Wood nail gun: types of nailers for construction and installation work

The modern tool is designed to remove the high workload from a person, and at the same time increase the specialist’s performance several times. In the case of a nail gun, this efficiency indicator is without a doubt one of the highest. Installation of profiles for plasterboard systems, soft roofing, furniture manufacturing and other types of work with this device are more intensive and require less energy.

The review involves different types of tools for driving nails, pins or special staples. The best models of pneumatic, electric or gas pistols are presented in their respective categories. The rating position of the models is based on the characteristics of the equipment, its operating parameters and the opinions of specialists who use nailing units in their work.

Scope of use

Nailers are most widely used in the United States and Canada, where frame house construction has been widely practiced for more than a century. But in the CIS, nailers are still considered superfluous: after all, hand hammers are much more familiar and familiar. However, in some circumstances, a nail gun can be indispensable: first of all, for large volumes of work and requirements for a clean surface, on which there should be no traces of the striker of a conventional hammer.

Pneumatic and electric tools have a wide range of power, which in practice is expressed in the length of the fastener. The most powerful nailers are used primarily in the construction of frame wooden houses, where it is important not only the ability to immediately drive a nail more than 120 mm long into the fastening unit, but also accuracy and a guarantee that the parts will not move during the fixation process. Nailers with lower productivity are optimal for assembling rafter systems, installing sheathing, sheathing and roofing.

The least powerful nailers have high precision and are called hairpin nailers or micronailers. They are mainly used in carpentry for attaching various decors and moldings to furniture elements, as well as for temporary fixation of glued parts. Hidden fastening can also be important in interior decoration: when installing skirting boards, platbands, lining and a wide range of wooden products of the most varied kind.

Electric nail guns

BISON ZSP-2000

An electric nail gun is perfect for easily handling any construction or renovation project that involves using staples or nails. The power of the product is quite high - about 2 kW. Due to this, it is possible to achieve a decent operating speed, which reaches about 20 beats per minute. Depending on the type of material into which the nails are driven, the impact force can be adjusted. The tool can handle size 55 staples and size 300 nails with a minimum length of 15mm. Despite the fact that the products are characterized by fairly compact overall dimensions, they provide very high performance indicators. This can be achieved largely due to the decent response speed of the equipment.

The tool has two-level protection that prevents careless pressing. The driving mechanism is activated only when the gun fits tightly to the surface. The firing pin here is made from high-quality, carefully hardened metal, which has a positive effect on the length of the tool’s service life. A reliable staple holder is provided. The price of the tool is quite reasonable, so the product is widely popular among both home craftsmen and professional craftsmen.

Advantages:

• Works quite quietly compared to pneumatic products;
• Optimal price-quality ratio;
• There is no need to use a compressor;
• The equipment safety system has been carefully thought out;
• Long warranty period, which is as much as 5 years.

Flaws:

• Cannot be used in completely offline mode - a network connection is required;
• It is not very easy to find staples on the open market; you have to order them online.

BISON ZSP-2000

DeWalt DCN 692P2

The tool is equipped with a reliable high-capacity battery, so there is no need to connect to the mains, this adds autonomy to the device and makes it even more convenient to use. The equipment belongs to the professional class. It was developed by German engineers specifically for installation work, and you can even work with fairly long nails - using a gun you can hammer a nail up to 90 mm long. Like most of the models included in our review today, it provides the ability to adjust the power and impact force. The device is equipped with two operating modes – high-speed and single. With their help, you can achieve not only high accuracy of work, but also ensure the highest speed of production.

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The electric motor of this model is not equipped with brushes, so its service life is much longer when compared with standard motors. In addition, this design greatly increases its performance. The device is very comfortable to operate, and the manufacturers also took care of the user’s safety. The noise and vibration indicators of the unit are at a minimum level. The gun comes with two high-capacity rechargeable batteries of 5 mAh each. In addition, it comes with a case made of fairly hard plastic, which makes it easier to carry and store the device.

Advantages:

• Long service life due to the presence of a brushless motor;
• Two batteries;
• The driving depth is adjusted if necessary;
• If the magazine is empty, the launch lock is activated;
• Jammed nails can be removed without using additional tools;
• It is convenient to drive nails at an angle.

Flaws:

• Quite a high cost.

