A brad nailer is the tool you need if you’re going to be using wood that is particularly prone to splitting. With a brad nailer, you can do precise work which is a little tricker with the other types of nail guns. Brad nailers are great for any work that requires a smart finish, as well as offering precision and speed when you need it. If this sounds like the nail gun for you read on to find out more.
Finish Nailer vs Brad Nailer– What’s the difference?
Brad Nailer use gauge sizes 18 (thinner nails for thin pieces)
Finish Nailer use gauge sizes 15 and 16 (larger nails for stronger attachment)
What is a Brad Nailer?
A brad nailer is used to fire brads which are thin nails that are great for use with precision projects where you want the nails to be hard to see. Usually, a brad nailer is an 18 gauge nail gun but there are also 21 gauge brad nail guns available which have the capacity to dispense even smaller nails.
What is a Brad Nailer used for?
With a brad nailer in your repertoire, you will have the nail gun you need for detailed woodwork. This could be either for small DIY projects for those of you that are wanting a nail gun to use for a hobby such as making a dolls house, a wooden toy or making a cabinet. A brad nailer can also be used for trim work and molding. One of the major benefits of using a brad nailer is that it leaves very little trace that a nail has been implanted in the surface of the material, so it is a great choice for projects that need to look aesthetically pleasing.
Best Brad Nailer: Buying Guide 2023
Choosing the right brad nailer for you requires a bit of thought. Fortunately, we’ve done the research for you so check out our buying guide below to find the perfect brad nailer for your needs.
#1 Nose Size and Design
As the nails you are going to be firing on a brad nailer are so small, you need to make sure that the nose on your nailer is capable of serious precision. This is the tip of the gun and the shape of this will determine both where your nail gun can reach and how precise it can be. Generally, a narrower nose will allow you to be more precise with your nails and give you the confidence that your nails are going to go where you intended.
#2 Gauge/Nail Size
Before purchasing your brad nailer you need to think about the size of the nails you want to use as the gauge level of the gun will determine what type of nails that can be fitted in the nail gun. Brad nailers generally come in two different gauge types – either 18 gauge or 21 gauge. The size of the gauge will affect the size of the nail you can use, with 18 gauge brad nailers being able to use thicker nails than a 21 gauge brad nailer.
#3 Power Source
Another important feature to consider before purchasing a brad nailer is where the nailer gets its power from. There are two types of brad nailers – pneumatic brad nailers and electric brad nailers.
The pneumatic type draws their power supply from an air compressor. This makes this type of brad nailer extremely powerful, however, it does mean that you need to purchase an air compressor in addition to the nailer for it to function. Another downside of this type of nailer is that you need to have the air compressor permanently attached which can be a little cumbersome and restrictive.
An electric brad nailer is not as powerful as a pneumatic nailer but has the benefit of being a little more portable. With an electric nailer, there is the option to go cordless as it relies on a rechargeable battery as its power source. All you need to do is make sure the battery is charged up and you can use your brad nailer to your heart’s content without the restriction of having a cord in your way. However, if you prefer to have a constant source of power you may prefer a corded-electric brad nailer that needs to be plugged in to function. This means that your brad nailer is never going to run out of power but does mean you have the restriction of needing to be near a plug socket whenever you need to use your brad nailer.
#4 Comfort and Ease of Use
If you’re going to be using your brad nailer for long stretches at a time you’re going to want it to sit comfortably in your hand. Make sure the handle has been ergonomically designed so that it is comfortable to hold and also check to see if the handle has a good grip on it (usually this will be made of rubber).
Also, check to see what type of trigger the brad nailer has as this will also affect how you use the nail gun and how comfortable it is to use for long periods. Usually, there are two types of triggers available – a sequential trigger and a bump trigger. A sequential trigger requires the nose of the nail gun to be fully engaged with the surface before and the trigger engaged before it will release the nail. This means that the work you do is very accurate but more time-consuming and requires a repetitive trigger action.
A bump trigger will release a nail as soon as the nose engages with the surface, so it does not require the trigger to be engaged repetitively. This makes dispensing the nails much quicker and takes less of a toll on your hand as you don’t need to repetitively engage the trigger. However, using a bump trigger is less accurate than a sequential trigger. The sequential trigger is also a safer method.
TOP 5 Best Brad Nailer 2023 Reviews [Updated]
Now you are full of the knowledge of what to look out for to find the best brad nailer it’s time to take a look at some of the best brad nailers of 2023.
