Gun for nails on wood: types of nails for installation work

Gun for nails on wood: types of nails for construction and installation work

The gun for nails on wood greatly simplifies and reduces the time of construction and installation work, so the question of choosing a quality tool for many craftsmen is in the first place. The information presented in this article will help to understand the species diversity of nailers, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, compare the characteristics and capabilities to come to a final decision before going to the store.

The nail gun significantly facilitates and accelerates installation and construction work

Nail gun for wood: device and purpose

Nail guns on wood are used for finishing and construction work, as well as for the assembly and repair of furniture structures. Externally, the nailer resembles a pistol, hence its name.

The shot occurs when the trigger of the nailer is pressed

The design consists of the following elements:

• body part;
• shop with fasteners (nails);
• handle;
• trigger;
• the piston.

The principle of operation of the tool is quite simple. When you pull the trigger or lightly touch the spout to the surface, the energy from the drive is transferred to the piston. He hits the fastener and the nail is driven into the base. After that, the piston automatically returns to its original place. The next nail in the store is fed into the barrel of the gun, and the operation is repeated.

The average speed of a nail gun is from 1 to 3 shots per second, and the internal pressure in the tool reaches 4-6 atmospheres.

Purpose and scope of the nail mounting gun

Nailers are designed to assemble various structures. With their help, installation and finishing works are carried out. Pistols are useful wherever wood is used.

Nail guns differ in technical characteristics and parameters

Scope of application of the tool:

• construction of residential buildings;
• furniture manufacturing;
• finishing works;
• renovation of premises;
• woodworking industry;
• production of various containers.

Useful advice! Pistols for finishing nails are on sale. If you use studs or pins instead of standard fasteners, then the joints on the finishing surfaces will be barely noticeable.

With the help of a nail, you can perform the following types of work:

• arrangement of the rafter system;
• installation of insulation materials;
• fastening of communication systems;
• installation of rolled and profile materials, tiles and other roof coverings;
• assembly of crate structures;
• installing panels;

With the help of a nail gun, you can hammer nails into ceilings and hard-to-reach places

• arrangement of the frame part in wooden houses;
• construction of stair structures;
• fixing of stretch type ceilings;
• assembly of formwork structures;
• covering the frame with plywood, clapboard, plasterboard sheets, chipboard, OSB, siding;
• assembly of door, window boxes, etc.

Pistols for decorative nails can be carefully fixed skirting boards, moldings and door cashing. In just a few seconds, the nailer is able to score about 10 pieces of fasteners. Thanks to this, the process of laying linoleum becomes fast and simple.

Unlike a hand hammer, this tool has a number of useful advantages:

Electric nail guns have numerous advantages of using

Pistols also have disadvantages. Each type of nail they have their own, so before buying a tool, it is advisable to study the pros and cons of each of them.

The main types of construction guns for nails

Mounting nails to the required depth requires a large amount of energy, so the pistols must have sufficient power reserve. To ensure that this indicator is at the right level, the developers used different approaches to creating the tool. As a result, several varieties of pistols have appeared on the market, which differ from each other not only in their design, they have different characteristics.

According to the type of drive , the following types of tools are distinguished:

• pneumatic nail guns;
• gas nailers;
• powder models;
• electric pistols.

There are mechanical versions of guns – staplers. To drive the fasteners into the base, the tool uses the energy of a compressed spring. This element is set in motion by pressing the trigger on the handle. Staples are used as fasteners in staplers. Sometimes on sale you can find combined models that are also designed for nails.

The power of the nailer is selected taking into account where and how the tool will be used

Advantages of staplers:

Pay attention! Mechanical pistols are not suitable for complex work. They are suitable for solving elementary tasks, for example, furniture tightening or installation of soft materials (chipboard, plywood). This type of tool is not capable of generating a sufficient level of power to drive nails into strong surfaces.

General characteristics of pneumatic hammers for nails

Models working on compressed air are especially popular among masters. A lot of companies are engaged in the manufacture of pneumatic guns for nails on wood, so there is a huge assortment on the market. Buyers can purchase models of any size and purpose.