DeWalt DCN 692P2

Makita DPT 353RFE (DPT353RFE)

Another battery-powered model in our review, belonging to the class of professional tools. The main power sources here are special lithium-ion batteries, the voltage of each of which is 18 V with a capacity of 3.0 mAh. Like the previous model, two of them are included with the pistol. The weight of the tool is not too large, the shape is carefully thought out, so you can use this product for a long time without your hands getting tired at all. The driving depth is adjustable. If there is a lack of natural or artificial lighting, then the master can always use the built-in LED light bulb, which has an afterglow function. In other words, it will continue to work for some time after the nail or staple has been driven in. This allows the master to evaluate how well the work was done.

The magazine capacity is 130 fasteners. It can be loaded with pins, the length of which can range from 15 to 35 mm. Like all professional devices, there is reliable protection against accidental start-up. In addition, there is a special clip for carrying the tool on a belt.

Advantages:

• Small overall dimensions and weight ensure decent maneuverability of the device;
• There is LED illumination of the work area;
• There is a function of protection against idle shock;
• It is very easy to adjust the driving depth;
• The handle is rubberized and features well-thought-out ergonomics;
• Good performance indicators;
• Decent magazine capacity.

Flaws:

• Expensive.

Makita DPT 353RFE (DPT353RFE)

STANLEY HAND TOOLS STANLEY 6-TRE650

This model is produced by one of the world's most famous manufacturers of professional equipment for construction and finishing work. This pistol is not equipped with batteries and is fully networked. With its help, you can instantly fix the material to the base. For this, special nails are used, and they will not leave any marks on the surface. Such products are capable of working with various fastener sizes - 15, 19, 25, 30 and 32 mm. The store for consumables has a decent capacity. If necessary, the pins can be replaced through a special window.

The length of the power cable is 2.5 meters - quite enough for any room, however, craftsmen still periodically have to use extension cords. Operating the tool is completely safe, the trigger is carefully protected from accidental pressing. Convenient adjustment of the impact force is provided, so the master can always adapt to a specific material. The handle here is rubberized and will not slip in your hands. The tool is very comfortable to hold with one hand. Productivity is very high, even large volumes of work are completed in a short time. The gun operates quite quietly and is reliable; the brushes wear out over a long period of time even with intensive use.

Advantages:

• Good value for money;
• Convenient to use;
• The blows are delivered accurately and carefully;
• The set includes a convenient plastic case;
• Due to the rubberized handle it will not slip out of your hands.

Flaws:

• There are few service centers not only in the capital, but throughout the country.

STANLEY HAND TOOLS STANLEY 6-TRE650

Criterias of choice

Among the wide range and variety of models, it is difficult not to go wrong with the purchase of a nail gun. You can purchase the most convenient and high-quality tool, taking into account the following criteria.

Manufacturer

The quality of work on installing fasteners depends on the functionality and technical characteristics of the mounting gun. More reliable products are produced by well-known brands that value their reputation. Therefore, when purchasing a tool, you should consider nailers from the following manufacturers:

• BOSCH;
• RedVerg;
• Bison;
• DeWALT;
• PATRIOT;
• FoxWeld;
• RYOBI;
• Makita.

Gas nail guns

Toua GFN3490CHLi

Autonomous products that have found wide application in the production of various frame works. The gun is capable of working with rack nails, the length of which ranges from 50 to 90 mm. This device does not have to be connected to a compressor or electrical network. The instrument belongs to the professional class. It is designed to work exclusively with wood, for example, when constructing sheathing or packaging. It is often used by craftsmen who build houses. In particular, such a model will be quite suitable in the process of manufacturing frame structures, assembling roofing and rafter systems. In addition, this device has proven itself well in the field of working with plywood and fiberboard type boards, especially if they need to be attached to wooden structures.

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The device does not require lubrication due to the fact that a mixture of liquefied gas and special lubricants developed specifically for this model is used as a working element. The gun is capable of operating in a wide temperature range – from -15 to + 60 degrees. The maximum pressure in the cylinder is 16 bar. The products are very convenient to use; there is no need to acquire special skills. The kit comes with two batteries, and there is an LED indicator on the handle to indicate when the battery is low.

Advantages:

• A full charge of one battery is enough for approximately 4,000 nails;
• Nails up to 90 mm long can be used;
• The weight of the equipment is not too large;
• Wide operating temperature range.

Flaws:

• Designed mainly for working with wood.

Toua GFN3490CHLi

Toua GSN F1

Engineers developed this mounting gun specifically for work related to electrical installation - in this area, the model is rightfully considered the best. The product is excellent for adjusting clips, organizing platforms for screeds, installing plastic cable ducts, pipe holders for various purposes, installing corrugated hoses, and so on. The main thing that users note is the high efficiency and low weight of the equipment. Thanks to these factors, the fasteners are aimed at the ceiling very quickly and efficiently. There is a narrow barrel used here for all kinds of clips, the diameter of which can reach 16 mm. The barrel itself is used as a clamping mechanism, which operates at a minimum depth, so the plastic fastener remains intact.

