Get Educated About Today’s Power Nailers

When it comes to fastening one workpiece to another, few things are as basic and time-tested as hammer and nails. But modern technology has introduced a mechanical means of doing the same thing faster, better and far more efficiently with nailers. Powered either by compressed air or a long-lasting battery, these tools can drive hundreds of nails in the space of time a hammer could handle only a few dozen. These are precision tools that can position and drive a fastener exactly where you want it. They can be used in places where swinging a hammer isn’t practical, like inside cabinets and other confined spaces. What’s more, these tools drive very thin nails that not only minimize splitting, but also require much less work to hide in the final project than traditional nails.

And, while it’s not a factor you typically consider when choosing tools, nailers are also fun to use. So, even if you’re a diehard for square nails, read on to learn more about 21st-century nailing options.

What’s Out There

Nailers come in a variety of sizes and styles depending on their intended tasks. Not all are geared toward general woodworking; some, in fact, are highly specialized. Roofing nailers, for example, do one task only: nail down shingles and roofing materials. There are odd-looking flooring nailers designed to ride the edge of tongue-and-groove floorboards, activated by a sharp strike with a mallet. There’s even a nailer just for nailing metal joist hangers for rafters and decks. While those aren’t useful in a woodshop, the following four styles can really earn their keep for woodworking tasks.

Pin Nailers

Using tiny, headless or “slight” headed 23-gauge pinlike nails, these nailers create holes so small they’re nearly invisible. Pin nails have more holding power than you might think for small projects but certainly not as much as headed nails. Still, they’re perfect for attaching trim, wooden appliqués, molding and edging; modeling and small boxes, jigs and assemblies; and for holding parts during glue-up.

Pin nailers most commonly handle pins in lengths from 3/8" to 13⁄8", although a few nailers go up to a full 2". There are a few cordless pin nailers out there, but most models are still pneumatic.

Brad Nailers

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