#1 Best 18 Gauge Brad Nailer: DEWALT Pneumatic Brad Nailer 18GA
This brad nailer kit from DEWALT is an excellent 18 gauge nailer which is perfect for stress-free woodwork projects. It can drive 18 gauge nails measuring 5/8 inch to 2 inch in length making it a great nailer for accurate and precision work. The handle has an integrated rubber grip to ensure your hand is comfortable and protected from slipping should the work get a bit sweaty!
This brad nailer functions using a sequential trigger making it safe to use and helps to ensure accurate nail firing. There is also an adjustable belt hook which makes it handy to keep the brad nailer near you during the moments you’re not using it. This brad nailer is powered pneumatically so you will need to purchase an air compressor in addition to this nailer in order to power it so bear this in mind when thinking about the cost.
#2 Best Cordless Brad Nailer: Porter-Cable 20V 18GA (PCC790LA)
If you’re looking for flexibility and freedom where you work then this cordless brad nailer ticks all the boxes. It is powered by a 10V Max Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery that has a running time of at least a days use. There is also the option to purchase additional batteries with this model in case you’re going to be away from a power supply for an extended period of time while you complete your projects.
The driving-depth on this brad nailer is adjustable to what you need while offering a consistent driving depth once you have decided the depth you want. This brad nailer can be loaded with up to 100 nails and uses a sequential trigger to dispense the nails. There is also a trigger lock which is an important safety feature of this device. With the benefit of multiple tool-free settings, you can adjust the depth, jam release and stall release lever easily.
3 Best Electric Brad Nailer: Neu Master Electric Brad Nailer NTC0040
This excellent brad nailer from Neu Master allows you to plug in your nailer so that you can work on your projects all day long without worrying about the power running out. What’s more, this brad nailer has an adjustable power setting so that you can adjust the intensity for when you’re using a soft or a hard material. Plus, this brad nailer can also be used as a staple gun so is also great for use with upholstery projects as well as working with wood.
Should the brad nailer ever get jammed there is also an easy jam release function if a nail or staple gets stuck (always make sure you unplug the nailer before doing this). This brad nailer can use brad nails from 5/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch and this kit has both nails and staples included so you can get started straight away. Safety features have also been considered with this product as the nails can only be fired if the if nose tip is fully engaged with the surface and the trigger firmly pressed down.
#4 Best Air Compressor for Brad Nailer: Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor
If you’ve decided that a pneumatic brad nailer is the one you want to go for then you will also need to purchase an air compressor in order to power it. This air compressor from Campbell Hausfield has a 3 gallon horizontal tank that can generate a whole load of power for your woodwork projects. This set includes multiple different adapters so that it can also be used for inflating car tires, bike tires, and balls in addition to powering your brad nailer.
While it may seem like carting an air compressor around is not your idea of fun, the compact design of this air compressor actually makes portable use a possibility. Measuring 15.7 x 7.9 x 19.6 inches, lightweight and with a carrying handle this compressor can easily be transported with you to whatever project you’re working on. Whatever you’re project you can be confident that this air compressor will give it the power it needs.
#5 Best Pneumatic Brad Nailer: WEN 61720 18 Gauge Brad Nailer
This pneumatic brad nailer from WEN is a bargain whilst also not shirking on the quality. Once an air compressor is attached it is capable of firing at 60 to 100 PSI so it has ample power to fire nails into your desired material. It can fire brads measuring 3/4-Inch to 2 Inches and can hold up to 100 brad nails at a time.
The handle is wrapped in rubber for both your comfort and your safety so that you can comfortably hold the brad nailer for extended projects. It is also easy to unclog any jammed nails thanks to the quick-release mechanism fitted within the nail gun. With a free carry case included this also makes for a portable option as long as you get an air compressor that isn’t too bulky to carry around. Thanks to the one year warranty you can confidently buy this brad nailer knowing that WEN are just a phone call away should there be any problems.
Conclusion
A brad nailer is a great tool to have if you’re interested in working on small-scale woodwork projects or you need to do any trim work or molding. Brad nailers use smaller nails and are generally used for work which requires precision and a tidy finish.
When thinking about purchasing a brad nailer make sure you think about what power source you want (whether pneumatic or electric), whether you want a cordless nail gun (with a rechargeable battery) and that the gauge size, nose design and handle are suitable for your needs. With a good quality brad nailer at your disposal, you will find that it is useful for so many DIY and repair jobs around the house.