If you like DIY projects or woodworking projects, you are likely used to manually hammering nails. However, you can make your projects a lot more convenient by using a nail gun. Similarly, you can use brad nailers to lock 18 gauge brad nails into place.
Brad nails are thinner than finishing nails, making them nearly invisible on wooden surfaces. There are two main types f brad nailers, pneumatic brad nailers and electric brad nailers (corded and cordless).
Using an electric brad nailer can make your life easier because it is either battery-powered (cordless) or connects to a power source. Pneumatic brad nailers use an external air compressor connected through a hose to power the nailer.
This allows them to be more powerful at the cost of convenience. Most woodworkers and DIYers prefer using the cordless electric type because it is convenient and delivers ample power for their projects.
If you are new to such power tools or have recently bought one, you may be wondering how to use a brad nailer.
How to Use a Brad Nailer
Most brad nailers, pneumatic or electric, can fire all types of brad nails. However, for woodworking and DIY projects, 18 gauge brad nails are the preferred ones for woodworking and DIY projects, as they are highly versatile and provide ample holding power.
Their length range is between 1/2 and 2 1/2 inches, and you can use different ones depending on your needs. To start using a brad nailer, you’ll need a few supplies.
What You’ll Need:
- Safety goggles (always on)
- Brad nails or strip
- Pneumatic or electric brad nailer
For a pneumatic brad nailer, you’ll also need:
- Air compressor
- Air hose
- Thread seal tape (Teflon tape)
- Pneumatic tool oil
Following are some simple steps that will guide you on how to use a brad nailer, regardless of its type.
1. Connect the Hose/ Cord/ Battery Securely
Pneumatic brad nailers need to be connected to the hose, which needs to be connected to the external air compressor. It is always better to wrap the hose adaptor with a thread seal tape or Teflon tape to prevent any air from leaking, giving you maximum efficiency and firepower.
Corded electric brad nailers require you to connect to a power source, whereas cordless variants require you to attach a charged battery.
2. Lubricate (Pneumatic Brad Nailers Only)
With pneumatic brad nailers, you have to lubricate the air piston for proper functioning. The lubricant allows the air piston to move about freely without friction. This helps reduce wear and prolongs the life of the piston and your brad nailer.
A few drops of the pneumatic tool oil are enough to lubricate the piston nicely. Lubrication is not necessary for electric brad nailers so you can skip this step.
3. Load the Brad Nails
Whether you use a pneumatic or electric brad nailer, you will find a compartment to load brad nails, typically like a magazine. Depending on your individual model, you will need to see the user manual to determine how to load brad nails (strips) into your nailer.
This process is typically straightforward, as the brad nails or strip easily slides into the magazine. There is typically a lock on the magazine, which you can use to lock your strip in place. However, you must be careful not to confuse this lock with another one on some magazines that unload jammed brad nails.
Moreover, it is ideal to load your brad nailer to its maximum capacity because then you won’t have to take breaks to reload as often while you work on your woodworking or DIY project.
4. Adjust the Settings
There are two main settings to adjust when using any type of brad nailer, and they both determine the depth of your brad nail when you fire it onto a surface.
- Air Pressure
There is typically an air pressure dial on electric brad nailers, whereas pneumatic brad nailers typically have it on the air compressor. Higher air pressure results in deeper brad nails onthe surface, whereas lower air pressure results in higher brad nails. - Depth
Almost all brad nailers have a depth gauge, typically near the muzzle (nose). It helps you adjust the distance between your nailer and the surface on whichyou want to secure brad nails.
Depending on your project’s needs, you will need to adjust these settings before you start and perhaps at different stages as your project progresses. It is always best to read the instruction manual to learn how to make these adjustments on your specific brad nailer.
5. Test Fire
Before you start using your brad nailer for your project, you need to run a test fire to make sure it is working smoothly. It also helps you familiarize yourself with the strength of the brad nailer and the resulting depth of the brad nail.
Test fire on a piece of scrap wood that matches the wood material you want to work on. This ensures that there is no jam in your nailer and that the brad nailer does not damage your wood. If you feel that the depth or force is not ideal, you can always adjust the pressure or gauge settings.
This may be tricky at first because both these settings may sometimes counter each other. You should test and repeatedly tweak till you get the desired results. Testing is also a great opportunity to practice aim because brad nailers typically fire around a quarter-inch higher than the point of contact.
While testing, you can see exactly where the nose of your brad nailer makes contact with the piece of scrap wood and where the brad nail actually ends up when you fire it.
6. Start Using
Once you and your brad nailer are ready, you can start using it for your woodworking or DIY project. Secure your molding, trim, or wood in place and hold the nose of your brad nailer to the exact spot that you want to secure with a brad nail.
Make sure that the nose is perpendicular to the surface and not angled. Otherwise, you will not get a clean finish. Once you are ready, squeeze the trigger firmly, and the brad nailer should do the rest. Once the brad nail is secure, simply move your brad nailer to the next spot and repeat this step as needed.
Our Final Thoughts
By now, you should have a good understanding of how to use a brad nailer. Of course, as with any power tool, you should always be careful and use safety goggles and gear. Similarly, you should ensure that you are working in a secure environment, where your work is not hazardous to you or others.
You need to be extra careful when you first use a new power tool, as it can easily lead to unexpected accidents. Just remember to read the instruction manual carefully, follow the mentioned steps, and you should be completely fine.
