull it out, brad nailers are undoubtedly handier in removing the nails with ease, especially with the lightweight brads.
When you are using a pneumatic brad nailer,
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