The kit also includes one more barrel, which will work at medium and maximum depth, which helps to use the gun for general installation work - installing guides, plasterboard sheets, plywood, and so on. The barrel can be changed within a few seconds if necessary. There is a decent level of power generated when driving nails, so even fairly thick material will be nailed securely to the substrate. The equipment is easy to operate and maintain. The kit also includes two lithium-ion batteries, and a full charge of one of them is enough for 8,000 nails. There is a bracket for hanging the tool on a belt.

Advantages:

• For a gas appliance it is relatively quiet;
• Excellent build quality and components;
• The ergonomics of the device are perfectly thought out;
• The model is characterized by excellent balancing;
• High speed of work;
• The barrel can be replaced if necessary.

Flaws:

• Sometimes oil from the cylinder gets into the valve, so it will have to be cleaned periodically.

Toua GSN F1

Lixie LXJG-III

The gun has a high level of power, which makes it possible to carry out installation work related to fairly durable building materials, for example, steel, concrete, brickwork, and there is no need to pre-drill holes in the base. The tool operates at a very high speed, so even a significant amount of work aimed, for example, at shooting plastic or steel parts, is completed in the shortest possible time. The product is equipped with a very powerful battery with a capacity of 10,000 mAh; in order to fully charge it you will have to spend about 150 minutes. The volume of one gas cylinder will be enough to hammer about one and a half thousand nails into the densest and hardest substrates. The kit comes with two batteries, safety glasses and a durable case.

When working with this tool, you can use special nails with a length of 15 to 42 mm. The device does not require a power source; it can be used completely autonomously for a long time. The device is capable of operating in a temperature range from 0 to 40 degrees. The diameter of the nail shank should be between 2.2 and 3.0 mm. The magazine is located at a zero angle to the surface, which completely eliminates jamming of nails. It holds up to 30 nails. The weight of the equipment is 4.5 kg with overall dimensions of 490x123x350 mm. The maximum shot energy can reach 110 J.

Advantages:

• High battery life;
• Build and manufacturing quality;
• Long service life;
• Can work with absolutely any materials;
• Two very high-capacity batteries included.

Flaws:

• Small magazine capacity - only 30 nails.

Lixie LXJG-III

Features and principle of operation

A nail gun (Nailer, nailer) is an automatic tool that allows you to effectively hammer nails without using a hammer. Structurally, the nail gun consists of the following main parts:

• durable body;
• ergonomic handle;
• clips for nails;
• trigger;
• drummer

Operating principle

The operating principle of the nailer is that the kinetic energy of the drive is transferred to the shank of the hammer, which hits the nail head. After this, the hammer returns to its original position, and a new nail is fed from the clip into the barrel of the gun.

Interesting. The rate of fire depends on the modification of the instrument and can range from 1 to 3 rounds per second.

Application area

Due to their efficiency, safety and high speed of installation work, nail guns of various modifications are widely used. Most often, a nailer is used to perform the following types of work:

• fastening of roofing materials. The nailer can be used to securely fasten metal tiles, roll coverings, corrugated sheets and other roofing materials. In addition, you can fix insulation and communications, assemble battens, install brackets and mount consoles;
• cladding the frame with sheet finishing materials, fastening finished panels, laying subfloors, assembling formwork and stairs;
• fixing glazing beads, baseboards, moldings and other decorative elements. Using an automatic hammer, the carpet is nailed and the plaster mesh is attached to the walls;
• assembly of wooden containers, door and window frames, installation of fences and fences. In addition, nail guns are often used in furniture assembly.

The use of the tool is not limited to wood and other lightweight materials. There are special nailers that can drive a thick nail into masonry or a heavy-duty dowel into a concrete wall or steel structure.

What else needs to be taken into account?

One of the more significant characteristics of the device is the length of the nails that the drum magazine supports. Of course, the larger the size and reservoir of the device, the larger and heavier it will be. Efficiency damping and balancing of the entire device are also very important. The type of mechanism must be additionally equipped with a non-slip handle so that it does not slip out of your hands during operation, and a hook, which makes it possible to attach it to your belt.

A convenient addition will be a battery charging status LED and a symbol indicating that the device requires servicing. In the case of gas appliances, you also need to focus on the cost of a container with propane-butane. A carefully selected type of mechanism will help improve the speed and quality of repair work, and, in addition, will serve for a long period.