All 9 Different Types of Nail Guns with Their Uses in 2023

Table of Contents

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Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Mamunur Rashid

Different Types of Nail Guns with Their Uses

What kind of nail gun do I need?

When I was a beginner, I also asked myself the same question.

I know you have an almost similar experience to me.

As Framing Nailers Guide is a website that talks about different types of nail guns, we thought we could discuss the difference in nail guns to help you find the right nail gun.

When you have to do a lot of home improvement projects, then at some point, you may need to look for a nail gun market. Well, you can also choose a hammer or shovel, but for doing a lot of nail work, it’s better to go with a nail gun.

Nail guns can save both your energy and time. But first, you should know which nail gun is used for which purpose. So I am introducing you to types of nail guns so that you can make your choice easier!

TypeBest For
Framing nail gunDecks.
Rooms.
Homes.
Wood sheathing.
Fences.
Wood siding.
Finishing nail gunCrown molding.
Baseboards.
Brad nail gunBaseboards.
Crown molding.
Trim work
Roofing nail gunRoofing jobs
Pin nail gunCrown molding.
Finishing work in carpentry.
Cabinetry.
Delicate trim pieces.
Thin veneers.
Small furniture trim.
Flooring nail gunLaying floorboards
Staple gunUpholstery.
Construction.
Home repair and carpentry.
Palm nail gunTight spots.
Joist hangers.
Smaller projects.
Siding nail gunInstall siding.

List of Different Types of Nail Guns

nail gun types

Here are several types of nail guns I am describing. They are given below:

#1. Framing Nail Gun:

Framing Nail Gun

A Framing nail gun (framing nailer) is one of the things that people choose at first. In large woodworks or projects, framing nail guns are used. Significant works may include building decks, framing houses, basement recreation rooms, and construction houses.

These nail guns (framing nailers) are potent and effective for industrial use. The nails are usually 2 ½”-3 ½” long and have two varieties: clipped head and round head. It also covers framing, wood siding, and major carpentry works. In heavy projects, using framing nail guns can save you time more than anything.

#2. Finishing Nail Gun:

Finishing Nail Gun

Finishing nail guns are efficient for lighter projects. Which projects you may not continue with framing nail guns because of their heavy nature, you can easily choose finishing nail guns. In trim work, paneling, smaller crowns, and interior moldings – you should use finishing nail guns.

Building furniture and cabinets are also objected to where you can use finish nailers. Finish nailers have shorter and lighter gauge nails, and the lengths are also short. This type of nail gun can accommodate 14 to 16 nail gauges. The nails are usually 1″ to 2 ½” long. Finish nail guns make it easy to nail oak and pine.

#3. Brad Nail Gun (Brad Nailer):

Brad Nail Gun

The brad nail gun (brad nailer) is the most versatile one. You can cover many woodworking projects with trim work and general household repairs. Again for a beginner woodworker, it is best to select a brad nail gun. The nails of it are much strong to provide holding power.

The nail rail is not angled like a finished nailer. Nail lengths vary from ½” to 2″ and have 18 gauge nails. In cordless configurations and standard air hookups, you can go with brad nail guns without giving it a second thought.

#4. Roofing Nail Gun (Roofing Nailer):

Roofing Nail Gun

People use roofing nail guns for nailing new roofs. Nailing down asphalt shingles, you can do with it. It would be best if you controlled the shingle because when the nail gun shoots a nail into the shingle, too much power will go through it. So depth-drive adjustment is very much necessary.

And for controlling the power, the nails have a large flat head because the smaller head will pull through. These do not have a straight clip of nails but a coil that allows carrying more at a time. It is the significant advantage of using a top-quality roofing nail gun.

#5. Pin Nail Gun / Pin Nailer:

Pin Nailer

Pin nailer on pin nail gun is suitable for small works. If you are interested in small woodworking crafts and upholstery, it is better to go with pin nailers. It has a small size and power, so in DIY projects, it will be convenient.

This type of nail gun has 22 to 23 nail gauges and may have a head or maybe without a head. You may cover small works using this type of nail gun, such as a birdhouse with a trim and a small crate with panels. Therefore, come to this nail gun to finish any small projects quickly and perfectly.

#6. Flooring Nail Gun (Flooring Nailer):

Flooring Nail Gun

When you have to install a floor, at one point, it requires you to be on your hands and knees and nailing down the floor at its space. Using a flooring nail gun is far better than toenailing and also faster. One can use it to make tongue and groove floorboards.

Flooring nail guns that have air pressure make the job simpler. The advantage of using it is you can save energy because it does not prescribe much force. Also, the attrition rate is less over time.

#7. Staple Gun (Staple Nailer):

Staple Gun

When it comes to the furniture building gun, then the most common is a staple gun. A staple gun leaves bigger holes than any other nail gun, and it always keeps the materials in place. As a staple nail gun does not require any oil, you will not face any problems regarding oil splattering.

Furniture that you are dealing with a staple gun won’t have any marks on its surface. So perfection will be maintained. But you should avoid using it for finishing carpentry work.

