Brad nailers are ideal for precise and minute wood works like molding, trimming, paneling, and cabinetry purposes.
Brad nailers are nothing but nail guns that use brads (thin gauged nails) for lightweight woodworks. Usually, brads don't come with a large head, so that firing them will not create any visible holes. This makes brad nailers the exemplary tool for finely detailed projects. With this tool, there is no need to fill the holes with wood putty which usually makes the wood look darker at the applied spots.
Working with detailed trims is quite a task. If you use a thicker gauge, there are higher probabilities of wastage of wood and the precision might miss. Whereas a brad nailer can help you get the work done flawlessly with its thin gauge, and also there is no compromise on the timber because of its potential to make smaller holes.
Brad nailer is the perfect replacement for a hammer. Hammering is a tedious process that may be faulty and it can also hurt your hand. Especially when it comes to binding thin nails, using a hammer is a nightmare. To ease your process of binding light timbers and to bring in the flawless details, it is advisable to make use of a brad nailer.
The market is filled with a variety of brad nailers. Some are electric nailers while some require hoses and gas cartridges to operate. There are also multiple gauges to select from and the price range is something to focus on.
While there are numerous parameters to consider it is common to feel a choice paradox. To make your brad nailer selection process less daunting, we have formulated the best 10 brad nailers along with a buying guide.
10 Best Brad Nailers 2021
DEWALT DWFP12231 is one of the best brad nailers. It is an 18 gauge brad nailer that comes with a 100 nail capacity cartridge. You will be able to bind nails to a depth of ⅝ inches to 2 inches.
It is the best because of its low maintenance and high performance. The motor of DEWALT DWFP12231 is claimed to last longer and stronger. This brad nailer also requires no oil therefore there are no chances of stains or drips on the timber.
Another noticeable advantage of this nailer is that it requires no tools to release the jammed nails. You don't have to stop in the middle of your work to release the jam, replace the pusher, and continue.
The material of the grip is so soft that it enables you to work with it for a longer period without any strain. There is a rear exhaust in the brad nailer that keeps away any wood or sawdust from the work area, making it seamless. You will also be able to keep the nailer with you easily with the help of an adjustable hook.
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A porter cable brad nailer is one of its kind. It comes with an oil-free motor. It means that you are free from oiling the nailer frequently to keep it up and running. Since the nailer is oil-free you are good to escape from any leaks or stains that damage your workspace. This makes the porter cable brad nailer win the crowd.
You will require a compressor to apply pressure on the nails to fire it. The pressure range can be somewhere between 70 to 120 PSI. It also drives the nail to a depth of ⅝ inches to 2 inches.
The porter cable brad nailer is made up of magnesium. This feature makes the nailer light and easy to carry. This also comes with an adjustable hook to hang on your tool belt so that your brad nailer is always within your reach.
BNC200C brad nailer comes with a singular firing mode. That is, you will only be able to bind the nails in sequential order. If you are looking for a brad nailer for contact or bump fire, then porter-cable isn’t the choice.
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With a 21 gauge brad nailer, you will be able to work precisely than ever before. It has an edge guide that enables you to work faster with great accuracy. This edge guide is easy to set, use, and adjust.
Another amazing feature of H850LX is that it has a single button that can aid you in the rapid completion of a project using 7 reserve pins. It also has an auto-lock feature that prevents your nailer from dry firing. It comes with high precision tolerance making it convenient for you to do detailed work.
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Hitachi NT65M23 is one of the top picks among the 16 gauge brad nailer. It has a tool-free nail release feature along with an exhaust at the rear of the tool. It also comes with a dust button that clears the dust on the workpiece with just a blow of air.
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5. NuMax SFN64
NuMax SFN64 stands out for its budget-friendliness and sheer quality. Another imperative attribute of this type of brad nailer is that it is a 3 in 1 unit. It can inculcate brads, nails, and staples.
It has a stupendous design with an easy-grip that won’t hurt your hand if held for a long time.
However, it is not as powerful as other tools. It might cause some imperfections to the work.
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This is an electrically powered brad nailer that assists in doing your work with great precision. The nail placement and actuation of the tool are seamless with a Bostich BTFP12233.
It comes with a low maintenance oil-free motor making it, even more, easier for you. No tools are required to release the jam nails so that you no need to pause your work every time to release a nail.
This type of brad nailer has a selective firing mode. You have the option to choose between a sequential or a contact fire. A rear exhaust in the tool helps you clear away the debris.
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WEN stands out for its cost-effectiveness. Even though it is just a basic model, it does not compromise on the quality. This type of brad nailer is made up of lightweight material making it easy to handle. It also comes with a rubber grip so that you can work longer hours without getting exhausted.
It has a magazine reloader and a tool-free jam release. An air compressor is required to pressurize the nails to fire. However, WEN is compatible with any type of air compressor available.
Note that you will have to maintain the tool properly and carefully.
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It is a flexible and durable tool that possesses high-grade quality. SENCO FinishPro brad Nailer is made up of magnesium and hence it is so lightweight and easy to use. You can fire nails up to 2 inches deep. It also comes with a selective trigger option so you can choose your mode of firing. The tool is also equipped with a magazine reload indicator.
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It is made up of aluminum metal and it is very easy to use. The cartridge has the capacity to hold up to 100 nails. It also has an adjustable exhaust. The tool comes with a magazine reload indicator. However, it would have been more feasible if the tool had a dry lockout instead of a mere indicator.