Nail-nailing pneumatic hammer Bostitch N58C

On sale there are nailers for finishing works, which use thin short studs as fasteners, as well as dimensional pistols for assembling wooden frames. Such models as the Haubold RN 220R are able to hammer nails with a diameter of 4-5 mm and a length of up to 220 mm without any problems.

All models of pneumatic pistols have the same principle of operation. The energy of compressed air is used to hammer nails, so a compressor (from 6 to 24 liters) is necessarily present in the design. For normal operation of most pistols, a pressure of 4-6 bar is sufficient. This is a standard indicator for budget compressors.

Usually the manufacturer specifies the recommended compressor performance level in the documentation. In addition, the volume of the receiver required for normal operation is indicated. Some companies even indicate how much air is consumed by the tool for one shot.

There are nail-piercing pneumatic pistols capable of operating at high pressure. Models that are designed for 18-30 bar in terms of power can compete with gas and powder nailers.

Professional Pneumatic Stapler Rapid PFN3490

Advantages and disadvantages of pneumatic pistols for nails

During operation, the pneumatic gun for nails on wood is connected to the compressor using a high-pressure hose. Such a design solution partially restrains the movements of the master. Modern air hoses are characterized by good elasticity, as well as low weight. If you purchase a product of sufficient length, this disadvantage of the tool becomes insignificant. The outer section of the hoses varies between 8-12 mm.

Just like electric hammers for hammering nails, pneumatic models are dependent on sockets, but even in this case, manufacturers offer several convenient solutions. Some companies produce compact compressors specifically for their equipment. Such models have a lightweight design and optimal performance parameters.

Pay attention! On sale there are compressors equipped with a battery. The battery is capable of providing the tool with energy for 30 minutes of continuous operation.

Rack-and-pinion gun FROSP AF-9021

Advantages of pneumatic guns for driving nails:

The pneumatic nailer is safe and effective. It is ideal for working with wood and is widely used in furniture production. In addition to being tied to the power supply and difficulties with the air hose, this type of tool has another drawback – the gun cannot function without a compressor and cylinders filled with compressed air.

The air gun is capable of operating at a speed of 3-5 shots per second

Features of gas construction guns: pros and cons

Gas pistols are mobile structures that function due to the energy of the explosion. For this purpose, a gas-air mixture is used. Such pistols are widely used in the construction of wooden houses.

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Gas nailers are suitable for the assembly of frames and rafter systems. In some models, the store for fasteners is located at an angle. For example, in Toua rack pistols, nails for mounting are placed at an angle of 30-34 °, which allows you to get to the most inaccessible and narrow places between the beams.

The principle of operation is in many ways similar to an internal combustion engine:

Gas mounting guns have high power and are capable of driving nails into hard surfaces

Pay attention! Gas models have impressive power. Their power is sufficient to drive metal dowels into hard surfaces. They can be used for direct installation in metal or concrete. At the same time, it is not necessary to drill the surface beforehand.

Advantages and disadvantages of gas battery guns for nails

Gas nailers need consumables. In addition to fasteners, you will also have to buy cans filled with gas. Most often they are bundled with the tool in a clear ratio. The amount of gas exactly corresponds to the number of nails. Thanks to this, the buyer can independently determine the cost of one shot.

Advantages of gas guns for nails:

Battery nailers are mobile because they do not have cords and wires

Powerful models of battery guns for nails on wood can be an alternative solution if there is no hammer, drill, or hammer drill at hand.

Disadvantages of gas nailers:

Characteristics of electric guns for nails on wood

Electric nail guns are considered to be the most low-power among all existing types of nailers (2 kW). This type of tool is designed for small fasteners (pins, studs), so it is most often used for finishing finishing works. It is ideal for mounting plastic lining, since a weak impact does not damage the soft surface, and the fastening zones are neat and barely noticeable. The average speed is 20 beats per minute.

The electric nail gun has a power of 2 kW

There are two types of electric nail guns:

In both cases, the tool works due to an electric pulse. Network structures are connected to the power supply directly. Battery models are driven by momentum. It is formed due to the energy stored in the battery, and is transmitted to the electromagnetic coil.

