The main purpose of a nail gun is to drive nails into wood and other materials. It is the alternative of some power tools like hammer and nails. Moreover, nail guns drive nails much faster than their manual tools. Buying a nail gun can be a nut job if you’re not familiar with them. There are different kinds of nail guns to choose from; pneumatic, battery, gas, framing, brad, and the list goes on. This is why in this article we have discussed different types of nail guns and their uses. This should hopefully give you a clear idea of which one you will need for your work.
15 Different Types of Nail Guns
There are different types of nail guns available. The design and function of these nail guns are very simple but because of the varieties, you may find it difficult to choose the right nail guns for your work. We’ve looked at several different kinds to help you select the right one.
Pneumatic Framing Nail Gun
Pneumatic framing nail gun is the most common nail gun and it is powered by an air compressor connected to the gun by a hose. It is very lightweight compared to other guns but unfortunately, you can only use it to the length of the air hose.
Cordless Framing Nail Gun
Cordless framing nail gun is powered by a battery and it is a new thing in the market. A 20-volt lithium-ion battery and a brushless motor are used in this nail gun. There is no distance limit for this nailer but you have to keep several backup batteries with you to swap out as needed.
Gas Framing Nail Gun
Gas framing nail gun was a very popular alternative to pneumatic guns when they first hit the market. In fact, they are still very popular even as battery-powered guns become more reliable. You will need gas cartridges to operate this nail gun.
Pneumatic Roofing Nail Gun
This nail gun is powered by an air compressor thus you have to sacrifice the mobility. But if you need more power than it is the right nail gun for you. Moreover, you don’t have to continuously swap out batteries or load gas cartridges.
Cordless Roofing Nail Gun
A cordless roofing nail gun offers a lot of portability and it is the right choice if you are working on a roof. The biggest disadvantage of this nail gun is the sources of power. They are powered by batteries and gas cartridges and you have to carry them with you.
Pneumatic Flooring Nail Gun
Pneumatic flooring nail gun is air-powered and you can work quickly if you have the flooring properly set in place. There is nothing to worry about swapping batteries and gas cartridges but unfortunately, you can only use it to the length of the air hose.
Cordless Flooring Nail Gun
This type of gun uses a gas cartridge and a battery delivers an electrical charge that ignites it. This gun is more flexible in range than a pneumatic but you have to swap out gas cartridges from time to time. Moreover, they are not powerful so you can use them in lightweight jobs.
Manual Flooring Nail Gun
Manual flooring nail gun is slower moving but they are cheaper and give a satisfying crunch when you press in a nail. Because of the manual user control, you can manage the depth very easily.
Cordless Finish Nail Gun
There are two types of cordless finish nail guns available. One of them is straight and you can use it for stapling molding into place and the other one is angled for getting into corners. They are powered by batteries and you have to keep several backup batteries with you to swap out as needed.
Pneumatic Finish Nail Gun
Pneumatic finish nail gun is powered by an air compressor and they provide consistent and uninterrupted power. The disadvantage of this nail gun is you’re confined in your range by the length of air hose you use.
Pneumatic Brad Nail Gun
This type of nail gun is best for smaller jobs and it uses little air for each nail, so recharge times are very short. Moreover, the hose length limitation is not a problem for this nail gun.
Cordless Brad Nail Gun
The advantage of this type of nail gun is; it requires less power compared to other nail guns so the battery is going to last for a good amount of time. But they will eventually run out and you have to swap the batteries with a new one.
Hand-Actuated Staple Guns
Hand-actuated staple guns are the most common staple guns and they are very simple to use and cheaper. This type of gun supports a variety of staple sizes and is great for furniture reupholstering. They are perfect for outside work.
Hammer Staple Guns
This is a basic type of nail gun. You have to wield this gun like a hammer and that action knocks the staple in. They are best for carpet padding and insulation. For other substantial work, you might find this nail gun very slow.
Electric Staple Guns
This staple gun is powered by electricity and it can operate all day long without degraded power. This staple gun is fastener compared to other guns and they are perfect for upholstery, carpet, and very light cabinetry.
Bottom Line
Finally, the type of nail gun you will need depends on the application or work you are doing. Different nail guns work better in different circumstances. So a better understanding of the types of nail guns will make it easier for you to select the right one for the job.