HITACHI NT50AE2 requires a compressor to push the nails out.
Check Out: best brad nails
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10. Ridgid HyperDrive 16 R09892B
This tool has quality features like magazine reloader and indicator. It is also powerful. It is heavy to use and would be preferred by professionals who need heavy equipment.
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How to choose the brad nailer according to your convenience by knowing the types of brad nailers:
Even before knowing the criteria to be considered while buying a product, we should first be aware of the major varieties of that product available in the market. So that we can distill our ideas for the better.
This is the age-old type and it has a long cord that would connect your tool to a plug point in order to get the power for working. Though they are durable, their utility value is narrowed as it is impossible to find a plug point everywhere we work and it is also not convenient for porting.
This is the opposite of the previously mentioned variety as they are easily portable and can thus make many works effortless. They work on batteries and are thus rechargeable as and when required. They are very convenient even for beginners as it is possible to work on a larger area even without lifting a finger thereby increasing the efficiency of your work. It is just that you should be sure your battery is charged before commencing a big work in order to prevent a pause in the middle of your work due to lack of charge. For someone who wants better efficiency, you can choose the porter cable brad nailer which is the best cordless brad nailer.
This is a classic type of brad nailer and of course, depends on the electric power as the name indicates and will have an electric motor that would define the efficiency of the firearm of the tool. Many advancements have been made in this type. They are available as both corded and cordless tools. They are capable of driving the nails strongly and swiftly.
A pneumatic brad nailer will thrust the nails into your workpiece with the help of the air pressure that is directed by a weightless air hose from the compressor to the gun. They can provide a flawless outcome despite the advanced technology. But it would just be tiresome in certain situations that they require proper maintenance of batteries and gas cartridges for efficient performance.
How to choose a brad nailer depending upon your usage:
The size of the gauge will decide the penetration and the size of the hole a brad nailer makes and also other factors like nails and staples will also influence the role it plays.
If your work just involves little trimmings like molding the shoe, crafting, or cabinetry, it will require an 18-Gauge brad nailer. Its nail length will range from 5/8 inch to 2 inches.
If you wanted to make both bigger holes on your workpiece and as well as to make trimming work, then you have to go for a 16-Gauge brad nailer as they can fire even a 2 and 1/2 inch nail.
In order to do works like trimming the exterior works, a baseboard, and crown you would require a large hole. A 15-Gauge angled finish nailer can very well serve this purpose as they are capable of driving lengthy yet thick nails of about 3 inches.
Features of an ideal brad nailer:
The convenience of the tool will play a major role in the quality of the work you do. No matter if it is a professional work or a simple DIY, the brad nailer you choose should be easy for you to handle. Considering the weight of the brad nailer is the first step towards this process. A heavy tool can worsen your duty while a weightless one can give you perfection and can also minimize your working time. Customizing the hook of your belt according to your convenience will help a great deal.
It is not always possible to get works done under one roof especially the kind of works that involve a brad nailer. So, make sure you buy a portable brad nailer for yourself and thus expanding the scope of your work and also enhancing your convenience. Having a transporting case can very well serve this purpose.
Buying an advanced model is always of great use because it would have features that can easily do your work. Look for the capability of the firearm to drive the nails into any kind of material without damaging it as well full stop this can render you a wide range of use. Few of the notable recent advancements in brad nailers directional fumes, multifunctional lights, noise reduction, etc.
The first thing you have to consider to have a product of Brad nailer is the capacity of its magazine. Everyone is running short of time in this contemporary world so it is quite difficult to spend time and change or insert nails every now and then while working. Buying a Brad nailer that could hold and fire at least 100 nails at a stretch can be very beneficial to work efficiently.
There are different firing methods available in the brad nails while the most common methods are sequential firing, contact firing, and actuation firing. Depending upon your requirements and the nature of work you can choose between these firing methods and filter your search for brad nail. An advanced technology called dry-fire lockout is cool. Because they would terminate the firing of the gun when there are no more brads left out.
So as to fire the nails at the right places, getting the view of the tip of the brad nailer while installing the trim is vital. So check if the brad nailer you choose for yourself offer this feature
Jamming is a common trouble in brad nails. You can avoid it only to some extent. But in most cases, you are about to face it irrespective of the quality and cost of your brad nail. But make sure they are easy to resolve. As few products might get wasted after a series of jamming troubles. It is also important to maintain the batteries, motor, and compressors well. So, buying a brad nailer that requires less maintenance can save you from big holes.
Last but not least, in order to get the most out of our money we should choose a brad nailer which has good longevity. A product that has good features and parts can effortlessly be durable. Even if not, make sure to get a product that has a considerable warranty period.
Conclusion
It is high time that we spend more time researching products well before buying the best brad nailer. This process can save much of your time, money, and energy. Instead of blindly trusting a few reviews and investing your money, get a distilled wisdom about the product you are going to purchase by knowing its features, working, and so on.
In the case of brad nailers, it is quite an uncommon tool in most houses unless they have their purpose. So, referring to more guides like this and also trying the products yourself if possible can rule out many inconveniences in the future. It is also important to consider your safety while using sharp tools like this. So, inspect the status of your tool before beginning the work and also protect yourself with goggles.
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