Having the right tool for the right job is always important to complete the job. It is even more important in the case of woodworking projects as there is many delicacies involved. The finishing of woodworking projects requires more effort and attention to detail as you want it to be aesthetically appealing. It doesn’t matter what sort of woodwork you are doing, whether you are doing some renovations, making cabinets, or trimming things, you need the right tools for it. One of the most important tools required for doing such work is a nailer. There will come many instances when you need to choose between pin and brad nailer.
So, pin nailer vs brad nailer, a good idea is to have both in your workshop. Before you choose any of the mentioned nailers, it is important to know the capabilities of each of them to make a well-informed decision.
Pin nailer shoots thin headless nails or commonly referred to as pins. Many woodworkers who hate filling each nail hole like to use pin nailer for carpentry work finishing. The pins from the pin nailer are 23 gauge and don’t leave any visible holes in the workplace. Most of the pin nailers only take 1-inch long pins, but some high-end pin nailer models are available. Pin nailers are used with adhesives as they have no holding power at all. They are very easy to pull out and can be easily used for hardwood as well.
The Pros of Pin Nailer
1. No Visible Holes
Pin nailer has a major benefit in that the nails it shoots are not visible to the naked eye. These are only 23 gauge nails and are headless, so there are no visible nail holes. It also means you don’t need to do any filling if you are planning to do any varnish or paint on the workpiece.
2. No Wood Splitting
The pin nails are so tiny that they are not capable of wood splitting. So, you don’t need to worry about your workpiece if you are using a pin nailer.
3. Ideal for Delicate and Thin Trims
This nail gun is ideal for working on small and delicate trims that may split easily. It shoots 23 gauge nails that hardly split any workpiece doesn’t matter how small the piece might be. It is certainly the best choice when working on veneers and installing tiny trims on the furniture.
The Cons of Pin Nailer
1. Less Holding Power
Compared to brad nailer, the pin nailer has no to little holding power. It means you cannot rely on the nails alone for holding workpieces together, you need some adhesives as well. The pins used by this device are headless that also reduces the holding power.
2. Not Versatile Enough
Due to the nature and size of the nails used by the pin nailer, its applications are limited. You cannot use it for a wide range of applications, so the chances are, it will be one of those tools that you rarely use.
Brad Nailer
A brad nailer is a tool a carpenter carries with him most of the time for doing some finishing carpentry. It is a powerful nail gun that you can use to drive nails into wood trim or other finishing treatments. It typically uses 18-gauge nails to adhere to surfaces together therefore here is the list of best 18 gauge brad nailer for you. These nails are 3/8 inches to 2 inches in length. The brad nails have a smaller head that leaves only a small mark as they are driven into a workpiece. Brad nailer is also used for base boarding, unlike pin nailer making it a more versatile tool. It is always advised to use the best brad nailer available in the market for the best possible results.
The Pros of Brad Nailer
1. Versatile Tool
The brad nailer is one of the most powerful and versatile tools that you can use for carpentry tasks. Whether you are building cabinets, doing home renovations, or crown moldings, there is always a need for a brad nailer.
2. Holding Power
As mentioned earlier, the brad nailer usually uses 18-gauge nails that provide more holding power than 23-gauge nails by pin nailer.
3. Appropriate for Base-boarding
If you have a little experience in carpentry, you can realize how intricate the base-boarding job is. For its accurate finishing, no other tool can be as appropriate as a brad nailer. It has enough power for all such applications.
The Cons of Brad Nailer
1. Nail Holes are Visible
In most cases, the nailers leave considerably visible holes on the wood piece. Although the holes left by the brad nailer are not large but they are definitely visible. Even if you intend to stain or paint the workpiece with an automative paintgun or anything, you have to fill these holes for maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal.
2. Wood Piece Splitting
Brad nailers are not meant to be used on delicate surfaces. They are comparatively robust and have a reliable holding power so consequently, the delicate surfaces will not handle their pressure well. The 18-gauge nails used by this machine will split the wood pieces.[acf field=”faqschema”]
Pin Nailer vs. Brad Nailer – The Main Differences
Pin nailers shoot 23-gauge nails and have a variety of sizes ranging from 3/8 inches to 2 inches.
Brad nailers shoot 18-gauge nails with sizes ranging from 5/8 inches to 2 inches.
Pin nailers are best used for delicate pieces.
Brad nailers provide more holding power and are best used on hardwoods without any adhesives.
Pin nails are headless while the nails shot by brad nailers have a flat head.
Pin nailers have no versatility and are only used for delicate workpieces.
Brad nailers are highly versatile and can be used for any project including base-boarding.
The Bottom Line
Carpentry finishing can take more effort and time, so it is vital to have the right tools for it. And when you have to choose only one between the pin and brad nailers, definitely go for brad nailers. Brad nailers have more applications than pin nailers but you can’t deny the importance of pin nailers. If you have both of them in your workshop, you are well equipped to tackle any carpentry situation.
Hi, This is James, Author at "Best Product Hunter". I am a postgraduate in Interior Design, currently working as a owner of an interior designing firm, and a blogger for home design and renovations. I love to share my research and reviews.