The cost of electric nail guns is much higher than that of other models. The cost of purchasing a tool will pay off only if it is used for professional purposes. To solve household problems and minor repairs, you can limit yourself to a cheaper option.

Important! It is forbidden to use electric models in rooms with high humidity (for example, in the bathroom).

It is not recommended to use electric trailers in rooms with high humidity

Advantages and disadvantages of electric nail grinders

Battery nailers are characterized by a compact and mobile design. No connection to the electrical network is required for operation, so they are more convenient to handle.

Advantages of an electric tool:

Electric nailers can work with various types of surfaces, including wood and brick. However, they are not without drawbacks.

The electric nail gun can be applied to various types of surface

Disadvantages of electric hammers for hammering nails:

Pay attention! In high-quality models, two-level protection against sudden triggering is provided. To activate the tool, its spout must be pressed tightly to the surface. If you accidentally press it, it will not work.

The speed of the electric hammer is 1 shot per second

Characteristics of powder pistols for dowel nails: pros and cons

The working piston is set in motion when a charge ignites in the construction cartridge. The principle of operation of powder models is in many ways similar to the operation of firearms. The force of impact with which the fasteners are driven into the base depends on the power of the cartridge. These consumables have different calibers. Each of them is marked with its own color. Also, the power of the shot depends on the exhaust. The master can adjust the output of burning gases.

The use of dowel nails for the mounting gun allows the installation of fasteners in hard surfaces, so many craftsmen are in no hurry to call powder models nailers. Foreign experts have been using this term for a long time, since a modern nail-cutting tool can be compared with an assembly tool in terms of power.

Advantages of powder structures:

Powder nail guns have a high impact power

Powder nailers are capable of operating in two modes – semi-automatic and automatic. Each of them has its own nail feed rate, and the master can adjust the operation of the tool.

Disadvantages of powder models:

Powder pistols are quite difficult to operate. It will take some knowledge to correctly select the power of the cartridges, the type of fasteners and calculate the maximum distances (edge and centerline).

Important! It is forbidden to use powder models in a flammable environment.

To use a powder nail gun, you must have a special permit

Features of choosing an electric nail with a battery

Unlike conventional electric pistols, battery models have a built-in supercharger. It provides the energy needed for the tool to work. Most models are equipped with Li-on batteries. Only these storage elements have sufficient capacity. They can provide the current output necessary for the normal functioning of the tool.

Almost all modifications of electric nail guns are equipped with a single battery. For this reason, before buying, it is advisable to check whether there is an opportunity to purchase a spare battery. The difficulty also lies in the fact that not every battery is suitable. The configuration of the connector for pistols may differ.

It is better to give preference to running models with an extensive production series. If in a few years the manufacturer stops supplying certain pistols to the market, problems may arise with the purchase of spare parts. It is for this reason that limited editions should be avoided.

It is very important that the built-in supercharger has a sufficient power level. Otherwise, the gun will not have the declared characteristics. He will not be able to hammer 1-2 nails per second. In addition, the battery will wear out in a year and productivity will drop even more. Some models of nailers do not allow the use of consumables from other companies, they can only work in combination with branded products.

Battery models of nailers are equipped with Li-on batteries

Common sizes and types of nails for nailers

The length of nails for a nail gun is calculated in the decimal system of measures. This indicator varies between 25-130 mm. To determine the thickness, it is customary to rely on the American system, which is used for marking the cross-section of wires. Each gun has its own caliber. The thickest nails are marked with the number 11. The caliber of the thinnest is 23. All of them have a rectangular shape, with the exception of the 15th, it is round.

By the type of fastener used, you can determine the purpose of the tool (diameter):

• nails 19-45 mm long – for roofing (up to 14);
• fasteners up to 64 mm long – finishing (23-14);
• nails up to 70 mm long – mounting of the skin (15-14);
• nails on wood 100 mm – pistols for mounting slate (5);
• fasteners up to 130 mm long – rack and frame guns (up to 11), tools for assembling pallets (up to 9).

The length of nails for pistols can vary in the range of 19-130 mm

Using a nail gun is the easiest and most practical way to speed up finishing and installation work. When choosing a gun, it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions and the expected range of work. Only in this case the tool will be easy to use and will be able to solve the tasks.