#8. Palm Nail Gun / Palm Nailer:

Palm Nailer

Like its name, you can hold it in your palm. The weight is too light for any other nailer, so you can operate it comfortably. Palm Nailer can drive the nails as fast as lightning speed and connects to an air compressor.

One can quickly drive it into 1.5 to 3.5 inches nails, but heavy-duty can work with 2 to 6 inches nails. These are ideal for use at corners, edges, and ceilings. Also, the palm nailer is the ideal one to choose for precise positioning.

#9. Siding Nailer

siding nailer

If you are looking for a nailer to nail the siding to your wall, the siding nailer is that specific for this job. This is the newest member of the nail gun family. Earlier, people used framing nailers while nailing the siding to their walls.

After being available on the market, the siding nailer solved all the siding-related problems. One of the essential characteristics of the heavy-duty siding nailer is its soft-tip can contain the perfect power for siding jobs on both soft siding materials made of hard siding ones like Oak or cedar and will keep the siding materials safe.

Nail Gun Power Type

Let’s know the nail gun differences in terms of power source-

#1. Cordless Nail Gun

Dewalt Cordless Nail Gun

Dewalt Cordless Nail Gun

Cordless nail guns have the advantage of tackling a wide variety of applications. Interior trim carpentry and cordless nailers are the best options for punch lists. Also, these can save you time and a lot of money. Many cordless nail guns cover the framing and finish flooring sectors.

Nowadays, woodworkers have a great affection for cordless nailers. Battery-powered flooring cordless nailers make the job much more comfortable to adjust the floor I place. Again cordless framing and finishing nailers also do projects with beauty.

#2. Pneumatic Nail Gun:

Pneumatic Nail Gun

Freeman Pneumatic Nail Gun

There is a separate gas-powered air compressor that generates compressed air. Pneumatic nail guns have piston cylinder that draws air to the gun from the atmosphere. Heavy-duty pneumatic nail guns may be excellent if you need to drive thick nails and hard metals.

But it would help if you dragged a bulky air compressor into providing power to that one. So these are cumbersome tools. Pneumatic nail guns use the same hammer as a solenoid nailer and have a long blade that drives the nail.

#3. Electric Nail Gun:

Electric Nail Gun

Electric nail gun weighs less than pneumatic nail guns. So that means there will be much less fatigue when you work with it. Again who are new to working with nail guns and also for a large number of people, it will be easier to handle.

You can undoubtedly use it in the residential area as it produces less noise than others. You don’t have to power it up with an air compressor. Electric nail guns are affordable because it costs 25% less than pneumatic ones. These tools don’t need to be oiled to prevent rusting.

#4. Air Nail Gun:

Air Nail Gun

Air nail guns work if there is compressed air. It can nail 40 to 60 nails per minute. Carpenters have become more beneficiary using this tool as they can quickly drive it on any surface.

A pump needs to refill with air if there isn’t enough air. If you use an oil-less compressor, it is perfect for use at home. An oil-less compressor is cheap and not so heavy.

#5. Battery Nail Gun:

Battery Nail Gun

Battery-powered nail guns are similar to air-powered nailers, but you do not have to worry about hoses and compressor-type problems. These have an internal compressor, so you do not need extra ones. Battery nail guns have characteristics like increasing power, falling price, and cordless nature, which are real blessings.

You can easily apply these on hardwoods and softwoods and can move around flexibly. These nailers are the first choice for woodworkers who work with hardwoods and softwoods.

#6. Trim Nail Gun:

Trim Nail Gun

Trim nail guns are like a lightning feat, and you will love to install hardwoods. You may think about how you can work with hardwood moldings without predrilling, but you will see it with your own eyes when using it.

These allow you to hold molds precisely on the right spot when you are nailing. Small-size guns will enable you to do your job quickly and secure fragile moldings. You better try to choose not too large nails.

#7. Coil Nail Gun:

Coil Nail Gun

For holding nails, there is a drum in the coil nail gun. The loading style of the coil nail guns is like machine-gun bullets. These have more or less 100 nails. One can use coil nail guns in framing along with framing nail guns.

As these have enough nails, you can complete a small roof with them without reloading. Coil nail guns may contain more load than framing nailers. Practically, you can use these nail guns for any job.

Final Words 

You may get confused over which types of nailers you will use for your job as you don’t know the various styles. So, I think you will be a beneficiary of this article.

Here is a short description of different nail guns; these are common in general and cover most of the nailing works.

When you go through the whole article, you will learn so much about the types of nailers and, for one project, which one will be applicable. Now, you can easily choose which one is effective for your project.

About the author

Mamunur Rashid

Hi there! My name is Mamunur Rashid. I’m a meticulous guy who loves to deal with the perfect tools for various needs. No matter if it’s a woodworking tool or gardening tool or anything else, I don’t compromise the quality and usability. Since 2010 I’ve been testing different tools for different DIY and professional tasks. Later in 2015, I decided to share my knowledge with the world. I started by answering people in the forums and several Q/A sites like Quora. Then I founded this blog to aid others like you with my knowledge and experience.

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